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Jordanab · May 10, 2006, 02:05 AM

How do I get more clients into my new salon

ScottGem · May 10, 2006, 06:34 AM

Advertise. Offer discounts for new customers.

fredg · May 10, 2006, 07:29 AM

HI,
As the previous answer stated, advertise in your local paper. Take out an ad, and you could even offer a "coupon" in the paper, to be cut out, brought in for their first visit, with something like "30% off" for the first time.
If you have a local radio station, maybe they have a segment during the day for free advertising! Call them.
Best of luck.

Jordanab · May 10, 2006, 07:55 AM

I have opened the biggest hair and beauty salon in my county, and now am struggling to get clients through the door. I need as much advice and tips as possible. I have tried advertising in the local papers offering discounts, but its just not enough. Really need to make this work. The marketing needs to be great and cheap preferably.

J_9 · May 10, 2006, 10:21 AM

One that worked in my county was a salon offered free cuts for cancer victims going through chemo who have not yet lost their hair. They called the local paper and the event was featured on the front page of the edition. This salon is now booming!!

ScottGem · May 10, 2006, 10:39 AM

Sponsor local sports teams, especially female teams. J9's suggestion about doing something to get free publicity is good.

One of your problems is that most people like to stick with someone they know does their hair the way they like it. So getting people to switch may be difficult. Growing your business is going to be slow. Be on the lookout for other shops closing and hiring their staff who will bring their customers with them. See if you can find out when people move into your area and target them with mailings.

J_9 · May 10, 2006, 10:57 AM

You can try going to a local chamber of commerce or a local government agency in your area and get addresses, not names, of people who have moved to your county recently and do a bulk mail with coupons to those addresses too.

ScottGem · May 11, 2006, 06:19 AM

Another thought that occurred to me was offering a referral bonus to current customers. If an existing customer brings in a referral, they get a free or discounted service. I would put a condition of at least two visits for the referral before the referree gets the bonus.

Cgirl · May 11, 2006, 08:46 AM

Yes, referrals work very well, I am in sales, and referalls is our primary source for new business customers. I have found that giving customers money off coupons works well. Also, how about a club card. Have a card that customers can punch every time they get a haircut, and when they have gotten 5 or 10, they get one free. Or, for people like me who get color and cut, and spend over $50. Each time, you could have a card where there is like for example, 10 punches that say $50. On them, and when they spend all 10 punches, they get $50. Off their next time coming in. You have to figure out a way this would work for you, and what your primary customers will be.