Lash extensions not busy

[rippersroo]

Hey
I started up my own business doing lashes from December. I have all the kit but have only had about 10 clients.

I started mobile and this week I started in my own beauty room within a nail salon. I've read Lynne bakers thread but some things on there aren't available to me-such as ladies who latte, there isn't things like that near me! I've done all the other things too.
Here's what I've done:
Told people I know and got word of mouth started via current clients
Twitter
Gumtree
Yell
Free ads
Friday ads
1000 leaflet drop in my home and beauty room towns and surrounding areas thats 4 different towns in total.
Facebook via nail salon fb page
Blackboard outside shop
Mobil beauty.co.uk
My own website
Emailed local business to offer services/exchange-balance andovers letter from "more ways to promote your business" thread
Viva street
Advertising page where my brother works which reaches over 1000 people
Leaflet bundles in local shops/pubs hair salons etc
Local 5* hotel putting my leaflets in their rooms
Introductory offer
Valentines offer
I've got 1 March offer coming up & then 2 for Mother's Day as by 11th March I'll be qualified in lash lift, tinting and brows.

I'm so stressed I really want this to work I love lashing and my little beauty room I've now took on, but it hasn't taken off for me! I don't know what I'm doing wrong!?
Is it me? or have I started at a quiet time? Does it matter however much advertising you do, people maybe just can't afford treatments?

Any ideas anyone? Out of all my clients right from back when I started (only charging £10 to cover costs for the first few) I have 2 returning customers-my mum and mother in law! I don't charge mum cos I owe her a lot of money anyway.
What's happening? I hope someone has an idea of what I'm doing wrong or why this isn't working for me or is anyone in the same position? Even if I had 1 lash client a day I would be happy! Thanks geeks xx 😔

 

[Blinkingorgeous]

I honestly don't think you are doing anything wrong. I'm afraid I think it's unrealistic to think you will be busy after only being in business 3 months xx. Although I would definitely hope to be busier than 2 family clients.

That said, the start of the year is notoriously quiet for a lot of people, Xmas has just been, people are saving for summer hols etc.

You've done everything you can, I'm assuming you have a facebook page too, stick with it, it will get busier. Busy times are summer and Xmas, people wanting lashes for hols and parties. It is, unfortunately, a quiet time of year especially for new businesses.

Keep pressing on, best of luck, other treatments will def help xx

 

[squidgernetball]

I offer virtually every treatment under the sun, and have struggled in the past to get clients.
There are no easy answers. Broadening your treatment base is the way forward I'm sure. You don't have to go all out - market yourself as an eye specialist for example. Do you offer express lashes? I find them great for holiday clients who don't want the upkeep of semi perm ones, but want great looking lashes for 2 weeks. They are also quick to do!

Keep at it - this time of year is dire. As we go into March I really would expect it to pick up.

Fingers x'd for you

Vicki x

 

[mrslargelashes]

Things will pick up in march. Your doing everything you can to promote yourself. Grab a few select friends and make them models, give them a free treatment,then put the before and after on your Facebook page. X

 

[rippersroo]

Thanks girls just feeling so disappointed. It's actually at the point where I'm not earning anything and can't afford petrol to get to my beauty room!!!(14 miles away)
The lady I work with/rent room off does nails and she has a fb page so she has been advertising via that for me.
I detest fb and don't want to do it! (Don't shoot me for it!)
I'll keep my fingers crossed for March then.x

 

[tronk7]

I offer virtually every treatment under the sun, and have struggled in the past to get clients.
There are no easy answers. Broadening your treatment base is the way forward I'm sure. You don't have to go all out - market yourself as an eye specialist for example. Do you offer express lashes? I find them great for holiday clients who don't want the upkeep of semi perm ones, but want great looking lashes for 2 weeks. They are also quick to do!

Keep at it - this time of year is dire. As we go into March I really would expect it to pick up.

Fingers x'd for you

Vicki x

Hi. I'm qualified in individual lash extensions , do you have to do a seperate course for express lashes? Do you just use different glue? TIA.

