1. Feeling so stressed you feel exhausted? Take a power nap. Set your phone alarm for 15-30 minutes, put your feet up, and snooze. It’s amazing how recharging just even a brief nap can be.
2. Drink water. The human brain is 80% water. That means it’s really easy to get dehydrated. A quick glass of water can be the boost your brain is craving.
3. When did you eat last? It may be time for some quick protein if you’ve been fasting or swamped with clients. Try 1-2 ounces of lean protein paired with a low starch carb. If you’re doing weight management, keep it under 250 calories. You’ll recharge your energy, not impact your scale.
4. Here’s a bonus… move! Moving creates energy and revs you up. Make a few quick laps around the inside of your house/clinic. Or walk to the corner or around the block. You’ll feel more relaxed and ready to deal with work. 

Signs of overheating:

Symptoms of overheating include dizziness and confusion. You may feel sick or have a loss of appetite. You may sweat excessively and have pale, clammy skin. Cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach are also common.

You should get into a cool place, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet towels. Sip water. If you start having nausea or vomiting, seek medical attention.

Heatstroke

If you quit sweating and run a fever, that overheating or heat exhaustion may shift to heatstroke. Full symptoms include:

• an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse.
• Throbbing headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Confusion.
• Unconsciousness.

Heatstroke needs immediate medical attention. Call 911!

DOGS

Dogs can also suffer from overheating and heatstroke. Walk them in the cool part of the day and consider shorter walks. Your shoes will protect you from the pavement, but your dog doesn’t have the protection. If it’s 100°F outside, the pavement is 160°!!!

That heat will literally burn the pads off the pooch’s feet. Be smart and protect your pets and small children from pavement burns.

• Theme: Kickstart the new year with a fresh start.
• Offer: Buy a package and get a discount on waxing services for the month of January.
• Promote: Create a social media campaign with before-and-after photos of waxing transformations.
• Partner: Collaborate with a local fitness center or boutique to cross-promote each other's businesses.

February: Love Is in the Air Campaign

• Theme: Show your love with smooth, hairless skin.
• Offer: With each waxing service, get a sweet reward for the month of February.
• Promote: Host a Pre-Valentine's Day waxing party with snacks, drinks, and mini-treatments.
• Partner: Collaborate with a local chocolatier or florist to offer special Valentine's Day packages and provide the chocolates to use as rewards.

March: Spring Awakening Campaign

• Theme: Shed your winter coat and reveal your glowing skin.
• Offer: Free brow tinting or laminating with any brow waxing service for the month of March.
• Promote: Create a blog post about the importance of waxing for spring break prep.
• Partner: Collaborate with a local tanning salon to offer a discounted combo package.

April: Earth Day Campaign

• Theme: Pamper yourself with natural waxing products.
• Offer: 10% off all organic waxing services for the month of April.
• Promote: Host an Earth Day event with free consultations and samples of organic products.
• Partner: Collaborate with a local eco-friendly boutique to cross-promote each other's businesses.

May: Mother's Day Campaign

• Theme: Treat Mom to the gift of relaxation.
• Offer: Mom-and-me waxing package for the month of May.
• Promote: Create a social media contest for a chance to win Mom a free waxing service.
• Partner: Collaborate with a local bakery or spa to offer a special Mother's Day package.

June: Summer Ready Campaign

• Theme: Get bikini-ready with our waxing services.
• Offer: Brazilian wax packages so you're ready for summer.
• Promote: Partner with a local swimwear store to offer a discount on swimwear purchases with proof of waxing service.
• Host a waxing party at a local pool, beach club or fitness center to introduce toe waxing.

July: Vacation Vibes Campaign

• Theme: Maintain your smooth skin all summer long.
• Offer: Buy four waxing or body smooth services, get the fifth one free for the month of July.
• Promote: Create a social media campaign showcasing vacation-ready waxing styles.
• Partner with a local travel agency to offer a discount on vacation packages with proof of waxing service.

August: Back to School Campaign

• Theme: Get ready for school with our waxing services.
• Offer: 15% off all waxing services for students and teachers for the month of August.
• Promote: Use social media or your newsletter to talk about the benefits of waxing over shaving.
• Create a back-to-school blog post with tips on waxing for teenagers.

