8 Ways for Marketing into the New Year

2011 promises to be a good year for those who recognize how the mindset of their customers and prospects has changed.  People are optimistic but cautious, especially those who were most hurt by the economic downturn of the last several years.  Sampling products and mini-services and teaching them how better to use professional products can help draw these cautious consumers closer to investing in products and services for the long term.  People want real value for their money, not just deep discounts; but they do expect you to be putting your best offers on the table.  And people want to feel safe and connected to their local communities; create promotions that draw them in with family or friends for social events or that benefit local community causes. 

Here are 8 Ways to help your clients prepare for 2011 while marketing into the New Year:

• Create New Year makeover packages (‘Re-New-Year’   ‘Re-New-You’  – etc.)
• Help clients meet common New Year Resolutions by partering with local gym, fitness, dance, nutritionists or dietary experts, counselors or life coaches and other personal development professionals to create combination offers for their clients as well as yours, or for cross marketed offers.
• Create 3, 6, or even year-long service packages for regular clients, tailoring their individual packages to the services they regularly utilize.  Create special pricing for pre-booked, pre-paid services. 
• Help clients meet their financial New Year Resolutions while you work to meet yours; offer client-appreciation packages for services (such as $6 off each of 6 hair service visits for women to be used 6 weeks apart, or $3 off each of 3 men’s hair service visits to be used 3 weeks apart). 
• Create a virtual bulletin board or post a bulletin board in your salon /spa where clients can report and track their progress toward long-term goals on an on-going basis. Celebrate and reward participants when they reach milestones or goals with service or retail product rewards. 
• Create ‘support group’ happy hours, special sales, mini-service and product sampling parties, or social events for Resolution Trackers. 
• January 13 is “Make Your Dreams Come True” Day.  Partner with a local life or personal coach, counselor, retirement or financial planner or similar expert/s to hold a motivational seminar for clients or cross promote services to both sets of clients. 
• Create a ‘Make Your Dreams Come True’ makeover package for clients’ marketed as a must-have for first date, wedding, upcoming Valentine’s Day dates, new job or professional promotion makeovers.

It’s going to be a great year!