Massage can calm and soothe.
Humans and animals benefit greatly from massage, so a gift certificate for free treatment will always be welcome. You might treat babies, athletes, adults, horses or dogs, or you might specialize in massaging the elderly or complementing grief therapy. Whatever your specialty, each certificate can be geared toward your particular clients and give specific information about that specialty. Use them as part of your marketing strategy to source new clients. Ask existing clients to pass them on to friends and colleagues, or distribute them to build a new business.
Instructions
1. Take one or two photographs to use as illustrations, or find images for commercial use on Google. Go to Google images, and select "Advanced Image Search." On that page, scroll down to "Usage Rights" and select "Labeled for Commercial Reuse." Type your search terms in "Find Results" at the top of the page. The images that Google returns are usually under a Creative Commons license, which you can use without permission, although you may have to cite the source. Other images may need the permission of the copyright holder or will need a specific format for the license citation. Always check each image for any copyright requirements.
2. Draw a rough draft of your gift certificate on paper, experimenting with layout and composition. Follow design principles (such as those suggested by the Duke University Department of Mathematics) to make your gift certificate impactful and balanced. Incorporate the branding elements of your business, and define the overall message you want to put across about your particular services. If you're unsure about define your brand, refer to MarCom Professional's "The 12 Principles of Brand Strategy."
3. Include essential elements such as the type of massage you offer -- relaxation, sports, baby, or elderly care -- and add your contact details, work hours and the address of your practice, if applicable. Include your professional accreditations and a note about your professional insurance. Be judicious in your choice of elements, and do not overfill the space. Use the reverse of the certificate for a brief overview of your particular specialty and the benefits of massage.
4. Design the final certificate using Word or a graphics program that allows you to move text, images and other graphics around. Microsoft Office Publisher gives professional-looking results for a range of documents, or you can use one of the free online gift certificate templates if you want a simple certificate with minimal design input.
5. Print the gift certificate on paper, or use the "Print Preview" on the "File" menu, to check that everything is exactly where it should be on the paper. Adjust where necessary. Decide on the type of paper or card you will use, and print on your own printer or use a print shop if you have a large number to produce.
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