You’re an authority on hair extensions, you’ve got an eye for the perfect face-framing bangs, and your coloring creations are nothing short of stunning. But you can’t expect that comfy chair in your booth rental to get the workout it deserves if you don’t get the word out about what you have to offer.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to talk yourself and your business up, showcase your talent, and give potential customers a reason to walk through the door. We’ve chosen some of our favorite marketing techniques that’ll get your business off the ground or take it to the next level.
A website is a must—hands down.
A website is your chance to tell your story, outline your services, and showcase your talent. It’s always a good idea to highlight your training and experience, and a list of the services you offer should be front and center. And there’s no better way to give visitors to your site a peek into your work than to show before and after pics of satisfied clients. A video demonstrating some of your techniques may also be a great addition to your site.
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to make a website that’ll draw in customers and grow your business. Website templates are often the easiest way to get a website up and running in no time…but don’t just load it up with generic images. Use high-quality photos of your salon and hairstyles. You don’t have to overload it with content, but you should make sure the content on the site is valuable. And don’t let your website become static—keep it updated with new photos and blog posts about past and upcoming events, haircare ideas, and other current promotions. Pair it with a high-quality online booking system that’ll let your customers quickly make an appointment while they’re there.
Take advantage of the popularity of social media.
There’s no denying the value of social media for marketing purposes. Instagram is a fantastic medium for highlighting happenings at your salon or your charity work outside the salon, and Facebook is perfect for announcing special deals you are offering.
And don’t forget about Pinterest. This is where you’ll go to pin photos of unique hairstyles and your best before and after pics. You may even consider starting Pinterest boards for your different hair services or client types. Make the pics attractive and you’ll enjoy getting your photos re-pinned by others, which’ll spread the word about your services.
Loyalty programs will keep your clients coming back.
Statistics show that customers who use loyalty programs return twice as often as those who don’t. That means if you haven’t yet implemented a loyalty program, now’s the time to do so. There’s any number of ways you can get a loyalty program up and running, but consider a point system that allows your clients to earn 1 point for every $1 spent. They can then accumulate points to earn free cuts, colors, and even products. For example, accumulate 200 points and earn a free cut.
Referral programs should always be considered.
You’ve enticed your customers to keep coming back through a loyalty program, now give them a reason to tell their friends about you. A discount for every referred customer is usually all that’s needed for your customers to talk up your services. Consider talking up your referral program through social media, or hand your customers referral cards they can distribute to their friends and family.
Use a mobile app to keep in touch.
There are loads of mobile apps that’ll help you keep in touch with your clients and maintain your business at the same time. Some of our favorites include:
- Booker (iOS, Android): This is going to be your favorite salon management app. Schedule your clients, create a point-of-sale system, and keep track of your business trends all through one, easy-to-navigate interface.
- Salon Software Pro (iOS, Android): Salon Software Pro keeps track of your client contact information and appointments and generates reports that’ll let you see how your business is growing.
- MyChair (iOS): Not only does MyChair keep your clients’ contact information at your fingertips, but it allows you to send them everything from appointment reminders to weekly specials.
Cross-marketing builds comradery with other local businesses.
There are plenty of ways to build great professional relationships with other local businesses that’ll benefit everyone. Ask the local fitness center or photography studio to post your weekly promotions at their front desk in exchange for putting info about their membership plans on your Facebook page…Talk a local nail salon up through your social media networks, and have them do the same for you…Or, consider working with several other local businesses to create and market package deals. For example, a wedding package that includes your salon services, a tanning salon package, and nail services can attract brides in your areas or high schoolers during prom season.