You've just found your once in a lifetime opportunity! Your opportunity to choose a future of success and fortune in the hair business by subscribing to the greatest business guide that's ever come along for hairsalons and hairstylists..."THE HUMPDAY HAIRNET" WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER" (launching October 26th). From marketing and advertising, to business management, to building a long-term client base, this revolutionary newsletter will help you improve ALL aspects of your hair business. Sign up today and every Wednesday you'll receive a new Humpday HairNet Newsletter outlying 10 specific techniques and strategies for you to begin growing your business and income immediately. Salons and Hairstylists could spend years hiring a variety of business consultants and spending tens of thousands of dollars just to receive a fraction of the wealth building knowledge they'll receive in The Humpday HairNet. And this life-changing opportunity can be yours for the incredibly low cost of $10 a month. $10 TO BEGIN RECEIVING 40 OF THE GREATEST HAIR BUSINESS TIPS YOU'LL FIND ANYWHERE...MONTH AFTER MONTH!!! (share both The Humpday HairNets wealth building advice, and its unbelievably low monthly cost with your salons management and coworkers to make sure your entire salon succeeds.) I'm sure I'll appeal to you even more by saying that ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE HANDLED THROUGH THE SECURE PAYMENT SITE PAYPAL! Billing for $10 will be recurring on the same date you subscribe every month, but you can unsubscribe anytime. You'll receive your first Humpday HairNet on Wednesday October 12th; plus no matter what date you subscribe...ALL SUBSCRIBERS ARE GUARANTEED TO RECEIVE 4 NEWSLETTERS BEFORE THEIR NEXT MONTHLY BILLING. Are you waiting for it???...Well there is no catch!!! Everything you need to succeed with your hair business begins and ends with The Humpday HairNet at only the cost of $10 per month. READ THE SAMPLE HUMPDAY HAIRNET NEWSLETTER AND 10 FREE TIPS BELOW!!!
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SUMMARY OF 10 TIPS GIVEN BELOW
1: AN EVENT MARKETING STRATEGY TO BRING IN NEW CLIENTS!
2: HOW SALONS AND STYLISTS CAN TARGET WOMENS GROUPS TO BOOST THEIR CLIENT BASE!
3: PROMOTIONAL SIGNS THAT WILL CATCH ATTENTION!
4: RHYMING TO CUT SALON MARKETING COSTS!
5: A CREATIVE MARKETING STRATEGY HELPING REGULARS BRING IN NEW CLIENTS!
6: MARKETING STRATEGY SPECIFICALLY TARGETING MEN!
7: THE IMPORTANCE OF PARKING AND LONG-TERM CLIENTS!
8: LIGHTING CAN MAKE OR BREAK A HAIRSTYLISTS WORK!
9: A CLIENTS SECOND IMPRESSION IS AS VALUABLE AS THE FIRST!
10: A UNIQUE WAY TO ATTRACT OLDER CLIENTELE!
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY READING THE TEN USEFUL SALON/STYLISTS TIPS BELOW AND EXPERIENCING WHAT THE HUMPDAY HAIRNET COULD DO FOR YOU! SUBSCRIBE NOW AND DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR UPCOMING 1ST EDITION THIS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12TH
1: WEAR AND SHARE!!!
