3. SOCIAL MEDIA - ONLINE SPA BUSINESSSocial media is the new powerhouse of word-of-mouth marketing. Social Networks, Blogs, Podcasts, Twitter's Tweets, and the mighty You Tube. Facebook boasts 350 million users worldwide (100.5 million in the US) to Twitter's 58 million. Demographics show women between the ages of 25 - 54 are eagerly sharing their opinions online . . . both good and bad. This past holiday season found 28% of consumers were clearly influenced by social media and purchased products recommended by consumer or expert reviewers.
This global phenomenon has opened many doors in the spa industry. Ad-Ology revealed that, "57 % of 18 to 24 year olds and 48.5 % of 25 to 34 year olds say social media influenced their choice of a hair salon or day spa." Spa Finder announced that in early 2010 they will launch a new application that will allow anyone who owns an iPhone to "pinpoint a spa nearest you." With 26 million iPhones sold and 27 million people accessing a social networking sites from mobile phones . . . well . . . you get the picture. Talk about the ability to reach out and touch someone. Online booking tools are available from individual spas or trustworthy companies like SpaFinder and WaySpa (partnered with Spa Magazine). Spas are inviting clients to visit them online to familiarize themselves prior to their appointment, which is a perfect way to personalize their relationship. Inviting dialogue and chatting on Twitter helps build trust and deliver what their clients really want. The power of social media on commerce is immediate and unmistakable. Social media truly is the holy grail of increased brand awareness, brand monitoring and brand reinforcement.
