Here are some bite-size ideas for you to consider while pondering your salon, spa, nail tech, etc advertising venues and other ways to increase client volume or enhance your current customer's experience.
1) Change decor (plants, sculpture, style books, posters, etc) a couple times a year. If I see the same magazines on the same table one year later, yuck. More points lost if it looks like they're still in the same position and covered in dust.
2) Music, please. But be careful- the wrong music or loud music can also be very aggravating. Play it safe with the Lite rock station, which is relaxing and has a little something for everyone.
3) Use free internet tools to stay on top of trends in your industry. Ever heard of GigaAlerts? Formerly known as "Google Alerts". It can help you learn what people are searching for and talking about, and you will know about that awesome new technique or product before your competition does.
4) Join an internet forum to schmooze with your fellow stylists across the country- for instance, the Hair Boutique forums cover a jillion different topics from curly hair to African-American hairstyles.
4) Karma. It may take a while, but you get what you give. Participate in local charities and do what you can to help people, as a company/business.
5) Don't be uppity. Hey, you can be sophisticated AND personable at the same time. I can't count on one hand all the hair stylists and boutique / salon owners I've met who gave off a distinctively snooty aura. You want to give me the stink-eye while you've got your scissors to my hair? WRONG ANSWER. And if you're the owner / manager, don't let your stylists act the fool, either.
6) Get yourself some high-quality business cards and don't let one satisfied customer go out the door without one.
7) Don't underestimate a good sale, coupons, etc. Make sure you have them frequently... don't be known as that salon in town that ALWAYS charges full price for everything because you think everything you touch, including your clients, turns to gold. See #5.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Business Cards & Electronic Advertising - A Comparison for Salons & Spas
There are some people who would argue that paper hair stylist & barber shop advertisements- such as business cards, flyers, postcards, etc- are less effective and more complicated than electronic and internet based means.
Not everyone has regular access to the internet. If they do, they may not ever run across your website on their own. When someone Googles certain keywords, such as "barber shops in Atlanta", the resulting websites that show up are no accident. It costs the website owner money to hire another company to "tweak" these search engine results. This can be very pricey and this search engine optimization is an inexact science with uncertain results at best, since the big search engines like Google and Yahoo are constantly changing their criteria to keep everyone honest.
Sure, most folks have access to television, but realistically, how many independent salon owners or hair stylists can afford even a 30 second TV spot?
So, electronic advertisements are great, but they aren't very proactive, since they depend on your potential customers finding YOU. The truth is, you shouldn't do without either, but paper advertisement is absolutely essential.
Three venues are super important: phone book yellow pages ads, business cards, and if you can swing it, postcard circulars. Yellow page ads are kind of pricey and aren't exactly attractive... but that's still the most popular form of advertising so you might as well fork out for it or be left in the dust. Don't think the "internet yellow pages" is going to get it. If you don't have at least a text ad in your actual paper phone book, you're losing out. Yes, some people still let their fingers do the walking.
Business cards for your beauty shop, nail salon, barber shop or spa are another must-have. They force you to be proactive. You should consider a good quality set of business cards an investment, as important as your phone book ad. You should get the best business cards you can reasonably budget for. It's a good idea to get the UV coating on at least one side. UV coating makes your card last longer and resist fading. If you have something like a list of your services or a map on the back, you should have the back coated as well. Some salons (and especially spas) like to have an appointment reminder area on the back, just like a doctor's office. If you have that done, leave the UV coating off the back, so you can write their next appointment there. Don't let a single satisfied customer walk out of your salon without at least 2 of your business cards. Be sure to have some on the appointment desk too.
You ought to have a postcard circular at least twice a year- once around the holidays is great, but if only once, make it spring. Spring is when people start buying those new wardrobes and trying out new hairstyles and colors. Yes, postcard circulars are pricey too but having your advertisement go directly to their mailbox is worth it. You can put a list of your services and some great coupons on these circulars.
Not everyone has regular access to the internet. If they do, they may not ever run across your website on their own. When someone Googles certain keywords, such as "barber shops in Atlanta", the resulting websites that show up are no accident. It costs the website owner money to hire another company to "tweak" these search engine results. This can be very pricey and this search engine optimization is an inexact science with uncertain results at best, since the big search engines like Google and Yahoo are constantly changing their criteria to keep everyone honest.
Sure, most folks have access to television, but realistically, how many independent salon owners or hair stylists can afford even a 30 second TV spot?
So, electronic advertisements are great, but they aren't very proactive, since they depend on your potential customers finding YOU. The truth is, you shouldn't do without either, but paper advertisement is absolutely essential.
