Are you quiet workwise at the moment?

[tinkywinky]

Sometimes I post these ads, but I am really struggling for work right now. Before Christmas I was so busy, now it's completely opposite and it's getting me down.

Am about to jump ship give up and get a job. However I know come spring things really pick up for me.

I plan to go posting some fliers tomorrow when I have my child in nursery.

Any feedback would be appreciated. x

 

[rock chic]

please dont give up chick i'm in exactly the same postion really quiet. get you flyers out and get ready for the good months that way your on top of things and ready to go. please know your not alone alot of us are in the same position.:hug:

 

[Lynne Baker]

network, network, network!

 

[essentia]

Wanting to give up when you have had a busy December is a knee jerk reaction. Christmas has just gone and some clients will be more restrained - however I have had a good January so far and opportunities for the future have come my way because of mentioning what I do a few months ago. Use your quiet times productively. This is not new - we it all know what to do really , keep on plugging away until it becomes consistent. :hug:

 

[Bombalurina]

I actually found the opposite...I was so quiet all over Christmas & new year, and I'm getting a lot busier now. A lot of my clients have young children so they're not the sort to go out a lot over Christmas, therefore didn't need to see me beforehand!! But now the new year's here they're looking to catch up on the waxing, pedicures & massages they went without over December. Swings & roundabouts!!
Get the leaflets out there and try to stay positive...when I'm quiet I try to enjoy the break that has been "forced" on me!! When you get fully booked, you'll wish you'd taken a bit of time to relax when you'd had it!

 

[divalou]

I am pretty quiet too, I think we're actually up on last January but as Xmas was so crap its cancelled out the busier January. Plus our outgoings are pretty high, big salon, wages, frigging obscene business rate, rent etc etc etc and so we're really struggling to cover everything. A load of shops have just closed in my town too so people are getting put out of work.
Its actually terrifying me now and I am seriously considering winding up and getting out & doing mobile. But at the same time we're getting new people book all the time and, as we've only been open a year, our reputation is growing. I work really hard at promoting the business everywhere I can for as little as I can, Facebook, Email, Text, Corporate Discounts, NHS & Council Dicscounts, Recommend a Friend schemes, EVERYTHING! Advertising just doesnt work, the local papers are a waste of money.
Everything is mounting up tho, money wise, its getting scary and don't know where to go for help.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
X

 

[RedAdmiral]

BE STRONG!
Make a list of what makes you better than your competition and read it at every oppurtunity, it will make you feel better and you'll prob end up passing your enthusiasm onto your clients.
I'm not that busy this week was very busy last wk, but I'm using my down time to promote the salon and do new leaflets and posters and throw a party! Remeber it is January and some business lull go with it as business is cyclitral (is that a word?) and it will pick up soon enough.

For me if I personally am not behind my business than who is?

invite the girls around for manicures (if they ask why ask them why not ....... and dont forget the wine!) Tell them to to tell at least 2 people from work about you, give them a card with their name on and tell them YOU need THEM to help YOUR business.

Go For It!

 

[sweet cheeks]

Also why not ring up local schools, homes and charities they are always looking for ideas of fundraising get them to do a pamper evening. They normally do the advertising and get loads of local business of beauty/health/hair/nails even tarot etc in to do the event i no it means you have competition there but you just got to be prepared.
you normally do 10-15 minute treatments and charge around £5 but good way to get you out there to people that are interested even if they cant get booked in with you that evening they take a card/leaflet or get them to leave name and contact details you ring them with a special offer!
i do now do quite a few of these .... local brownies (good way to get princess parties), nursing home (lot of people want to raise money for this and get really good client base e.g daughters of those in care) and i also do a local school (princess parties and adults of children at school)
Just an idea newby so talk way too much if u need to no anything else would be happy to help!
xxxxx:green:

 

[RedAdmiral]

Gr8 ideas sweet cheeks!
I do kids parties and weddings but would love to offer girly nights! How does it work.............. loving the tarot reader idea................ hmmm wine, nail paints, cards, jewellery, make-up, dresses? I havent had much success with my open nights with attendance so do you target specific clients or just put a general poster up?

 

[sweet cheeks]

you dont host it the place raising the funds does. so for example im doing one for the brownies in Feb. They have a hall they have rung round local businesses hair, make up, nails, jewlery, tarot, are just some of the tables there.
I would pay them £10 for my table -they make there money from this and also selling tickets to the public. (which is why they advertise and you dont have to)
I go on evening set up and have a sheet of appointment split into 10 minute slots, doors open to public and they come put there name down on a time they want and the appointments role in quite quickly, but you need to market yourself there too for those that dont get there appointment i do special offers, gift bags (for £3), i also do prize draw for furture appointments booked on evening
Its worth ringing round local places schools, nursing homes etc to see what they are doing for fundraising this year if they have not got a pamper evening suggest them doing one this really does make them quite a bit of money especially if they get food(biscuits cakes etc) /drink sales too
Hope this helps anything else just let me know
xxxxxxxx

 

[RedAdmiral]

Dur! was trying to keep it in the salon to get more people in. I dont like to go out to too many of these events as I do the charity functions in the hotels. I'll adapt it tho and maybe hold one here.

 

[tinkywinky]

Thanks everyone. I've kick started myself into getting two bookings by ringing regulars, and booking a lady in for a course of facials, I've also had a few bookings today and an enquiry so fingers crossed I can carry on doing what I love and not have to work in a rat race job that I hate lol

Have also been promoting myself a lot today via the web so that will bring me some work I think.

 

[collin]

Thanks everyone. I've kick started myself into getting two bookings by ringing regulars, and booking a lady in for a course of facials, I've also had a few bookings today and an enquiry so fingers crossed I can carry on doing what I love and not have to work in a rat race job that I hate lol

Have also been promoting myself a lot today via the web so that will bring me some work I think.

Good on you :hug:

If the business isn't coming through the door..get out there and grab it.

Some fantastic advise and ideas on this thread.

Tinkey....when times are tough take a moment and reflect on things,...how far you have come so far,your long term goals and how much you love doing what you do....you already say it next to your avatar " tinkywinky is a beauty loving geek "

A recession period is a natural way of weeding out the weak and those that simply give up....dont be one of them if you can just get through the "now".

Think about it...the more others give up the more business there will be for you in a shrinking market ...once business returns to some form of normality..well...you will be well placed to capture it :hug:

 

[tinkywinky]

Think one of the reason I posted this is because I DON'T want to give up; I have to push myself, I'm waiting on the leaflets to come from vistaprint so my hands are tied to do hundreds of leaflet drops. That plus it's too cold to push my baby round whilst I run up and down drives. That will have to wait til he goes to nursery.:hug:

Thanks all you are an inspiration. xx

 

[Blue Rose]

I know exactly what you mean hun. I took over a salon on 1st of December. The Xmas period was mega busy and things are quieter now which I expected, but it's the horrendous outgoings that winds me up, everyone wants money! Paying for my bin to be emptied really winds me up for some reason! I look at the takings at the end of the week and think wow I'm rich, then pay everything and I'm poor again!
Sorry I can't help you, but just wanted to say I know how you feel, chin up babes xx

My goodness, I know that feeling lol. Oh to earn what your takings are

 

[THERAPY]

Oh my god I would parade myself around like Victoria Beckham!!!!

 

[divalou]

I would love it if my takings looked huge! They just arent what they need to be.
I think subliminal messaging is the best next step to take