Put yourself in the shoes of your potential clients for a moment. Let’s say that you (as the patient) want to correct wrinkles and sagging skin on your face and neck and have the money to pay a medspa to help you address the problem. Your health insurance is not going to cover this type of elective medical procedure, so all of the cost is going to come out of your own pocket. On the upside, because you aren’t using insurance, you have your pick of any medspa within a reasonable travelling distance. What is going to be the most important factor in your decision about which medspa to choose? It is going to be the medspa that you trust the most with your face, a critical part of your entire identify and your money. Here’s how to win the trust of your prospective clients.

How to Build Patient Trust

Qualifications and Certifications

The first thing potential clients want to find out if do you have the education, training and experience necessary to do a good job. So it is important to showcase any and all educational attainment, board certifications, licenses and certificates that prove that you know what you are doing when it comes to the procedure the client wants. These include:

  • The license and medical diploma of your medical director or supervising physician, preferably from a well-known university
  • For those performing injections, lasers, fillers and other procedures, nursing diplomas and certificates, and for those doing facials and less invasive treatments, aesthetician or cosmetologist licenses
  • National Coalition of Estheticians Associations (NCEA) Certification, a higher-level voluntary credential that raises standards beyond the base state license for estheticians.

  • National Med Spa Association (NMSA) accreditation for med-spa facilities, with standards for training, staffing, safety and equipment.

Your business, facility and employees need to have all of the education, certification and licenses required by your state, county and city. Make sure you have these all displayed in your lobby as well as on your website.

Demonstrable Experience

A prospective patient wants to know that her face isn’t your very first try at doing this procedure. If your medspa has been in business for a while, let people know how many of each procedure your staff has done. Showing the aggregated experience of your team can put patients at ease, knowing that your medspa has the necessary experience.

If you have a new tech, pair her with a more experienced person to eliminate uncertainty, mistakes and patient distrust.  Altogether new medspas may not have many years in business, but they can capitalize on the history of experienced staff.

  • Highlight number of each procedure done. For example, “XYZ Medspa has done over 2,000 Botox injections.”
  • Talk about years of experience or years in business. For example, “XYZ Medspa has served the Columbia area for 17 years” or “Our staff has a combined 45 years of experience doing laser treatments.”

Positive Outcomes

Once patients are reassured that your staff has both the education and experience needed, the next hurdle in building patient trust is demonstrating that your work has produced positive outcomes. The best way to do this is through before-and-after photos. There are two aspects here. First, do the after photos look better than the before? And secondly, is the improvement significant enough to justify the patient’s cost, pain and inconvenience?  

  • Select those patients with the best and most dramatic results.
  • For multi-session treatments, wait until after the last session has healed to take the “after” photo.
  • Ensure authenticity by taking photos without makeup or photo editing and touch-ups.
  • Post photos on your website and social media.

Clearly set Expectations

Be honest with the patient about what she can expect. Will this procedure magically erase the last 30 years? Probably not, but explain what it can do. If there are any factors that would prevent a stellar outcome, such as failing to regularly apply post-procedure products, let the patient know what they are upfront. It is also important to inform the patient about any risks or side effects and how likely they are to occur.

  • Place these caveats on the same page as your before-and-after photos underneath them.
  • Mention that outcomes are personal and vary from patient to patient.
  • Include a page detailing this information in your patient packet.

Transparent Pricing

Since all of the cost of your services is coming out of the patient’s pocket, you can build patient trust by providing transparent pricing. Share the price of each procedure as well as how many sessions it normally takes to see optimal results. If there are any additional costs for take-home products, mention that along with their prices.

  • If your prices are on the higher side for your market, you don’t need to post them on your website, but that makes it even more important to establish your value and build patient trust.
  • You may also want to provide financing options through CareCredit or RepeatMD.

Patient Delight

Notice here that we are not talking about patient satisfaction, but patient delight. Delighted patients consent to the publishing of before-and-after photos, write glowing reviews, film effusive testimonials and recommend your medspa to their friends. Of course, the patient will need to get great results in order to be delighted but there is more to it than that! 

Patient care in the office, follow up and post-procedure customer service are key in building patient trust throughout your relationship. Train your staff to be not just efficient but also friendly and empathetic. They should know each patient by name and be familiar with their file. Warm, friendly greetings at the beginning and end of each appointment and complements go a long way toward making patients feel comfortable and valued.

  • Mail a hand-written note after the patient’s first appointment thanking her for trusting your medspa with her aesthetic needs.
  • Have one of your staff call patients to follow up after procedures like laser treatments to see how they are doing with redness and irritation and offer solutions.
  • Send emails for birthdays with a little coupon for a product you sell in the office.

Medspa marketing budgetIf you run a medspa, you already know that great service isn’t enough to keep your treatment rooms full. Consistent growth depends on visibility — and that means investing wisely in marketing.

But how much should a medspa spend on marketing? While the answer varies based on size, location, and business goals, there are clear industry benchmarks that can help guide your medspa marketing budget.


How Much Medspas Spend on Marketing: General Benchmarks

According to industry averages, medspas typically invest 5% to 15% of their annual revenue in marketing.