September: Fall into Savings Campaign

• Theme: Save big on waxing services before the holiday rush.
• Offer: Buy three identical services, get the fourth one 25% off for the month of September.
• Promote: Host a fall waxing party with refreshments and mini-treatments.
• Partner with a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard to offer a discounted combo package.

October: Halloween Hair-Raising Campaign

• Theme: Get ready for Halloween with spooky waxing designs.
• Offer: Free Halloween bikini waxing design with any brazilian for the month of October.
• Promote: Create a social media contest for the best Halloween costume.
• Host a Halloween waxing party with spooky snacks, drinks, and music.

November: Holiday Glam Campaign

• Theme: Get ready for the holidays with our waxing services.
• Offer: Gift certificates for waxing services for the month of November.
• Promote: Create a holiday gift guide featuring waxing services.
• Partner with a local makeup artist to offer a discounted combo package.

December: Winter Wonderland Campaign

• Theme: Indulge in some self-care with our waxing services.
• Offer: Free paraffin hand treatment with any waxing service for the month of December. OR - Promote Gift Certificates for gift giving.
• Promote: Host a holiday waxing party with carols, snacks, and mini-treatments. Have attendees bring non-perishable goods or donations for the local food bank.
• Partner with a local holiday boutique to cross-promote each other's businesses.

I always had lots of client referrals, but found you still have to do paid marketing. It can might be Google ads, Facebook or Instagram posts and paid ads, etc. You have to get your message out there. But these can get expensive quickly.

The average click for social media is 1.3%. Ouch. You need a better rate than that!

One of the most successful tools I discovered was newsletters. They started out print, and now are digital.

According to MailChimp the average beauty industry open rate is16.5%. That seems a little low to me. Last month we hit 29% and that happens regularly.

Keep in mind, your numbers will fluctuate, that’s the way it is. And the ups and downs are dependent on your client list and how well your newsletter is written.

Some businesses send newsletters weekly or semi-monthly but for the beauty niche, monthly works equally well.

You start with clearly knowing who your writing to… your target audience. What would they like from you? What are their concerns, interests and needs? Will your newsletter focus on a single service, or topic? Or will you share information on several different things.

If you’re swamped, or writing marketing materials isn’t your strength, look for someone who specializes in writing newsletters. If cost is a concern, some writers, like me, offer a slightly more generic email focused on salons.

You then personalize it with your salon information and copy/paste it into your email service provider’s system. Easy and inexpensive.

Most writers also have package options where your newsletter can be customized. This can add more personalized elements.

Did you know that 42.3% of subscribers are looking for insider savings? So yes, tell them about any specials you’re offering. But keep at least 80-90% of your content helpful and informational.

If’ you’ve not used a newsletter, I encourage you to give it a try this year! You may well find it will help your dreams take wings. Confused, stuck or need help? Book a quick free call and let’s chat.

That means lots of savings for you. How much? Check our Comparison Chart below:

Single packs, bulk orders and rolls are all offered at great savings for you. When gathering this information, I noticed everyone sells different sizes making comparisons confusing. So I converted each brand into the same cost per factor. The cost and the savings is straight forward.

The longer this pandemic drags on, the more it affects our mindset. The good news, there are lots of little things we can do to help it.  Try some of these...

• Limit the number of people and households you have to deal with.
• Accept your individual needs.
• Write a gratitude list and offer thanks.
• Manage your time and don't try to do too much.
• Be realistic.
• Set boundaries.
• Practice relaxation - breathing cleanses the body and mind
• Exercise daily - clears those stress toxins fast.

Read the complete article here.

our lives, physical and mental health is practicing gratitude.  This is a curated version of what they share. 

As Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” Saying thank you, holding the door for someone, these little moments can change the tone of your whole day.

