Unusual marketing strategies?

[kimi1101]

After reading Blue Rose's response to the recession thread, I was wondering how do you market your business? I want to try out some unusual tactics...I heard that you basically should try to get your salon name/brand everywhere, its difficult to explain but did anyone see the Derren Brown advertising thing? It basically showed you "see" things without even noticing them?

I'm thinking about talking to a local window cleaning company and asking them to wear t-shirts with my salon details on them, so if they are washing windows in an office block, it will bring all the workers to the attention of the salon!

I want to do something wacky that will grab everyones attention and make them remember the salon. so, what do you do?

 

[WAX inc]

im getting a vinyl wrap on my car to advertise my salon. its going to be really eye catching and funky . im going to put my little car in all the local carnivals processions this year and park it in prominent places.

 

[Verve Designs]

"Park it in prominent places"

You know, I had wondered about that! There's a people carrier covered in Pet Care vinyls that I notice every time I go to a mega-busy supermarket by me. It must get seen by hundreds and hundreds of people every day- I always wondered if it was parked there on purpose (or the girl just worked in Tesco as well!)- obviously is!

See- goes to show- I've got my fancy marketing qualifications- and you can't beat a bit of sneaky common sense!

 

[kimi1101]

LOL what a good idea. I will start thinking of clever places to leave the wee aygo...cos I've had a quote for car viynl to get done for £50 plus VAT. I just love hearing everyone elses stories and hopefully this could develop into a thread we can all look back to for ideas in days to come...

 

[persianista]

I could'nt bring myself to stick a vinyl wrap on my lovely hairmobile! Am currently looking into bus adverts which seem to make sense to me in a wierd way

 

[kelbel]

We have a runner that comes in regularly so for birthdays we give him a free tshirt advertsing our men's price list- which is called Gentlemens Club! He runs most days for miles in the local area and villages!!

Facebook gives me lots of business: add us on Melbourne Sun Rooms, theres a 'person' page, a group and fan page!!

 

[Blue Rose]

I could'nt bring myself to stick a vinyl wrap on my lovely hairmobile! Am currently looking into bus adverts which seem to make sense to me in a wierd way

I've often thought about doing a bus advert - something along the lines of not looking like the back end of a bus (all tongue in cheek of course) lmao

 

[persianista]

Blue Rose, that has all the makings of a BRILLIANT idea. Am gonna work on that and see what wording I can put together!

 

[kimi1101]

What a great idea! And the runner...also a smashing idea! Will need to enlist some of my fitter friends... xxx

 

[advetxt]

One idea that has not been not used(not that im aware of) in the hair and beauty industry mobile marketing. Without getting to technical i am sure that everyone familiar with reality tv where you can text to vote,something like "text JOHN 88802 to vote....".

You can add this on a flyer or even a sign in the reception saying "Text HAIR to 88802 to receive text alerts of out latest offers. This let the consumer opt in to to receive this and a great way of generating leads. Once you generated enough leads then you can do offers every 2 weeks targeting different area of the business. Week 1 on colouring then week 3 on manicure for example.

The reason why I think this will work well because i help salon generate clients and 80% of women who book their service leave their mobile so it make sense to market your customers using mobile as platform.

Its low cost, direct and versitle and a good way if increasing brand awareness. If also a great way to fill in the gap during the week or during quiet times. If anyone is interest pm me

 

[Rockateer]

in a slaon i worked in years ago the owner used to do regualr charity days for local people sufferig with illnesses, the local paper used to come in to show the even off so in tuern people supporting the charity came in on the day, she used to keep a large percentage of them, then th epaper showed her in a positive light
i know this may sound terrible, she did do the charity events for the benefit of the charity but it turned out to bring her so much publicity it was unreal
it was a real fun day, she used to have hair nails makeup, champagne, nibbles raffles great atmosphere. stuck in ppls memories

 

[persianista]

Spoke to transport media firm today, they are gonna be in touch Monday with prices.

 

[angeleyes01]

Do your staff have uniforms? Get them to wear tshirts with your salon name on - how many people would see them on the way to and from work and at lunchtimes - especially in the summer (tho obviously not at the moment).

When I was at Salon International this year, a software company called "Shortcuts" had t-shirts with some message like "ask me how I can turn you on 24/7". It's amazing how a good looking bloke will a message like that on his t-shirt can stick in your memory months after the show!!!

Having your salon name on your car is also a great idea, tho not a new one. You could think of getting a fun sign to stick in the back of your car window instead - you know the ones like "my other car is a BMW" or "if you think this car is dirty, you should see my wife" - See if you can come up with something witty and with your salon name on it. You, your staff and maybe some friends could put them in the back of your car window. It would cost very little, and you'd be amazed how quickly something witty / funny will spread!

See if you can come up some angle to get free press coverage in your local newspapers. I got coverage when I switched to Easydry Disposable towels - I sent the local press a press release emphasising the eco-friendly angle and how innovative it is. You'd be amazed at the coverage you can get for free for something quite simple.

Doing some charity work is good. Could you do something in the salon for Breast Cancer Awareness week? Do a collection / give out pink buns / staff colour their hair pink - proceeds go to a Breast Cancer charity. It's a win win situation because you're doing something good for charity and your business might also benefit from it.

 

[rebeccabeeley]

Im loving this thread and I think we should all get inolved.

I always get asked for a Gift Voucher donation for charity raffles. I never say no but I never give a free treatment. Instead give money off voucher I always offer 50% off any treatments this way people cant resist and you always cover your costs and gain a new client in the process. That person will then tell other people how lovely their 50% off treatment was!

If also tied a relaunch party in with a charity event and envolved local paper, it worked really well.

Uniforms is the easiest way off advertising. Make sure their eye catching.
I always think hairdressers have the oppurtunity to funk it up a little. Why not choose a colour scheme and have the salon logo printed or emroidered on a patch and let each stylist design their own t-shirt, shirt or jacket. Or if its a less funky salon I love the long aprons kinda like waitress but with your own twist, instead off having a pocket for a pad and pen, have compartment for combs etc

Ok now im blabbing Sorry!!!!

Oh and I also write the beauty section for a magazine. I do this free of charge but they include my name and my salon on every piece I write and I get a free ad which I change monthly with special offers. Great for my reputation too!!!

Hope this helps geeks!

 

[allyballybee]

I absolutely LOVE the back end of a bus idea. If you use this persainista, let me know how you get on!

I remember a local cleaning company called hectic life used a photo of a really wrinkly woman that looked about a hundred in their marketing and I thought it was brillant. Was seeing this on your bus adverts.

xxxxxx

 

[persianista]

Got a quote from the bus company for a "light" ad campaign on their buses of £10200 so think I may shelve that idea!

 

[kimi1101]

hahaha you could nearly buy your own bus for that price!

 

[allyballybee]

WTF?

For advert on a bus?

Kimi - I will be buying a bus. x

 

[Susie H]

Actually, a low liner, that's a bus that can drop it's floor to make it easy to get on to costs £250,000 unfortunatly I drive the blessed things.
A more cost affective answer would be to advertise on a taxi. If you have black cab taxi's in your area, you have the choice of having your advert all over the out side for a set amount of time or you could get them to put a poster up inside it, they all have this fitted to them as standard. So you pay x amount and the poster goes into the frame, the beauty of that is that you can change the add every week or so to show your latest specials.
I like the idea of the window cleaners wearing your T shirt and don't forget rest rooms have advertising frames as well.
Good thread hun:hug:

 

[facelashbrow]

We have a runner that comes in regularly so for birthdays we give him a free tshirt advertsing our men's price list- which is called Gentlemens Club! He runs most days for miles in the local area and villages!!

Facebook gives me lots of business: add us on Melbourne Sun Rooms, theres a 'person' page, a group and fan page!!

what a great idea!!!