Okay, confession time. When I first started my med spa, I thought running a business would be all about fancy facials, Instagram-worthy before-and-after shots, and sipping oat milk lattes while my clients raved about their glowing skin. Turns out, there’s a lot more to it.
Like, who knew getting people to leave reviews or recommend your services to their friends was basically like pulling teeth? Seriously, you could have someone leave your spa looking like they just stepped off the cover of Vogue, and they’ll still forget to write a review.
So, I had to get creative. And by “creative,” I mean I started using SMS text marketing. Let me tell you—it’s been a total game-changer. Here’s why.
The Problem: Nobody Writes Reviews Unless They’re Angry
First of all, can we talk about how human nature works? If someone has a bad experience (not at my med spa, of course, but you get it), they’ll whip out their phone and leave a scathing review before they even leave the parking lot.
But when they love their experience? Crickets. Total silence.
Don’t get me wrong, my clients are amazing, and they do rave about their results—to me, their friends, or their coworkers. But I needed that love in writing, preferably online where potential clients could see it.
Cue my lightbulb moment: texting. Because, let’s face it, people are glued to their phones. It’s the one place you’re guaranteed to get their attention.
Why SMS Marketing Works Like Magic
I’ll be honest—I was skeptical at first. I thought, Do people even like getting texts from businesses? Turns out, the answer is a big, glowing yes. Why? Because it’s direct, it’s easy, and it feels personal.
When a client visits my med spa, they usually leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and just a little obsessed with their results (if I do say so myself 😏). I don’t want to wait days—or worse, weeks—to follow up. By then, the glow has faded (literally).
So, I started sending out quick, friendly texts right after their appointments. Something like:
“Hi [Name]! Thanks for visiting [Spa Name] today. We’d love to hear about your experience. Could you leave us a quick review? Here’s the link: [Insert Link]. Thanks, and we can’t wait to see you again!”
It’s short. It’s sweet. And it works like crazy.
Reviews and Referrals: The Dynamic Duo
Here’s the kicker—asking for reviews is just half the magic of SMS marketing. The other half? Referrals.
One day, I had this epiphany while scrolling through TikTok (as one does). People love sharing things that make them feel good, whether it’s a skincare routine, a funny meme, or their latest self-care splurge. So why not make it easy for them to share me?
Now, after I send the review text, I follow up a few days later with something like this:
“Hi [Name]! Loved having you at [Spa Name]. If you know someone who’d enjoy our services, share this link to give them $20 off their first visit! Bonus: You’ll get $20 off your next treatment too! [Insert Referral Link]”
Let me tell you, people LOVE a good deal. Clients started texting me saying, “I sent this to my sister—she’s coming in next week!” or “I gave this to my coworker—she’s obsessed with facials!” And just like that, my business started growing, not because of some giant marketing campaign, but because happy clients were doing the work for me.
The Results: More Love, Less Stress
Since adding SMS marketing to my toolkit, my reviews have tripled (yes, tripled). My referral program is buzzing. And the best part? It all runs on autopilot. I set up my messages to go out automatically after appointments, so I don’t even have to think about it.
Oh, and did I mention the open rates for SMS? They’re insane—like 98%. Compare that to email, where you’re lucky if 20% of people even see your message.
But the real win? It doesn’t feel “salesy.” When clients get a text from me, it feels like it’s coming from me, not some faceless business. And I think that’s why it works.
A Few Tips If You’re Thinking of Trying SMS
If you’re thinking about diving into SMS marketing, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
- Keep it personal. Use their name, reference their appointment, and make it feel like a conversation, not a broadcast.
- Timing is everything. Send your messages while they’re still riding the high of their appointment (within a few hours is ideal).
- Make it easy. Include links for reviews and referrals so they can act with just a tap.
- Be consistent. Don’t send one text and call it a day. Follow up (gently) to remind them about referrals or upcoming offers.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not saying SMS marketing is the magic cure for every business problem, but it’s pretty close. For my med spa, it’s been a way to connect with my clients, grow my business, and keep things simple—all without feeling pushy or overwhelming.
And honestly? It’s kind of fun. There’s nothing better than seeing those five-star reviews roll in or hearing from new clients who found me through a referral.
So, if you’ve been struggling to get reviews or grow your business, maybe it’s time to slide into your clients’ DMs—err, I mean, inboxes. 😉
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