The Real Secrets to Success in the Hair Salon Business



Posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2009

by
Stylin 2 Succeed

Your hair salon business should be growing this year by at least 50% in new people and cash flow, and if it's not than it's necessary to change things a bit.

Is the economy in the tank? Does that make it more difficult for businesses to generate a profit? The answers may surprise you ... yes, to the first and no, to the second.

One of the things we need to watch ourselves with is always doing the same thing year after year and expecting different results. You have to think of your business like a jet airplane ... if it ain't moving forward it's falling. You can't let your business coast, and you must continue to put forth the effort to continue to build it; and it's not difficult and won't take much of your time.

Even with a sluggish economy people will still be getting their hair cut and colored and some of the not so aggressive hairdressers won't be in the industry because they lack a strong customer base. And that means that there's more people that's out to find a new hairdresser, so couldn't that be you?

So exactly what are the objectives of your hair salon business this year? Are you constantly worried about your cash flow? Or, are you having new customers come in on a regular basis? If you are ... congratulations, and if not then let's get to work and create a viable plan to get some new folks into your shop.

And one thing that I want you to internalize right now is that it doesn't cost a lot of money to develop some very successful salon marketing ideas. I'm certainly not opposed to using the yellow pages except for the fact that 90% of businesses don't even understand how to use that advertising medium to their advantage.

But that certainly isn't one of the most economical ways to get people to come in so let's discuss some of those that are easy to achieve so you can build your hair salon business.

So, what would be some inexpensive ways to attrack new prospects to your salon?

1. Referrals: This is without a doubt one of the best ways to bring new prospects in and most small businesses don't know how to utilize it to their potential. Let me ask you, who do you referral your friends to? Those that imply to you something like "I'd like a referral" or those that really impress you with their products and services? Did you realize that there are proper ways to ask for referrals and get them? Did you know that the very best businesses always ask for referrals and get them? Did you know that the very best businesses will run a referral only business?

So let me give you a simple method of handling it right now. Ask for referrals when you've just gone above and beyond with one of your clients. When they're oooing and aaahing is exactly the right time to ask.

2. Networking: This ought to be right up your alley because you actually have people coming to you on a regular basis, and with just a little bit of training on your part you can categorize your clientle by industry and begin to network with them to help their business and yours. Okay, here's the $64,000 secret tidbit that you need to know, help them first. That impresses them and shows them just how much you actually care about them and after that you can mention that your business is referral only and that you would love to meet new customers just like them. And if you use an incentive program then by all means let them know about it.

3. Public relations: Have you ever considered writing an article about your salon for your local newspaper? Do you realize that with very minimal effort you could start writing articles for your local paper on some kind of a schedule and get free PR for your hair salon business? And that my friends means others will be mentioning your name over and over again.

Now, don't fret, you don't have to be a college professor to write something, you only have to write like you talk to someone that comes in your shop. The incredible thing is that you can create a rough draft one day, and then wait a day or two and read what you wrote and then make any changes that you feel are necessary before you send it to the local paper. And if you have a blog about your business by all means mention it at the end of the article along with your name, phone number and business address.

These aren't hard or costly and just need someone to start implementing them in their hair salon business on a regular basis ... will you be the one? Never forget that we're all interested in the same thing - what's in it for me. And that's why it's so important that you do your best for them first, and then they'll do all they can for you.

Need more marketing guidance? We have much more to discuss, so come by for a visit.

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