Surviving The Economy

With the economy as bad as it is, I have seen so many Salons close down due to lack of business and loss of clientele. It made me thankful that I have always tried to do things to set me apart from other Stylist. At a time like this going up on your prices is the last thing that you need to do even though it may help. With people already struggling it would make you lose clients so it would still put you at a loss, which is not good. So what do you do? Ask yourself what are some others doing that are different from what I'm doing or have done in the past? Do you have a website? Most people do not look in the phone book for a Stylist. Do you have business cards? Give every client at least 5 cards to pass on to new potential clients. Are you visable on other hair sites? Are you in any of the search engines? You may have to pay extra but this does work.

You are going to have to network today in the society we live in it is all about social networking. Maybe you can even swap out give a local business you business cards and you take theirs to give out. There are websites that are very simple to build that will take you step by step on how to setup and even can be hosted by you as well. When do make sure to input keywords that you think someone looking for your expertise will put in the serach engine.

Also always look professional and have business cards on hand when out shopping especially at the grocery store. You can give clients referral discounts to bring in new clients, this always works wonders. There are also free online classified ads to place an ad about you or your business to attract potential clients with new client specials.

At the end of the day you want to always treat the clients you have special and make them feel welcome whether they come every week or 2 to 3 months. If they feel they were missed and their business is appreciated when they get extra funds you will be the first person they call. Try going through you roladex and giving clients a call just to check on them and ask them how are they. Then what kind of shampoo and conditioner they are using and that they should still at least come for their trims every couple of months. This is so that it doesn't sound so close together. Sometimes they make an appointment just because you called and now they want to treat themselves because they realize it has been so long.

So extend you customer service, do something new, network, and always make everyone that sits in your chair feel special. I guarantee they will remember you when the time is right because they know their business is appreciated and you always make them feel special when their there.