 Your nail salon or mobile nail care service is a business, not just a hobby. This being the case, making your business a success has to do with more than just your craft and the services that you sell. You also have to pay close attention to the business side of things.
In short, you need to learn how to actively promote your salon! In business, you are only as good as your reputation, and you can't begin to build one without at least a little advertising.
Here are a few ways to get started.
1. The Newspaper.
While more and more people are going online as their main source of information, there is still a large audience for the print media as well. By placing an add in the newspaper you will reach an entire sector of the population who you would not have otherwise been able to contact through the internet.
2. Networking
Try to reach out and become active in the community. You can start by joining your local chamber of commerce and meeting other local business owners. You should pay particular mind to business owners in related fields such as massage salons and clothing boutiques. By exchanging flyers and business cards with these local businesses, you can create free advertising for yourself. One of the best tactics is to post flyers for their business in your shop in exchange for the same service from them. This is free and very effective!
3. Interviews
This is a great marketing ploy that few people think of. Try getting an interview with a local radio station or newspaper. Pose yourself as an expert on the subject of nail art and you can get free publicity for you business.
4. The Internet
Making a website for your business is one of the most important things that you can do, even if it's just a single page with a picture and some contact information. You never want someone to hear about your salon, type your name into Google, and come up blank. Rather, the search should lead them directly to your salon.
5. Business Cards
This is another no-brainer. Buy a pack of these and leave them everywhere that you go. Someone is far more likely to remember you if they have a physical reminder sitting in their wallet or purse.
6. Specials
People love to think that they are getting a special deal. Hand out coupons, or advertise for special deals for certain types of customers. For example, you could offer a 50% discount to all first time customers. While this might put you a little behind in the short run, it will pay off in the long term. You will be able to expose so many people to your business that you won't know what to do with all of your clients before long!
7. Leaflets
This is another simple and inexpensive method that you can use. Simply hire out a few money hungry kids to pass out leaflets for your business. Even if this doesn't generate a whole lot of direct leads, you'll at least be getting your name out there and building brand recognition.
8. Gift Cards
This never fails. Give a special give card to each of your clients for a unique discount on their next visit. This creates the appearance of value, which the client then feels obligated to redeem at some point. They're sure to come back soon!
9. Referral Programs
Referral programs can also be quite successful in this type of circumstance. Simply offer your clients a small discount for every friend that they refer to your business and they'll start doing all of the tough promoting work for you!
10. Donations
Donate one of your gift cards for a free treatment to a local charity that is having an auction or raffle to raise money. You'll give away one free service for free, but you'll have gained a potential customer, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, your name will have been heard by EVERY SINGLE PERSON at the event. How's that for publicity?
 |
