Hi everyone,i`ve been floating around for a while looking at various threads and thought it was about time i said hello.I`m starting up as a mobile nail tech but need tips on getting in my first clients .I know word of mouth is the best way but i need to do the very first sets.I`ve tried adverts in shop windows but thats a no no .
I`ve tried the local college but still the phone doesn`t ring.I do my familys nails when they visit ,they are realy pleased with them but as they do not live near me word of mouth is no good.I am beginning to think the phone will never ring. Did anyone else start off feeling like me ? how did you get those first clients in ?please help

Hiya ...it can be slow to start with but i really do believe in having a proper advert as a regular slot in either your local rag or yellow pages.

It has to be seen over and over in the same place for it to register....it does cost but its worth it.

I have a regular slot in our local rag, its a little booklet that gets delivered once a month to ever house in our village with all the local businesses in.

It worked for me...best of luck x

I will try that .I was thinking of church magazines ? how long was it before you got your first clients in ? was it a matter of weeks or months ?

i wouldn't focus on just one form of cliental...ie church...i would focus on your whole area.

i was lucky i guess because i got calls after my 1st advert...although i got non from my leaflet door drop.

from there on it was mainly word of mouth.

x

Hi I'm also newly qualified as a beauty therapist and working on my client base. I am about to have taster sessions with some local Guide leaders and have recommend a friend cards with discounts given when appointment actually happens.

Good luck to you.

Hi Nailem and welcome. Try not to be disheartened as you really have to work hard at first with the advertizing. It doesn't have to be expensive with simple but attractive or eye catching flyers advertizing your services.

Do a leaflet drop on a Sunday afternoon in your local area. About 200 to 300 flyers would be a good place to start. Do it on a Sunday because no other post comes through the door on this day.

Advertise at your local supermarket. Tescos and Sainsburys have notice boards where you can advertize for free. Also ask to leave leaflets at your local hairdresser (if they don't do nails), post office, Dr's surgery, Vets etc....

Entice new customers by offering a reduced price as an introductory offer for a limited time only whilst you build up your clientele and perhaps offer an incentive price reduction on next treatment if somebody recommends a friend.

Hope you find this helpful. Don't be discouraged and good luck.

Everybody loves a bargain so a introductory price/ special offer is a great idea!!

It will come mate!

Teri x

Thanks fellow geeks for the info. I will get going on the intro price leaflets .
Fingers crossed .I will let you know how i get on .

Welcome to the site hun, all the geeks have given you sound advise, also Sassy hassy did a bril thread a while back on advertising your buissness I have no idea how to do a link but its well worth reading and bookmarking so you can go back to it a few times just remember its better to offer somthing extra as an intro, like free nail art or nail jems rather then a cut price, you tend to attract the ones who are always on the look out for 'cheep' nails and as soon as your price goes up you loose them to the next newbie which leaves you wondering what you did wrong, which is nothing.
Good luck hun, chin up

Absolutely agree with this. I had a decent response to leaflets, no response to personal column ads, no response to an ad at our local recreation centre, loads to Yellow Pages and Thompsons, now just word of mouth really (after over 3 years). It will come, don't be disheartened.

yeah,never thought of free nail art or gems (even piercing as i make my own rings too).thanks

Hi Nailem, and welcome. It may seem obvious (and I assume you may have done it already) but try and get some professional business cards printed so you hand them to friends and relatives nails you've done, then they can hand them out also. Also always make sure you have a good amount of cards on you, as you never know when you may meet a potential customer!

Perhaps you could leave a few leaflets/cards at some local hair salons that don't offer this service. Perhaps as an incentive and as an ad for your work offer to do the receptionist's nails half price (or whatever discount you can afford) that way customers walking in can see first hand the quality of your work.

Before and after pics always work well IMO, so maybe think about showing a pic of a single nail before and after on your leaflet too.

HTH x