Hi all,
Was wondering if anyone could give me advice on where to market my post cards for good impact, i don't have much financial reserves for things like websites just yet as i'm obviously just starting out. I have thought of hairdressers and sunbed shops.... Any advice at all will be really appreciated. And maybe a really silly question(hard question to answer given all things considered) but how long does it take to get off the ground and start to see a regular income.

Kind Regards

Kerry.

Hi just to let you know that there are free websites that you can use to start up a website.

As for your other question, how long is a piece of string? Some are lucky and start working straight away, others it may take a while before they build up a clientele.

Advertising in hairdressers etc is a great idea. You could also try things like local papers, town notice boards, the internet - Freeindex, Netmums, Gumtree etc.

Good luck - remember, be patient, it will happen for you!

other places you can put your postcards are playgroups, nurseries, primary schools, anywhere that mothers go basically. doctors surgery, post office, even the local sandwich shops normally have a cork board with plumbers etc on. offer a freebie to local hairdressers so potential clients can see what you do. another good one is to get some gift vouchers printed up (vistaprint do good offers) and call round schools etc and donate one to xmas raffle - gets your business known in the community and mum's will talk about it etc. hopefully the winner of the raffle will become a customer. as for how long it takes.....well to be honest, it doesn't happen overnight - it can take months to build a client base, it all depends how much effort you put into it and how committed you are. i only got 1 customer from 100 leaflet drops but have got 3 customers from her so word of mouth is golden! i have also got customers through my website so i would def look into that. good luck and i'm sure if you put everything into it then you'l soon have some regulars xx

Hi guys thanks for your valuable advice!! Realy appreciate it....i will definately be looking into all your ideas....I'd like to also ask advice again and also share a story i had breast cancer two years ago. It was a long journey to say the least but to spare you guys all the details but i would love to be able to advertise myself in the local breast unit maybe other places to offer a service to ladies (newly or just on the other side of diagnoses)some pampering to help make them feel a bit better about themselves and their confidence. I know i'd have loved to have been given the opportunity to meet someone having had first hand experience and been offered a service to help make me feel even just a bit better about myself. Your confidence takes a battering and the days are VERY long and lonely and terrifying when your having chemotherapy and just going through the whole experience. I was very lucky though a have a wonderful fiance and thankfully my daughter was only 2 and a half so a lot she doesn't remember. I'm going on a bit now arnt i!! lol! And this is how i came into Beauty i'd always wanted to go back to college and train in something i love. It definately gives you a wake up call to completely live your life how you want to and most of all being happy! I walk looking up a lot more now and take in every day with appreciation.... i'm not sure how to approach this really. It would have to be in a sensitive way and genuine which is what i am and what i am aiming for. Thanks for listening guys.

Pixie. x

Hi Pixie

I am involved in 'Look Good Feel Better', once a month I help out, as a volunteer, at a session at the Cancer support unit, the ladies are given a make up and skin care bag of goodies and we help them to use it and how to apply the make up. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my month - it only costs time. I really enjoy it and get a buzz out of how everyone feels so good after the session.

Maybe this could be a way for you to go?

Can't find the right words really without being patrionising or yukky but glad you have gone onto do something you enjoy in the face of adversity, I am sure it was a very life changing time for you.

Thanks very much Ogt! i'l look into that. x

i advertise in local paper its about £10 a week, also a free website by webs.com, i put that on google maps for free,
leaflets/card in adsa, morrisons, tesco, sunbeds, also word of mouth by my family and friends.... (biggest help)
good luck xxxx

loads of great advice and tips already given ..
last month i had some colourful postcards made and put them in my local newsagents /sweet shops near schools .. costing 80p-£1 a week, i have already taken 2 bookings for kids pamper parties totalling around £180!