WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MED SPA BRAND + MARKETING STRATEGY ENGAGEMENT

You've decided your med spa needs strategic foundation. You know that competing on Groupon deals isn't sustainable, that looking like every other med spa in Orange County or Scottsdale isn't working, and that you need clear positioning plus a strategic marketing plan to attract the premium clients you're designed to serve.

You're ready to invest in brand and marketing strategy. But what actually happens during this engagement? What will you need to provide? How long does it take? And most importantly—what will you have at the end that helps you grow your business?

Many agencies lump "brand strategy" and "marketing strategy" together, creating confusion about what you're actually getting. At Kōvly Studio, we separate these intentionally because they serve different purposes—and both are essential for wellness brands that refuse to blend in.

Understanding what to expect from a comprehensive strategy engagement helps you prepare appropriately, participate effectively, and maximize the value of your investment. Here's the complete process from discovery through implementation.

Understanding Brand Strategy vs. Marketing Strategy

Before diving into the process, it's important to understand what each type of strategy delivers.

BRAND STRATEGY: WHO YOU ARE

Brand strategy defines your fundamental identity and positioning in the market.

Brand Strategy Answers:

  • Who are we and what do we stand for?

  • How are we different from competitors in ways that matter?

  • What personality characteristics define our brand?

  • How should we communicate (voice, tone, language)?

  • What should our brand look and feel like visually?

  • What core messages communicate our positioning?

Brand Strategy Deliverables:

  • Brand fundamentals (purpose, reputation, differentiators)

  • Brand essence (feeling clients should have when interacting with you)

  • Brand personality (archetype, characteristics, what you are/aren't)

  • Brand voice and thesaurus (approved language and communication style)

  • Visual identity direction (colors, typography, imagery, season)

  • Core messaging framework

What It Provides: The strategic foundation that makes all marketing more effective. Without it, you're making tactical decisions without strategic direction.

MARKETING STRATEGY: HOW YOU REACH CLIENTS

Marketing strategy determines how you'll attract, convert, and retain your ideal clients based on your brand positioning.

Marketing Strategy Answers:

  • What are our specific business goals and metrics?

  • Who exactly is our ideal client (detailed personas)?

  • How do clients move from awareness to loyal advocates?

  • Which marketing channels should we prioritize and why?

  • What campaigns should we run and when?

  • How do we measure success and allocate budget?

Marketing Strategy Deliverables:

  • Business objectives and quantifiable goals

  • Competitive landscape analysis

  • Detailed target market and client personas

  • Marketing funnel strategy (awareness through retention)

  • Channel recommendations with rationale

  • Campaign planning framework

  • Budget allocation and measurement approach

What It Provides: The roadmap for executing your brand positioning in the market. It translates brand foundation into actionable marketing plans.

WHY YOU NEED BOTH

Brand strategy without marketing strategy = Beautiful positioning with no plan to reach clients
Marketing strategy without brand strategy = Tactical execution with no clear differentiation

Most successful wellness brands invest in both, starting with brand foundation then building marketing strategy on top of it.

Phase 1: Brand Strategy Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Every strong engagement begins with deep discovery and brand strategy development.

DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH

What Happens: Comprehensive exploration of your business, market, and vision through structured conversations and research.

Initial Discovery Session (90 minutes):

Your Business and Vision:

  • Why you started your med spa and what drives you

  • Your long-term vision (3-5 years out)

  • Your unique treatment philosophy or approach

  • What success looks like for your business

  • What you're most proud of in your practice

Current Situation:

  • Services offered and most profitable treatments

  • Current client base and who you serve best

  • Pricing structure and market positioning

  • Team size, structure, and capabilities

  • Geographic market and competition

Ideal Client Definition:

  • Who are your best, most profitable clients?

  • What characteristics do they share?

  • What motivates their treatment decisions?

  • What do they value beyond just results?

  • Where else do they spend money?

Competitive Landscape:

  • Who do you lose business to and why?

  • How do competitors position themselves?

  • What gaps exist in your market?

  • What makes you genuinely different?

