Quick Tips for Getting Testimonials How to get that great recommendation in writing and ready to generate leads. People walk in and out of your store every day. Some are buying spas while others are scheduling service appointments or coming in for new accessories or chemicals. It’s important to make an impression on these customers and a good one at that. But how do you know you’ve ...

Alert the Press Leverage the media to your advantage, getting free publicity. Has your retail store recently won an award? Have you been recognized for a charitable donation? Have you participated in or are planning an event? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should write a press release to send to the local media. These short, to-the-point write-ups can help promote ...

The Hidden Vibes of Your Booth Know what your event booth says about you and your store. by Heidi Thorne As a tradeshow industry veteran and marketing professional, I have attended expos and events of every type and size over the years. I can tell you that if the only impression that I got of a company was their booth and their personnel, I guarantee I wouldn’t be doing business ...

Do Your Promos Pass the WII-FM Test? How to create a campaign that highlights ‘What’s In It For Me’ content. By Laura Christianson A twitter update from a spa retailer announced, “We have an amazing offer for you on spas.” I yawned and clicked away. What if the retailer had tweeted, “Get $2,000 off on a new Brand X spa by mentioning this ...

Your Biggest Selling Point The specific value your company offers should be at the forefront of your sales presentation. by Megan Kendrick Recently I took a call from a consumer with a question that we hear often: “I got my copy of Spasearch magazine in the mail, but what I really want to know is which brand is the best?” As editors we don’t endorse one ...

Keeping Contact How to create a print newsletter that increases sales and boosts your brand. By Megan Downey A store newsletter can boost traffic, drive sales and create a familiar and recognizable name for your company. It’s something Alice Cunningham, co-owner and sales and marketing director of Seattle-based Olympic Hot Tub Company, knows a thing or two about; she’s ...

A Different Kind of Advertising YouTube is a quick and easy way to create an online buzz about your spa store. By Adrienne Rinaldi The ever-increasing ability of international communication capabilities via the Internet makes for the world at your fingertips as an entrepreneur. There are countless social media applicationson the web these days that can help get your name out ...

FOLLOW THESE STRATEGIES AND YOU’LL LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE DISCERNING CUSTOMER. BY KELLY REHAN WHEN A CUSTOMER utters the phrase, “I’ll be back,” it often translates into “Thanks, but no thanks,” to the ears of spa retailers. And while it can be disappointing not to make the immediate sale, there are things you can do to increase the chances of a customer ...

WHILE PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENTS ARE A SOLID INDICATOR OF A COMPANY’S VITALITY, THEY AREN’T THE ONLY BAROMETER OF SUCCESS. BY MARY M. MURPHEY DEEP POCKETS COME IN HANDY when keeping any business afloat, but when it comes to the spa retail industry in the current economy, shallow pockets that need to be replenished are more commonplace. So what should retailers do today to protect their ...

Each new customer who visits Deep Blue Pools & Spas or buys a hot tub is given a Chem Club punch card which is actually a cleverly disguised business card. For every $20 increment the customer spends on chemicals during a single store visit, the sales associate will "punch" one of the ten palm trees appearing on the top of the card. After all ten palm trees on the Chem Club card are punched, the customer ...

Staying in touch with existing customers and prospective customers has always been a challenge; phone calls can come across as pushy making the customer uncomfortable, and direct-mailings usually get tossed before they are even read. Greeting cards, however, always get opened. Busy salespeople usually don’t have the time to send out personal greeting cards to all of their prospects. "We were ...

Throughout the summer, one thing dominated the newspapers and newscasts: gas, gas, gas. People watched the rising price of fuel as intensely as the Super Bowl. Well, that may be overstating it, but nevertheless, gas prices have been a hot button issue this year. While the prices have started to decline, the fear leftover from the surge and its impact on the economy remains. Thus, gas giveaways have ...

Most hot tub retailers would say they aren’t interested in getting into the used spa business. Rob Carter from Premier Backyard in Tucson, Ariz., would say that as well, but his service and sales team found a way to take used spas and make them work to the advantage of their store and sell new spas. "We’ll take the customer’s spas in on consignment and they’ll buy a new one," ...

If you’re a small- to mid-sized hot tub retail business, you may want to consider new advertising options that could help boost your clientele while not breaking the bank. One of these options is creating a radio advertisement. By putting your message on the airwaves, you will be reaching one of the most widespread, diverse and retained audiences. According to Arbitron, a research company specializing ...