Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/120653
Skin Associated Skin Care Professionals editor���s note What Do Clients Want? Personalization is big these days. People love being able to order unique variations on the menu items at a restaurant, mix their own flavor combinations down at the local coffee shop, or choose customized add-ons during a spa visit. Of course, many aspects of an esthetician���s services cannot be left up to the client. But in areas of your business that aren���t directly related to your treatment plan, letting clients have it their way is a key to success. Our sister association, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, recently conducted a nationwide survey of massage clients, and some of the results may be just as applicable to your skin care practice. One of the most interesting findings was that 44 percent of clients said they preferred to pay with a debit card, and an additional 16 percent preferred a credit card���that���s 60 percent of clients whose first choice is a card payment option. Do you offer clients that choice? If you already offer card processing, check that your marketing materials make it obvious clients can pay by credit or debit card (many businesses just mention credit cards). If your practice isn���t set up to accept cards, I strongly urge you to log in to the Members section at www.ascpskincare.com and look under the Business Tools menu. There you���ll find a concise article, ���How To Process Credit Cards,��� to give you an overview of how card-processing services work and what it takes to get started. As an Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) member, you even get a discount with one card-processing company, CellCharge. Another lesson in the survey was related to how clients want to book their appointments. Not surprisingly, most people book by phone and say that is the most convenient method for them. But the survey also showed a huge difference in the number of clients who wanted to book online versus those who actually could. Twenty-three percent of clients said online scheduling or email bookings would be their preferred method, yet only 8 percent were able to book their most recent treatment online. Do you make it easy for clients to book any way they choose? When they���re already on your website, are you telling them to get off the computer and contact you some other way, when a simple click could capture that booking on the spot? Online booking systems are easy to add to your website, and ASCP membership gives you a discount on Full Slate���s system. Giving clients choices when it comes to how they do business with you is just common sense���and when you give them the freedom to have some things their way, they may be more likely to take your advice on the things they should be doing your way. deep Vol. #11, Issue #3 May/June 2013 ASCP Skin Deep supports, challenges, and educates today���s skin care professionals as they help clients lead healthier, more confident lives. Editorial Carrie Patrick, Editor cpatrick@ascpskincare.com Darren Buford, Managing Editor dbuford@ascpskincare.com Karrie Osborn, Senior Editor kosborn@ascpskincare.com Jed Heneberry, Associate Editor jheneberry@ascpskincare.com Advertising Angie Parris-Raney, Manager aparrisraney@ascpskincare.com Hannah Levy, Advertising Coordinator hlevy@ascpskincare.com Production Amy Klein, Manager aklein@ascpskincare.com James Sutherlin, Designer jsutherlin@ascpskincare.com Enviro/Tech inks, which Skin Deep has printed with since 2002, have a renewable resource content of 27.3%, which is much higher than the published 7% minimum soy content required for soy inks. Enviro/Tech inks include cottonseed, vernonia, sunflower, tung, linseed, and canola oils, in addition to soy. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled stock containing at least 10% postconsumer fiber. ASCP Skin Deep (ISSN 19-412-495; USPS-024-571) is a bimonthly magazine published by Associated Skin Care Professionals, 25188 Genesee Trail Road, Suite 200, Golden, Colorado 80401. Periodicals rate postage paid at Golden, Colorado, and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ASCP, 25188 Genesee Trail Road, Suite 200, Golden, Colorado 80401. Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Websites: www.ascpskincare.com www.skincareprofessionals.com No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without specific written permission from ASCP. The views expressed herein are those of the authors, and not necessarily of the publisher or its advertisers. Publisher cannot be responsible for any unsolicited articles or materials, or the return of such items. Publisher cannot be held responsible for content of advertisements. The information contained herein is for educational purposes only and is not intended as advice for self-treatment. �� 2013 All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper. 2ASCP Skin Deep May/June 2013