What You'll Need to Provide:

  • Current marketing materials (website, brochures, social)

  • Financial overview (revenue, treatment mix)

  • Client testimonials and feedback

  • Competitor list for analysis

  • Team structure details

Competitive and Market Research:

What the Agency Does:

  • Audit of 8-10 key competitors in your market

  • Analysis of their positioning and messaging

  • Assessment of market positioning opportunities

  • Industry trends affecting medical aesthetics

  • Target audience research and insights

BRAND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

What Happens: The agency synthesizes all research into your strategic brand foundation.

Brand Fundamentals:

  • Core Purpose: Why your med spa exists beyond making money—the fundamental reason you serve clients.

  • Reputation: How you want to be known in the market—your distinct approach and expertise.

  • Key Differentiators: What makes you meaningfully different from competitors in ways ideal clients care about. Typically 2-3 core differentiators that work together.

Example for Premium Med Spa:

  • Holistic luxury experience (not clinical feel)

  • Provider-first philosophy (empowered practitioners deliver better care)

  • Transparent, client-driven care (no hidden costs or pressure)

Brand Essence:

  • What It Is: 10-12 keywords that capture the fundamental feeling clients should have when interacting with your brand at any touchpoint.

  • Example Keywords: Elevated, intentional, transformative, warm, aspirational, confident, grounded, sophisticated, expert, cohesive

  • How It's Used: These drive all creative decisions—design, photography, communication, experience design.

Brand Personality Development:

Personality Archetype: Based on psychological frameworks (like Sally Hogshead's Fascination Advantage), your brand is assigned a primary personality archetype.

Example - Prestige Archetype:

  • Manifesto: "Born to be admired. We're respected for quality, sophistication, and achievement."

  • Defining Pillars: Increase perceived value, set new standards, develop emblems, limit availability

  • Key Descriptors: Ambitious, results-oriented, respected, aspirational, elite

  • What We Are: Dedicated to excellence, focused on outcomes, raising the bar

  • What We're NOT: Hesitating to form opinions, hiding from exposure, content with status quo

Brand Voice and Messaging:

Voice Characteristics: How your brand communicates:

  • Tone (confident, warm, educational, direct)

  • Communication style (supportive yet expert, approachable yet sophisticated)

  • Language level (professional but accessible, not overly clinical)

Brand Thesaurus: Specific words approved for use that portray your personality:

  • Use: Elevate, cultivate, transform, premier, sophisticated, intentional

  • Avoid: Cheap, basic, quick-fix, generic wellness clichés

Primary and Secondary Messaging:

  • Primary Message: Core brand promise always present (like a tagline or positioning statement)

  • Secondary Messages: Supporting messages for specific contexts (services, about, providers)

Visual Identity Strategic Direction:

Brand Season: Using Fiona Humberstone's seasonal framework, your brand is assigned a season based on personality, which guides all visual decisions.

Example - Winter Season for Premium Med Spa:

  • Characteristics: Ambitious, intelligent, grounded, decisive, premium

  • Color Direction: Cool, strong, intense, clear colors

  • Typography: Clean, minimal fonts with opulent accents for luxury

  • Shapes/Textures: Geometric shapes, strong clean patterns

  • Photography: Crisp, defined, no hazy filtering

Color Palette Strategy:

  • Primary colors (2-3) with psychological rationale

  • Secondary/tertiary accent colors

  • Hierarchy of usage (60/30/10 rule typically)

  • Specific color codes (Pantone, CMYK, RGB, HEX)

Typography Direction:

  • Header typeface (conveys brand personality)

  • Body typeface (ensures readability)

  • Accent typeface if applicable (adds luxury or uniqueness)

  • Specific usage hierarchy and rules

Photography and Image Direction:

  • Mood and emotional feeling

  • Lighting approach (bright and airy vs. moody and dramatic)

  • Composition style (negative space, framing, angles)

  • Styling direction (wardrobe, props, settings)

  • Subject matter (lifestyle vs. clinical, people vs. product)

BRAND STRATEGY PRESENTATION AND REFINEMENT

What Happens: Comprehensive presentation of complete brand strategy for your review and feedback.

Presentation Format: Typically 60-90 minute presentation (virtual or in-person) walking through:

  • Research insights and key findings

  • Brand fundamentals and differentiators

  • Brand essence and how it informs decisions

  • Personality archetype with rationale

  • Voice, messaging framework, and thesaurus

  • Visual identity strategic direction with examples

  • How all elements work together

Your Role:

  • Evaluate authenticity to your vision

  • Provide feedback on positioning and personality

  • Discuss any concerns or questions

  • Ensure team alignment on strategic direction

  • Identify what resonates and what needs refinement

Refinement Process: 1-2 rounds of adjustments based on feedback, typically taking 3-5 days to finalize.