Stylists and evn salons are limited to the money they can spend when marketing. So, here's a simple, and inexpensive, way for you to bring in just enough of a client base to provide that necessary income. To start, hire a few attractive, noticeable individuals, who stand out in a crowd (i.e. tall, beautiful...but unique looking). Save money and post ads to hire amateur models on craigslist, and offer to pay these individuals for one days work as an event display model. Offer them a free hair cut/style, and a couple hundred dollars, just to showcase your talent, and get noticed (for several hours), at a very populated, public event (i.e.- festivals, conventions, parades, concerts, fairs, holiday events, etc). Do their hair right before the event, and while they are showing off your "hair skills", have them wear a clothing top (shirt, sweatshirt, etc.) with a unique and memorable display of your name and how to get in touch. The key is having incredibly impressive hair, having a memorable business name, slogan, and/or phone number that's easy to view, and having these models wear clothing that people won't forget seeing (try using eye catching colors, patterns, and even humorous or controversial symbols and designs...be bold, make people look at your model). If you included something such as an email or website address, make it memorable by using an catchy name people won't forget related to your profession (ex.- tipnclip .com, cindysheers@, etc.). YOU JUST NEED THEM TO REMEMBER! This whole "Hair Event Promotion" is a low cost and profitable marketing strategy that works well because most people are drawn to looking at, and even imitating, attractive people (their hair, their style, etc.). So if they notice, and are impressed with your hired models hair, then there's a good chance they will notice the clothing, put it all together...and remember your hair business. And depending on the size of the event, and type of hair and model you choose, your businesses info could be seen by hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands within a few hours. Think of that!!! If done right, this simple and relatively inexpensive showcase could generate enough business for an individual stylist...and possibly even a salon.
2: HELLO LADIES!!!
Targeting women's groups, when advertising a beauty/hair salon is a smart business decision. These ladies typically share alot, and usually promote and advertise the services, activities, places, and people involved in their lives...INCLUDING THEIR HAIRDRESSER. And women in a group setting will be much more likely to consider "taking part" in aspects of the services, and/or activities, their group friends recommend...being that they joined a group to interact with other women. However, getting those women to leave long-standing relationships with their hairdresser is something thats obviously difficult. This is where the group can be helpful. With any decent sized group of men or women there's going to be some competition or sizing up. Members will regularly question each other on the changes and things they see when greeting greeting each other (especially women). Questions such as: WOW! LOVE YOUR NEW HAIRSTYLE, WHERE'D YOU GET IT? There are several things you need to keep in mind when finding and approaching these potential new clients: (1) the size and type of womens group in the area (larger groups give you a better chance for more business, groups that host large events should be considered as possibly hosting a get-together at your salon, and those related to fashion/style obviously make sense with your hair business), (2) they need to be regularly active which gives you a better chance of members spreading the word about your salon being that they're together on a regular basis, (3) and the easiest and fastest way to get in touch with several group members is to use social networking sites like FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, TWITTER, ETC.. When using these "social sites" avoid marketing to all group members as you may get thrown off the site. Instead focus on developing a friendship. And before impressing upon them your salon, impress them with you, your personality, and the entertainment value of the page you've developed on the site using humor, interesting pictures, videos, stories, quotes, news, etc., etc.. (also avoid contacting group leaders, as this has become a common strategy with advertisers, and has lead to them avoiding or deleting unknown messages in their profiles...plus approaching just any member is much easier.) The goal of your initial interaction with group members is simply to keep them opening and responding to your messages, which will lead them back time and again to your profile page. And if you don't oversell your business, but befriend them instead, then they will eventually consider your business on their own. And though you may develop just superficial online friendships (or hopefully actual new friends), you now have great chance of befriending their group. As I stated earlier remember GROUP = SHARING!!! So if you were to gain business from a couple good size groups becoming clients, then you may not have to advertise your business too much more to achieve the salon success you desire.
3: "SIGN, SIGN, EVERYWHERE A SIGN"!!!
