Finding Clients

[Creative Sharon]

Hi All,
I recently decided to return to the nail industry after being made redundant. Is it just me, or is everyone struggling to find clients?
I’m a qualified Creative nail technician also offering Shellac, but I don’t even seem to be able to get clients through the door. It could be the area I live in, or maybe I need to step up my advertisement.
Does anyone have any tips on where I should advertise to bring in client?
I’m starting to feel a little despondent and feel that unless I offer my services for free, I’m not going to be able to get clients through the door.

[xxJackiexx]

It's always hard when you are just starting. What kind of advertising are you doing at the moment? At the minute I get alot of bookings via my fb page - which is free and I can put lots of pictures on of my work x

[Creative Sharon]

I have found around 5 clients via FB. However most people on FB don't want to pay the price for a quality service :-(

[PixieBeauty]

Have you had a look through Lynne's marketing thread. A lot of people say word of mouth works for them so if you go through & plug like mad all the ideas on Lynne's thread, then get recommendations word of mouth hopefully your client base will grow xx

[Creative Sharon]

Hi Pixie,

Ive not seen the thread, although I will take a look!

[zm85]

Facebook and Gumtree have both been best form of advertising for me its a good way to let clients know what you're up to and show potential clients your work and latest offers. What about leaving your cards in gyms, shops etc and displaying your price lists on notice boards? Starting a newsletter and doing exclusive deals for subscribers to get people to sign up. Hand out to your friends to pass on to others if you know anyone that's in the hair industry give them your price lists to pass on to their clients, leaflet drops round doors etc... It does take time to build a client base tho so don't feel too disheartened!

[New Nailz]

It's always hard when you are just starting. What kind of advertising are you doing at the moment? At the minute I get alot of bookings via my fb page - which is free and I can put lots of pictures on of my work x

I do the same. Facebook has brought me lots of clients. You can make your own page. It's how I started, and then it is word of mouth from them clients to their family and friends, and so on.

I also use free advertising on the net, like yell.com etc.
And with all that, it brought me in my regs and new clients...I was then able to advertise properly with a one of payment for a years advertising on google!

It is always hard at first!

[New Nailz]

I have found around 5 clients via FB. However most people on FB don't want to pay the price for a quality service :-(

You need to start at lower prices in able to get the clients in, and gain their trust. If you just charge high rates, it will be harder for you. You got to keep under what Salons charge. Then later on, you can up your prices after they know what a good service you provide

[Creative Sharon]

Thanks Girls,

You have all given me some good ideas that I will be trying.

Did any of you find it hard going to get clients that are happy to pay? I find that most people want Shellac for less than £15 and the same again with extensions...

[New Nailz]

Thanks Girls,

You have all given me some good ideas that I will be trying.

Did any of you find it hard going to get clients that are happy to pay? I find that most people want Shellac for less than £15 and the same again with extensions...

You will always find someone that wants something for practically nothing!

But if you just keep your prices slightly lower then your local Salons, you will find peole would much prefer paying your prices to theirs.

[zm85]

I ran a shellac offer and that was really popular and got some regulars still coming over a year down the line!! As previous poster said you will always get someone who is after something for nothing but these are not the type of clients you want to attract anyway! You can't force them through the door but those who are willing to pay for a good service will notice you eventually it's just up to you to get their attention! When starting up i went mobile and it took me a good few months to establish myself and word of mouth to spread, a lot of hard work plugging away, special offers to get interest and commitment in the end it really paid off. the initial outlay for marketing material might seem expensive but I'd say to use as much free marketing tools as you can to begin with such as Facebook and Gumtree and just keep advertising your services -even join Twitter and network yourself as much as you can. Keep your Facebook page interesting with beauty tips and latest nail trends and post regular pictures of your work so people can see what you offer you will get there! :)

[New Nailz]

See, good advice right there too.

Do a Facebook page, post your nail pics, make it look professional with a proper banner along the top.

Then post special offers, like ..... Shellac at £** with a full manicure half price. Or, Introduce a friend and you get your nails done half price. Things like that!!

Here is my facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/tina.baldwin.7#!/pages/New-Nailz/261200807249577

[Miss Pink23]

Do you have a website.
Apart from word-of-mouth mine brings me in A LOT of business.
Luckily my other half did mine, I know a good one is expensive, but they are worth their weight in gold imo.
x

[ella1991]

Have you had a look through Lynne's marketing thread. A lot of people say word of mouth works for them so if you go through & plug like mad all the ideas on Lynne's thread, then get recommendations word of mouth hopefully your client base will grow xx


Hi Pixie,
Where would I find this marketing thread? In the forum or articles? I'd be interested to read it? thanks :)

[Creative Sharon]

Love your work on the FB page, is it Gel you do?
I'm seriously thinking about training in CND Brisa Gel. I don't think I do very well with the acrylic, I tend to have issue with them coming off when they get knocked.

I have done a FB page, and I also have a website. I really think it is down to the town I live in and people not having any money.

I put an add on Gum Tree, and Yell.com have called and offered a years add with them for £120. I just hope it wont be a waste of money!