  • Small medspas (under $500K annual revenue): $2,000–$5,000 per month

  • Mid-size medspas ($500K–$1.5M): $5,000–$10,000 per month

  • Large or multi-location medspas (over $1.5M): $10,000–$25,000+ per month

Your exact spend should reflect your growth stage. A newer medspa trying to establish brand awareness might spend closer to 15%, while an established practice focused on retention might spend closer to 5%.

Breaking Down the Medspa Marketing Budget

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO builds long-term visibility for your website and helps potential clients find you when they search “medspa near me” or “Botox Columbia SC.”

Typical Monthly Cost:

  • Small medspa: $500–$1,500

  • Mid-size medspa: $1,500–$3,000

  • Large multi-location: $3,000–$6,000

A strong SEO plan includes keyword optimization, technical improvements, local listings, and monthly blog content — all critical for sustained organic traffic.


2. Social Media Advertising

Social media advertising (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) is perfect for visual treatments like fillers, laser services, and skincare. These platforms can reach your ideal audience based on age, interests, and location.

Typical Monthly Ad Spend:

  • Small medspa: $500–$1,500

  • Mid-size medspa: $1,500–$4,000

  • Large medspa: $5,000–$10,000+

  • Add about $1,000–$2,000/month for creative production (graphics, videos, photography) if outsourced.


    3. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) & Google Ads

    Google Ads drive high-intent leads from people actively searching for treatments. While PPC can be more expensive, it often delivers the fastest ROI when managed correctly.

    Typical Monthly Cost (Ad Spend + Management):

    • Small medspa: $1,000–$3,000

    • Mid-size medspa: $3,000–$6,000

    • Large medspa: $6,000–$12,000+

    Each treatment or location may require its own campaign, making strategic targeting crucial.


    4. Local SEO

    Local SEO ensures you appear in Google Maps results and “near me” searches. This includes optimizing your Google Business Profile, gathering reviews, and maintaining NAP (name, address, phone) consistency across listings.

    Typical Monthly Cost:

    • $500–$1,000 depending on competition

    • Local SEO is one of the most cost-effective investments for medspas that depend on nearby clients.


      5. Offline Marketing (Events, Direct Mail, Partnerships)

      Even in the digital age, offline marketing remains powerful for medspas. Hosting events, participating in local health fairs, or sending targeted direct mail can drive awareness and nurture community relationships.

      Typical Monthly Budget Allocation:

      • Events & open houses: $500–$2,000 per event

      • Direct mail campaigns: $1,000–$3,000 per drop (depending on list size)

      • Local partnerships or sponsorships: $250–$1,000/month

      Offline tactics perform best when paired with digital follow-up — such as retargeting event attendees or featuring them in post-event social media campaigns.

    • How to Build a Balanced Medspa Marketing Budget

      A healthy medspa marketing budget typically looks like this:

    • Channel

      % of Total Marketing Budget

      SEO & Content Marketing

      20–30%

      Social Media Ads

      25–35%

      PPC / Google Ads

      20–25%

      Local SEO

      10–15%

      Offline Marketing

      10–15%

Start by testing a mix of channels, track results monthly, and adjust as you discover what drives the most qualified leads.

Your medspa marketing budget isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in visibility, brand reputation, and long-term growth. The key is consistency. A well-planned mix of SEO, paid ads, local marketing, and offline presence ensures your medspa stays top of mind and fully booked all year long.

The most successful medspas don’t wait for patients to find them — they show up first, look trustworthy, and stay visible everywhere their audience spends time.

Medspa marketingThe aesthetics and wellness industry is booming — and with it, competition among medspas has never been tougher. Whether you’re launching a new practice or looking to increase bookings, knowing how to market a medspa effectively can make all the difference between struggling to fill your schedule and having a thriving business.

Here’s a practical guide to help your medspa stand out, earn trust, and build long-term loyalty.


Showcase Your Expertise with Social Proof

In aesthetics, seeing truly is believing. Potential patients want reassurance that your treatments deliver real, visible results.

What to do:

  • Feature before-and-after photos on your website and social media — always using consistent lighting and angles.

  • Share patient testimonials and short video interviews discussing their experience and confidence after treatment.

  • Encourage happy clients to leave Google and RealSelf reviews; search engines weigh them heavily in ranking.

  • Create a “Results Gallery” organized by treatment so visitors can find relevant success stories easily.

Visual proof not only builds credibility but also shows potential clients what’s possible — with your expertise guiding the process. Of course, you will need to get written  patient consent to use any photos, videos or written testimonials in your marketing.


Be Transparent About Procedures, Pricing, and Risks

Aesthetic procedures are a particularly personal decision and require the patient’s utmost level of trust in the provider and the practice. Today’s medspa consumers value honesty as much as results. The more clearly you communicate expectations, the more trust you earn.

Best practices:

  • Include detailed procedure descriptions that explain what patients will experience before, during, and after treatment.

  • Outline potential side effects and recovery timelines openly — transparency reduces cancellations and builds confidence.

  • Post baseline pricing or starting ranges online. Even if exact quotes vary, patients appreciate knowing what to expect financially.