I have a couple points to make about using promotional signs outside your "hair establishment". Obviously you should use them in way that corresponds with your business (don't cheapen a high-end salon with a neon sign....WOW!) But depending on the type of Hair Salon you have, these displays can be very effective. However businesses still haven't learned from...well.. "Vegas Baby Vegas!" Having a sign that moves, lights up, or performs some physical action will be much much more likely to catch the eyesight of ALL pasersby. Any unusual movement in someones peripheral vision will catch their attention...it's instinctive to look. There are no "off switches" for these sensors in someones eyes; so whether they're walking, running, or driving by, people are ALWAYS vulnerable for your business to catch their attention with some salon sign movement. And when deciding upon what type of outdoor sign to use, remember that the most reliable advertising for any business is word of mouth, even if it doesn't involve the services you provide. So using a unique, interesting, humorous, and even controversial sign (be careful...you can surprise and impress without offending) will get people in the area talking about you and your business. Use local artists to create something that corresponds with your salon and is completely original to the area (a sign that moves with the wind, or changes color based on changing sunlight, streetlight, or car headlights). Try using a sign that you can change and update over time, so that you keep those in the area talking about you long-term (that can be adjusted for different holidays, weather/seasons, promotional events, etc. etc.). There are many things to consider when using this type of "sign strategy" related to your area and customer base, but don't overlook the potential that a unique and creative outdoor sign/display can give your salon, in helping you stand out within the community and amongst other competitors.
4: IT'S TIME TO RHYME!!!
When building your hair business or using an ad campaign to promote your services and products, dont overlook what a catchy and memorable slogan or tagline can do to significantly boost your profits. These short simple phrases can have a great impact on whether your business succeeds long-term. And one of the easiest ways for salons or stylists to develop their own successful ad campaign, along with avoiding those huge costs involved in hiring an ad agency, is to focus your attention on rhyming. Taglines and slogans that rhyme are common in advertising because they WORK WORK WORK!!! Recent studies taken by both Princeton University and Lafayette College have shown that people are more inclined to believe and remember statements that rhyme. These studies have proven that the ease with which a person is able to process information has a big impact on whether or not they trust that information. And since most of us were raised on rhymes as children, they're not only easier for us to understand, but more appealing and interesting to us which inevitably leads to them being easier to remember. Simply put, not only is it manageable for any hair professional to use rhyming in creating a catchy and memorable business slogan/tagline on their own (see below!), but using rhymes is an effective way to get more people thinking and talking about your hair business. There are many phrases and words you can rhyme related to a hair salon or stylist business, but an easy way to create a great tagline or slogan on your own is to start with just the word HAIR; which has so much rhyming potential, and is obviously perfect in letting these future customers know exactly what it is you do (use an online rhyming dictionary for all the words that rhyme with hair). Then take time coming up with as many two or three word phrases as you can, related to both what your hair business does, and how you want others to think abotu your salon/stylist business: ex.- beautiful hair, modern salon, great stylists, etc., etc.. (use an online thesaurus to find synonyms for words in these phrases to increase your options). Then once you have a long list, simply spend time brainstorming while you combine these with the word "hair" and its rhyming words. Follow the tips I give below, and feel free to use the examples Ive given, and your that much closer to avoiding advertisers that say you need to pay them thousands to put together an effective tagline or slogan making the public think and talk about your hair business.
A few tips related to how advertisers create taglines & slogans, that they would prefer you didnt know: (1) make sure it communicates either exactly what your business represents long-term, or how the particular short-term ad campaign represents your business (2) keep it memorable to the point that consumers will never hear a similar phrase again without thinking about your business (3) make sure its very easy to understand, quick to read, and short (8 words or less) (4) humorous and/or controversial taglines or slogans are typically the most memorable and talked about (know your area, don't be too offensive) (5) all great taglines/slogans differentiate your business from your competitors (whats the ONE main reason you stand out from the competition?) (6) try relating the tagline/slogan to your current business success without being too "over the top" or dishonest which turns people off (ex- client approvals, awards, years doing hair, etc.) (7) don't be afraid to take on the competition or negative aspects of your industry to promote yourself (8) and advertisers usually use a model for brainstorming which includes spending a few hours writing down anything that pops into their head no matter how ridiculous it may sound and without any self-judgement, then not thinking about it for a day before returning with a clear mind (a proven way to inspire creativity). Here are a few taglines/slogans I came up with while writing this to help you get inspired: "WE CARE ABOUT YOUR HAIR", "STUNNING HAIR TO MAKE PEOPLE STARE", "OUR CLIENTS SWEAR BY HOW WE DO HAIR", "PREPARE FOR BEAUTIFUL HAIR", "OUR FLAIR FOR MODERN HAIR", "HAIR YOU WANT TO WEAR AND SHARE", "BE AWARE OF WHO DOES YOUR HAIR". And once you've created your own catchy and appealing rhyme, all the $$$ you saved on not hiring an ad agent can be of greater benefit to your salon. You can spend more on promoting what is actually seen, heard, and/or read by potential customers...YOUR GREAT TAGLINE OR SLOGAN; and not having your money consumed on the creative a hired advertiser comes up with for you...you've cut out that "costly middle-man"!
