Christopher Chomenko and Philipp Sitter, co-founders of RepeatMD, share invaluable insights on navigating the current economic climate impacting medical spas. They discuss the role of inflation, emphasizing the need for strategic patient retention. The duo highlights the importance of adapting marketing for younger generations and cultivating loyalty through membership programs. They explain how tracking financial metrics and fostering a motivated workforce can enhance resilience and revenue, providing key tips for thriving in uncertainty.
Understanding inflation's impact on consumer spending is crucial for medical spas to adapt their pricing strategies and improve profitability.
Establishing membership programs can enhance patient retention and create reliable revenue streams, particularly appealing to younger demographics seeking value.
Implementing financing options can make treatments more accessible, allowing clients to manage costs effectively while increasing purchase frequency.
Deep dives
Understanding Inflation's Impact
Inflation is currently affecting consumer behavior, particularly regarding discretionary spending for luxury services like medical spa treatments. With the consumer fear index at its highest since 1954, spending habits are changing as patients become more conscious of their financial choices. In this environment, service providers must understand the implications of high inflation rates and the ways it constrains the disposable income of their clients, especially among those in affluent demographics. Businesses need to focus on patient retention strategies and shift their marketing toward creating value rather than solely attracting new clients.
Adapting Business Strategies
To thrive during uncertain economic times, medical spa owners should consider raising their prices regularly to match the increasing costs of goods and services. The emotional connection many business owners have to their pricing can hinder profitability, making it essential to review and adjust prices with a clear understanding of cost increases. Maintaining transparency about pricing changes with clients can help mitigate concerns and foster understanding. Providing justification for price adjustments is critical, especially during periods of inflation when clients may already feel financially stretched.
The Importance of Membership Programs
Establishing membership programs is an effective way for medical spas to create predictable revenue streams and improve client retention. With a significant percentage of aesthetic patients expressing interest in memberships, practices that fail to offer them may miss out on considerable revenue potential. Not only does a membership model encourage regular visits, but it also fosters loyalty among clients, making them feel invested in the business. Marketing these programs as valuable propositions during inflationary periods can attract younger demographics who prioritize experiences and engagement over simple service transactions.
Leveraging Financing Options
Integrating financing options into a medical spa's offerings can significantly boost sales by making treatments more accessible to clients. Many potential clients have the financial means to pay for treatments but may prefer to use financing plans, which can reduce the perceived upfront cost. This strategy allows clients to feel more comfortable making larger purchases, essentially turning what could be a significant expense into manageable monthly payments. By collaborating with multiple financing partners, practices can further enhance patient satisfaction and increase purchase frequency.
Fostering Loyalty and Referral Programs
Creating effective loyalty and referral programs is essential for retaining existing clients and attracting new ones in a competitive landscape. Instead of focusing solely on acquisition through high marketing spends, medical spas should allocate resources toward retaining current patients by enhancing their overall experience. Tailored loyalty programs can inform clients about the full range of services available, encouraging them to explore additional treatments. Ultimately, fostering loyalty leads to higher customer lifetime value, driving sustained growth despite external economic pressures.
Leading up to Medical Spa Show 2023, we met up with some of our talented presenters! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to catch each of these lightning round preview episodes.
In this episode, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with RepeatMD co-founders Christopher Chomenko and Philipp Sitter. They speak about what inflation means to medical spas and what they can do about it, along with strategies for patient retention. Their conversation covers:
Inflation as part of the cyclical economic life cycle;
How Gen Z and Millennial spending habits continue to support aesthetics;
Why now is the time to know your numbers;
How to keep your employees motivated in tough times;
The value of recurring revenue;
How patient financing gives clients access to their desired outcomes;
Using loyalty and referral programs to introduce patients to new services;
And much more!
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