Three venues are super important: phone book yellow pages ads, business cards, and if you can swing it, postcard circulars. Yellow page ads are kind of pricey and aren't exactly attractive... but that's still the most popular form of advertising so you might as well fork out for it or be left in the dust. Don't think the "internet yellow pages" is going to get it. If you don't have at least a text ad in your actual paper phone book, you're losing out. Yes, some people still let their fingers do the walking.
Business cards for your beauty shop, nail salon, barber shop or spa are another must-have. They force you to be proactive. You should consider a good quality set of business cards an investment, as important as your phone book ad. You should get the best business cards you can reasonably budget for. It's a good idea to get the UV coating on at least one side. UV coating makes your card last longer and resist fading. If you have something like a list of your services or a map on the back, you should have the back coated as well. Some salons (and especially spas) like to have an appointment reminder area on the back, just like a doctor's office. If you have that done, leave the UV coating off the back, so you can write their next appointment there. Don't let a single satisfied customer walk out of your salon without at least 2 of your business cards. Be sure to have some on the appointment desk too.
You ought to have a postcard circular at least twice a year- once around the holidays is great, but if only once, make it spring. Spring is when people start buying those new wardrobes and trying out new hairstyles and colors. Yes, postcard circulars are pricey too but having your advertisement go directly to their mailbox is worth it. You can put a list of your services and some great coupons on these circulars.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Salon Advertising Marketing - How to advertise in a Recession
With our beauty-conscious culture, your salon should at least be able to stay afloat (if not do just fine)even during times of economic strain. If it's not, well... the economy may be a factor, but your advertising may be just as much to blame. During a recession, our first instinct as a business owner is to tighten up those purse strings and cut as many expenses as possible.
While cutting a few corners is a great idea, there are 2 things you don't want to skimp on: Quality supplies and good, consistent advertising.
Don't start using sub-par products- your customers can tell the difference. Chippy nail polish, less fragrant spa products, cheapo hair gel, and worse, streaky tan solution... Using those is a sure way to tick off your clients. Most folks are willing to pay a few bucks extra when they know they can expect a certain level of quality. (I KNOW I do.)
You may think that you're selling hair cuts and spray tans, but lets go a little deeper to examine what you're really selling.
Recently I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, in a foul mood. As we sat down at our usual table and I ordered my usual fajitas, I immediately began to feel my spirits lighten.... UNTIL the food came. Instead of the usual balance of meat, onion, red and green peppers, there was less chicken, and almost all onions. Plus, NO cilantro in the salsa. I found myself disappointed almost to the point of tears over what I'd normally have blown off, had it been any other restaurant. How childish is that? I was even surprised at myself.
This is relevant to our subject, since the same psychology applies. How? Because I'm not just paying for some grub: What I'm really paying for is the way the food makes me FEEL. More specifically, i'm paying for how I EXPECT the food to make me feel. Subconsiously, I was actually counting on that food to pull me out of my bad mood, which is why I had suggested to my hubby that we go there in the first place.
The same concept can be applied to any product our customers are accustomed to. If you're in the business of personal appearance or relaxation, your customer depends on you for that great feeling they get after they leave your salon or spa. What a hair stylist, nail technician, or spa really sells is the expectation of increased self-esteem or peace they are accustomed to feeling after a visit. They will pay more for what they expect- period.
Advertising for your salon is another area to NOT skimp on. With advertising for your hair salon, You need 3 things: Consistency, Quality, and Style.
You must be consistent in your efforts to get your hair or nail salon and spa advertising media out to your target audience. Don't hang up a poster and pin up a hair stylist business card and expect it to still be there, clean and visible, 6 months later. They will get obscured by your competition's advertising junk. Only you know who your target audience is and where they hang out. Whoever they may be, you need to make regular visits to those places to refresh your posters, hand out business cards, and make your presence known. Make sure you look great while doing it- you're a walking billboard in this business, you know.
Quality is super important when advertising your hair salon, barber shop, or nail salon. Even when you're not exactly a high-roller from your salon profits, you don't want the public to think you can't afford quality advertising. Why? Because You want to give the impression that you do a lot of business. Why do you want that? Because if you do a lot of business, then it logically follows that you must be doing a great job, which is why you are able to afford better quality advertising than your competitor who is using cheap business cards and posters.
Style is the next most important element when it comes to your advertising materials. That's really a no brainer. Show good judgement, good taste, and style in your ads and business cards, and your customers will know that you're a person who has the know-how to make them look stylish.
While cutting a few corners is a great idea, there are 2 things you don't want to skimp on: Quality supplies and good, consistent advertising.
Don't start using sub-par products- your customers can tell the difference. Chippy nail polish, less fragrant spa products, cheapo hair gel, and worse, streaky tan solution... Using those is a sure way to tick off your clients. Most folks are willing to pay a few bucks extra when they know they can expect a certain level of quality. (I KNOW I do.)
You may think that you're selling hair cuts and spray tans, but lets go a little deeper to examine what you're really selling.
Recently I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, in a foul mood. As we sat down at our usual table and I ordered my usual fajitas, I immediately began to feel my spirits lighten.... UNTIL the food came. Instead of the usual balance of meat, onion, red and green peppers, there was less chicken, and almost all onions. Plus, NO cilantro in the salsa. I found myself disappointed almost to the point of tears over what I'd normally have blown off, had it been any other restaurant. How childish is that? I was even surprised at myself.
This is relevant to our subject, since the same psychology applies. How? Because I'm not just paying for some grub: What I'm really paying for is the way the food makes me FEEL. More specifically, i'm paying for how I EXPECT the food to make me feel. Subconsiously, I was actually counting on that food to pull me out of my bad mood, which is why I had suggested to my hubby that we go there in the first place.
The same concept can be applied to any product our customers are accustomed to. If you're in the business of personal appearance or relaxation, your customer depends on you for that great feeling they get after they leave your salon or spa. What a hair stylist, nail technician, or spa really sells is the expectation of increased self-esteem or peace they are accustomed to feeling after a visit. They will pay more for what they expect- period.
Advertising for your salon is another area to NOT skimp on. With advertising for your hair salon, You need 3 things: Consistency, Quality, and Style.
You must be consistent in your efforts to get your hair or nail salon and spa advertising media out to your target audience. Don't hang up a poster and pin up a hair stylist business card and expect it to still be there, clean and visible, 6 months later. They will get obscured by your competition's advertising junk. Only you know who your target audience is and where they hang out. Whoever they may be, you need to make regular visits to those places to refresh your posters, hand out business cards, and make your presence known. Make sure you look great while doing it- you're a walking billboard in this business, you know.
Quality is super important when advertising your hair salon, barber shop, or nail salon. Even when you're not exactly a high-roller from your salon profits, you don't want the public to think you can't afford quality advertising. Why? Because You want to give the impression that you do a lot of business. Why do you want that? Because if you do a lot of business, then it logically follows that you must be doing a great job, which is why you are able to afford better quality advertising than your competitor who is using cheap business cards and posters.
Style is the next most important element when it comes to your advertising materials. That's really a no brainer. Show good judgement, good taste, and style in your ads and business cards, and your customers will know that you're a person who has the know-how to make them look stylish.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Marketing Your Salon or Barber Shop with Hair Stylist Business Cards
As a hair stylist or barber, you know how difficult it can be to market your beauty salon, nail salon, day spa or barber shop with all that competition out there. Luckily, there are many cheap and easy ways to get the word out that your shop is THE place to be.
The best and least expensive way to get started is to first develop your image. Don't hire an image consultant! Just sit down and think... What makes your salon or barber shop unique?
Is it the people who work there, and their special skills? If so, they can be the cornerstone of your advertising campaign- especially with your business cards, which are the best for of word of mouth ads. One online shop, BusinessCardsThatWork, has a great feature where you can upload any saved photo onto one of their hot salon business card templates. Why not take a great group picture of all your stylists, and integrate it into your business cards? This lets the world know that you're super proud of your peeps and their mad hair styling skills. Alternately, you can order a smaller set for each of your employees that has their own profile and picture.
Is your location a factor in what makes your salon or barbershop special? An example of this would be if your business was located in a historic part of town, a popular shopping mall, or near some well-known landmark. You can use this to your advantage when it comes to designing your business card online. For instance, write "Located in historic Downtown Boston!" and have a picture of the area in the extreme background. Or how about, "Right across from City Park"? Being able to say you are at or near some exclusive real estate will give you some extra cred.
Is it the type of customer you cater to that makes your shop special? Take stock of your clients: Are they soccer moms or an edgy younger crowd? Do you excel in specialized procedures like weaves, extensions, etc? Whatever your clientele, play it up with colors and pictures that reflect their interests. Darker colors like purple, black and brown for the younger set, neutrals for the over 25 suburban types, etc. For specialized procedures, you'd want to have them listed clearly- be sure to use a simple but prominent font, and bullet form, here's an example:
Professionally Rendered
* Hair Extensions
* Weaves
* Colors and Highlights
* Eyebrow Waxing
After you figure out the basis for your image, the next step is to get some great business cards to promote that image. The best way is to find business cards that are extremely customizable with your very own graphics, photos, logos, colors, etc. Choose a basic salon, barbershop, or spa template that you think would be good to start with- then, open it up in an easy design editor. From there you can add your business info as well as upload any pictures, logos, etc. That will make your business cards uniquely you.
Luckily there are plenty of quantities to choose from- none of this being forced to order a kajillion cards at a time. You may order 250, or 10,000 if you like. Different finishes are avaiable as well- from matte to glossy, and rounded or square corners.
Make your business cards work for you. After you recieve the cards, give a few to everyone you know and put a stack on the front counter of your salon.. and don't skimp on the business card holder- you put a lot of thought into this...
The best and least expensive way to get started is to first develop your image. Don't hire an image consultant! Just sit down and think... What makes your salon or barber shop unique?
Is it the people who work there, and their special skills? If so, they can be the cornerstone of your advertising campaign- especially with your business cards, which are the best for of word of mouth ads. One online shop, BusinessCardsThatWork, has a great feature where you can upload any saved photo onto one of their hot salon business card templates. Why not take a great group picture of all your stylists, and integrate it into your business cards? This lets the world know that you're super proud of your peeps and their mad hair styling skills. Alternately, you can order a smaller set for each of your employees that has their own profile and picture.
Is your location a factor in what makes your salon or barbershop special? An example of this would be if your business was located in a historic part of town, a popular shopping mall, or near some well-known landmark. You can use this to your advantage when it comes to designing your business card online. For instance, write "Located in historic Downtown Boston!" and have a picture of the area in the extreme background. Or how about, "Right across from City Park"? Being able to say you are at or near some exclusive real estate will give you some extra cred.
Is it the type of customer you cater to that makes your shop special? Take stock of your clients: Are they soccer moms or an edgy younger crowd? Do you excel in specialized procedures like weaves, extensions, etc? Whatever your clientele, play it up with colors and pictures that reflect their interests. Darker colors like purple, black and brown for the younger set, neutrals for the over 25 suburban types, etc. For specialized procedures, you'd want to have them listed clearly- be sure to use a simple but prominent font, and bullet form, here's an example:
Professionally Rendered
* Hair Extensions
* Weaves
* Colors and Highlights
* Eyebrow Waxing
After you figure out the basis for your image, the next step is to get some great business cards to promote that image. The best way is to find business cards that are extremely customizable with your very own graphics, photos, logos, colors, etc. Choose a basic salon, barbershop, or spa template that you think would be good to start with- then, open it up in an easy design editor. From there you can add your business info as well as upload any pictures, logos, etc. That will make your business cards uniquely you.
Luckily there are plenty of quantities to choose from- none of this being forced to order a kajillion cards at a time. You may order 250, or 10,000 if you like. Different finishes are avaiable as well- from matte to glossy, and rounded or square corners.
Make your business cards work for you. After you recieve the cards, give a few to everyone you know and put a stack on the front counter of your salon.. and don't skimp on the business card holder- you put a lot of thought into this...
Friday, November 20, 2009
How to Get the Best-Looking Business Cards for Your Salon
There are so many great salon, spa and hairstylist business card designs available, but how do you make those designs properly reflect your business spirit and style? There are many options to personalize your cards, and you're only limited by your imagination.
The first thing to consider when designing your salon or barber shop business card is the image you want to portray to your audience. Here's an example- let's say you own a barber shop, and you'd like to come across as sporty and masculine. You might choose a template that is non- girly and not too colorful. Then you'd look through the available fonts and choose the most appropriate one.
For instance, the barber shop business card template below is very plain in it's design. It features some thinning shears- but what really makes this a masculine looking business card is the choice of font. The font used is called "bullpen 3d" and is done in a coordinating dark blue, bold with drop shadow. The font looks like it could belong on a baseball field.
Alternatively, if you run a unisex hair styling salon, you might choose a design that will be attractive to both your male and female clients. The following card is a perfect example of such. The brown and black color scheme is sophisticated, but not too feminine. The hair stylist's chair in the foreground is pretty universal and looks comfy. The Arial font used is plain but the colors make it "pop".
But let's say your salon is a more family oriented place where moms, dads, and kids can come in for a relaxed atmosphere. This green template has a little monster who needs a haircut. The font used is called "Comic Sans" and looks very playful. The font is bold and shadowed, and red was chosen to make it stand out from the cooler colors of the palette.