Phase 2: Marketing Strategy Development (Weeks 3-4)

With brand foundation complete, marketing strategy builds on that positioning to create your growth roadmap.

BUSINESS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

What Happens: Define specific, measurable business goals that marketing will support.

Business Objectives (Qualitative): High-level aspirations for the business.

Example Med Spa Objectives:

  • Establish market leadership in luxury medical aesthetics

  • Build sustainable practice based on quality over volume

  • Destigmatize aesthetic treatments through education

  • Create exceptional client and provider experience

Business Goals (Quantitative): Specific, measurable targets with timelines.

Example Goal Framework:

GoalMetricTimelineSoft launch therapy servicesWebsite live + booking enabledMonth 1Provider team scale6 therapists onboardedMonth 3Client acquisition50 active clients/monthMonth 6Revenue target$50K monthly revenueMonth 9Email list growth500 subscribersMonth 6

Marketing Objectives Mapped to Funnel: Clear objectives for each stage of the client journey:

  1. Awareness: Make target market aware of your med spa

  2. Attraction: Attract ideal clients specifically

  3. Engagement: Get prospects to interact with brand

  4. Acquisition: Convert prospects to booked clients

  5. Retention: Build long-term client relationships

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS AND MARKET POSITIONING

What Happens: Deep analysis of competitive landscape to identify opportunities.

Direct Competition Analysis: Detailed review of 6-10 direct competitors including:

  • Services offered and positioning

  • Pricing and packaging approach

  • Marketing presence and messaging

  • Visual brand presentation

  • Strengths and weaknesses

Key Observations Documented:

  • What competitors are doing well

  • Gaps in market positioning

  • Oversaturated positioning to avoid

  • Opportunities for differentiation

Your Positioning: Clear articulation of how your brand differentiators position you uniquely in the competitive landscape.

TARGET MARKET AND PERSONAS

What Happens: Transform general ideal client understanding into detailed, actionable target market definition. This includes both demographics (e.g. geography, age range, income, employment type, hobbies, life stage, etc.) and psychographics (e.g. values, decision making factors, etc.).

Detailed Client Personas: 2-3 narrative personas that humanize data:

Example Persona - "Intentional Isabel"

  • Isabel Chen, 34, Marketing Director, Del Mar

  • Successful career but feels unfulfilled

  • Previous therapy was clinical and disconnected

  • Practices yoga, sees nutritionist, prioritizes wellness

  • Wants integrated approach, values transparency

  • Annual wellness spend $8K+

  • Discovers you on Instagram, books during lunch

  • What matters: Transparency, integration, autonomy, quality, feeling understood

Each persona includes photo, demographic details, narrative story, pain points, motivations, and what matters most in decision-making.

CHANNEL SELECTION AND PRIORITIZATION

What Happens: The agency develops an integrated marketing channel recommendation that identifies which specific channels will drive your business goals most effectively.

How Channels Are Evaluated:
Rather than recommending every possible marketing channel, the agency strategically evaluates options based on multiple factors specific to your med spa. Each channel is assessed for its ROI potential given your business model, alignment with your brand positioning, and fit with how your target market actually makes decisions. The agency also considers implementation complexity, timeline to results, and whether the channel can scale as your practice grows.

For example, Instagram might be prioritized because your affluent, wellness-focused target market spends significant time there and the visual platform aligns perfectly with your luxury brand positioning. Meanwhile, TikTok might be deprioritized despite being popular, because it doesn't match your sophisticated brand personality or attract your demographic.

The Integrated Channel Mix:
The agency builds a cohesive channel strategy where each platform serves a specific purpose in your marketing funnel. Your website always serves as the foundation—it's where prospects learn about you, understand your positioning, and ultimately book consultations. Every other channel drives traffic to this hub.

Search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Business Profile optimization become critical for local discovery, ensuring you appear when prospects search "med spa in Orange County" or "luxury wellness Scottsdale." The agency implements both technical SEO and content-focused optimization to build organic visibility over time.

