Will the visual platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr work for Integrative Waves? Will they help or hinder the brand that is Integrative Waves? Will the use of videos, photos and other images effectively promote this business?
I pondered this question and deliberated..... Finally I decided I needed some help. I looked at other businesses who are similar to Integrative Waves to see what and how they were using visual platforms to promote their businesses.
I actually had a very difficult time finding another business which is very similar to mine who actually used much visual media. Integrative Waves is a wellness practice run by a solo practitioner. I looked for other solo esthetician practices or small full service salons. I examined many of the esthetic/wellness practices that I personally know and most used no visual media. This surprised me because facial services and products lend themselves to visual media. Some had Facebook Pages - that was the extent of their social media use. Maybe they think that their website and Facebook Page is as far as they want to go with regards to 'online stuff'. Remember wellness is a very hands-on field and social media is at the other end of the spectrum in 'hands-off' land! They may consider it too time-consuming.....
So I widened my search and turned to bigger practices... Still tough, however finally lucky!
Beauty Kliniek is a large day spa and wellness practice that uses a wide variety of visual media, some very well and some questionable.
YouTube: This business uses YouTube very effectively. Videos are used to educate regarding different treatments such as massage and regarding different conditions such as lymphedema. They are also used to advertise the salon directly speaking about the different services offered. I personally know Linda-Ann - she speaks well and is very effective in communicating and educating.
Pinterest: uses Pinterest for advertising treatment specials and the salon in general. Some of the pins are eye-catching. However, I am not sure how effective these are.
Instagram: not used. Instagram is a mobile platform only. To use this platform, this business would need to delegate someone to posting on Instagram - easy enough, but obviously not considered.
Tumblr: there are very weird posts from this business on Tumblr. Unfortunately they read as if the person who is writing is on drugs or does not write English very well. The blogs are very difficult to understand. I do not feel that this is a very good advertisement for the spa. They are also long which compounds the problem of non-comprehension. (I thought Tumblr was a micro-blogging site!). It is a pity because I believe the person has a lot of knowledge that is worth sharing. Unfortunately the writer is unable to communicate this knowledge at all well!
Bella Tosca Day Spa is another large day spa in San Diego who uses some visual media.
YouTube: this business uses YouTube for advertising the spa.
Pinterest - they have one pin which is advertising the spa.
They do not use Tumblr or Instagram.
In my opinion, this spa does not use visual media at all effectively.
Despite the mixed reviews on how other businesses have used visual media, it will work for Integrative Waves if planned out well. Through videos, we can demonstrate services and products and also educate about different conditions. Products and services can be showcased through photos and short blogs.
Regardless of what visual platform chosen, the most important thing is to be consistent, post regularly, and have interesting content! People will then seek you out.....
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