 

[squidgernetball]

Hi, yes, you have to be trained in SP and with Express its a slightly different method - eye slightly open, and you just virtually drop them on with sensitive, odourless glue. I am doing a conversion with AH Francis that is cheap as chips.

Vicki x

 

[tronk7]

Hi, yes, you have to be trained in SP and with Express its a slightly different method - eye slightly open, and you just virtually drop them on with sensitive, odourless glue. I am doing a conversion with AH Francis that is cheap as chips.

Vicki x

Ah ok , thanks. Didn't want to spend loads of money when I've already spent a lot on my other course 👍

 

[Balance Andover]

You hate Facebook but honestly you may have to bit the bullet and open a business page!

Advertise on the local selling sites in your area to spread the word.

The local Mumsnet website in your area also allows free classified ads for therapists.

 

[fascinationkt]

Ah ok , thanks. Didn't want to spend loads of money when I've already spent a lot on my other course 👍

I think this could be the course I was looking at also, total bargain

To the OP facebook is something you really should reconsider, you can close you settings so people can't search or add you personally as a friend & just login solely to use it for the business page. Good luck, hope things pic up, it's always a slog in Jan with out being new.

 

[rippersroo]

You hate Facebook but honestly you may have to bit the bullet and open a business page!

Advertise on the local selling sites in your area to spread the word.

The local Mumsnet website in your area also allows free classified ads for therapists.

I have done the local selling sites around here. Not sure if there's a mumsnet.will have a look.
Yes I do keep considering fb but I just don't want people writing stuff on there when the find out it's me(as in another thread I posted on-I used to have a personal fb but people got on via a mutual friend and posted really upsetting and false remarks about me and I'm afraid it can ruin my business when they realise it's me)

 

[Balance Andover]

I have done the local selling sites around here. Not sure if there's a mumsnet.will have a look.
Yes I do keep considering fb but I just don't want people writing stuff on there when the find out it's me(as in another thread I posted on-I used to have a personal fb but people got on via a mutual friend and posted really upsetting and false remarks about me and I'm afraid it can ruin my business when they realise it's me)

Set the page up that you have to approve posts before they appear! Don't let these idiots hold you back xx

 

[squidgernetball]

As I said on a previous thread, don't do it in your name. Use a pseudonym and if they do unpleasant posts you can always delete the page and you will have lost nothing. But I do think a business FB page gives you a presence.

Vic x

 

[rippersroo]

Ok so I just tried to set up a business page but it wants me to create a personal log in-is this right? Should I just make up a name for this bit?
Can I block these silly people right from the start?x

 

[Balance Andover]

Ok so I just tried to set up a business page but it wants me to create a personal log in-is this right? Should I just make up a name for this bit?
Can I block these silly people right from the start?x

Yes, create a personal log in under whatever name you feel like, however if you block these people they can still access your business page, it's best not to block them.

Also, you can't actually prevent them from finding out where you are working. Just ignore any hassle (as they are just doing it for a reaction).

 

[Flying Beauty]

Hi Rippersroo, I'm in the same boat I'm afraid. I'm doing less than half as many sets as I was before Christmas. The reassuring thing is that I'm sure it's just timing and that it will pick up again. I thought I was ok this week but then I've had 2 people cancel on me in the last 24 hrs with no notice and lame excuses, asking can they rebook. It's my fault for not taking a deposit but it's so frustrating when I've paid out for childcare then the clients cancels without a 2nd thought.
It will get busier I'm sure and I'm sure you're doing everything you can to promote your business so when people are ready for lashes I'm sure they'll seek you out! Xx

 

[Beas nails]

Thanks girls just feeling so disappointed. It's actually at the point where I'm not earning anything and can't afford petrol to get to my beauty room!!!(14 miles away)
The lady I work with/rent room off does nails and she has a fb page so she has been advertising via that for me.
I detest fb and don't want to do it! (Don't shoot me for it!)
I'll keep my fingers crossed for March then.x

I have always hated fb but it is a total must for today's business. If i didnt use fb my business would of totally failed, 80% off my business is from it! I advertised everywhere and had hardly any response, until I started fb! Bite the bullet and do it, you won't b sorry xxxx