Business Building From Scratch

[Newcomer]

Hi All,

I am completely new to the industry and to Salon Geek so please bear with me and keep me right.

I am qualified in Acrylic Nails and Spray Tanning and am soon to be qualified in Waxing at the end of Feb. My plan is to carry out treatments in the evenings and weekend both mobile and from home depending what clients want. I have a few adhoc clients at the moment, but nothing regular. I also have business cards, pricelists and a facebook fan page but I'm still quite quiet, I had thought that there was a market for tanning and nails in my area so this surprises me and makes me think that I'm doing something wrong. Can anyone offer tips or advice on how to get started.

Thanks,
Newcomer

 

[Bagpuss]

Hi, you say you have business cards and price lists but what are you doing with them...?

You can have a free 1 liner in the yellow pages and this automatically then puts you on yell.com....

See if there is a local rag in your area...like a business directory and get yourself in their...they ain't usually very expensive.

People wont just ring and come to you if they dont know about you...you have to get your name out there...The local shops...do they have notice boards for advertsing...? pop a leaflet in.

Think about it...if you wanted a spray tan or a set of nails how would YOU go about it...? would you go onto facebook....???? first thing i would do is go on yell.com, second i would type in my search engine "nail tech in Leicester"......ect.....HTH

 

[Newcomer]

Hi Angie,

You are quite right, I need to get out there and get distributing that literature and finding out where I can put free notices up etc.

Thanks for the tips!

Newcomer x

 

[kimi1101]

I also gave small prizes for local things like raffles etc...I put a voucher for a pedicure and a voucher for a cut and blow dry to a local football team fundraiser and one of the ladies keeps coming and her friend has been too. or do a recommend a friend scheme where you could give your existing client 20% off her next treatment if she gets a friend to come to you ? x

 

[Bagpuss]

Just to add that although free advertising is obviously great...sometimes it does help to bite the bullet and pay for some good advertiisng...

 

[Newcomer]

Thanks Kimberley - my main job is fundraising so I've been doing a few nights and freebies, I just thought that business would build up a bit quicker than this. I guess if it was that easy everyone would be doing it, eh? I'll just need to keep working at it and networking like mad.

Thanks again,
Newcomer x

 

[kimi1101]

Find out where your local Business Gateway is...they do networking events and also loads of courses on business..most of which are free!!!!

xxx

 

[Newcomer]

Thanks again,

Newcomer x

 

[lots of lashes]

it takes a long time and a hard slog to build up your clientèle so give it time. And as so many new clients come from word of mouth try to make the most out of the clients you are getting.
What about offering a small discount or mini treatment to people who refer a friend or something like that ?

remember Rome wasn't built in a day

good luck xx

 

[Newcomer]

Thanks Lots of Lashes. I have decided to begin with a door drop in my street and will offer an introductory rate for new clients. That should be a start anyway.

Newcomer x

 

[CharAnnChe]

Hi there, Ive only just opened up my salon 3 months ago and because of the current recession issues we had to think carefully about how we spent money, but to help save money we put pricelists and business cards with 10% off vouchers through all the houses in the local area by hand with help from family, although this didnt create a huge amount of business more people began to notice us and popped in to have a look and see what we had to offer, also giving out vouchers to fundraisers has helped out alot, weve found that since we introduced spray tanning that this has been our most sought after treatment. We had deals such is bring a friend for a spray tan and recieve your half price or it worked out at 13.50 each which people jumped at. I also have regulars who get here spray tans done at home but its not something they would have considered before, and also when doing spray tans i ask for a minimum of 4 clients, hope this helps you out xx

 

[jo1983]

my website ahs really helped me! I built my on vista print and it costs me hardly anything to run!
Also gumtree.com has helped loads! I get about 5-10 new clients a week from my gumtree ad. Which is great considering i work from home.
Have you thought about doing some spray tan parties? You could ask your friends or family to host a party and in return you can give them a free tan, and when your doing your party why not extend this offer to anyone else that is willing to host a party for you! I bet you could really fill up your diary. Ask them when their birthday is? If they have any weddings in the summer? What are they doing for Valantines Day? ETC
p.s. make sure you set a minimum requirement of tans to get a free one