5: IT'S RAINING MEN...HALLELUJAH!!!
More and more men are seeing the benefits of having their hair done at salons. And though it can be hard to combat the appeal of both the low prices and social/community aspects of barbershops for men, many will still want their hair to look its best at any cost, so don't overlook a huge male client base waiting to be tapped into.
Advertisers will tell you that marketing anything toward men is much easier, being that overall they dont put as much thought into what's being advertised to them...yes ladies you have more "depth" of intelligence than us dumb guys (just look at 90% of Super Bowl commercials using sex appeal, humor, or any simple, straightforward, memorable ad largely targeted at men's minds). A marketing strategy that hair salons/stylists might not consider because of thoughts that it may cheapen the high-end and luxurious appeal of their salon, but if done right, can work extremely well in advertising your business to MEN; is to use creative/catchy flyers ads that correspond with the look, feel, and costs of your salon/stylist business, posted on car windows at very specific "event" parking locations. Yes, we all agree that seeing some "crappy" ad on our car window is an annoyance, but there are several ways to use these ads, and alleviate that initial irritation people may have...leaving them with a vivid memory of your hair salon (the cost of a moments annoyance is worth the reward in spreading word about your salon). Focus attention on events/get-togethers where large groups of men typically gather such as: sporting events, car/bike/boat/gun shows, certain concerts, outdoor recreation events, and even those "beer related events" like St. Patricks Day Parades or Oktoberfest (huge in my city), etc., etc.. Your first and most important step before considering what businesses/lot owners to approach, is to take time brainstorming about a creative, humorous, and catchy flyer ad that both advertises your salon/stylist business, and corresponds with the event taking place that day, otherwise these men are much more likely to "trash" whatever ad is placed on their car (if the ad relates to the "event" then there's a much greater chance it will be looked at.) Be creative and "over-the-top" with humor (it only has to slightly make sense, as long as it's memorable): something as simple as a football with hair coming out of it related to the football game, a man with green hair related to St. Patricks Day, a car with a mans hair coming out of the sunroof related to an auto show, etc. etc.. High-end salons/stylists need to spend more producing ads that correspond with their luxury appeal (high-gloss, 3 dimensional, etc.) or your risking lowering people's opinion of your salon. And I can't say enough, that if these ads aren't related to the event then there's a much greater chance it will be discarded (just think - these men have just left the event, their minds still focused on it, why wouldn't they look at a flyer related to it?) The next step is to consider which parking lots/garages to approach. Avoid public or city owned parking areas, thus avoiding local regulations and much higher costs, and instead look at privately owned parking garages/lots (approaching local businesses with parking can be tricky, but also very beneficial for your Hair Salon...and something I will be discussing in detail in a future newsletter.) You should approach these lots/garages a couple weeks in advance of "events" (using phone #'s given at most lot locations, and/or speaking to those on shift managing the spaces) and offer to pay them a small fee if you're allowed to post car ads on the day/days of the upcoming event. Keep the fee you offer them small (maybe $50), and though you can negotiate, remember these lot owners could otherwise not be receiving anything, so they'll be easier to convince in accepting any payment your offering. Overall there are a few things to consider when applying this marketing technique, but if done right could significantly pay off in bringing in new business, and building a larger male client base for any salon or individual stylist.
6: PARK HERE!!!
