Good ideas in the previous post. If you can tell us a little more about your location (downtown, suburban, mall?) and your primary market or clientele (families, business people, trendy, upscale?), additional suggestions will probably come to mind. Congratulations on your enterprise!

Our dog groomer passed out pink postcards left on doors. Since you are obviously experienced...where is your customer list?

Hair, Good luck,
The daunting question is how do you go about seeking out your first
sale. Recognize that since you don't have a big ad budget to be seen by
everyone, you need to target a niche and get connected in your market
community, be it local, regional or national. You need other people
selling for you-not employees-goodwill referrals. Get out and talk to
as many people as you can. Join organizations that would have clients
for your product or service. Become a visible part of your market, and
then ask for the sale. You begin the sales process with people that you
know. Yes, it's okay to start with friends and family as your first
customers, and then broaden from there.

The basic tenant of creating a company is that you own the company. You
are not just creating a job for yourself. It's less risk and less
investment to get a job. Building a business is creating a company that
is more than the job itself. Think about the future. How large do you
want the company to be in terms of sales, net profit and employees?
Your answer to each of these questions will influence how you grow.
There are varying costs and profits associated with growth. It's
important to make a deliberate choice early about how you want to grow
your company.
LUCKIEST

Congratulations!

You are going to need a Web Presence.

Businesses without a Web Presence are seen as "incapable".

Brochure Pages start at $25 dollars up to the implementation of a complete website for $39 a page.

Please let me know if I can assist you in developing a Strong Web Presence.
A strong Web Presence assists you in reaching clients online, who are searching for your product or service, easily.

Michael Stratton
President, Integrity Technology Specialists
http://www.intechspecial.com

Hi Hair One,

My husband and I have an auto repair business and like you, we're short on advertising funds. We recently joined the Chamber which helped alot. Once we joined the Chamber, I went to the address list of all the other Chamber members and emailed them about our "fleet services" and also an "employee bonus" that didn't cost them a thing. I had alot of response on that. I mailed out 600+ flyers and business cards (on the back of the cards we offered a free oil change after 5 oil changes). I have to say the biggest item that helped us was our listing on Yellow Pages.com. We originally had just a standard ad but then upgraded to a talking ad. Because of our more expensive advertising, it moved us to the top of the listing for auto repair in our area. We've have gained about 40% of our new customers just from that ad. New people moving into the area will look at the online listings to figure out where they want to go.

Also, we just purchased a building and I took the flyers that I mailed to my Chamber members and the business cards and went to visit the business in the area. This was a big hit too! Any time that you can get people talking about you and your business that is great and it's FREE!!!!

Good Luck!!!

Congrats on your new business venture.

In a word, what you need to do is NETWORK. Be a mover and a shaker, meet as many people as possible--you never know where your next referral will come from.

Best place to start are chambers of commerce oranizations in your area (note the plural). . They have leads groups, mixers, luncheons, events, and so on. Not free, but probably much more cost effective than mass media marketing. Bring plenty of cards and shake hands until you can't lift your arm anymore. Maybe even pass out ad specialties (cards, pens, whatever) with your name and location imprinted, and maybe even a grand opening 'special offer' promo of some kind. As a chamber member, your chamber would probably be willing to send over some reps for a 'grand opening' ceremony with photos to be published in their chamber publication, which is always great. A barber shop in our community did just that with our local chamber late last year and I understand it went over very well.

Hope this helps. Best of luck.

Barry G
amspcs@juno.com
www.MerchantServices-help.com

Mothers Day Special: Bring in Mom for a cut 50% off!

Good Dead Buzz Cut Day: Get a buzz cut and your hair goes to the making of wigs for a non profit organization, 30% of all proceeds are dontated to the same organization.

 

Hair Cut for Your Teen: Teenagers are Known to Have there hair grow a little wild or strange from the norm. Make a deal with a local business(movie theatre) that allows the kids a 50% off to the movies if they get a haircut. In return the movie theatre advertises your barber shop.

 

The marketing ideas stretch as far as the imagination.

Why would I go to your barber shop? What do you have that other barbers do not?

I hear the Ball Game is on today, and joes barber has it on big screen. I really do need a hair cut.

Never sale your product. Only sale the benefits of your product.

Why would I want to buy a watch when I can buy a water proof watch that has an alarm, and neon night light?

Both are the same product, one is listed with its benefits.