For client acquisition, the strategy typically includes targeted digital advertising on Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Google Search. Meta ads allow sophisticated targeting to reach your exact demographic and psychographic profile—affluent women 28-55 interested in wellness, beauty, and luxury services. Google Search ads capture high-intent prospects actively searching for services you offer. The agency develops specific ad campaigns with clear objectives, whether building awareness, driving consultation bookings, or retargeting website visitors.

Email marketing becomes your retention and nurture engine. The agency designs automated drip campaigns for new subscribers, consultation follow-ups, and service launch announcements, plus regular campaigns to maintain engagement with your community. Email consistently delivers the highest ROI of any marketing channel—often $38 return for every $1 invested—making it essential for sustainable growth.

Instagram serves as your primary social platform for building community and showcasing your brand. The agency provides specific guidance on posting frequency (typically 3-4 posts per week plus daily Stories), content themes aligned with your brand pillars, and engagement strategies that feel authentic to your luxury positioning. LinkedIn may be included specifically for provider recruitment, positioning your practice as an exceptional place to work.

The agency also identifies strategic partnership opportunities—boutique fitness studios, luxury spas, executive coaches, women's professional organizations—that can generate high-quality referrals without paid advertising costs.

Channel Prioritization and Phasing:
Often, not every channel needs to launch simultaneously. The agency may recommend a phased approach based on what will deliver results fastest while building sustainable foundation.

Anticipated ROI and Performance:
For each recommended channel, the agency provides realistic performance expectations based on industry benchmarks and your specific market. For instance, Meta advertising in the medical aesthetics space typically sees cost-per-click around $1.50-$3.00, with consultation booking costs ranging from $30-$80 depending on market competition. When a consultation converts to a client worth $3,000+ lifetime value, this represents strong ROI.

Email marketing benchmarks show medical spa industries achieving 35-40% open rates and 2-3% click rates when content is valuable and brand-aligned. Blog content optimized for SEO typically takes 3-6 months to rank but then drives consistent organic traffic at near-zero ongoing cost.

The agency sets clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for each channel—not vanity metrics like impressions or followers, but business-impact metrics like consultation requests, booking conversion rates, client lifetime value, and cost per quality client acquired. This allows you to track true ROI and optimize budget allocation based on what actually drives business growth.

Resource Requirements:
The channel recommendations include realistic assessment of what each platform requires to execute well. Some channels demand significant time investment (daily Instagram Stories, weekly blog posts) while others are more passive once set up (SEO, email automation). The agency helps you understand whether you can manage certain channels in-house or if you'll need ongoing agency support or contractor help.

The Integrated Advantage:
The power of this approach isn't any single channel—it's how they work together. A prospect might discover you through Instagram, visit your website to learn more, read several blog posts, sign up for your email list, see retargeting ads, and finally book a consultation. Each touchpoint reinforces your brand positioning and builds trust. The strategy ensures consistent messaging, visual identity, and experience across every channel, creating a cohesive brand presence that establishes credibility and attracts ideal clients.

BUDGET AND MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK

What Happens: Establish realistic budget allocation and success measurement approach.

Marketing Budget Framework:

Industry Guidelines:

  • New businesses (1-5 years): 12-20% of gross revenue

  • Established businesses (5+ years): 6-12% of gross revenue

Budget Allocation by Channel: Recommended percentage split across priority channels with rationale.

Example Allocation:

  • Website: 25% (foundation investment)

  • SEO: 15% (long-term organic growth)

  • Meta Ads: 20% (client acquisition)

  • Email Marketing: 10% (retention and nurture)

  • Content Creation: 15% (blog, photography, video)

  • Social Media Organic: 10% (community building)

  • Strategic Partnerships: 5% (events, sponsorships)

Key Performance Indicators:

Not vanity metrics—business impact metrics:

  • Consultation requests (quality over quantity)

  • Consultation-to-client conversion rate

  • Client lifetime value

  • Retention and repeat booking rates

  • Cost per quality client acquired

  • Referral generation per client

  • Email list growth and engagement

  • Website conversion rate

Measurement Approach:

  • What to track and how

  • Reporting cadence and format

  • Benchmarks by channel

  • Optimization process

MARKETING STRATEGY PRESENTATION

What Happens: Comprehensive presentation of complete marketing strategy aligned with brand foundation.

