Med Spa Marketing Is Not Healthcare Marketing
Med spas operate in a unique space: you're a medical practice that markets like a luxury brand. The patient journey looks more like a high-end retail purchase than a doctor visit. Patients research for weeks, compare providers on Instagram, read reviews obsessively, and make decisions based on aesthetics and trust.
That means your marketing budget needs to account for channels that traditional healthcare never touches: Instagram content creation, before/after photography, influencer partnerships, and membership marketing. Understanding these costs upfront prevents overspending in the wrong places.
Med Spa Budget Builder
Select your revenue tier. Get a recommended budget breakdown.
Channel-by-Channel Cost Breakdown
Med spa marketing spans more channels than most industries. Here's what each one actually costs and what you should expect in return.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Budget for these or get blindsided:
- Professional photography: $500-$2,000/month for before/after content and treatment photos
- Video production: $1,000-$3,000/month for reels, testimonials, and treatment walkthroughs
- Influencer partnerships: $500-$5,000 per collaboration depending on follower count and market
- Technology stack: CRM, booking software, review platform, email marketing ($300-$800/month combined)
- Seasonal promotions: Budget 15-20% extra for Q4 holiday campaigns and seasonal pushes
Med Spa ROI Calculator
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ROI Calculator
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What "Good" Looks Like by Channel
Benchmarks for med spa marketing performance in 2026:
- Google Ads: $25-$80 cost per lead, 15-25% booking rate
- Meta Ads (Instagram/Facebook): $15-$45 cost per lead, 10-20% booking rate
- SEO: 6-12 month ramp, then $15-$30 effective cost per lead
- Social Media: Engagement rate above 3%, DM inquiries 5-15/week
- Email Marketing: 25%+ open rate, 3-5% click rate, 10-15% of revenue from email
Red Flags When Hiring a Med Spa Marketing Agency
Agency Red Flag Checklist
Check the ones you've encountered. Count your red flags.
The Bottom Line
Med spa marketing costs more than most local business marketing because the patient journey is longer, more visual, and more competitive. But the revenue per patient is also dramatically higher.
A single Botox patient who rebooks quarterly is worth $2,400-$4,800 over two years. A body contouring patient can be worth $5,000-$15,000. The math works if you invest in the right channels and track your numbers.
Start with the budget builder above. Know your numbers. Then build a plan that matches your growth stage.