Where to advertise new Japanese spa business? (Raleigh, Creedmoor: living, restaurants)

[bluejworld]

My wife is an esthetician and just opened Raleigh's first Japanese spa. We are considering advertising in direct mailers like Valpak or Moneymailer ...
Or possibly Groupon, or one of the other similar sites.
Has anyone ever used any of these as a marketing tool?
How did it work?
Any other ideas that might work in the Raleigh area?

[Beacher]

Where exactly is it located, that would help in determining the best way to advertise.

[sacredgrooves]

Google Ads has been beneficial for me.

[bluejworld]

Originally Posted by Beacher

Where exactly is it located, that would help in determining the best way to advertise.

It's located in North Raleigh, near Strickland Rd. and Creedmoor Rd.

[peperoberto]

I've heard from several small biz owners that Groupon and LivingSocial work great on getting people in the door for the first time, but don't expect a lot of repeat business. Restaurants typically come out alright, because they can exclude alcohol and there's a large profit margin in beer and liquor. I don't know anyone at a spa that's used them, though.

[skaternum]

I've seen several spas selling themselves on Groupon and Living Social.

[suedonym]

Is your wife Japanese?

While a lot of people don't care, being married to and having lived in Japan, I won't frequent any place that advertises as being Japanese anything unless its actually own and run by a Japanese person. My husband certainly wouldn't (which is why there are only a handful of sushi joints we go to around here LOL)

back on topic... make sure she has a strong website thats set up strategically through SEO (on page and off page), google adwords, social media (facebook, twitter, etc) and perhaps even go the groupon/ living social thing a whirl to try and get some clients.

[jgb]

I am wondering what kind of services will be offered?

[bluejworld]

Originally Posted by suedonym

Is your wife Japanese?

While a lot of people don't care, being married to and having lived in Japan, I won't frequent any place that advertises as being Japanese anything unless its actually own and run by a Japanese person. My husband certainly wouldn't (which is why there are only a handful of sushi joints we go to around here LOL)

Yes, she was born and raised in Japan, and is using the Japanese community as a marketing tool (writing a skin care column for the local Japanese magazine, sponsoring events...).
And we agree about sushi joints, not many are owned by Japanese, or even have a Japanese sushi chef.

Originally Posted by jgb

I am wondering what kind of services will be offered?

She offers facials, peels, microderabrasion, waxing, threading...
And she makes many of the natural products that she uses.


Thank you everybody for your input.
All of it is appreciated for these self employed newbies.

[j-mart77]

If you are interested in SEO and website marketing, I have a friend that is quite good at this. Check out his site and feel free to give him a call if that is something you think would be beneficial.

Effective Website Marketing Strategies for Small Business

Good luck with your new business!