Joes Barber shop is the talk of the town! He sure is a nice guy, heck he would give you the shirt of his back.

I hope this helps.

Good luck in your venture, and I hope you have good health insurance. You are going to need good insurance to cover the costs of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by over use of scissors.

Its all about the scissors!

Hello Salon owner, having several clients in the salon/service industry, I could give you some pointers of things I've done. One priority one is to have a board with your services and prices, this way, right off the bat, they know all you are able to do, and it's cost. If you would like to treat a certain client with a special price, this will let them know they are special when they see the board and see the true cost.

Other items that have helped have been, doing mini cards - like postcards of 4x5 or 4x9 of your services and promotions - and leaving them at local business around your area, if anything - put a label where you left them, and if you get some clients from their store, offer the owner a free cut or service (like nails - maybe you'll gain them too as a client).
Those always seem to work, and latest... try a spot on the web called, "Merchant Circle" - it list local businesses in your area. Try, it has worked for me! Cristina in Miami, Amazon printers....wwww.amazonprinters.com. Good luck!

Congratulations!

I see that you know who your clients are and that's fantastic - now you need to know where they shop, eat and play.

Neighborhood marketing would be great for you. Essentially you'll "co-market" with other non-competing businesss.

For example:

• With every video rental (with your marketing partner) client receives FREE _______ from you. The thing is, the offer has to be compelling. 10% off isn't going to compel me to come into your shop. A free goodie or service might.

Your current clients are your best advertising method. Give them a reason to help you bring in new business.

For example:

• Give every client ten discount cards with the instruction that when they hand them out and they are returned, they earn the same discount on their next service. Be sure their is a place on your cards for your client to write their name on them so you can track them. {Mary writes her name on 10 cards. Five people to whom Mary has given a card comes into your store to receive their discount. You store five credits on Mary's account so that she is earning services or goods for helping you.}

What makes you unique? I see that another poster mentioned this point and they're absolutely right. If you can't think of anything that sets you apart, create something.

For example:

• You're a children's barber. When children come into your salon, they get their hair cut sitting on a plastic pony and your staff photographs the child. Upload the digital to a photo printing service and for a buck or two you can order a 5x7. Stamp it with your salon info, call the client and tell them their photo is in. You get them back in the store AND they have received something from you that has a tremendous perceived value AND you've set yourself apart from the pack.

I wish you success!

Give me a call. I will show you how to have customers lined up at your door!!! No joke.

Mike
828-682-3693
mfurbay@gmail.com

Use the power of simple internet marketing. Create a blog on wordpress.com or blogger.com sharing some tips on hair management and introduce the opening of your salon. Locals to your area will hear about it through word of mouth. Non-locals will share your link with others they know who live in your area. You can also offer a small discount for anyone who mentions the fact that they read your blog. There are many many free avenues of promoting external services using the internal process of online marketing. Feel free to contact me for more suggestions via Skype or Yahoo IM with my user name of kenatra721. I hope this has been helpful to you.

Ken Allan Phillips

We just did a marketing campaign for a spa that was very low cost and high results. As a marketing company we tell our clients that advertising no matter to who is a waste of money. especially if you are a small business. what you need to spend your money on are things are that are going to make people walk into your store and purchase services. Also when they are there you have to get them to return. if you want you can contract me and I can give you a few suggestions. we are always excited about new people starting their own business.

Before diving in and asking that first question, complete your profile.
Giving some background about yourself helps other Community members
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Hi Hair One,

First let me congratulate you in your new endeavor. As a consumer of your product I can tell you I seek someone with experience for most & someone that inspires my trust. You certainly have that. Second, I look for more consultation in regards to my desires vs practicality. I personally don't pay any attention to fliers, mail outs etc. sorry but I am a consumer. I'm not big on reality shows but have watched a couple of the Tabatha take over shows. She brought the hairdressers out in the public view that I thought was fun. It's common to see Girls Scouts & Salvation Army in front of my local grocery stores. You might try something public to introduce you & staff to the locals?

Best Wishes

Congratulations on your new Owner Operated Business, HairONE.

Although networking, flyers, and other advertising methods should not be discounted, I have always believed that most upscale Hair Salons kind of miss a segment of repeat and loyal customers.

Have you considered targeting your clients based on their professional functions? Targeting Banks, Retail Stores, Upscale Restaurants and offering incentives...or monthly packages really could work.

For instance, let's consider a standard Front-Line Bank Employee. Their positions require them to have a neat coif. These employees would be a perfect candidate for packaged services....

Basically, you schedule them for the same day of the month ...each month and include services at a rate "just for their industry". You can create packages for "touch up" services for those who color or highlight their hair. You can even create a DeLuxe package where a person comes to you each week for conditioning, head massage, touching up gray hairs...etc. Have fun with it!

How do you get your foot in the door? Easy! Offer the HR Department Head a conditioning/head massage treatment in exchange for some time and information to help create packages. Then, ask to have the package information distributed to employees. Be sure that whatever you offer-you can deliver. Scheduling around business hours is a very important consideration for professionals and their grooming.

If you do expanded Spa Services...then, WOW. You can have fun with that.

Once you're "in the door", don't be a stranger. Get involved in corporate events and mixers. Be sure you're the first to know about them too...so you have time to create a package. Be the Groomer for the traveling execs...that sort of thing. Get to know your clientele while doing their hair. Ask about upcoming trips, dates, presentations, reviews...and offer. When people come to get their grroming, they expect you to be interested in their lives as well as their schedule...and they want to look good. Don't hesitate to offer upsells. For instance: "Oh, you have a big meeting coming up this week? How about a hot oil treatment with a head massage? It will do wonders!"

Another place to target, would be either late pregnant or new mother business. These women had to stop coloring their hair, they feel fat and ugly, and they're tired. You can offer safe color alternatives, hot oil treatments with head massage...or simple "sprucing up" packages...better yet "Gift Packages". You can talk to your local Women's community center, Lamaze, OB/GYN facilities..See if you can post on their bulletin boards. In the hospitals...ask if your "package" can be included for new mothers. You may find it works so well, that you also decide to get included in "POST OP" packages as well, for those patients who suffered the trauma of an operation. They can use a treat!

Apart from targeting your market, how else do you get the word out? Create something worthwhile and uniquer to sell, and distribute the information both conventionally and unconventionally. It will always be more of an effective tact to create the "what" BEFORE applying your distribution or the "WHERE". So...spend some time creating products unique to your target. Examine what people you want through the doors and cater to that segment. You should develop a brand and launch your marketing with it always present....

There are a ton of marketing professionals on this forum to help in the segments you will advertise. Internet marketing is the least expensive, then Newspaper, Radio, Television, Magazine...and up through to National. Each of these segments will tell you that if you do not have a USP (Unique Selling Proposition), you're just NOISE...and worse...you may advertise for your competetition because the audience wants the services...but couldn't remember who was on the ad...or felt it didn't matter.

I hope this helps!
Kat
KatsVoice

i recently went to a hairstylist and i was a little hesitant sitting down in her chair...her reply...don't worry...it'll grow back...

There would be women (or even men) selling cosmetic products through MLM in your area. Talk to them. Often they sell products for men as well.

Try promos e.g.first two customers in on Sunday morning get a free haricut.

www. vistasads.com

When you are trying to promote yourself the 1st thing is to try to make sure that your business shows up as an option when people look for you.
Make sure you add your business on Yelp, Google Local (Maps), Yellow Pages, as well as your local area business directories.
Don't forget about business directories that are targeted towards your service. In your case sites like http://www.findabeautysalon.com would be a good option.

However, though these mediums are necessary it won't bring you a significant amount of customers alone. Local television advertising would be perfect for your business.
My company, Tonangi Media (http://www.tonangi.com) can help you promote your business through television and internet advertising.
Tonangi Media is a full scale video production and advertising company that gives small and medium sized businesses the ability to advertise on local or national TV, as well as globally on the internet through our network of partners and wholesale media buying outlets. Many small and medium sized business do not think they can afford television advertising and resort to mediums that are simply not as effective such as artificial search engine optimization, direct mail, radio, or newspaper advertising. These methods may be cheaper but if they don't bring in customers is it really cost effective? With a budget of less then $6,000 you can obtain 1/2 a million views (in most areas) - and target ad placement based on gender, income, and geographical location. We have customers that spend as little as $2,000 a month and customers that spend well over $25,000 a month. You decide your budget and Tonangi Media will help you meet your goals.

For more information please visit http://www.tonangi.com

Vinod Tonangi
Tonangi Media
http://www.tonangi.com

Video Production and Advertising for Small businesses

Creat eaa series od hair style videos and post them on you tube do a few new stles once a month at least. email the info to your clients. Have these videos play in the salan on am loop