Over 20 Medical Spa & Aesthetic Medical Professionals Attend Social Media Webinar

Yesterday, Deb Roberts, Medspa Internet Marketing Strategist, presented the Webinar, “How To Leverage Social Media for Aesthetic Practices and Medspas” to a group of over 20 Industry Professionals.

The Webinar was a great success with everyone learning more about this very new, exciting, viral and inexpensive form to promote your business.   We will definitely include this Webinar in the 3rd quarter lineup for those who might have missed the opportunity.  In addition, if you weren’t able to attend but want to hear more about how you can take advantage of Social Media as a marketing tactic, contact Deb directly at 203-488-0028 x306.

Acara offers weekly Webinars to help educate and inform Medical Spa and Aesthetic Medical professionals, please check out the current schedule.

FXA

Internet Marketing Strategy – A Historical Perspective

I know many of you have heard me say it before  (possibly on one of my webinars) but I need to say it again.  The most cost effective marketing tool available to you today is the Internet.

The opportunities are endless as to how you can reach your target audience.  It’s interesting to think that our world has advanced so far in such a short time when it comes to communication and information.

Let me do a quick comparison to the past to help everyone understand the power of the Internet as a marketing tool.

• In the past we had a company brochure and if we were lucky we would update it every 2 -3 years.  Today we have our website and we can update it on a daily basis.

• In the past we created newsletters and sent them 4 times a year (at most).  Today we have blogs and e-newsletters and they can be updated and sent weekly.

• In the past we sent direct mail (at a cost of thousands of dollars) once a month (at best).  Today we have e-broadcasts that can be sent on a weekly basis (typically for less than $50)

• In the past we bought outdoor advertising (ouch! I used to spend $10K a month on 1 billboard in Boston).  Today we have button and banner ads for 1/100 of the cost.

• In the past we ran commercials on local TV stations for thousands of dollars (plus production, if you wanted something of quality).  Today we can web-cam a personal discussion or procedure on youtube at $0.

• In the past we attended cocktail parties and charity events.  Today we meet on the Internet with social networking: facebook, linkedin and other similar sites.

• In the past we worked hard to get speaking engagements for local womens groups (garden club, country club, rotary, etc).  Today we send tweets to all that follow us on Twitter.

This list is endless, but clearly everyone can see that the Internet allows us to communicate our message more cost effectively, frequently and efficiently, than we have in the past.

Join Deb Roberts, Medical Spa Internet Strategist and a special guest, Chris Uzzo, in Search & Internet Marketing for an educational webinar on Wednesday, May 27, 2009:  How to Leverage Social Media for Aesthetic Practices and MedSpas. Register Here – Space is Limited

FXA

Marketing Tip: Lights, Camera, Action!

I was working on the marketing plan for a new client and asked for a list of publications that they’ve advertised in the past.  I could hear the agitation in the physicians  voice. . . he said, flat out “print doesn’t work in our market – never has. The phone simply doesn’t ring!” 

You see prior to bringing Acara on to create their advertising they had nice looking ads, some original, some from vendors, but none with a strong call to action. A “Call to Action” is a direct request that you give to the reader that creates urgency. Call now, sign up today, etc. It’s not enough to simply provide your phone number and web address. You need to ask yourself why would they bother to take action today instead of a week or month from now? By creating a sense of urgency to your ad with time sensitivity – you are more likely to generate leads – today.

That said, you should know there are different types of advertising – branding and call to action are two very different strategies that solicit different responses. Last time I checked – the average medical spa or aesthetic practice didn’t have a big enough marketing budget to only run a branding campaign.

Here are some ideas to get your phone ringing off the hook!

Deadlines – make sure people know there’s a limited time for them to act (this should be in EVERY ad, direct mail, email, etc…)

Introductory Offer – this could include a special price or additional service that are available for a limited time.

Complimentary Consultation – Free Consultations should be a standard offer in the aesthetics world. This is your opportunity to listen and educate.

Free Gift – Everyone likes free gift. A product, gift card or newsletter are enticing offers. Link this to a consultation and it’s a home run.

Gift with Purchase – Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade – what can you provide that will create “added value” to your services. If you offer photo facials, a microdermabrasion is a great gift with purchase or perhaps a sun screen.

Financing Available – Regardless of the current economic situation, this is a reassuring message that says I can afford to do this now.

Not every publication or mailing list will work. Make sure you’re speaking to your target audience.

My special offer to you: Call or Email me directly by 4/15/09 for a complimentary website review. 203-488-0028 x.306 or droberts@acarapartners.com.

Now get to your reception desk and answer your phone.

— Deb

More for Less: MedSpa Internet Marketing Strategy

As so often, my blog posts come from questions I am asked throughout the week as I speak to so many owners and operators of Aesthetic Practices and MedSpas.  This weeks hot topic was about marketing  and specifically the question, “how do I reach more people for less money”?

Deb Roberts, Medspa and Aesthetic Practice Internet Marketing Strategist (also happens to be Acara’s VP Marketing) thinks the answer is simple, the Internet.  What is amazing to her is that so many businesses don’t take full advantage of this inexpensive vehicle to communicate their message.  “There are so many opportunities starting with having a Search Engine Optimized (SEO) Website, to link building, to launching social networking sites i.e. Facebook,” remarked Deb.

Since one of Acara’s missions in the world of Medical Spas and Aesthetic Medicine is to lead with education I asked her to do me a favor and provide anyone who is interested 15 – 20 minutes of her time to discuss the many Internet Marketing Strategies that she has seen successful.  In addition, if you have any success stories you would like to share, please post them or call Deb to share them directly.

I’ve asked her to take all of the great knowledge she has and the information you provide and put together a featured Webinar in our upcoming Q2 Webinar series.

I’m sure everyone is looking forward to listening to her insight and expertise.

FXA

Marketing Tip: Ring My Bell

I have a super simple tip for increasing the leads for your medical spa or aesthetic practice – your phone number.

Having a website is a given for any business – I’m sure we would all agree on that. What may be up for debate is the top priority for your site. The ultimate goal for your medical spa practice website isn’t branding, it isn’t promotions or coupons or even building your email list… it’s getting your phone to ring with interested prospective clients.

If you agree – (and if you are responsible for paying the bills I’m willing to bet you do) then make sure your phone number is front and center on each and every page. Not in the footer in a color that is close to the background. The upper right is very valuable visual real estate – an ideal spot for your phone number. Website statistics or analytics showing page views and visitors is exciting, but the phone ringing with prospective clients booking appointments for consultations is even better!

Let’s Take a Quick Poll: