Quiet times and what to do?

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Nova-nails18

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2019
Messages
13
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Location
Glasgow
Hey guys

I've now been self employment in a nail bar that I rent within a salon for just under a year. I've had quiet times but mostly I'm busy and even when I've been quiet I've been kept going and kept a float.
Since January though till now I've been like dead. The last 2 weeks have been a little better and I'm lucky that I don't pay rent if I'm off. Unheard of I know. So anyway I'm trying to think of new ways to get more customers in. As I feel like I've actually lost clients. I get really good feed back with 5* on fb and 4.9 on Google etc
I put our an anonymous feedback form and it's been mostly good so far 2 weren't but I'm not sure how much to believe they said. I'll still take it on board. I'm running out of money so running fb and Instagram ads at the moment is making me a bit panicked incase I totally end up skint by the time they come out. I've put on deals. I've added a deal day where in my quietest day you get all gel mani for £12 instead of & £17. I'm in a busy area where people have cash and the hairdresser I woke with is busy... Not her usual run off her feet but she's kept going.
Its really getting me down and I'm starting to panic get depressed over it and I'm really really scared.

Any tips?
 
Hi sorry you are going through this.
I had a salon in a very affluent area, it was beautifully decorated and I used the best products on my clients. I gave up in the end as the business became very seasonal, my rent and bills were high and it was starting to effect my health about how I was going to pay all of the bills without clients. I never reduced prices as I couldn’t afford to, in my opinion if you do you will only get people through the door who want a deal and cheap treatments. They will then wait until you have a special offer again to book. I would sometimes instead to an add on such as book a facial and received a free head massage etc .... so it wasn’t reducing prices but offering a freebie.
I think the beauty industry is so saturated with therapists and salons and people doing it from home and mobile that it’s very hard to compete and make an good living.
that’s my personal feelings but please take advice from other therapists too.
I now do something completely different x
 
Hi sorry you are going through this.
I had a salon in a very affluent area, it was beautifully decorated and I used the best products on my clients. I gave up in the end as the business became very seasonal, my rent and bills were high and it was starting to effect my health about how I was going to pay all of the bills without clients. I never reduced prices as I couldn’t afford to, in my opinion if you do you will only get people through the door who want a deal and cheap treatments. They will then wait until you have a special offer again to book. I would sometimes instead to an add on such as book a facial and received a free head massage etc .... so it wasn’t reducing prices but offering a freebie.
I think the beauty industry is so saturated with therapists and salons and people doing it from home and mobile that it’s very hard to compete and make an good living.
that’s my personal feelings but please take advice from other therapists too.
I now do something completely different x
Totally appreciate your comment and thank you for being honest. I don't want to give up just yet I'm lucky that my rent is relatively cheap i don't get charged if I'm not in and at the moment I'm still managing to to pay my bills and rent etc I just don't have much extra money to just feel comfortable. I don't want to reduce or keep offering deals as It will look like I'm desperate... Which I am hahaha. I totally agree with you in that it all being saturated. I found a unique selling point that everything I use is vegan and cruelty free and I'm conscious of the environment using biodegradable glitters and reducing waste etc. That brings in a whole bunch of clients who don't want to go just anywhere. My problem at the moment is working out will I actually get busier again liek I was ( at one point I was making 1k a week which for just me on my own was amazing) or is this it now :(
 
I'm sorry, but cruelty free and vegan nail products are not a unique selling point. Nearly all products are, some just talk about this more. I also think it is a mistake to focus on products being unique (I say this as both a salon owner and "gulp" product manufacturer). The unique about the salon should be you. Your competitors can buy the same products or will claim they are as good as yours. You are the most important brand, not the products although if these are really different (i.e. hypoallergenic), then that can also support your brand.

Before the slow down, were your clients booking their next appointment after a service? How many were reliable repeat clients or new each time?
 
I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but in 12 years we never had a salon customer ask if our products were vegan or cruelty-free. What they were interested in was our reputation, the quality of the work, great sanitation and use of hypoallergenic products.

Many salon clients, especially those that visit NSS, don't even care about human trafficking or that files and tools are used without sanitation/disinfection.
 
Like you at one point I was making great money but I find it’s really hard to buy in decent products, great service and technique when clients won’t pay your prices. I was also cruelty free and only 1 client commented on it, I don’t think many were bothered. All they want is cheap regardless of products used.
maybe put some photos of your nails up on Facebook and Instagram, highlight how good you are and how long your nails last for x
 
So sorry you're having a rough time. I inadvertently have a lot of new bookings for the next few weeks.