Presentation Includes:

  • Business objectives and quantifiable goals

  • Competitive landscape analysis and your positioning

  • Detailed target market and client personas

  • Marketing funnel strategy and client journey

  • Channel recommendations with rationale and priority

  • Campaign concepts and content framework

  • Budget allocation and measurement approach

  • Implementation roadmap

Your Role:

  • Evaluate strategic fit with business goals

  • Provide feedback on priorities and phasing

  • Discuss budget and resource realities

  • Confirm channel approach

  • Ensure alignment before moving to documentation

Refinement: Adjustments based on feedback, typically 3-5 days to finalize.

Phase 3: Documentation, Planning, and HandofF

WHAT YOU RECEIVE:

1. Brand Strategy Guide (20-40 pages)

Complete documentation of brand foundation including:

Brand Fundamentals Section:

  • Who we are (reputation, core purpose, differentiators)

  • Brand essence with keyword list

  • How fundamentals inform all decisions

Brand Personality Section:

  • Personality archetype and manifesto

  • Defining pillars

  • What brand IS and IS NOT

  • Key descriptors and characteristics

Brand Voice Section:

  • Brand thesaurus (approved and avoided words)

  • Primary and secondary messaging

  • Voice characteristics and tone guidance

  • Communication examples

Brand Identity Section:

  • Brand season with rationale

  • Color palette with complete specifications and hierarchy

  • Typography with usage rules and hierarchy

  • Image direction and photography guidelines

  • Design examples and applications

  • Usage guidelines and standards

2. Strategic Marketing Plan (20-30 pages)

Complete marketing strategy roadmap including:

Business Foundation:

  • Vision and mission

  • Services overview

  • Business objectives (qualitative)

  • Business goals table with metrics and timelines

Market Analysis:

  • Competitive landscape analysis

  • Direct competitor table with details

  • Key observations and opportunities

  • Your competitive positioning

Target Market:

  • Demographics table with complete details

  • Psychographics table

  • Detailed client personas (2-3)

  • Target market insights

Strategic Framework:

  • Marketing funnel objectives (awareness → retention)

  • Primary messaging goals

  • Tone and communication approach

  • Calls to action examples

  • Marketing budget framework

3. Channel Recommendations (15-20 pages)

Tactical implementation guide including:

Channel Overview:

  • Complete channel mix table

  • Implementation priority by phase

  • Team roles and responsibilities

For Each Priority Channel:

  • Detailed channel description

  • Supporting demographics

  • Strategic approach and rationale

  • Posting frequency or activity level

  • Content themes and examples

  • Success metrics and benchmarks

  • Industry benchmarks for comparison

Implementation Roadmap:

  • Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Foundation channels

  • Phase 2 (Months 4-6): Growth channels

  • Phase 3 (Months 7-12): Scale and optimize

IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP DEVELOPMENT

What Happens: Translate strategy into actionable 90-day plan.

Phased Implementation Plan:

Quick Wins (Example):

  • Website launch with brand positioning

  • Google Business Profile optimization

  • Social media profiles updated with brand

  • Email platform setup

  • Team training on brand voice

  • Core marketing materials designed

Foundation Building (Example):

  • SEO optimization implementation

  • Blog publishing begins (2-3 posts/month)

  • Email drip campaigns launched

  • Social media content calendar execution

  • First marketing campaigns launch

  • Performance tracking setup

Growth Initiatives (Example):

  • Paid advertising campaigns (Meta, Google)

  • Strategic partnership development

  • Advanced email nurture sequences

  • Content marketing expansion

  • Campaign optimization based on data

  • Refinement and scaling

Budget Guidance:

Typical First-Year Investment Ranges:

  • Website design/development: $15,000-$40,000

  • Professional photography/video: $3,000-$8,000

  • Marketing materials: $2,000-$5,000

  • Monthly marketing execution: $1,500-$8,000/month

  • Paid advertising budget: $2,000-$20,000/month

Priority Allocation Recommendations: Guidance on what to invest in first for maximum impact based on your specific goals and budget constraints.

TEAM TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION

What Happens: Comprehensive training to ensure your team can execute strategy effectively, whether you're implementing everything in-house, partnering with the agency for ongoing support, or a hybrid approach.