Parking availability is too often overlooked but is incredibly important to how clients think and feel about your salon. You need your clients to think of your hair business in a positive light ALL THE TIME. And being regularly annoyed by parking can easily overtake whatever positive feelings they have toward their stylist. At the same time parking can be very expensive to provide, and at times grueling if you have to deal with local municipalities and regulations. Here are a few things to consider when trying to keep costs down providing customers acceptable parking.
Depending on your location, shared parking is highly cost-effective for many businesses. It's cheaper for you to share the purchase or lease of needed parking spaces, and also helps with your business liability and maintenance issues. However business owners shouldn't overlook the importance in choosing the right corresponding business/businesses to share parking with. It's important that whatever "parking partners" you have, will not have the same high-traffic business at the same time of day. For example: churches usually only need large number of spaces on Sunday (perfect for your salon being that your probably closed), nightclubs and bars typically have high-traffic in the evening to late at night (around typical salon closing hours), restaurants usually have customers between 11 and 2 and after 5pm (could be acceptable hours depending on the restaurants popularity and the high traffic times at your salon), etc.. Also, one more thing to keep in mind: no matter how many spaces you have available, it becomes a "muted" benefit for your business if your clients have to walk a long distance (the preffered maximum parking distance to any business is usually kept between 400 and 800 feet.) So overall, even if you feel your salons parking is acceptable, find out the true feelings of your clients with stylists bringing it up in casual conversation. Because the simple parking access to your salon, could be THAT ONE difference between client's commiting to your salon...or considering another competitor.
7: LIGHTING YOUR WAY!!!
Station lighting is sometimes overlooked, but is very important to the long-term success of any Hair Salon or Hairstylist. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Lighting systems that fade (such as halogen lighting) can be very problematic for stylists and customers. These lights will slowly dim over time, affecting how colors and tones look in a clients hair. Stylists will have a tougher job with their coloring appointment, because the hair color they're trying to achieve will continuously look different based on what stage these dimming lightbulbs overlooking their clients are in...THIS IS NOT GOOD!...and will lead to customer complaints. Salons can use several options to achieve proper station and hair color lighting from only using light bulbs with a CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 80 or higher, to installing pricey skylights, to the redirecting of window sunlight off light colored walls and specifically placed mirrors, to hiring lighting consultants/designers, and even installing lighting systems which largely make use of the popular, and in my opinion the proper, combination of incandescent and halogen overhead lighting. And stylists can take matters into their own hands by purchasing mobile and/or portable task,and mirror lighting for use at their individual stations (one of the most popular San Fran salons has a nice novelty allowing each stylist to individualize their station with mirror lighting of their choice.) AlsoOverhead task lighting should be keep at a lower wattage than the lighting illuminating your salon. Too much bright light overhead can give stylists unnecessary shadowing to work with on their clients head, and also leave clients looking at their unflattering reflection in the mirror. And to make sure clients look their best with any overhead lighting, around station mirrors you should have some light directed onto your clients face (whether its natural light from windows, or using small watt bulbs), giving clients a warm glow that makes their facial features and hair look better and beautiful. Overall, not only is lighting important in the design of your salon, and in making it easier for stylists to do their jobs, but it's important that clients look good and feel good not only after leaving you, but for the short time they're with you...REMEMBER YOU'RE IN THE BEAUTY BUSINESS!
8: YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A...SECOND IMPRESSION!
