Running events at your aesthetic practice can be a powerful marketing strategy to attract new patients, re-engage existing patients, and promote your services to the community. In this blog post, we will discuss the seven steps to running a successful aesthetic event. These steps will guide you through the planning, budgeting, scheduling, marketing, relationship building, implementation, and evaluation of your event. By following these steps, you can create a memorable and effective event that drives growth for your practice.
Step 1: Planning
To start, choose a primary service or theme to promote during your event. Whether it’s body sculpting, facials, brown spot treatments, or skincare, select something that aligns with your practice’s expertise and passion. Avoid making the event solely about promoting your practice; instead, create a fun and educational experience that you would enjoy attending yourself. Consider partnering with vendors and reps to bring sample products and ancillary staff, and ensure early planning, ideally 3 to 5 months before the event.
Step 2: Budgeting
Create a budget for your event, allocating funds for venue rental, catering, setup, and staffing. While events don’t have to be expensive, allocating a few thousand dollars can help create a high-quality experience. Track the success of your event by setting metrics to measure the return on investment. Additionally, leverage your relationships with vendor partners who may contribute low or no-cost products or funds to offset your budget.
Step 3: Scheduling
Schedule your event at least three months in advance, allowing sufficient time for planning and promoting. Consider having quarterly events for the entire year to maintain consistency and drive patient engagement. Choose the right day of the week based on the type of event, aiming for Thursday nights for upbeat events and Monday to Wednesday for smaller, focused events.
Step 4: Marketing
Leverage your VIP patients and existing customer base to market your event effectively. Personalize your invitations to VIPs, making them feel exclusive and special. For larger events, utilize email invites and social media marketing targeting specific demographics. Consider print advertising or pay-per-click campaigns for laser-focused promotions. If you have a new product or procedure to introduce, VIP invites can create excitement and encourage patient participation.
Step 5: Relationship Building
Build strong relationships with your vendors and reps to enhance your event’s success. Invite them to co-host or promote the event, leveraging their audience and aligning their products with your services. Collaborating with vendors can make the event more enjoyable, fun, and exciting, increasing attendee engagement and satisfaction.
Step 6: Implementation
Ensure smooth implementation of your event by paying attention to details. Have a designated greeter at the entrance, collecting attendees’ names, emails, and phone numbers to track new clients. Consider giving personal tours to new visitors, offering exceptional customer service. Implement icebreakers, raffles, and demonstrations to create a lively and memorable atmosphere. Clean and prepare your practice thoroughly to leave a positive first impression on attendees.
Step 7: Evaluation
After the event, assess its success by evaluating various factors, such as new patient consultations, event revenue, and profit. Stay engaged with registrants and attendees, following up with personalized communication and offers to maintain their interest. If engagement does not continue after 30 days, transition them into your regular marketing efforts. Review the event’s strengths and areas for improvement, and learn from the experience to enhance future events.
Organizing a successful aesthetic event for your practice requires careful planning, strategic budgeting, thoughtful scheduling, effective marketing, relationship building with vendors, smooth implementation, and thorough evaluation. By following these seven steps, you can create a memorable event that not only attracts new patients but also strengthens relationships with existing ones. Remember, events should be an ongoing part of your marketing mix to ensure long-term success and growth for your aesthetic practice. By investing time and effort into creating engaging and impactful events, you can showcase your expertise, generate excitement, and ultimately drive the success of your practice.
