Spa Marketing Resources: Email Marketing

Tips to Increase Newsletter Sign-ups for Your Spa

By Denise Smith

Whether you're an email marketing newbie or an old pro, you should constantly be working to increase subscriptions. Below are some proven techniques to increase your email sign-ups.

Spa Give-Away

Each month (or each quarter), give away a spa treatment or spa product! We've used this technique with several spas and it has really boosted newsletter sign ups - both from the website and in-store.

Post the winner's name on your website. Include a link from your newsletter to the full, online version of your newsletter. You'll be amazed at the number of click-throughs generated by that link alone. Only subscribers who actually read your newsletter will find out if they've won the prize.

Run a Contest at Your Spa

Contests and promotions are powerful incentives for potential customers to sign up for your newsletter. If they are even remotely interested in your products or services, it's really a win-win.

To make a contest even more successful, be sure to include the fine print and details about the contest right on the sign up page or form. Include a simple privacy statement but also a link to your full privacy policy.

Offer Spa Coupons or Discounts

Another enticing offer for prospective subscribers is a discount coupon that can be accessed after signing up for the newsletter. Similar to running contests, coupons, discounts, or free downloads can actually perform better because there's an immediate reward -- and everyone wins.

Get Sign-ups at Checkout

Give clients an opportunity to sign-up for your newsletter while they are checking in or out of your day spa. This can be accommodated by a simple sign-up sheet at the front desk.

If your spa website has an online store, be sure to ask customers to sign up for your email newsletter during the checkout process. On the last stage of the checkout process, include a check box with the following description:

"Sign up for email newsletter and notify me of new arrivals and specials." (Be sure to include a link to your Privacy Statement).

Some e-commerce stores have the check box "checked" by default, but it's best to avoid this tactic. It just ISN'T a good policy.

Note: Always ask permission. You shouldn't assume that just because a customer is ordering from you that they want to receive your email newsletters.

Promote Your Newsletter in All Your Online Communications

Include an email newsletter sign-up link in all your regular communications, including:

• email signature
• forum signature
• company profile on social media websites
• Facebook page
• Twitter profile
• LinkedIn page

A successful newsletter strategy not only increases the number of subscribers, but also drives readers to your website, and creates excitement for your brand.

If you need help creating an engaging newsletter, please call Spa Marketing at 860.655.2283 to get started.