One of the most powerful ways to rewire your brain for more joy and less stress is to focus on gratitude. Here are 10 simple ways to become more grateful:

• Start a Gratitude journal. Note the good things you enjoyed during the day.
• Remember the Bad. When we remember the tough times, it can be easier to be grateful where we are now. If you're in a tough time, look for the silver lining. Is a lost loved one, now out of pain and misery? That is a positive.
• Ask Yourself Three Questions. 

1.            “What have I received from __?” 
2.            “What have I given?" 
3.            "What troubles and difficulty have I caused?” 

• Share Your Gratitude with Others. Sharing gratitude strengthens relationships. Say thank you to those around you.
• Come to Your Senses. Let your ability to touch, see, smell, taste, and hear—help you appreciate what is around you. 
• Use Visual Reminders. The people around you are often the best visual reminders of the need to be grateful. 
• Make a Vow to Practice Gratitude. Need a reminder? Post it on your bathroom mirror.
• Focus outward-- Note how others around you are trying to help. It's not about you, focus on them.
• Go Through the Motions. When you smile, say thank you and express gratitude to others, it gives you a dose of positive feelings - dopamine. You will feel better for having done it. 
• Look outside the box for situations and circumstances in which to feel grateful. 

Click here to learn more about Mindful.org.

We use Google to find answers daily on our phones.

• What time’s my next appointment?
• Where’s the nearest gas?
• What’s playing at the theater?
• What do I need to know about waxing?

Behind the scenes, Search Engines like Google look for answers. They find answers in Search Engine Optimized pages, (SEO), and provide results on the search page.

So the very short answer is right there. If you are in business and you want people to find and use your business, you need SEO implemented on your website and social media.

The hard part is SEO guidelines are constantly changing at the same time as page content is getting dated.

It’s rather like business taxes—you need to have either a lot of time to deal with it or invest in professional help.

When visitors can’t find answers

Imagine you’re brand new to your town. You’re looking for a place that offers quality waxing services. What will they put in the search? Will they hunt for a brand of wax? Or “waxing that doesn’t hurt.” Or maybe they are used to a specific type of wax - strip or non-strip.

Your web pages and social posts need to include these answers and the myriad of others that you hear regularly. You want them to know what makes you different, unique, or special.

If your web and social media aren’t optimized for SEO and can't answer the questions, you may lose the chance for new business. You need them maximized to get the prospect to schedule an appointment.

Missing information is common

In my experience as a consumer, skincare clinic and school owner, and content consultant, I frequently see places where information is missing.

Have you ever noticed how many businesses don’t have their location above the fold? Ever had to hunt for a way to ask questions or schedule appointments?

We need to make sure our websites answer all the questions prospective visitors may ask. If we don’t, our marketing efforts are handicapped.

We need to make sure our content is current, useful, and relevant to get the best from Google and other search bots.

3 techniques to enhance content with SEO

Start by identifying your goals. Follow this by understanding the why, the intent your visitor has. And overall, be mobile-friendly.

Identify your goals

It may sound obvious, but it’s essential to know what your objectives are. Some businesses are focused on Google rankings. Others prioritize increasing web traffic. A third group is looking for more leads and sales.

If you don’t have clear objectives, it’s much harder to achieve them. Take time to clarify and prioritize what you want to accomplish with your marketing. If you’re not sure, find a professional that will consult with you as well as help you get optimized.

Identify searchers intent

It’s important to know what the person you’re trying to reach is thinking.

• Who or what are they looking for?
• What are their goals?
• Where do they want to go or what do they want to do?

We know they are searching. We need to discover the intent, the what, or why behind the search. Then we can make sure to include that answer in our content so the search engine acts on it.

Be mobile-friendly

Smartphones have changed the way we get information. Now we want answers no matter where we are or what type of device we happen to be using. That makes it essential for every business to make sure their website is easily accessible by smartphones.

Good web hosts can make sure your pages load quickly and are friendly to phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.

Blending these techniques with top-quality content that is fresh, relevant and SEO optimized can maximize both long-term organic growth and enhanced paid advertising.

Current relevant information

I know a fabulous business in our beauty/spa niche. They’ve always focused on keeping clients safe and protected. I know they’ve worked hard to exceed every recommendation by the state health department.

