Marketing for Stylists
Marketing according to www.wikipedia.org ", has two major factors and
these are �the recruitment of new customers (acquisition) and the retention and expansion of relationships with existing customers.� This
is an ongoing process of planning and executing the marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion often referred to as the 4 Ps) for
products, services or ideas to create exchange between individuals and organizations. It is also concerned with anticipating the customers'
future needs and wants, which are often discovered through market research". Marketing for hair stylists can be interpreted by advertising
for new customers, explaining your services while the customer is in your chair, and selling these services to the customer.
In this article we are just going to cover the basics. By �basics� I mean this information is for the stylists who are just starting out
and looking for ways to build up their clientele. If you have a lot of experience or a large clientele this may seem elementary to you.
One of the easiest ways to build clientele is by word of mouth. Word of mouth is the best advertisement for your services. You can take
advantage of this by handing out a few of your cards to each customer, ask them to give them to friends and family with their name written
on the back of it, and offer the customer handing out your cards a free haircut for every 4 or 5 cards you get back with their name written
on the back of it. This has worked very well for many stylists. You can also go to our marketing page and click on the Kudosworks.com link.
We all know that sometimes the customers do not just want their hair done; they want a shoulder to cry on or just someone to talk to. This
is a valuable service to them and if you fulfill their needs you can be sure that they will return. But what about the ones you are not sure
of....the ones that don't talk much.
After they leave you wonder if they were happy with your work. Make sure to ask them before they leave if there is anything about their hair
that they are not happy with. If they say they are happy, but you sense that they are not. Make sure to encourage them to come back within
the next week or so if they discover something is not quite right and you will be happy to fix it for them. This one act of trust you give to
the customer can be a godsend to a shy customer who has had terrible hair cuts. You are telling them that you care and it will build trust
with them.
Nothing puts customers at ease more than for you to let them know that you will stand behind your work. If you have not fulfilled the customers
needs to their satisfaction you are willing to do whatever takes to make it right. Make sure you let them know that if they wait too long (for
example, more than 2 weeks) that you would have to charge them. Hair is such a personal thing it�s important for hair stylists to be willing to
work with the customer. If the customer does come back to have you re-cut their hair be sure to have a good attitude or you may never see them
again. You know how you would feel if this happened to you.
The customers that come back are usually the ones that will stick with you through thick and thin; just because you made the extra effort for them.
Before your customers leave always ask the customer to when they would like to come in again. Ask how many weeks they like to go in between haircuts
and schedule it. Most hair stylists already do this and it pays off with happy customers that don�t get stressed when they are unable to make an
appointment with you. You can also go that one step further by offering to remind the customer by calling or emailing them the day before their
appointment.
What a convenience for both the customer and the stylists! If the customer cannot make the appointment they can re-schedule then and if they
have forgotten their appointment this reminder will let them know. This is especially true for families that don�t schedule all their hair
appointments at the same time. Busy executives especially appreciate this service.
Other ways to market your services is to go to the customer. We all know the type of customer we like to work with. Go after them! If you
like to work with families offer a discount to the customers of the daycare down the street. For example you could offer their customers and
employees a few dollars off their first haircut. If you work near offices go visit these offices, introduce yourself and hand out your cards.
Be sure to look great, after all you are your best advertisement. Studies have show the better you dress the better the clientele you will
attract! Bring your appointment book so you can make appointments on the spot! Don�t be shy; this is your livelihood we are talking about!
Go do it and succeed!