I was interested in switching to hema free and hypoallergenic so decided to switch to ikon.iq and I got my customers involved. I offered 2 customers a free service with the sample kit and they updated Facebook daily with pictures to see how well it lasts. I also gave my customers the link to the website and asked them to vote for their top 3 colours and then I ordered the most popular. It created such an amazing buzz and so many new bookings mainly because people were able to see the quality of the product and the ethos of the company and spread the word.

Can you think of something that will create a buzz among your customers? A competition to win a free service or free nails next January if they have a minimum of 10 services this year, maybe a free service if they refer 5 friends. Immediate discounts rarely create loyalty but rewarding loyalty keeps customers coming back.

Hope it gets better for you. The coronavirus isn't helping. On a side note I'm offering all my customers a face mask and wearing mine for the full service which has helped to keep my bookings up.
 
Hi,
Although I am in the US I think we all face similar issues. I agree with most of what have been said ... I think you are your best trademark, another important point is to treat your customers to make them feel 1 million $ , find out their name, use their name a lot in your conversation, explain the service, and aske them how they feel.before they go out of your table tell them “ I am booking you for the same time on ( for example Wednesday 15, two weeks from today), is that alright?. Present yourself professional, follow up , ... if you want to sell a product sell cuticle oil or strengthening base coat . But don’t count on it . Educate your clients about their use but don’t be pushy.
Take advantage of the calendar, like St Patrick’ s manicure special give a freebie like a emery board with your name and phone number ...
contact places where they can give you clients, like lunch time specials if you are near offices or similar .
and team up with the hairdresser, she can give you clients and you can give her clients.
Good luck
 
I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but in 12 years we never had a salon customer ask if our products were vegan or cruelty-free. What they were interested in was our reputation, the quality of the work, great sanitation and use of hypoallergenic products.

Many salon clients, especially those that visit NSS, don't even care about human trafficking or that files and tools are used without sanitation/disinfection.
Hey!

SO the whole reason I use vegan and cruelty free for everything I use is BECAUSE I was being asked. Also it is a unique selling point where I'm from. I'm in an area that I would say about a good 70% if my customers are vegan and care about what I use. This is down to all my brushes even my acrylic brush which I have to replace aloootttt because the acrylic wastes the synthetic bristles. Although my business is quiet at the moment it was booming at one point and I continue to have people returning who travel from as far as an hour away to come as all my products are v&cf not just my gel polish or my acrylic. I wish other places would take not of it then of course it wouldn't be a USP but at the moment for me in my area it is. I also am very confident that my clients have a good experience when they come & praise me on my personality and skills. my reviews etc reflect this which is why I'm confused at my quietness. Rebooking while there in is something I'm going to start doing as I wasn't before
 
Like you at one point I was making great money but I find it’s really hard to buy in decent products, great service and technique when clients won’t pay your prices. I was also cruelty free and only 1 client commented on it, I don’t think many were bothered. All they want is cheap regardless of products used.
maybe put some photos of your nails up on Facebook and Instagram, highlight how good you are and how long your nails last for x
Yeah I do this I have over almost 2k followers across social media so I know people like my socials.
 
Hi,
Although I am in the US I think we all face similar issues. I agree with most of what have been said ... I think you are your best trademark, another important point is to treat your customers to make them feel 1 million $ , find out their name, use their name a lot in your conversation, explain the service, and aske them how they feel.before they go out of your table tell them “ I am booking you for the same time on ( for example Wednesday 15, two weeks from today), is that alright?. Present yourself professional, follow up , ... if you want to sell a product sell cuticle oil or strengthening base coat . But don’t count on it . Educate your clients about their use but don’t be pushy.
Take advantage of the calendar, like St Patrick’ s manicure special give a freebie like a emery board with your name and phone number ...
contact places where they can give you clients, like lunch time specials if you are near offices or similar .
and team up with the hairdresser, she can give you clients and you can give her clients.
Good luck
All really helpful thank you x
 
Hi there. This is my first time posting in a forum so apologies in advance for any mistakes. Im so sorry to hear about your predicament. A lot of salons focus on increasing revenue by marketing to new clients. Its a lot more expensive to acquire new clients than getting more bookings from your current clients or selling them more services and products. I would recommend starting to keep a list of client emails and phone numbers so that you can send them regular updates/specials/sales/new product launches. One strategy that works well with our clients is when you are having a quiet day, send an email blast to all your customers saying something like 10% off all services over $15-today and tomorrow only.
You can also do the same when you have a lot of cancellations-send a sms message to all your clients giving them a cancellation slot discount. Sending regular emails to your clients is also good to get them thinking of you. If you have a salon management system, all of these things are easy to do. Hope this helps.
kind regards
Sam
 
Hey!