Recently, they completed a major expansion. I visited their website to see what changes might have implemented. I was stunned to find nothing about safety precautions.

Nothing about current policies, disinfecting steps, or protocols to keep staff and customers safe. Unfortunately, this made the message come across they don’t think there are concerns, or they aren’t doing anything.

A key attribute of what makes them Unique is entirely missing. No trust builders for new clients.

Dated or missing information costs

I’ve seen this repeatedly. A website is created, then the focus shifts. It stops getting attention. The site loses to ordering supplies or social media posts.

When a website sits static, search engines start skipping it. Lack of activity, updates, or revisions and it disappears off the SEO radar.

To avoid this, consider all components behind the scenes and visitor-facing. What do you have time and the skillsets to handle yourself? What needs delegated?

I know I’ll never keep up with behind-the-scenes tasks. I need my web host to handle backups, system optimization, component updates, and performance checks.

Keeping up with this has a price tag. But if missing, it also costs you.

In beauty and spas, guests are concerned with health and safety. And guidelines keep changing. We must address these. Make sure the most up-to-date information is readily available where it is easily accessible.

Nothing happens until it makes your calendar.

The easiest way to stay on target is to add web checks and updates to your task calendar or delegate it out. Give web maintenance equal importance to other parts of your marketing.

Three techniques to improve your content

Confidence building pages

There are three vital confidence-building pages—About, Spam Protection, and Privacy.

The About page tells your visitors how you help them. Often, this turns into a self-focused bio. It accomplishes much more when it focuses on how you help and benefit your visitor and clients.

Your Spam Protection page shares how you protect visitors from spam and establishes use policies. The Privacy page tells how you maintain customer privacy and protect personal information. Some companies share or rent lists. Others never share their list with outsiders.

Changes to share?

People love updates and being in the know. When we are included as an insider, we feel like part of a team, a tribe. It enhances our loyalty feelings.

• Share what’s new, and changing.
• Staff stories.

• Share how a product or service evolved to offer enhanced benefits to clients.
• Let customers want to know how you protect your community, staff, and the environment. Share your values and how you give back.
• Share real people’s stories. Success stories impact decisions. They help the viewer see their problem solved and offer hope.

Testimonials on every page,

We have learned these should be included on every page that makes sense. They are the biggest factor in the buying decision.

Less than stellar reviews are opportunities. You can learn from them and improve your offering. Resolving questions or problems helps the person who puts forth the issue and those in the considering phase.

Reviews and testimonials are a super valuable resource for any business. Gather after every visit and share them to grow your business.

Key takeaways

• Start with a quick website review to identify what might be slowing it down—anything from how it operates or creates bumps for the viewer.
• Create a tracking calendar to stay on top of both backside front-facing issues.
• Continually add new, relevant, and useful value content for your target audience. 

Be transparent and show them the extra steps you are now taking—things that are not mandated, but that we, in the wellness industry know are beneficial and protective.

I just saw another Facebook post that jolted me. Even if you're healthy, the virus doesn't care.

Jean Guy de Gabriac, is the founder and director of World Wellness Weekend. He is fit, eats healthy, and practices a wellness lifestyle. On July 19 he tested positive for the Delta variant in spite of his two-step vaccination. He was in quarantine for 12 days and is now not contagious. It would have been much worse if he had not had the vaccine. He cautions how sneaky this virus is and to take extra measures.

Today, it hit very close to home. An employee at the physical rehab facility where my aging Mother is recuperating, tested positive for Covid. It’s pretty darn scary for everyone residing or working there and their families.

Many health experts and professionals across the country are back to wearing masks, especially indoors, to protect themselves and their families. They are also encouraging people to practice handwashing, social distancing and getting the vaccine to minimize risk.

Differentiate yourself from your competition with extra care steps.

If you haven’t had your vaccine get it, or test at least weekly. Same for your staff. Temp check daily. Watch for the symptoms. All variants have similar symptoms.

Wear masks and have clients keep them on whenever possible. This variant is far more contagious than the common cold.

Expect more variants. This virus is fighting for its life too. So it mutates. That’s the nature of a virus. Be well! Take care.