Now if your main clientele is teenage girls coming in for prom updos and trendy highlights, you can really make use of fonts and colors. This business card template is so cute. The font used is called "Fashion Victim" with drop shadow and coordinating aqua. The phone number is rotated to give a quirky, youthful effect.
Stay tuned for more ideas on personalizing your salon business cards!
The first thing to consider when designing your salon or barber shop business card is the image you want to portray to your audience. Here's an example- let's say you own a barber shop, and you'd like to come across as sporty and masculine. You might choose a template that is non- girly and not too colorful. Then you'd look through the available fonts and choose the most appropriate one.
For instance, the barber shop business card template below is very plain in it's design. It features some thinning shears- but what really makes this a masculine looking business card is the choice of font. The font used is called "bullpen 3d" and is done in a coordinating dark blue, bold with drop shadow. The font looks like it could belong on a baseball field.
Alternatively, if you run a unisex hair styling salon, you might choose a design that will be attractive to both your male and female clients. The following card is a perfect example of such. The brown and black color scheme is sophisticated, but not too feminine. The hair stylist's chair in the foreground is pretty universal and looks comfy. The Arial font used is plain but the colors make it "pop".
But let's say your salon is a more family oriented place where moms, dads, and kids can come in for a relaxed atmosphere. This green template has a little monster who needs a haircut. The font used is called "Comic Sans" and looks very playful. The font is bold and shadowed, and red was chosen to make it stand out from the cooler colors of the palette.
Now if your main clientele is teenage girls coming in for prom updos and trendy highlights, you can really make use of fonts and colors. This business card template is so cute. The font used is called "Fashion Victim" with drop shadow and coordinating aqua. The phone number is rotated to give a quirky, youthful effect.
Stay tuned for more ideas on personalizing your salon business cards!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Beautiful, African-American Business Cards
It's crazy - how hard it is to find beautiful, high quality business cards that will properly promote salons, spas, and barber shops that cater to African-American skin and hair care needs. Luckily, there are some designs out there that are perfect for these places- not very many, but the beauty and style of the few available is amazing.
This design is so pretty, with it's bold colors and a gorgeous model to boot. Its perfect for any salon or cosmetologist who specializes in skin care or makeup for dark skin tones:
Now here we have a very unique design with lipstick and gloss highlighted. Plum tones are used to max effect. The diaginal text works very well, but can be changed if needed:
Here is the same design, but with a more artistic effect using greyscale photography and bronze and yellow hues:
And this lady is all smiles because she just had a fantastic time at your salon or spa. (Also makes a great business card for dentists and plastic surgeons):
This is easily one of the most beautiful business cards featuring an African-American model on the market... Just look at the luster on those lashes and the perfection of the brows... simply smashing. This design is perfect for any salon, spa, makeup artist, etc.
All of these designs can be personalized with your own logo, you can change the font, and the font placement. Superb!
This design is so pretty, with it's bold colors and a gorgeous model to boot. Its perfect for any salon or cosmetologist who specializes in skin care or makeup for dark skin tones:
Now here we have a very unique design with lipstick and gloss highlighted. Plum tones are used to max effect. The diaginal text works very well, but can be changed if needed:
Here is the same design, but with a more artistic effect using greyscale photography and bronze and yellow hues:
And this lady is all smiles because she just had a fantastic time at your salon or spa. (Also makes a great business card for dentists and plastic surgeons):
This is easily one of the most beautiful business cards featuring an African-American model on the market... Just look at the luster on those lashes and the perfection of the brows... simply smashing. This design is perfect for any salon, spa, makeup artist, etc.
All of these designs can be personalized with your own logo, you can change the font, and the font placement. Superb!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Spicy, Sassy Business Cards
Bow-chicka-wow-wow! Want to portray a more glamorous, sexy image for your salon? Well here's your chance. We've found the hottest business cards on the planet. If your salon specializes in making your customers look like a hawt movie star, this is the best way to get your message across. Check it:
Hot pink- THE most glamorous color on the planet. Let it be known that your makeup skills are the bomb.
Or how about this sexy silhouette, rendered in 2 glam shades and available in both vertical and horizontal formats...
This is a gorgeous card with a more earthy, yet glamorous look:
Take advantage of the hot salon business card styles available.
Hot pink- THE most glamorous color on the planet. Let it be known that your makeup skills are the bomb.
Or how about this sexy silhouette, rendered in 2 glam shades and available in both vertical and horizontal formats...
This is a gorgeous card with a more earthy, yet glamorous look:
Take advantage of the hot salon business card styles available.
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