Good first impressions are essential for a stylist handling a new client. But don't overlook that second visit when you can start convincing them to stay with you long-term. Many clients are just interested in the quality of your work, but many also want to engage with you personally. And though I would hope all stylists would want to become friendly and sociable with all their clients...thats not reality. So go into their first appointment with a very simple strategy that involves focusing on 4 things. While you're getting to know your clients, and making sure you retain some of what they say for their (cross your fingers) ...next visit, pay close attention to names, ages, occupations/schooling, and hobbies of the people they share with you who are in their lives (children should be a focal point). This sounds like alot to remember, but that's not the point. Just by keeping these 4 things in the front of your mind, while their appointment goes on, will inevitably lead to you remembering at least a few important "bits of info" about your new client. If memory is an issue, then subtly tell your clients you need to check on something...and quickly go write down notes on what you've heard and learned. Upon their second visit discuss with clients what you learned previously, and ask questions without being too overbearing. If you can give new clients the impression that your interested in them as an individual, by seemingly being interested in the most important people in their lives, than you'll not only build their trust in letting you do whats best for their hair, but even if they are dissappointed with how their hair turns out, they may avoid leaving you for another salon initially because of not wanting to desert someone who's taken an interest in them (this is how many clients begin an emotional attachment to their stylists...WHAT EVERY SALON DREAMS OF!). Doing great hair can keep customers coming back, but doing great hair alongside being great company (How is your son Sean doing in football?)...WILL KEEP THEM COMING BACK!
9: "DO YOU SMELL THAT?"
Here is a very specific marketing strategy that has worked well for other businesses and perfectly suits salons and hairstylists. Gift giving is more common among stylists and clients especially around the holidays. So why not this holiday season, advertise your salon, while also giving your client a nice gift. Win Win Right? Give your clients gifts they can place in their homes that lead to them discussing your business with guests...a gift of an extraordinary scent (WHAT???). Whether it's candles, scented oils, potpourri, or highly aromatic flowers, guests in peoples homes will at least mention, and look in the direction of the wonderful smell they're getting when visiting (having that smell overload makes it an easy topic of conversation.) Plus homeowners will typically display these in common areas of their home, like living rooms or guest bathrooms, that their visitors will see (especially during the holidays). And by branding the vase for flowers, bowl for oils or potpourri, or labeling the candles, guests will have a visual memory of the stylist or salon related to whats holding that wonderful aroma, and likely ask questions leading your clients to discuss your salon services (you can buy some inexpensive software and print labels for these at home, or spend more money and have them engraved or labeled professionally.) The key is making sure that your business is prominently displayed on whatever "scent holder" you choose, and equally important is that you use scents with a bold and very unique odor (check online to see the most popular scents during the previous holiday season, and purchasing a scent most can't buy in your area gives you a better chance this marketing will work.) Overall your still rewarding your clients with a gift, which is something that they should appreciate, but will likely will lead to them talking about you to at least some of the larger number of visitors they have around the holidays. And really, is there better advertising than your client's selling your services to people in their home!
10: OLDIES BUT GOODIES!
Some stylists are hesistant in marketing toward and bringing in older clients because they focus on those negative stereotypes that they don't tip well, are irritable, picky, etc. But this is sad, not only because it's a gross generalization, but because it overlooks some of the incredible positives when it comes to the elderly being more loyal as clients. From cities to the smallest towns, you can almost always find nursing homes, senior centers, assisted living and retirement communities, etc., where you and your business could have significant advertising access to large groups of potential clients for little to no cost...right where they live. Most of these facilities focus on keeping their older tenants busy and happy with activities including some classes. Using some time, why not approach these "centers" management and/or owners, and explain to them that you're a "hair expert" who has a perfectly suited service to offer their older tenants: a FREE hr long course on the maintenance and management of hair as you get older (this may sound like a pretty boring way to spend an hour but you'll get over it once you've gained a few new clients.) Selling this class to the management/owners is easier than you think. They'll understand that a class like this is perfectly suited to appeal to an older persons interests and concerns, it's free and the elderly love free (a stereotype thats true), and it will take them off the staffs hand for an hour at no cost to them. Once they've agreed there are a few things to keep in mind before you begin the class in order for this to give you some new clients: make sure you mention your name and services often, within the hour give a variety of unique and memorable hair tips you estimate these people haven't heard of and could use, Older people's lives are typically much simpler, being that they dont take part in all the busyness we get into with ours. So if they were to leave your class with even one great hair tip, it could make their day, their week, their month. And if you've impressed them that much as a "hair expert", then who do you think they might want to do their hair?