SO the whole reason I use vegan and cruelty free for everything I use is BECAUSE I was being asked. Also it is a unique selling point where I'm from. I'm in an area that I would say about a good 70% if my customers are vegan and care about what I use. This is down to all my brushes even my acrylic brush which I have to replace aloootttt because the acrylic wastes the synthetic bristles. Although my business is quiet at the moment it was booming at one point and I continue to have people returning who travel from as far as an hour away to come as all my products are v&cf not just my gel polish or my acrylic. I wish other places would take not of it then of course it wouldn't be a USP but at the moment for me in my area it is. I also am very confident that my clients have a good experience when they come & praise me on my personality and skills. my reviews etc reflect this which is why I'm confused at my quietness. Rebooking while there in is something I'm going to start doing as I wasn't before
I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but in 12 years we never had a salon customer ask if our products were vegan or cruelty-free. What they were interested in was our reputation, the quality of the work, great sanitation and use of hypoallergenic products.

Many salon clients, especially those that visit NSS, don't even care about human trafficking or that files and tools are used without sanitation/disinfection.
I absolutely can not believe that you have never had a single person ask if a product is cruelty free, with the rise in popularity and similar to the OP, myself and a massive proportion are either vegan or shopping and choosing ethical products. Now I know the majority of nail products are vegan and CF, unless they sell in china or for a few other reasons, but like OP it is a unique selling point when people come to you because of your products. People actually think shellac is made from shellac, admittedly that is a poor word for something that is accidentally vegan! People are not educated, they don't understand NSS that is why as professionals it is our job to educate clients on professional and ethical products.
 
I absolutely can not believe that you have never had a single person ask if a product is cruelty free, with the rise in popularity and similar to the OP, myself and a massive proportion are either vegan or shopping and choosing ethical products. Now I know the majority of nail products are vegan and CF, unless they sell in china or for a few other reasons, but like OP it is a unique selling point when people come to you because of your products. People actually think shellac is made from shellac, admittedly that is a poor word for something that is accidentally vegan! People are not educated, they don't understand NSS that is why as professionals it is our job to educate clients on professional and ethical products.

It depends on your area/client demographic. I 100% have a lot of customers come to me for being a vegan and cruelty free salon, and I recently went eco and sustainable (I was already, but I’m including it in my USP now).

Keep on the good fight x
 
I absolutely can not believe that you have never had a single person ask if a product is cruelty free, with the rise in popularity and similar to the OP, myself and a massive proportion are either vegan or shopping and choosing ethical products. Now I know the majority of nail products are vegan and CF, unless they sell in china or for a few other reasons, but like OP it is a unique selling point when people come to you because of your products. People actually think shellac is made from shellac, admittedly that is a poor word for something that is accidentally vegan! People are not educated, they don't understand NSS that is why as professionals it is our job to educate clients on professional and ethical products.

In 5 years I’ve never been asked this question either......
 
I absolutely can not believe that you have never had a single person ask if a product is cruelty free, with the rise in popularity and similar to the OP, myself and a massive proportion are either vegan or shopping and choosing ethical products. Now I know the majority of nail products are vegan and CF, unless they sell in china or for a few other reasons, but like OP it is a unique selling point when people come to you because of your products. People actually think shellac is made from shellac, admittedly that is a poor word for something that is accidentally vegan! People are not educated, they don't understand NSS that is why as professionals it is our job to educate clients on professional and ethical products.


I’ve never been asked either.
 
In over 20 years I’ve only ever been asked once, no tell a lie I was TOLD by a vegan (who has never had her nails done with me anyway!) That she may have her nails done with me one day, if I stopped using polish made out of beetles!!! [emoji849] THOSE WHO KNOW, KNOW!! I did tell her that it was a brand name, but couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore!!
 
Same as Fluffy never been approached regarding vegan products in over 20years
 
I am vegan and I'd only visit a salon if I could establish before hand that the product were vegan, so I probably wouldn't ask the salon, I'd do my own research and find bands that were cruelty free and salons that use them.
 
I absolutely can not believe that you have never had a single person ask if a product is cruelty free, with the rise in popularity and similar to the OP, myself and a massive proportion are either vegan
And that is the problem we have in the World today. Too many with deep beliefs have a polarised us-them thinking and refuse to accept others genuine opinions or experiences.

If anyone can do something easily such as buy products that are vegan, it is not a unique selling point. A USP is a specialist skill or service, or products if you have an exclusive region because of a brand-specific education to use them.
 

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