Struggling to get clients in

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Sophie Broadway

Active Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Messages
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Location
Somerset
I’ve been doing Nails for coming up two years now, before having a baby I always worked evenings and weekends. I had a steady client intake having around 2 to 3 each week.

However, since reopening after having my little one, I’m struggling to get people back in. I’m offering daytime appointments evening and weekends. I’ve posted on local Facebook pages and done give aways.

I’m also currently charging £22 for a gel manicure and will need to update this in April but worried no one will book in if I do.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?
 
Did you announce your re-opening after having a baby or just open and hope for the best? How do you keep in contact with clients? Do you sms them at the start of each month with a monthly offer, i.e. free nail art with manicure? Another idea could be to offer some free services in return for pics to upload to Facebook - this can help get people in the door and then you have new potential clients to add to your sms list.
 
I’ve been doing Nails for coming up two years now, before having a baby I always worked evenings and weekends. I had a steady client intake having around 2 to 3 each week.

However, since reopening after having my little one, I’m struggling to get people back in. I’m offering daytime appointments evening and weekends. I’ve posted on local Facebook pages and done give aways.

I’m also currently charging £22 for a gel manicure and will need to update this in April but worried no one will book in if I do.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?
How about going old school and leafletting local centres.

Mum & toddlers, offices and schools.

Seeing as business is slow changing the price won't make a difference because they don't know the value of your service. So keep your price.

That's the message that has to get out there. Why should they come to you instead of going somewhere else?
 
Sounds like you could.do with some serious advertising of the end result too.

Have you 4 or 5 good clients or friends that you can do lovely work on and upload to whatever platforms you use?

As marketplace I don't think you can beat Treatwell for getting a salon in front of those looking for your service.
 
.Are you getting repeat visits from the customers that have come back? If not, what is the issue? Are they going back to the salon they found in your absence? have their requirements changed, or have they got used to fewer treatments?

It’s never about price. If you can’t get your old clients back you need new clients. This is a marketing exercise.

Think carefully about the experience you offer and be realistic about where you sit in relation to the competition. No false modesty, what are you strong on - flexible hours, one to one boutique service, what are you weak on? Ambiance? Skill? Colour selection?

Be really clear in your mind about what you are offering. Think about the perfect customer for you. I don’t specialise in nails so I am really honest with myself about what I offer: classic favourite colours, excellent attention to nail health, great conversation, exclusive environment. My clients don’t really want/need amazing nails, they want an amazing experience and that’s a personal taste. I get the clients that love seeing me in my salon.

You need to do the same thing.

I’d lean into your Mum status. Find the Mums that want a bit of tlc and market to them. Think about what they need. Natural nails can break and have sharp edges. Dry cuticles can split and get infected from changing nappies. Gels or acrylics can have lots of advantages in maintaining a smooth edge and maintaining self worth.

A treatment from a fellow Mum that understands how hard it is to carve out time for yourself is a selling point.

An example of ways to add value. I have a client that I ask a couple of days before her appointment what colour she wants. Then I’m all set up ready for her. She has the pleasure of talking about the colour she’ll be having in advance of her visit with her friends and colleagues. She enjoys these conversations. So I’m adding value even when she’s not with me. I asked her recently whether she wanted me to buy her a new colour. She sent me some photos - ironically one of the colours is one I’ve got that she’s never wanted - so now I’ll be saying, look I’ve picked out one of the colours you asked for (and it won’t cost me a penny extra).

As you’re looking for new clients, charge what you need to charge. £22 sounds worryingly cheap. To me that price says “lacks skills, doesn’t have a good selection of colours, will be a crappy experience”. Charge enough to get the clients you deserve
 
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