How To Find Customers In Challenging Times
14/10/20 12:46
Finding customers for your equine therapy business is always a priority.
But in these challenging times we find ourselves in, it's upper most in many of my clients minds. So what ideas are there?
First of all, is cutting prices a good idea? No. It devalues your service. Unless your own overheads have reduced and your profit margin has increased. Then it's going to be unaffordable too.
A better idea is to offer a customer loyalty programme. This can be for new and existing customers. Do you find yourself buying coffee from a favourite brand, because of loyalty points? I know for sure it's great to get a free coffee from time to time, because of collecting points!
So what can you offer? Ideas include:
- Attend 9 therapy sessions and get the 10th free.
- Attend 10 sessions and get a free gift. Now this could be a head collar or rug. Or why not partner with a fellow equestrian business for them to give away an item. This is also promotion for their business. So can be win-win!
- Attend 5 sessions and get the sixth half price.
- Or have a free prize draw every month for customers who've had an appointment that month. The prize could be anything that you know your customers will love. And remember, try partnering with another equestrian business too.
Where should you be promoting your service?
- As i've mentioned in previous posts, there's many places that you can advertise.
- Are there any local equestrian or community newsletters or magazines?
- Does your local riding club have a newsletter?
- Use social media. Be consistent in your posting. If you can't manage more than one network. Then concentrate on using one really well!
When advertising though. Remember to sell what benefits your service offers. If you're an equine massage therapist. Don't tell people only that. Tell them why their horse will benefit.
Do any local vets know about your service? Remember that equine vets often travel a large area. So it's worth letting a number know you exist. They'll still be seeing horses every week (or day!), who you could help. So make sure they know you're there.
See my previous posts for more ideas. Have a browse through this blog, but these two are a good starting point:
Action Point
- Review your marketing. Where are you promoting your service? What messaging are you using?
- Can you change the places you advertise? Do you need to revise your messaging?
- Try and take an objective look. If you didn't know what you did, would you know? (if you know what I mean!).
How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business
Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
PS: You can find more equestrian and pet care themed business articles over at my Linkedin, see more here https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-harris-mcmi/detail/recent-activity/posts/
Is There a Perfect Offer For Your Customer?
21/10/19 15:46
Do you think you need to have a sale or a special offer for your business? To help both keep existing and get new customers? Is this something you've had success with or feel like you're missing out on with your business?
What Do You Want To Achieve?
A special offer or a sale can be helpful to boost most type of businesses. Including animal care / veterinary businesses.
But there is a possibility if you have too many sales or special offers, it damages your business. Why? It puts people off of actually using your service or business when it is full price. You de-value your service through too many special offers. Because many love a bargain! If it’s known by waiting a few weeks they can buy your service at a lower price, then many will do that.
Yes, even if their animal could do with your treatment or products now. Depending on what it is wrong with them, people can unfortunately put off treatment. This may happen if they aren’t sure whether their insurance company will pay. Or they know they won’t or they don’t have insurance at all.
Also, it’s important to consider how you construct your offer, this can be vital. Will it be for new customers or existing? It can make existing customers unhappy. If they know they’re having to pay full price and yet new people are getting your service or products cheaper.
You may've heard in the media about companies giving discounts to new customers? Whereas existing customers have to pay ever increasing prices. So it’s been often better for people to shop around and go to a new company. So don’t let that happen to you!
Why should people pay "full price" for your service? Instead consider always charging full price. BUT offer some kind of loyalty programme instead.
Action Point - Have a plan - what do you want to achieve with any offers?
How to Get Confident Using Social Media With Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.
What Do You Want To Achieve?
A special offer or a sale can be helpful to boost most type of businesses. Including animal care / veterinary businesses.
But there is a possibility if you have too many sales or special offers, it damages your business. Why? It puts people off of actually using your service or business when it is full price. You de-value your service through too many special offers. Because many love a bargain! If it’s known by waiting a few weeks they can buy your service at a lower price, then many will do that.
Yes, even if their animal could do with your treatment or products now. Depending on what it is wrong with them, people can unfortunately put off treatment. This may happen if they aren’t sure whether their insurance company will pay. Or they know they won’t or they don’t have insurance at all.
Also, it’s important to consider how you construct your offer, this can be vital. Will it be for new customers or existing? It can make existing customers unhappy. If they know they’re having to pay full price and yet new people are getting your service or products cheaper.
You may've heard in the media about companies giving discounts to new customers? Whereas existing customers have to pay ever increasing prices. So it’s been often better for people to shop around and go to a new company. So don’t let that happen to you!
Why should people pay "full price" for your service? Instead consider always charging full price. BUT offer some kind of loyalty programme instead.
Action Point - Have a plan - what do you want to achieve with any offers?
How to Get Confident Using Social Media With Your Equine or Canine Business
Visit https://animal-star-social-media.teachable.com or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk to learn more.
About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.