Want More Clients? Try These "Forgotten" Strategies!

“I’ve tried everything to get my cashflow unstuck… and nothing’s working.”

If you’ve found yourself thinking that lately, you’re not alone. Many spa and skincare business owners hit a point where they feel like they’re doing all the things—posting on social media, running seasonal promos, maybe even dabbling in digital ads—yet the results just aren’t what they used to be.

Here’s the secret no one talks about: when everyone’s doing the same thing, that thing stops being effective.

What if your next big breakthrough doesn’t come from something new… but from something old you’ve maybe forgotten about?

Let’s go back to the days of VHS and explore a few timeless advertising techniques that helped spa owners grow long before hashtags existed. These methods are powerful, personal, and still work brilliantly—especially now, when everyone else is too busy monitoring their feeds and follower counts.

The Trap of “Doing What Everyone Else Is Doing”

Modern marketing is fast, flashy, and unfortunately, fleeting. It’s easy to get swept up in creating content just for the sake of staying visible. But visibility doesn’t always equal connection. And connection is what brings people in the door and keeps 'em  coming back.

You’ve probably noticed how templated everything now feels: the same ol' Instagram captions, the same Canva-made flyers, the same boring “book now” buttons. That bland, dry, tasteless sameness is what gets most business owners flat or declining revenues.
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So here’s the big idea: What if standing out today means going back to what used to work—but doing it with heartfelt  intention?

So let's hop in the old DeLorean, speed it up to 88 mph, and go back to your future increased cashflows using some old school marketing!

Forgotten Technique #1: Referral Cards That Feel Personal

Remember when referral cards were physical cardboard products? A card passed from one friend to another, with a handwritten note or an inside recommendation? That kind of connection still works even though everyone is legit tethered to their electronic devices.

Handing a beautifully designed referral card to a client right after they’ve had a fantastic service with a note like, “You're Positively Glowing! If you know someone who needs to shine as well, please pass this along”—creates a genuine moment.

It’s tactile. It’s human. And it makes your clients a part of your story, but also want to share it.

In a world where referral links and codes get buried in inboxes, a card on someone’s fridge or in their wallet stands out because it very likely came with a positive story, and that energy means much more. It triggers meaningful action because the connection is real.

Forgotten Technique #2: Community Cross-Promotions That Actually Work

Long before online ads took over, local businesses thrived on partnerships and shared actions that help everyone succeed. Spa owners would team up with nearby cafes, yoga studios, or bridal boutiques to cross-promote services.

This isn’t outdated—but it’s now sorely underused.

Imagine offering a calming facial package in collaboration with a local pilates studio for their members. Or including a free consultation card in a boutique’s new arrivals bag.  The possibilities are endless!

These partnerships don’t just expand reach—they also help strengthen the community. And being recommended by a business someone already loves carries more weight than an Instagram ad ever could. Plus, the quality of potential customer you'd get is light-years ahead of what you typically receive from an online blast campaign.

Forgotten Technique #3: Handwritten Thank-You Notes

It sounds too simple and hokey—but handwritten thank-you notes in one's mailbox work like pixie-dust and magic in this digital age.

Think about the last time someone wrote you a personal note...one with a heartfelt, sincere message. Tell me it didn't stick with you much longer than any electronic message you received that same day...I'll wait...

Sending a hand-written, thoughtful, thank-you card to a new client, or even an existing one who rebooked three months in a row, creates a moment of surprise and delight. It costs less than a dollar, but the emotional return is incalculable.

It’s the kind of thing people talk about, share with their friends, and remember the next time anyone they know is debating where to go for a treatment.

Bonus Technique: Emails That Feel Like Letters, Not Blasts

Email isn’t dead. But mass emails that feel like ads? Oh, those are absolutely extinct.

Instead, why not treat your email list like a community. Write like you would to a friend. Share a personal insight, a client win, or something behind the scenes at your spa.

Tell a short story, then link to a service or offer that connects with it.

You’d be surprised how many people will open and read—when the message feels like it came from a person, not a system.

Ask yourself: When was the last time your clients felt like you wrote just to them?

Marrying the Old with the New

None of these techniques are complicated. They’re grounded, simple, and deeply effective—because they provide something that is becoming increasingly rare...a humanized, thoughtful attempt to let someone know you appreciate them.

However, you surely don’t need to completely overhaul your current marketing strategy, though. Start by bringing one or two of these forgotten tactics back into your toolkit. Give them some space to work. Watch how your clients respond when your marketing starts to feel real again and not just rote or robotic.

But here’s the part most spa owners (nay, most business owners) forget: your marketing is only as effective as your ability to track its results.

Don’t Forget the Financial Follow-Through!!

What happens when that referral card starts bringing in bookings? Or when a flyer results in ten new facials next month? How will that impact your next actions or drive your business in new directions?

You need to know what’s working—not just creatively, but financially. That’s where a great bookkeeper comes in.

They help you measure the return on your efforts, track spikes in sales tied to campaigns, and ensure your hard-earned growth isn’t leaking out the door because of poor cash flow or unexplained expenses.

Marketing gets you visibility, and hopefully more business. A great bookkeeper helps you make sure it’s profitable.

The next growth phase of your spa might not come from chasing more tech—but from reconnecting with what’s always worked.
And it might not start with more content—but with more connection.
Ready to try something different?
Go old-school—with a fresh twist.
And don’t forget to bring the numbers with you.

Thinking of trying a new strategy? Let’s make sure you do more of what’s working and cut out what's not. Reach out to me today for a free consult on how to get your spa’s finances in order with simple, supportive bookkeeping.