Blog
Your Salon VIP Card – The Media Attractor Factor
What’s a VIP Card?
It’s a sure-fire way to catch the attention of your local media.
Looking and feeling like a credit card, a salon VIP card is a ‘flexible’ discount device for salon or spa services and/or product purchases. Although you will think of many other uses, our focus is on how you can use it to garner more local media awareness . . . without looking … moochy.
Although Salon VIP cards work well in any economic climate, no one is immune to a value. Value and savings opportunities are strong motivators, especially now. See our recent post ‘Good PR in a Bad Economy‘.
Newbie or Old-Timer
If you’re just getting started working with your local media, a Salon VIP card is an excellent tool to put in the hands of local newspaper and magazine editors, TV program segment producers, hotel concierges, etc.
Yes, it’s a shameless, transparent outreach to bring them into your salon or spa, but if offered tastefully and sincerely, expressing your desire to have the opportunity for them to experience the ‘special’ value and service you offer your clients, it will be perceived for what it is . . . good promotion, not bribery.
If you’ve been around for a while and the local media already know you, it is yet another good way to get ‘top of mind’ for them again, especially if accompanied by an invitation note tied into some ‘special event’ or charitable good work you are doing. It’s simply an added incentive for them to focus on you again.
For either group, a tastefully handled Salon VIP card in the pocket of someone from the media increases the likelihood you will see them again IF you’re done a good job on their first visit (See our posts on “How do Your Clients See You?” and “All the World’s a Stage“). Many long-term relationships with local anchor people, weather folk, segment producers, magazine writers, etc. have begun with an enjoyable ‘first visit‘. Getting that first visit is the trick.
Note: Some press feel ‘guilty’ visiting another salon – It’s like they’re leaving their hairdresser! But, your Salon VIP Card gives them the option of just coming in to ‘try’ another service like a manicure, pedicure , massage or facial, etc. If they like what they experience, they will often opt for a new cut or color look sooner than later. Without your card, they may have never come in at all for any service!
There is no more powerful referral to have than members of the media! They not only tell all their endless contacts but are now familiar with your business when it comes time to do a story involving salons and spas.
What Does a Salon VIP Card Look Like?
The above image is a real world example of a card created by Suki of Donsuki Salon on Madison Avenue in New York. Should your design be flamboyant and easily identifiable, or more subtle and designer-ish? No rules. You can make a case for both, but it always should reflect your salon or spa’s image and message.
Our experience has shown a Salon VIP card works best, and is more flexible for multiple use, if it is designed with:
- An expiration date.
- A ‘write-in’ field for discount amount (based on use).
- Write-in’ fields for a choice of services, products or both.
- A non-transferable and recall statement.
- Contact information
In Suki’s case, she chose never to give product discounts, thus the printed copy on the card ‘for services only’ added. Dale elected ‘write-in’ space for both services and product discounts. Your choice.
Be Inclusive – Invest in your Media ‘Newbies’.
Everyone was an ‘assistant’ or a ‘Jr.’ before they caught a break. Include in your list of VIP candidates those individuals who are most often overlooked when “goodies” are sent to the media. Keep in mind that those lesser-titled individuals at the media today are the senior people of tomorrow. In addition, they influence everyone around them. You simply cannot evaluate someone’s sphere of influence or credibility factor until you get to know them better. Treat them with the same respect and caring you would give to the Editor-in-Chief and you could make a supporter for life’ of your salon or spa. Your Salon VIP card program is a long-term promotional investment.
Salon VIP Card To-Dos
- Make Your Cards Substantial –Don’t ‘cheap’ on the look and feel of the card. Card stock or paper doesn’t send the right message. We recommend a plastic credit card stock and size. Figure printing cost at slightly over a buck apiece for a thousand.
- Make Your Invitation Letter Sincere and Clear — Download the sample invitation letter to get an idea of how a good invitation avoids your offer looking blatantly ‘moochey’.
- Inform your Front Desk and Staff –When a VIP card holder arrives at your salon/spa front desk you should be notified immediately upon arrival. You should be the one to welcome them and evaluate how you wish to handle their appointment.
- Keep a Log –Keep a front desk log of VIP cards recipients using their privileges. You will know within a few months who is a ‘goody-grabber’ and who may be a helpful friend.
- Expire All First-time Cards at 6 Months –You want to re-issue replacement cards every six months to have the option of dropping someone off the list as well as the opportunity of sending out replacement cards and new reminder invitation letters at six months. It’s a twice-a-year reminder that you are there and ready to serve.
- Put Your Salon VIPs on Your Regular Mail/Email List — You’d be surprised how often this gets forgotten. Make sure all your VIP’s are kept updated and on your regular salon/spa mailing and e-mailing list.
- Use Ink –Make your write-in entries on the card un-erasable. I know, I know, it seems obvious, but one should never assume:-).
Sample Invitation Letter
Download sample-invite copy for your invitation letter. Change the general copy to suit your offering, discounts, services, etc.
Starting Here
We’re sure you can find several convenient local suppliers of credit card stock custom cards but here are a couple to get you started thinking:
If you have any questions or comments, post below and we’ll get right back to you.
Good Fishing.
If you found this article useful, get a free subscription to BeautyPRpro. You’ll receive a FREE copy of our ebook, “Life-Changing PR for Salon & Spa Owners” and receive each article post minutes after it hits the blog.
Join us on Facebook. LIKE our page to stay in touch.
Feel free to click on the ‘Share This’ icon below to send this post to a friend or mark it at your favorite social bookmarking site.
Sharon Esche-it has been a long long time since we met up you where with Clairol? remember Harold Leighton from then S&L or was it Glemby?? would love your telelphone number to say a personal hello.
mine is @ work office – harold.leighton@vtbeauty.com – 305 390 0044 Tuesday&Thursday: Home office 561 894 7919 home office hleighton@bellsouth.net
I do not have a salon I am creative director to VTBeauty Ceo Van Tibolli of GKhair Inc
[…] present them with your Salon or Spa VIP Card for services to get them to come in to ‘your world’ to try a service, meet your team, […]
[…] “If you’re just getting started working with your local media, a VIP card is an excellent tool to put in the hands of local newspaper and magazine editors, TV program segment producers, hotel concierges, etc.,” says Sharon Esche of Esche & Alexander Public Relations. “We have found the VIP Card to be a powerful marketing and PR tool for salons and spas throughout the country.” She recommends that salons design Media VIP Cards to give local media members and other influential people access to complimentary services at your salon. “Include the little guys,” says Esche. “Don’t just send your VIP cards to the big name anchors and beauty writers at local TV, radio stations, magazines, and newspapers. Make sure to include assistants and the others often by-passed when the ‘goodies’ go out to the media. If that junior person has a great experience and feels like a star, you can bet she’ll be sharing her experience when she gets back to work.” You can find sample copy for a cover letter that would accompany your VIP card at http://www.beautyprpro.com/your-salon-vip-card-the-attractor-factor. […]