  • Use educational blog content to answer common questions such as “How long does Botox last?” or “Is laser skin resurfacing painful?”

Clear communication transforms first-time inquiries into confident appointments.


Optimize Your Online Presence

Your website and digital profiles are your digital storefront — and often your first impression. The more qualified website traffic you generate, the more patients will be interested in booking an appointment.

Key focus areas:

  • Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to rank for local terms like “medspa near me” or “lip filler Greenville SC.”

  • Maintain a consistent Google Business Profile with accurate hours, services, and recent photos.

  • Ensure your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and conversion-ready with visible “Book Now” or “Request a Consultation” buttons.

  • Regularly publish blog posts (like this one!) that educate, inspire, and keep your website fresh in Google’s eyes.

A strong digital foundation helps your medspa attract organic traffic and convert visitors into loyal patients.


Engage Patients Through Social Media and Paid Ads

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok remain essential for medspa visibility. They’re visual, conversational, and ideal for showcasing aesthetic transformations.

Tips for success:

  • Share short-form videos explaining procedures and recovery tips.

  • Use paid social ads to promote special offers, seasonal events, or new treatments.

  • Include your team in posts — clients love connecting faces with names.

  • Leverage geo-targeted advertising so your budget focuses on users within driving distance of your location.

Consistent posting and engagement make your brand approachable, professional, and memorable.


Build an Exceptional Customer Service & Follow-Up System

A great marketing strategy doesn’t end once a patient books — it continues after the appointment. Most procedures are not “one and done,” so you want to ensure that patients will book that next appointment for their initial procedure, and perhaps for additional procedures.

To strengthen your follow-up process:

  • Send hand-written thank-you notes and emailed satisfaction surveys after each visit.

  • Create a system where a staff member places a personal call to see how the patient is recovering after a procedure.
  • Offer membership or loyalty programs that reward repeat clients.

  • Use automated reminders for maintenance treatments like Botox or laser sessions.

  • Train staff to follow up with new leads within 24 hours — speed and empathy matter most.

This kind of personal touch drives referrals and transforms one-time clients into long-term advocates.

Learning how to market a medspa effectively is about blending authenticity with strategy. By combining transparency, social proof, optimized digital presence, and thoughtful customer follow-up, you’ll not only attract more patients. You will build lasting trust in your brand, increase patient lifetime value and maximize referrals.

In a results-driven industry, the most successful medspas don’t just sell beauty — they sell confidence, consistency, and care.

Medspa marketing

In today’s beauty and wellness market, competition among medspas is fierce. Patients have endless choices — and most will find their provider online long before they walk through the door. Whether your goal is to boost visibility, attract new patients, or fill slow seasons, a focused digital strategy can help you generate consistent website traffic and high-quality leads.

Here’s how to make your medspa marketing work harder through SEO, social media advertising, and local search campaigns.

Optimize for Search Engines 

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the foundation of sustainable medspa lead generation. Start by identifying high-intent keywords that potential clients actually use, such as “Botox near me”, “laser hair removal Greenville SC”, or “best medspa for skin tightening.”

Key SEO actions:

  • Optimize your website pages around your top procedures — each treatment (like fillers or microneedling) should have its own keyword-optimized page.
  • Add internal links between related services to help Google understand your site structure.
  • Create local content like “Top 5 Summer Skincare Treatments in the Upstate” to earn backlinks and boost visibility.
  • Encourage patient reviews on Google and Yelp — they build credibility and improve your search ranking.

Over time, SEO creates a steady flow of organic traffic that keeps your calendar full without relying solely on ads.

Run Social Media Advertising to Drive Awareness and Bookings

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are powerful tools for medspa marketing — especially for visual procedures that lend themselves to before-and-after storytelling.

Smart ad strategies:

  • Target by location, age, and interests (like skincare, anti-aging, or wellness).
  • Use carousel or video ads to showcase real results and staff expertise.
  • Promote limited-time offers or “New Patient Specials” to drive action.
  • Retarget visitors who interacted with your website or social profiles but didn’t book.

Social media advertising builds trust and awareness quickly — and helps convert browsers into booked appointments.

Use Local Search Advertising to Capture High-Intent Patients

When someone searches “medspa near me” or “lip filler appointments today,” they’re ready to book. Local Google Ads (PPC) and Google Maps listings are essential for getting in front of these high-intent leads when they’re ready to take action.

Focus on:

  • Google Local Services Ads to appear above competitors with your medspa’s verified listing.
  • Geo-targeting so your ads only reach people within your service radius.
  • Optimized landing pages with one clear call to action — “Book a Consultation” or “Schedule Online.”
  • Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data across your website, Google Business Profile, and directories.

Local search advertising helps ensure that your medspa shows up when and where clients are actively searching and that you aren’t wasting money advertising outside your service area.

Growing website traffic for your medspa isn’t about one tactic; it’s about an integrated system. When SEO brings in organic visitors, social ads nurture them, and local search captures them at the decision stage, you build a predictable and scalable funnel for medspa lead generation.

The medspa that gets found first (and looks the most trustworthy) wins the appointment and, often, the patient’s future appointments. Contact Pro Creative to find out how you can generate a steady stream of leads for your medspa.