A Love Letter…
	Valentine’s Day is upon us, so this month’s newsletter – uh, love letter – gives you some loving advice you’ll cherish.

Our facial treatment article goes Face-to-Face with Love – while our body treatment article, ‘Men Be Mine,’ will give you male clients as a Valentine.

The Marketplace section has some tax write-offs you’ll love. And you’ll adore our ‘How To’ section, which will teach you to ways to show you love your clients all year-round…

From all at Techno-Derm, we’d like to say we love having you as our client. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

If you have a question about something that concerns your business – let us know – we’ll research and write about it for you.

Email us at editorial@techno-derm.com. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest Techno-Derm news and articles? Subscribe to our RSS feed today.

It’s time to come face-to-face with the facts of love – or lack thereof. Every Valentine’s Day, millions of women send themselves flowers. They could be sending themselves to your spa.

Why not capitalize on that trend by sending the ladies a few flowers yourself? Local florists would be happy to give you discounts on flowers if they can promote their brand – so consider partnering with them. Have business cards in one another’s offices – do joint-promotions on packages…

You can also send flower arrangements to your best clients, attaching a little discount coupon for a ‘Gal’s You Love’ Spa Day. Package a few favorite treatments together for a special Valentine’s Day value. And if they bring along, say, 4 new friends, give them a complimentary treatment. It’ll be worth it… Not only does it say ‘thank you’ and reward your favorite ladies for their loyalty to your business, it also gives you the prospect of having a few more regulars.

Set the ambiance with candles and aromatherapy. Classical romantic music never hurt anyone either – just keep those Sinatra favorites upbeat and cheery. You might even suggest that ladies write Valentine’s to each other so they can express how much they care. You can write a thoughtful little note to say how much you care, too. Although all women need this, ladies without a special someone on Valentine’s Day will be especially appreciative. You may want to consider having wine, cheese and chocolates on hand. Of course the sweet treats aren’t good for us – but they sure taste great – and you really can’t have a day of sweet indulgence without them. In fact, in keeping with the sweet theme, some spas have centered their spa treatments chocolate and wine-infused skin cocktails. If you have products like these, now’s the time to feature them.

What kinds of treatment packages should you offer? You decide. Any treatment that makes a woman feel beautiful, pampered and loved. Skincare facials with Clayton Shagal or mani-pedis, followed by Facial Fitness anti-aging treatments or a full-body EndermologieÒ relaxation massages… They’re all great. Just remember, give new clients a free skin care consultation. Not only will you make them feel welcome, comfortable and build a friendly rapport, you’ll also be able to recommend treatments and products you know they’ll enjoy. And before they go, put your knowledge to use by doing a makeup makeover that makes ladies look as radiant as they feel.

The International Spa Association agrees with Conde Nast Traveler magazine in estimating that 35% of spa goers are male, a trend that continues to grow.

Interested in attracting the male market?

While most women need no convincing to have a spa day, men might need a little TLC: tender loving convincing. Valentine’s Day spa packages can be a great way to introduce reluctant men to spas – and in doing so, give women a Valentine’s Day gift they’ll absolutely love. How do you do it? Create a couple’s package that offers couple-friendly treatments like side-by-side Endermologie relaxation massages. Make it more romantic by adding a little candlelight, chocolates, fruits and champagne. Market these couple packages to your female clients – offering free or hugely discounted treatments if they bring their man.

Now that you get the men there, how do you make them want to come back? First of all, you have to make sure you have a male-oriented treatment menu that positions your services as necessities. You see, hairy he-men simply don’t do ‘pampering.’ But they definitely do relaxing. Today’s men are under more pressure on the job than ever before, so if you create a sanctuary of health, wellness and relaxation, you’ll rub men the right way.

Offer deep tissue rehabilitation treatments and therapeutic sport massages with LPG’s Endermologie Technology. It’s FDA cleared for D.O.M.S. (delayed onset muscle soreness), the relief of aches, pains and muscle spasms. Leave the aesthetic treatment offerings to the missus’ powers of persuasion – at least until they feel more comfortable with your spa and services. By aesthetic care, I mean not only Endermologie’s Lipomassage body contouring treatments (love handles, double chins, abs, etc.), but also body waxing treatments or manicure and pedicure combos.

For more on this article, read ‘Spa Habits of Hairy He-Men’

The Marketplace: Tax Incentives You’ll Love

Barack Obama is going to try reducing the tax burdens of small business owners with direct tax cuts, including the following:

• Temporary tax incentives to encourage small businesses to reinvest in jobs (and since 2/3 of us are employed by ‘small businesses’ that’s saying a lot).
• The February 2008 stimulus bill, which increased maximum section 179 expenses to $250,000. The goal’s to encourage small businesses to reinvest in their businesses (by buying technologies like LPG’s).
• Having zero capital gains for investments in small businesses.
• A new 50% tax credit for small businesses offering healthcare to their employees.
• Over $1,000 ‘Making Work Pay’ tax credits for over 95 % of workers and families (including the 20 million + self-employed).
• And since Obama’s also preserving the existing tax rates for families making less than $250,000 a year - about 99% of small business owners won't see any tax increases.

• Send notes or cards. Constantly. Not just for holidays, but for birthdays, as thanks, if you haven’t seen them in awhile or just because you were thinking of them. Handwritten ones are best.

• Share with them. Make your success their success. There’s nothing wrong with asking some of your female clients – business owners especially – if they’ll do some collaborating. You promote them, they promote you. It’s a win-win.

• Feed them. It’s not just men who can be reached through their tummies – women can too. Food creates a homey, welcoming atmosphere. It makes your spa extra special. If you give me chocolate, chances are, I’ll love you.

• Listen to them – and with them. People, women especially, need to vent – if they confide in you - they’re more than a client - they’re a beloved friend, too. By listening with them, I mean have a music playlist that includes their favorite artists.

• Compliment them. Not fake, insincere compliments, but the kind you really mean. Know what’s going on in their lives to revel in their victories and achievements. And if they look especially nice, say so.

• Remember them. Their names – and those they love. Ex. “Hi, how are you today?” Cordial, but impersonal. Instead: “Hi Susan! How are you, how are Mike and the kids?” See? In seconds, that personal context took your client relationship to a whole new level. The same is true of personal preferences – itty bitty details like how they take their tea goes a long way.

• Tell them. When you close your emails and/or card correspondence, sign your name with love, from you. Tell them with hugs, too. (Just make they’re dressed completely and comfortable with hugging.)

• Laugh with them. Laughter really is the best medicine. Having a sense of humor and laughing with your clients, perhaps telling them a joke you know they’ll enjoy, will make clients feel instantly better and more relaxed.

• Give them gifts. The kind that last, so every time they use it or see it, they think of you.

• Survey them. Find out what causes matter most– and get involved. Not only will you get to know your clients better, you’ll get a tax break if you help. Add a dollar or % onto a specific product or treatment and have proceeds go to the cause. It shows you care – about everyone.