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It’s an exciting moment when you make the leap and decide to launch an aesthetic clinic. Although it can sometimes seem overwhelming, with the growing demand for non-invasive aesthetic treatments, there’s never been a better time to launch the clinic of your dreams. We know how important your business is to you and the mixture of passion and perseverance that it can take to make it a success.
Opening your clinic allows you to help clients achieve their cosmetic and wellness goals. That’s why, you want to make sure that you have the most advanced technology available, to achieve incredible results and set yourself apart from other clinics. This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to optimise Fotona’s Advanced Laser technology to help achieve success. Including tips on important aspects of business planning such as location, branding and marketing.
1. Research and Planning
Understanding the Market
This might seem simple and maybe to some it may seem obvious, but it really is the foundation of launching a clinic. Conducting thorough market research can help you identify your target audience, understand their needs and analyse the competition. This can help you to plan what it is that you want to and need to focus on and help give your clinic some direction. It is worth considering some of the following:
Demographics: Think about the goals of your business, who do you envision as your ideal potential client base? Is there a specific age, gender, income level and lifestyle that might influence their aesthetic preferences? Research into other clinics with a similar demographic to yours, what are they doing well and what would you like to do differently to make yourself stand ut from the crowd?
Services Demand: Have a think about what treatments are in high demand, but also consider the saturation of the market. Sometimes the best strategy isn’t to copy and paste successful businesses but instead look to provide pioneering treatments that can have even more successful results. To fully understand the market, research what makes certain treatments effective and popular and do a deep dive into specific services to gain a full understanding of what the technologies are out there, and ask others what works and what doesn’t.
Competitive Landscape: We believe there is enough space for everyone to provide exceptional care, however, it’s important to know and understand who your competitors are and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, this can provide clarity on opportunities for differentiation.
Developing a Business Plan
Having a comprehensive business plan is the root of any successful clinic. It’s important to try to include the following details:
Executive Summary: It’s useful to have a strong overview of your business, including outlining your mission, vision and goals. This provides a clear backbone to your business.
Market Analysis: It’s useful to extract the data from your market research and to analyse your findings, this can help you to truly understand the market and forecast success.
Services Offered: Perhaps you have specific treatments that you are certain you want to offer, or perhaps you have a concept or theme such as face or body or holistic health and wellbeing. Listing out a detailed outline of what you want to offer can help you plan how to provide this.
Marketing Strategy: It’s worth investing some time and energy into your marketing strategy, because, in the early stages, this is what will bring the clients in.
Financial Projections: Understanding potential costs can help you to manage your budget and ensure the financial success of your clinic. Look at estimated costs, predicted revenue and profitability and ensure you have a good handle on these numbers.
2. Choosing the Right Location
Factors to Consider
It’s important to consider the location of the clinic, particularly concerning your goal demographic of clients. There are certain factors to examine that are critical to success:
Accessibility: Consider the footfall of clients, it needs to be in a location that is easy to access by public transport or has ample parking.
Visibility: It’s important that the clinic has good visibility as it can attract walk-ins and increase the awareness of the brand. Once you have your brand this becomes less important as you will become a destination location.
Demographics: The location needs to appeal to the client demographic of your clinic and area.
Leasing or Buying Property
When considering whether to lease or buy a property have a look at your financial projections. There are pros and cons to both, leasing can be more flexible while buying may offer up a better investment opportunity over time.
3. Equipping Your Clinic
Investing in Fotona Laser Machines
There are many benefits of Fotona Laser Machines, in particular, they are renowned for their versatility, effectiveness and safety. These aspects make them a valuable addition to any aesthetic clinic. When deciding whether a Fotona device is suitable for your clinic, consider the following benefits that all Fotona devices can offer:
Advanced Technology: Fotona is renowned for its advanced, pioneering technology. Many of the devices feature unique features that are only available with a Fotona device and were created purposely to improve existing solutions for cosmetic, dental, gynaecological and dermatological concerns. The SP Dynamis and StarWalker devices feature Fotona’s TwinLight technology, which combines both Er:YAG and Nd:YAG laser wavelengths, this allows for the treatments of a wide range of concerns including skin rejuvenation and body sculpting. However the Er:YAG and Nd:YAG differ from all other lasers on the market. Fotona have successfully adapted these wavelengths to ensure optimal results with minimal downtime and have patented these modalities so they are ONLY available on a Fotona laser.
Non-Invasive Solutions: Fotona laser devices have a versatile range of treatments that offer non-invasive options for popular concerns. An example of this is snoring, Fotona’s NightLase treatment is a non-invasive way to treat snoring without having to undergo invasive surgery or experience a lengthy downtime period.
Proven Results: Evidence, clinical study and science underpins all of the treatments that Fotona offer. In fact, every device and every treatment has clinical studies to support its application. This helps to give both the clinician and the client confidence in what Fotona can offer. This reliability and assurance benefits both the client and the clinician in knowing they will get the best results possible. Building trust is important, especially when launching and building your brand.
Cost-Effectiveness: Fotona devices are incredibly versatile, meaning incorporating one device into the clinic allows for the treatment of many different conditions and concerns, in fact there are over 100 treatments with the Fotona SP laser line. This means that you have the ability to make a return on investment and a profit, much quicker than with other devices which are only able to treat one thing.
Extensive Training: When you become a part of the Fotona Family you gain access to a tremendous amount of support and training. Not only will our advanced trainers provide you with extensive training, but you will also gain access to My Fotona, an online platform with access to clinical study, lectures and protocols from Fotona experts around the globe.
Other Essential Equipment
Once you’ve decided on which one of our incredible devices you would like to add to your clinic, it’s important to add in other essential equipment such as:
Treatment Beds and Chairs: Ensure that your chairs are adjustable and comfortable, this can ensure that you can accommodate various treatments.
Extractor Unit: For procedures that involve ablation or fungal infections, it’s important to use an extractor device to reduce the spread of dust and debris.
Cooling Air Device: The benefit of many of the treatments by Fotona, is that you don’t need to use anaesthetic. Cold air can be used instead as a non-invasive method to soothe the skin and make treatment more comfortable.
4. Building a Strong Brand
Creating Your Brand Identity
Your brand identity tells the story of who you are as a clinic and sets you apart from competitors. It includes:
Name and Logo: It’s important that you choose a memorable name and a design that reflects your clinic’s values and service. This is your opportunity to be creative and enjoy yourself.
Colour Scheme and Design: Consistent colours help to create a cohesive and professional look across your business and marketing.
Developing a Marketing Strategy:
Ensuring that you have a comprehensive marketing strategy will help you to attract and retain potential clients. Fotona UK and Ireland are happy to help you with providing marketing materials and guidance on how to market your treatments and device. In addition to this consider the following tactics:
Website and SEO: Create a user-friendly website, that’s easy to navigate and search engine optimised. Look to include specific information about services, staff and contact details.
Social Media: Looking for a great tool that is free and available to everyone? Consider social media platforms such as instagram, Facebook and Linkedin. Look to showcase some of your incredible results with before and after photos, client testimonials and educational content.
Email Marketing: Build an email list to send newsletters, promotions and appointment reminders. Be sure that they’ve opted in and are comfortable to be included in this list.
Starting Your Clinic
The process of opening your own clinic can be both extremely stressful and exciting. We’ve helped numerous clinicians by providing exceptional technology and we are always on hand for advice and guidance.
For more information contact us via email at: info@fotonauk.co.uk, call us on 0118 370 9314, or even WhatsApp us on 07376 309178. We look forward to welcoming you into the Fotona Family.
