By: Kerri Lee
Hey
BTC Booth Renters. Has business been a little slower than you would
like? Have no fear, marketing ideas and promotions are here! Here is
some sounds advice and great ideas to help you beat the booth renting
blues.
1. Greetings and Salutations - When was the last time you stuck a postage stamp on something other than a bill? Utilize the postal system like Shaina Cook from The Arrangement Salon in Napa, CA.
“One thing I’ve really focused on this year that has gotten me the most
response is sending personal greeting cards to my clients letting them
know how I appreciate them,” explains Cook. “Since times have been
pretty tough, you need to make a lasting impression on someone. I write
something unique and personal to each one of them. And to get a card
for no reason is always great!”
2. VIP Treatment –
As a booth renter, you need to make sure you are constantly booked
which occasionally means you’re working on two clients at once.
Sometimes you have to fit in a quick cut while you have another client
processing for 30 minutes. Kena Brewer from The Beauty Shoppe in Charlotte, NC
gives her clients the option of upgrading to VIP status. “The best
thing I do as a booth renter is offer private sessions,” explains
Brewer. “I charge more for these private sessions so the client has me
all to themselves during their visit.”
3. Thank You! Come Again -
Referrals are money makers if you’re a booth renter. In order to keep
that newbie coming back, you have to treat them to something special.
And don’t forget to thank your referring customer! “My clients are my
biggest asset,” explains Tamara from Salon Si Bon in Kansas City, MO.
“I make sure I send new clients off with a nice goodie bag. Then, 24
hours after their appointment, I send out a thank you card to both the
new client and the referring client.”
4. Networking Nelly –
In order to stay ahead of the competition, you have to network your
pants off and Tamara from Salon Si Bon is doing it the right way. “I’m
in a networking group called BNI (Business Networking International). I
have 40 people in addition to my current clients passing out my
business cards and I have an ad in a hotel magazine that is placed in
every room. I also utilize the Welcome Wagon to send out 75-80 cards to
the new residents in my city.”
5. Friend Request Accepted –
If you’re not social networking these days then you are living like the
Flintstones. “I have a Myspace and Facebook page and 70% of my friends
are my clients,” says Nancy Britton, a booth renter at Trendsetters Salon and Day Spa in San Bernardino, CA.
If you don’t want to mix business with pleasure, create a separate
“work” account to keep your clients in the loop about open appointments,
specials, offers and discounts on retail.
6. Philanthropic Profits – Sometimes you have to give to receive and Stasia Howell from Jerri's in Norwalk, OH
does just that. “I donate services whenever asked,” shares Howell.
“For instance, I will give out certificates for color services or free
haircuts for a year. It gets plenty of attention and it’s a great way
to get new clients into the shop, while at the same time, a great way to
help out others. I recently advertised free haircuts for those who
were actively seeking employment in a county that has been hit hard by
unemployment. It was an effort to show support and gratitude.”
7. Retail Queen –
Some salons don’t offer retail to customers, but that doesn’t mean you
can’t! “My salon owner does not offer retail,” explains Laura Woodmansee from Nailtique Salon in Martinez, CA.
“However, the salon owner lets me and I get to keep all the profits!”
This is your opportunity to utilize that shelf space that’s been
collecting dust and give you the “one-up” on the other booth renters in
the salon.
8. Thinking Ahead – Pre-booking is crucial, especially for booth renters. Jane Pachura from MBS Salon in Danville, CA
thinks “ahead,” literally. “I take the time to reschedule my client’s
appointments for the whole year, especially if they frequent the salon
every 6 weeks,” explains Pachura. “I book them every 6 weeks at their
preferred time and day until the end of the year, and I give them the
list of their appointments to mark on their calendars. This enables
them to work any other appointments around their hair schedule. They
rarely have to change appointments with me. They view this as me taking
extra special care of them and they appreciate it!”
9. Happy Birthday to You! –
When you create your client cards make sure to include their
birthdays. “I send out a postcard to my clients for a birthday
special,” says Sharolyn Kane from Aspen Salon in Pleasant Grove, UT.
Not only are you giving them a gift, you are also showing them how on
top of things you are. Don’t forget to take down their wedding
anniversary day so you can send them an offer to get all gussied up for a
night on the town with their hubby or wife.
10. High Demand Hairdresser –
Sometimes being a hairdresser is a part-time gig which is ideal for
most booth renters. Communicate with your clients and let them know
that you’re schedule is filling up faster than you ever thought. “I only
work 3 days a week,” explains Brenda Bonnichsen, from Just for Looks Salon in Sturgis, SD. “My days are full and my clients know there is a high demand for my time, so they book ahead on a very consistent basis.”
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