Christmas is right around the corner, which means that your customers will likely be searching for the perfect presents for their loved ones.

For most, the decision to sell gift certificates is a no-brainer. (Who doesn’t love a good gift certificate?) They’re often given to someone who is new to your business - or maybe to someone who has never had a massage, which brings new business in your door.

But if you’re new to being a massage therapist or haven’t waded into the gift certificate waters, you might not be sure how to navigate this uncharted territory, which is why we’ve put together some tips and ideas.

Be legal

First and foremost, we want you to be in line with the law. There are laws governing gift certificates and gift cards in most states, and unfortunately, those laws vary a lot. Many states also have provisions regarding what fees can be assessed on them (if any), rules governing expiration dates. All that to say, above all else, we want you to be in compliance with your state laws, so make sure you check them out.

Be professional

We highly recommend having gift cards or certificates printed for you. After all, a gift certificate printed on a color bubble jet printer from 2000 probably isn’t the right impression you want to give of your business. If you have business cards printed, check into having some matching gift cards or note cards that you can pass out or sell. (Vistaprint is great for this if you’re in the market.) Don’t forget to include certain basics like your company’s name, phone number, website, address, and other crucial information like your hours or operation and your cancellation policy.

Be generous

If you’re in a position to do so, you might consider honoring a gift certificate of a competitor who has gone out of business. No doubt, this could earn you a lot of goodwill and customer loyalty. (But we advise putting a time or dollar limit on it just to keep from overextending yourself.)

Be marketing minded

Even if you didn’t earn a marketing degree, you can be smart about advertising your gift cards and certificates. Send out an email to your current clients spreading the word that you’re offering gift cards. It’s sure to bring in business!

Be money smart

Regardless of whether you use the cash method or accrual method of accounting, make sure you set a standard for gift certificate accounting and stick to it! Do you count the transactions when the services occur or when the money was received? It’s important to keep your financial records straight.

Be tech savvy

One of the hardest parts of selling gift certificates is having to be physically present in the office or at your desk to do so. In fact, it can be a giant hassle since most of your time is usually spent with clients. One way to counteract this is to sell gift certificates online. There are several options available, but gift card cafe is the most popular. Be tech savvy and check it out!

Regardless of whether you're new to gift certificates or you've done it for years, we think it's a wise decision for you to participate. Spread some massage joy this holiday season!