by Debbie Roberts, L.M.T.
You think only big spas have room to offer couples massages? Think again. Even if you’re a small-business owner of a massage practice or spa, you can boost February sales by offering romantic couples massages in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
All you need is a room large enough to hold two beds side by side. Two therapists can coordinate their movements so that they’re not bumping into each other during the session.
Here are some tips to help you get started.
Selling romance
Remember, selling is an emotional response. When people walk into your spa and make a purchase, they’re not just buying a massage or service, they’re buying an experience—either for themselves or a loved one.
Here are a few ideas to help you set the stage for romance in your spa:
- Red is the color of romance and passion, so ring in the most romantic month of the year by dressing your spa up in red.
- Sprinkle rose petals around your display cabinets and on shelves. (These are available at any craft store and are inexpensive.)
- Decorate your counters and your treatment rooms with inexpensive but tasteful adornments. I’ve made some great finds at my local dollar store. The key here is not to overdo it and keep it tasteful.
- Have your entire staff dress in red all month long.
- Create Valentine’s Day specials and display them on beautiful paper with red rose borders. Place the displays prominently on shelves and countertops.
One of my favorite business tips is to offer a free romantic gift with the purchase of any couples massage or gift certificate. One year I advertised a free chocolate rose with every purchase. The campaign was so popular, I actually ran out. I’ve also offered heart-shaped candle holders, stuffed puppies I purchased from the dollar store with the tagline “Puppy Love,” and even rolled up romance scrolls with tips on how to make your relationship sizzle.
Setting the mood
When people purchase couples massages, they want to be pampered. They also want to be sure their loved one feels special.
Here are some simple strategies to help you set the mood.
- Have soft, romantic music playing as soon as the couple enters the spa. Make sure the music carries over into the treatment room.
- Adorn the spa and treatment room with rose petals, fresh flowers and candles. Keep lights dim so that the flickering candlelight creates a sense of romance.
- Have white robes available for your guests to slip into once they enter the treatment room. If you don’t already have white robes, now is the time to purchase them. They’re one of those small details that can really add to the spa experience for your clients.
- Have a coffee table book on romance or a crystal bowl filled with romantic tips written on red paper. There are lots of great books on the topic of romance. One of my favorites is 1001 Ways to be Romantic, by Gregory J.P. Godek.
Also, let your guests know they can bring in personal touches ahead of time to make the event even more romantic, such as including their partner’s favorite wine, a dozen roses, a gift or a card. Men especially will appreciate suggestions, so be sure to list a few ideas in your brochure or written material.
One quick note: Since not everyone has a special sweetheart, be sure to mention that couples massages make wonderful “ladies night” gifts to share with a friend.
Eat, drink and be pampered
When you offer a couples massage, you’ll want to include a beverage of choice and a light spa snack.
You can offer your guests a choice of tea, champagne, wine, beer, mimosas or whatever else you can dream up (just keep it simple). For your convenience, have the person who purchases the package make his or her choice in advance, so you can have drinks chilled and ready when they arrive.
Don’t go overboard. You can buy splits of champagne and small cartons of orange juice. Serve your drinks in chilled glasses for an added touch. If you don’t have a refrigerator on site, pack a cooler for the day.
Keep snacks light and simple. In our spa, we offer cheese served with crackers and apple slices. We also present our guests with four chocolate-covered strawberries served on a heart shaped tray. Not only are they romantic, they’re easy to prepare. (Simply melt semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is smooth. Dip the strawberries and chill on wax paper until firm.)
Keep your creative juices flowing
I hope this inspires you to set the scene for romantic couples massages in your spa this year. Remember to add your own creative touches to the mix as well. Your business should always reflect a sense of your personal flair, so keep those creative juices flowing.
Read, “Your Valentine’s Day Marketing Message,” by Debbie Roberts, L.M.T.
Debbie Roberts, L.M.T., is innovator of the Assessment, Treatment & Muscle Stabilization (ATM)™ Technique. Roberts is the owner/operator of Massage and Fitness Professionals Spa in Stuart, Florida, seamlessly blending her expertise in personal fitness and sports-injury rehabilitation with a unique day spa experience. Her book, So You Want to Own a Spa, What Are You Thinking? is an instruction manual for would-be spa owners full of wit, humor and practicality. She’s currently creating a “Spa Business in a Box” full of done-for-you business templates, checklists and scripts that will be released later in the year. She is founder of Debbie Roberts Seminars, a CEU company providing continuing education for massage therapists and personal trainers. For more information, visit www.DebbieRobertsSeminars.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/debbierobertsseminars.