5 Ways To Market Your Salon For Next To Nothing

Yes it is possible; you can market your salon for next to nothing.  Of course, you’ll want to add lots of paid forms into the mix too, but everyone has to start somewhere when money is a factor (and it almost always is).

I remember all too clearly, the first few months of opening my salon… Sitting at the desk, waiting for the phone to ring, wondering if we’d survive. Gloomy days indeed.   If only someone could have shown me some ways to market my salon on a shoestring budget!

Not only did we survive, we thrived and now we fly (yes, I did kind of steal Nicky Minaj’s lyrics there but it’s true).

Here are a few tips to help you kick-start a quiet salon for pennies that I wish someone had shared with me!

USP

It’s easy to think it’s best to just be brilliant at everything and then everyone will come to you for every treatment – but realistically, that isn’t going to happen. Look at any major company, and it will be clear what they specialise in – because that’s exactly why we go there. Disney is known for animated movies aimed at kids and Krystal is known an incredibly pricey champagne.  When Disney releases a horror movie and Krystal bring out an alcopop, then I will change my whole marketing strategy – but until then, listen up HP fans!

1. Identify your unique selling point – choose a treatment you believe you can do better than anyone.

2. Can you improve that treatment? What could you do to make it exceptional – and different from everyone else?

3. Work out your target market for that treatment – sex, age, location, affluence

4. Ask your clients who have that treatment to write you a testimonial – post it on your Facebook, twitter, website, trip advisor, blog – everywhere

5. Get feedback from clients on how you could improve that service

6. Ask those clients to bring one guest at a discount

You’ll quickly generate a reputation as an expert in that field

DATABASE

I know I bang on about databases and the importance of them – but it’s simply the way we stay in touch with people at a professional level – friends we text, clients we email – and with no email address, we can’t stay in touch.

Setting up an email database is simple and can be done for free with a company like Mail Chimp. They offer a free account for small businesses with under 2000 contacts and you can get started straight away

1. Collect emails from clients – check to get their permission before you send emails

2. Stay in touch via email regularly with a combination of content

3. Make sure your emails are interesting, informative and worth reading

4. Use catchy titles to increase open rates

BRANDING

Ever mentioned a new product or a business to a friend and they’ve said ‘Oh, I’ve heard of that’.? Immediately, you’ll feel a little more confidence in the brand because people know it. Branding and being visible in the market place is essential for you to earn confidence from your potential clients.

Social media is a fantastic tool for this – but another great way is to brand stuff.  And whilst this isn’t free – it can be done reasonably inexpensively if you search around for offers – there’s plenty of people that do it.

Get magnets or stickers for your car, brand a hoodie or cardigan with your logos and get your name out there!

Maybe outside of most budgets to begin with…

BLOGGING

Blogging is now a full time occupation for a lot of people – because people now read blogs – and they should be reading yours too. You are an expert in the beauty industry and people are thirsty for your knowledge – so don’t be tight with sharing it.

It’s amazing how much of what we read on line nowadays is actually a blog – much like this! Many companies share their knowledge because it helps lead people, who are interested in their industry, to their website – so it’s an amazing way to help build your brand.

But more than anything – people trust people that educate them – so helping them with their needs, will prove how much you can help them again – and when that help is of the treatment variety, they’ll speak straight to you

LOCAL PRESS

This is an amazing way to get your name out there – but it’s so underused. Each community has its own press – magazines, bloggers, radio, websites, and newspapers – and they are itching for great things to write about. So why not you!

Usually, all it’ll cost is your time and some product – so get in touch with them and ask them if you can offer them a special treatment in exchange for a little coverage.

A very simple but very effective way to spread the word!

So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and take some action!

What are your best ideas for marketing on pennies?  Leave a comment below!