There are a few spaces left in the Marketing Coaching Programs that start later today and tomorrow. If you were thinking about signing up but hadn't yet, now is the time. Go to www.spalutions.com/groupcoaching.html for all the details and to... Continue reading

NOTE TO READERS - This blog is moving to http://blog.spalutions.com. One of the many reasons? The difficulty Typepad has with uploading pictures and saving the posts I write on a regular basis! Grrr! Sorry for that unexpected outburst of irritation.... Continue reading

All three of these FREE webinars will be filled with tips to help you grow your business, improve your sales and profits and succeeed in 2012. There will also be several special offers and bonuses from each of the presenters, but only to those who register. Visit www.spalutions.com/threes.html for details and to sign up. Continue reading

Before the class, I felt that my peers and folks who knew me thought this business was just something for me to fill the time/ mothers hours... and it was kinda true. But I really wanted to be thought of as a professional. Since (I took) this class and am really thinking about where I want to go and grow, my business has cleared the air and made me more confident. Now when I talk about my business,when someone asks, I tell them, and friends and clients are really happy and excited in the direction I am going. I am really feeling like I am - and am being seen as - a professional :-) Continue reading

Life has been really busy all summer but I wanted to share a few details about where and when I'm teaching classes over the next few months. Please share with others who may be interested and sign up for anything... Continue reading

OK...I am doing it again. Copying myself that is with a "re-print" of a recent column of mine from www.spa-insider.com - the new blog from Universal Companies. Again, I think it is a good article. But it also is the basis for the foundation of a new arm of my business - Every Touch Marketing - as well as my new webinar series, EVERY TOUCH. (More details on all of this and more in an upcoming post) Read below to understand the new name, series and the concept of Every Touch Marketing in my article, What is Marketing, Really? Continue reading

I don’t think anyone should be forced to do unpaid marketing or work of any kind by his or her employer; it’s possibly unlawful and most definitely unproductive if the one doing the marketing is not a willing participant or feels like s/he is being taken advantage of . However, I believe the service provider was actually failing to see the bigger picture. Continue reading

They say that absense makes the heart grow fonder and I think it does unless you are not sure why the absense has occurred. In the case of this particular blog, I have been out of touch due to some... Continue reading

One of the quickest, easiest ways to promote your business online besides blogging is to create videos and then upload them on YouTube. Once the videos are uploaded they are very simple to share on your Facebook and other social... Continue reading

UGH..."not another article about networking" you may be thinking. I mean, who has time for boring, unproductive - did I say "boring" yet - meetings? Well no one actually, including me. So I want to help you find success in one of the most potentially beneficial business and marketing activities out there. But first, let's define NETWORKING. Continue reading

Today I went to get a long anticipated and much needed massage at a business somewhat nearby though not in the town in which I live and work. I won't give any identifying facts about this business either because I don't believe in outing people in my profession for bad service (trust me it was bad.) But by the same token I have to share the story to help the owner and staff members grow (in case they are reading) and to help my other clients, students and/or readers keep from making the same mistakes that I encountered today. Continue reading

Though I am prone to saying Facebook is the most popular and effective social media site for spa, salon, wellness businesses to get clients and reach their audience, this is in face not necessarily true. It's not untrue either though. What? Let me explain. Continue reading

People often ask me how to make their social media marketing more effectinve. Should they buy ads on Facebook or run a contest to get more followers? Should they promote special offers or discounts just for their fans or perhaps to entice people to become fans? Should they have a Twitter page, Facebook page or LinkedIn account? And there are countless other questions that come up. The answers honestly differ from one business to the next as well as to the goals and clients that the business are seeking to reach. But the one thing I can say to all of them is KISS. Keep It Simple Sweetheart! Continue reading

Helping people improve their businesses is what I do for my individual coaching clients. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to hire a business and marketing coach one-on-one despite how much good it can do for their productivity and profits. This fact has saddened and frustrated me because I want to help people in the massage and spa industry succeed in creating rewarding and prosperous careers. Continue reading

Do you know what I spent part of the last week doing? Going through my email and "un-subscribing" from many of the the email lists I've gotten added to (or added myself to) over the last year. It's part of my end of the year mission of cleaning and clarity. Continue reading

But to some, there still is an appeal in seeking out the "best of the best" and the treatments made exclusive to only a few by their high price and/or limited availability. For those, this list of the 12 Most Expensive Spa Treatments in the World may be quite appealing. For others, the list is simply something to roll their eyes - or day dream - about. Continue reading

If you're not quite ready for crystal-less microdermabrasion like what I described in my last article, you might be interested in the Dermal Radience Organic Flower Peel by Satin Smooth which uses natural flower grains (scents include lavender, tea tree,... Continue reading

I have to say I found the trend of eco-friendly microdermabrasion to be very "apeeling!" At this show, I found two new innovations in the world of microdermabrasion that fit right into one of the retail trends in my last column - offering products and services that are eco-friendly. Continue reading

Consumers of today don't mind paying a little more for products that support causes they believe in, particularly if those products are made in a sustainable, green or eco-friendly way. One company I ran across at ISPA that donates to causes they care about is Project Iris Clothing. They donate a percentage of each sale to help relieve world hunger. Continue reading

My favorite tip out of the group is to Keep It Simple. Marc says: "Your call-to-action should always be easy to understand and do. If it’s too complex, your readers won’t do it. Also, consider any barriers they may face in following through on your call-to-action because the barrier may demolish their interest in you." This is true in any kind of action you want clients to take from booking an appointment to referring a friend to using a product. Make it simple or they just won't follow through. A great rule of thumb is to be able to explain what you want them to do (and what the benefit to them will be) in less than 30 seconds. Continue reading

Check out www.BuildAnApp.com to see how you can quickly create a piece of mobile software with basic computer skills. You can include direct links to your email, website (though having a mobile site will make this more desirable), RSS feed, events calendar, and even appointment booking (BTW, I use Schedulicity for online appointments - try it free by visiting www.schedulicity.com. Use my personal promo code of SMARTSPA and you'll get 60 days free instead of the normal 30.) Continue reading

Waterless Spa Treatments I & II - Asheville, NC - September 25 & 26 - $149 each or $279 for both Some of the most effective and enjoyable spa treatments can be done in the average massage or facial room without a shower or wet-table. By adding a few simple spa treatments and techniques, estheticians and massage therapists can easily diversify their work and increase their income. In each class, students will observe demonstrations, receive and practice three waterless spa treatments while learning Felicia’s techniques and ideas for incorporating the spa experience into their existing practice. Students will walk away from each class with a strong understanding of how to perform simple waterless spa treatments as well as the benefits for each treatment. Students will also be able to state indications and contraindications for each treatment. Click here to learn more or register for one or both classes Class 1 will include: Brush and Buff Exfoliation, Body Polish, and Moisturizing or Revitalizing Body Wrap ... Class 2 will include: Moisturizing Hand Treatment, Energizing Foot Treatment, and Detoxifying Mud Wrap plus bonus demo if time allows Continue reading

Some people have great ideas. Some people have big ideas. And some people have GREAT, BIG ideas! Such is the case of my friends, David Otto and Gayla Coughlin, who have created the Massage World Record project, or as deemed... Continue reading