I have had my share of really bad and really good open house events. You know the ones that no one show up to and then ones that fill up your spa 
and there is only standing room space. Throughout the years we have learned some dos and don’ts. We have a quick spa open house cheat sheet.
What do you call your event?
You can get creative with this. You can call it many things. I find that it just has to sound either really fun or there has to be a good pull for them to come. Many will call it the following and add a little spin to it.
- Open House
- Client Appreciation Event
- Beauty Event
These are just a couple of basic ideas. You can get creative.
When?
You know your clients best. What days do you think they can come? I have seen the best turnout on Wednesday and Thursday. But that could be different with your clients. Many places do 5-7pm. Some spas will do a whole day and actually do a more scheduled event if they are promoting treatments that day. It can be a come and go event. If you have giveaways, demos or things like that being offered you may need to do a small window.
Food and Drinks
I would have some fun munchies and drinks. Some places will have wine, water, crackers, cheese, fruit and other things like that. You don’t have to go crazy with this. I have done that and you don’t have to provide a meal.
What do you offer?
What you need to think about is “what will make them want to come?”. It has to be worth their time and yours too. Here is a list of some ideas. You do not have to do all in one event. Just pick a couple.
- Giveaways/drawings
- Goodie Bags
- Discounts on products
- Special Offers and packages
- Mini Treatments
- Chair Massage
- Demos
- Educational
- Skin Analysis
- Food Drive
- Gift Certificates
- Incentives for clients to bring friends
Promoting It
This is a huge and one of the main things to focus on. If you don’t give yourself enough time to promote it is really hard to have a good event. Set a date in advance. I say 8 weeks at least before.
- Email Blast to all clients
- Flyers
- Facebook invitation
- Invite clients personally
Day of the event
- Have a sign in sheet and have a place where you can collect emails.
- Have enough staff or help for that day. Cover all the bases.
- Enough food and drinks
- Music
- Flyer with specials, packages or anything you are offering.
At the end of the event you can follow up with an email. Remember to take plenty of pictures so you can share on your site and social media. Always remember to have fun.