[New Nailz]

Thank you :)

Yes, I do Gel. I am doing a conversion course for Brisa in 2 weeks. At the moment I use The Edge Gel. It is ok, but obviously I have had some lifting with it, and I want to use the better brands!

[zm85]

Brisa is fab it's far more popular than l&p in my area I get a lot more requests for gel and find the system really easy to use and the products are a dream to work with :)

[Creative Sharon]

Brisa is fab it's far more popular than l&p in my area I get a lot more requests for gel and find the system really easy to use and the products are a dream to work with :)

Do you get any issues with lifting our coming off between reballance?

[Lucybluebell]

I'm starting out too. I've been advised not to start off with cheap prices as you can't just put your prices up. I'm going to charge £40 for a set of Brisa forever French as I believe they are worth at least that. I'm not charging less than my local salon as I'm providing an excellent CND service. I'm not expecting to get loads of clients from Facebook as I think most of them are after the cheapest nails possible and that isn't me ;)
Good luck xx

[happyfeet]

I'm starting out to. I've been advised not to start off with cheap prices as you can't just put your prices up. I'm going to charge £40 for a set of Brisa forever French as I believe they are worth at least that. I'm not charging less than my local salon as I'm providing an excellent CND service. I'm not expecting to get loads of clients from Facebook as I think most of them are after the cheapest nails possible and that isn't me ;)
Good luck xx

I agree honey :) start as you mean to go on lovey. Im mobile and soon home based and rent a treatment room as and when and charge exactly the same as local salons. My client base is growing nicely, never had anyone complain about the price and very very rarely offer a discount. All my work comes through word of mouth or my website and apart from one 4 treatment 2 people booking have had nothing from facebook. I too find fb can (not always mind) attract the bargain hunters. My clients are also bar may be one or two in the 30+ bracket and dont really do facebook and arent afraid to part with their pennies for a good service with quality products.

Dont sell yourselves short lovelies charge what you are worth :)

Love n hugs x xxx

[JellyNails]

I would say a good website and do lots of SEO ( i.e keep googling yourself to get you up there in google ) I would say 70% of my clients have found me through the internet. Good Luck.

[New Nailz]

I'm starting out too. I've been advised not to start off with cheap prices as you can't just put your prices up. I'm going to charge £40 for a set of Brisa forever French as I believe they are worth at least that. I'm not charging less than my local salon as I'm providing an excellent CND service. I'm not expecting to get loads of clients from Facebook as I think most of them are after the cheapest nails possible and that isn't me ;)
Good luck xx

I just think starting abit, not alot cheaper then salons, will help pull people in. Especially if you are only just starting out. I don't use brisa yet, only "the edge". So when I start using brisa, I will up my prices, as then it is worth more, and my clients knows this and are happy with it :)

[zm85]

Do you get any issues with lifting our coming off between reballance?

Very rarely, I trained in brisa a good 6 years ago and did their skill building courses along the way which gave me loads of tips to perfect my application and techniques. It also depends on the client and their lifestyle as with any other system, not everyone is suited to it! My hairdresser clients for example have l&p whereas others find l&p too harsh for their weak nails so it definitely pays off to offer both systems :)

[Lucybluebell]

I just think starting abit, not alot cheaper then salons, will help pull people in. Especially if you are only just starting out. I don't use brisa yet, only "the edge". So when I start using brisa, I will up my prices, as then it is worth more, and my clients knows this and are happy with it :)

You won't believe the difference when you try Brisa, it's wonderful and worth the money!x

[HollyGold]

I just think starting abit, not alot cheaper then salons, will help pull people in. Especially if you are only just starting out. I don't use brisa yet, only "the edge". So when I start using brisa, I will up my prices, as then it is worth more, and my clients knows this and are happy with it :)

Maybe do an opening offer. New clients get 20% off there first set and 10% off there next set if they recommend a friend.

.

[Lucybluebell]

Maybe do an opening offer. New clients get 20% off there first set and 10% off there next set if they recommend a friend.

.
That's what I'm doing, 20% off 1st treatment and think I might do 10% off (for the client who recommended)if a client comes to me after being recommended x

[Papillion]

After reading threads with advice from Geeg and a few others I've decided to start of with slightly higher prices, and then I can off discounts if I need/want to rather than try and rise my prices after I have started to build a client base.

Do a search, there is some priceless business advice on here that has helped me out so much - why I love salon geek!:D

[New Nailz]

You won't believe the difference when you try Brisa, it's wonderful and worth the money!x

I am so excited. I still got 12 days to wait. Feels like 12 months!!

[Lucybluebell]

I am so excited. I still got 12 days to wait. Feels like 12 months!!
Oooh not long!! Where are you doing the training?

[New Nailz]

Oooh not long!! Where are you doing the training?

Bournemouth with Jemeila Tourh

[Lucybluebell]

Bournemouth with Jemeila Tourh
Have fun :D

[New Nailz]

Have fun :D
Thank you :)

She looks very young...found her on fb lol. Makes me feel old hahaha