Service packages
Prepaid sessions, real cash flow
The middle ground between one-off bookings and a full membership: client buys N sessions upfront at a slight discount, no recurring billing, sessions expire in a few months. Cash flow you can plan against + retention you earn without committing the client to monthly billing.
Three retention mechanics
When packages fit
Packages
N sessions upfront, no recurring. 6-12 month expiry. Best for the “I commit but don’t want monthly billing” client.
Memberships
Monthly billing, N/mo sessions, ongoing. Best for clients on a stable monthly cadence. More
Loyalty
Punch card. Per-visit no commitment. Best for rewarding existing-cadence regulars without changing their billing. More
Typical structures
Three packs that ladder
5 sessions
~10% off6 monthsTrial-the-relationship pack. Buyer is exploring; small enough that even a small discount feels like a win.
10 sessions
~15% off9 monthsMost-popular tier. Buyer is committing to the artist for ~a year of regular service. Sweet spot for spray-tan + lash regulars.
20 sessions
~20% off12 monthsPower-user pack. Bridal-party trial + weekly-tan run-up + frequent-flyer regulars. Higher discount, larger prepay, longer window.
The cash flow math
Why this is the highest-leverage retention mechanic for cash-conscious artists
- $500 prepay vs $50 single visit. The package customer pays you 10x more cash today, then redeems over 10 months. You earn interest (or you reinvest in inventory / marketing) on float you wouldn’t have otherwise.
- Forfeit rate is real revenue. Most 20-packs go ~85-90% redeemed. The 10-15% forfeiture is sessions you got paid for + never delivered + your time is free for other clients.
- Switching cost. A client with 10 unredeemed sessions in your package isn’t booking a competitor. The retention is structural, not relational.
Operational rules
- Expiry is enforceable. Most US state laws treat prepaid service packages differently from gift cards: the time-limit IS generally allowed. Disclose at purchase + on the receipt; honor strictly.
- One-time 30-day extension on request. Customer-friendly + cheap. Reserve hard-line enforcement for repeat offenders.
- Transfers manual, not self-serve. Goldenhour ships the artist-initiated transfer action; don’t let customers transfer between themselves (fraud risk).
FAQ
- What's the difference between packages, memberships, and loyalty?
- Packages: client buys N sessions upfront, no recurring billing, expires in 6-12 months. Memberships: client pays monthly for N sessions/month, recurring billing. Loyalty: client earns punches per visit, no upfront commitment. Packages are the 'low-commit recurring' option: upfront cash flow without the ongoing relationship a membership creates.
- What's a typical package structure?
- 5 sessions for ~10% off, 10 sessions for ~15% off, 20 sessions for ~20% off. Match the discount to the prepayment volume + your confidence in the client. Expiry: 6 months for the small pack, 12 months for the larger. Larger packs justify the longer window because the prepay is higher.
- Can a package be transferred to another client?
- Yes, if you allow it. Goldenhour ships a transfer action on the client-package card; the artist initiates it manually (not customer self-serve to avoid abuse). Typical use: a bridesmaid's leftover sessions go to her sister. Document the transfer in the audit log.
- What if the customer doesn't use all sessions before expiry?
- Per state law in most US jurisdictions, prepaid service packages are NOT subject to the same gift-card-expiry rules and CAN expire. Most artists honor the expiry policy strictly + offer a one-time 30-day extension on request. Forfeited sessions become revenue you've already booked + cash you've already spent.