Start up advice

[Myan]

Hello!

I'm a energy & holistic therapist offering services such as crystal therapy, colour therapy, EFT, reiki, ear candling and Indian Head Massage. I've spent a long time building up my qualifications and learning, and have always been unsure over how best to market myself to other people. It's certainly not my strong point, however just over 6 weeks ago I deiced to rent what appeared to be the ideal therapy room above what seems to be a busy hair salon, but now i'm starting to have concerns about my decision.

Initially I had wanted to build up my clientele without renting, but felt unable to sell my services properly as I had nowhere suitable to work from and very little money to invest, and have always considered clients of services similar to mine to be paying for the atmosphere as well as the service itself...Something I felt I couldn't offer them in their own home to my liking, alongside the fact my own health would make constantly moving my bed and kit difficult for me.

So I decided to take on this room, hoping to use some money I had saved, and from my current job to set myself up, and tide me over until I could earn my own keep as it were. However, I'm questioning the choice I've made because I've had practically no interest in my services at all, despite the salon owners telling me that they're telling people about me and the new services on offer, and my own promotion on social media. My business cards are on their desks, my price lists and offers are displayed in their windows, and around the salon, and still nothing. I've also attended holistic fairs in the past, and gotten nothing apart from interest on the day.

I don't have a massive network of people who are interested in what I do personally, so i'm mostly relying on brand new people to become my clientele. Pretty much everyone of the teachers with whom I've studied have intoned that I wouldn't have problems getting people through the doors, simply because the services I offer aren't all that common, but my experience thus far is the complete opposite. The questions in my mind at this stage are, am I doing the right thing renting full time at this point, should I cut down my days, or should I have gone mobile first? Should I try and negotiate a cheaper rate of rent, and where should I put my attention in terms of attracting people?

I often hear people saying that starting up is hard, but 'it'll get there', but right now I feel all i'm getting is significantly poorer and depressed! Any thoughts?

 

[BannerPenguin]

Is the space you're renting sound proofed? For such relaxing treatments, you're right in saying the atmosphere is important.

Just leaving cards and price lists on the sides and relying on the salon to promote your services won't do you any good. You need to get out there and put them in peoples hands. You could get your walking shoes on and do a leaflet drop. By the sounds of it, you probably don't have a budget for digital marketing and a professional website but you could put some money into Social Media ads to reach local people. That's going to be one of the cheapest things to do but really you need to get some money together for a decent marketing budget and your overheads for the next 12 months. Most businesses don't make a profit within their first 12months so you need to keep your head above water.

I'd probably also ignore whatever the salon say. Different clientele from your services to theirs in my opinion and they're focusing on their own business as priority number 1.

Good luck and get out there Proactive!

 

[salonfrog]

As your services are more specialised, you can't rely that much on passing trade, nor those of the salon you rent from.

So instead, you need to become a destination.

If you can work out who your "Client" is (e.g. their age, socio-economic background etc) and then how to get to them (e.g. what do they read, where do they hang out, where do they shop, what social media do they use) then you can direct your marketing very specifically.

You might for example know that they go to the cool, 'real coffee' shops, rather than Starbucks. So find those cool coffee shops and get some cards or flyers in there.

Like BannerPenguin says, use this info to target Facebook paid ads.

It's hard I know but keep the marketing up and keep positive

 

[RED STAR]

You have to remember, those delivering the training have a vested interest!
It is advantageous to them to have those course's full, so they will tell you what you want to hear.
But the reality is that just because you have a certificate to wave, folk are not about to form an orderly queue around the block for your new service!

Be confident, knowledgeable, and not afraid...this is a dog eat dog world.
Why not go into the salon, and introduce yourself.
Let them know about the exciting new service you are offering.......
Perhaps you could give them a 'taster' treatment whilst they're there.

 

[ShootingStar]

don't let temporary defeat stop you, A great book that helped me a lot. "think and grow rich", hope it helps!

 

[Premium Beauty Consultant]

Hello
This is great news you are passionate is starting up your business. All businesses need to work from a detailed business plan. Don't give up!!
Stay positive, you need to focus on your marketing plan 'let customers know where you are and what you have to offer' this will not happen over night. You need to Plan and monitor what is working for you and what isn't. I am a fully qualified beauty therapist who has managed successful salons, worked with leading brands a seminar leader and trainer. I have mastered the finer details and challenges business owners come across and I am now a proud salon consultant to help business owners increase turnover.
Pop me a message and I will guide you through my services.