Training Session (60 minutes):

Brand Strategy Deep Dive:

  • Why this positioning was chosen

  • How personality shows up in daily work

  • Brand voice in all client interactions

  • Using brand guidelines correctly

Marketing Strategy Application:

  • Understanding business goals and how marketing supports them

  • Priority channels and rationale

  • Campaign concepts and timing

  • Content themes and approach

Using the Documentation:

  • How to reference brand guidelines for decisions

  • When to use different messaging

  • Channel-specific best practices

  • Maintaining consistency across touchpoints

Living the Brand:

  • How brand shows up in client experience

  • Team behaviors that reinforce positioning

  • Decision-making framework using brand strategy

  • Common questions and scenarios

Implementation Ownership Discussion:

What Happens: Strategic conversation about which marketing functions you'll manage in-house versus partnering with the agency for ongoing execution.

Common Hybrid Models:

Many med spas choose a hybrid approach based on team capacity, expertise, and preference. A typical model might include:

Agency-Managed (Technical Expertise):

  • Digital advertising (Meta and Google ads)

  • SEO optimization and technical implementation

  • Email marketing strategy, design, and automation

  • Website updates and optimization

  • Analytics tracking and reporting

  • Blog writing and SEO optimization

In-House Management (Brand Expression):

  • Instagram and social media content creation and posting

  • Daily Stories and community engagement

  • Client communication and service

  • Review responses and reputation management

  • Strategic partnerships and networking

  • In-person events and community building

Why This Works: Social media benefits from authentic, real-time brand expression that in-house teams can deliver more naturally. You know your clients, understand daily operations, and can share behind-the-scenes moments authentically. Meanwhile, technical channels like paid advertising, SEO, and email automation require specialized expertise, ongoing optimization, and platform knowledge that agencies maintain as core competencies.

Collaborative Partnership:

Even for in-house channels, the agency provides strategic guidance, content direction, and quality oversight. For example, while you post daily Instagram Stories, the agency provides monthly content themes, reviews performance analytics, and recommends optimization strategies. You maintain the authentic voice and community connection while benefiting from strategic expertise.

For agency-managed channels, you maintain approval and input. Ad campaigns are designed collaboratively, email campaigns reflect your voice and priorities, and you have visibility into all performance metrics through shared dashboards and regular reporting.

Flexible Partnership Models:

  • Full DIY Implementation: You receive complete strategy documentation and execute everything in-house. The agency remains available for questions and can provide periodic strategy reviews (monthly or quarterly) to ensure you're on track.

  • Selective Channel Support: The agency manages specific channels where you lack expertise or capacity (typically ads, SEO, email) while you handle others in-house (social media, partnerships, events). This is the most common model for med spas.

  • Full-Service Partnership: The agency handles all marketing execution across every channel, providing you with performance reporting and strategic recommendations. You focus on running your practice while the agency manages your entire marketing program.

The Decision Framework:

Consider these factors when deciding implementation ownership:

In-House Makes Sense When:

  • Your team has capacity and interest

  • The channel requires daily authentic engagement (social media)

  • Content benefits from immediate, real-time posting

  • You want direct client community connection

  • Budget is constrained and you can invest time instead

Agency Partnership Makes Sense When:

  • Channel requires specialized technical expertise (ads, SEO)

  • Platform algorithms and best practices change frequently

  • Optimization requires ongoing testing and analysis

  • Time investment would pull focus from client care

  • ROI justifies professional management investment

Ongoing Support:

Regardless of implementation model, the agency provides:

  • Monthly or quarterly strategy review sessions

  • Performance analysis and optimization recommendations

  • Access for questions as they arise

  • Updates when market conditions or platform changes require strategy adjustments

  • Collaborative planning for campaigns and initiatives

The goal is sustainable execution that delivers results without overwhelming your team or compromising the quality of client care that defines your practice.

What Makes a Strategy Engagement Successful

YOUR ROLE IN SUCCESS

Be Transparent and Honest: Strategy only works when built on truth about your business, challenges, goals, and constraints. Share openly about what's working and what's not.

Commit Time for Discovery: Block dedicated time for discovery sessions, stakeholder interviews, and provide requested information promptly. Your participation directly impacts strategy quality.

Include Key Stakeholders: Everyone who affects brand experience should participate in appropriate stages—from owner to front desk to lead providers.

Provide Thoughtful Feedback: Evaluate strategy based on business goals and ideal client fit—not just personal preference. Push back if something doesn't feel right, but be specific about why.

Trust the Strategic Process: Strategic thinking takes time. Resist the urge to rush to tactics. The foundation work is what makes everything else effective.

Implement the Strategy: The most beautiful strategy document is worthless if it sits on a shelf. Commit to implementation and bringing strategy to life consistently.

RED FLAGS DURING ENGAGEMENT

Agency Not Asking Enough Questions: Strong strategy requires deep discovery. If the agency isn't curious, probing, and asking difficult questions, they're not doing thorough work.

Generic Positioning: If your positioning, personality, or messaging could apply to any med spa, it's not strategic enough. Push for more specific differentiation.

Skipping Research Phase: Jumping to strategy without competitive analysis, market research, and stakeholder input is guessing, not strategic thinking.

No Clear Separation: Brand and marketing strategy should be clearly distinguished and connected, not blurred together without explanation of what's what.

Missing Implementation Guidance: Strategy without clear implementation direction, priorities, and next steps is incomplete. You should know exactly what to do next.

No Measurement Framework: If there's no clear way to measure success or know if strategy is working, you can't optimize or demonstrate ROI.

Investment and Timeline Summary

TYPICAL INVESTMENT RANGE

Brand + Marketing Strategy Engagement: $7,500-15,000 for comprehensive strategy including:

  • Complete brand strategy foundation

  • Comprehensive strategic marketing plan

  • Detailed channel recommendations

  • Full documentation (65-100 total pages)

  • Team training and handoff

  • Implementation roadmap

Investment Varies Based On:

  • Market complexity and competitive intensity

  • Depth of research required

  • Number of stakeholder interviews needed

  • Scope of visual identity strategic direction

  • Number of client personas developed

  • Agency experience and market location

TIMELINE

Complete Strategy Engagement: 4-6 weeks from kickoff to final delivery:

  • Weeks 1-2: Brand strategy (discovery, development, refinement)

  • Weeks 3-4: Marketing strategy (business goals, target market, channels, campaigns)

  • Weeks 5-6: Documentation, implementation planning, team training

Factors Affecting Timeline:

  • Your availability for discovery sessions and feedback rounds

  • Number of stakeholders requiring interviews

  • Complexity of competitive landscape analysis

  • Rounds of refinement needed for approval

  • Scheduling constraints for team training

The Transformation Strategy Enables

Wellness brands that invest in comprehensive brand and marketing strategy see tangible business impact:

  • Clear Market Position: Stand out distinctly in competitive markets like Orange County or Scottsdale rather than blending in with every other med spa.

  • Better Client Fit: Attract clients who value expertise over deals, leading to higher lifetime value, better retention, and greater satisfaction.

  • Marketing Efficiency: Every marketing dollar works harder when aligned with clear strategy, brand positioning, and defined target audience.

  • Team Alignment: Everyone understands what your brand stands for, who you serve, and how to communicate consistently across all touchpoints.

  • Premium Positioning: Strategic differentiation supports premium pricing, reduces discount pressure, and attracts quality-conscious clients.

  • Sustainable Growth: Strong foundation enables confident expansion into new services, markets, or locations without compromising brand quality.

  • Measurable Results: Clear metrics and benchmarks allow you to demonstrate ROI, optimize performance, and make data-driven decisions.

For wellness brands that refuse to blend in, brand and marketing strategy isn't a luxury—it's the foundation that makes everything else work better.

Ready to learn more about strategic brand development for wellness brands? Download our 2026 Health + Wellness Marketing Report for comprehensive insights on positioning and growth strategies.

Considering brand and marketing strategy for your med spa? Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your specific situation and explore what a strategy engagement could deliver for your business.


About Kōvly Studio: We're the brand + marketing agency for wellness brands that refuse to blend in. Our strategy-first approach helps med spas, luxury wellness practices, and wellness service businesses in Orange County, Scottsdale, Denver, and Minneapolis develop clear positioning and comprehensive marketing strategies that attract ideal clients. Learn more at kovlystudio.com.

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