How do I go about building a client base?

[jazii]

I have qualified in gels and now stated offering my services.. But no luck in gaining any customers. Any tips for building my client base?? Thanks x

 

[twid]

I found that things built slowly but surely so don't worry you're not manically busy to start, it will come though. The things I did were; always have perfect and interesting nails, they'll be a conversation starter, make sure you have business cards on you all the time as that way you can whip one out for anyone who's interested. Word of mouth is my only way of gaining new clients, you could try a recommend a friend offer. Don't sell yourself cheap as this can lead to people who just want a cheap one time thing, better to build a loyalty programme, or offer a discount on a second service ie; mani with money off pedi etc.

The things I found a waste of time and money were; leaflet drops, school fêtes/pamper evenings (good for experienced but never produced a client) and cheap prices to start as it's really hard to put them up later.

Karaxxx

 

[glam-r-us]

Have you got a FB page also business cards, I made the mistake of thinking word of mouth was the way to go, if your not busy you could deliver leaflets hth

 

[LiverpoolLashes]

Believe me when I say I think all of us who are self employed know EXACTLY how you feel. It's like banging your head against a brick wall because you just didn't expect it to be such a slow start. I myself prepared for a few quiet months but it want far beyond that.

I have written a full blog post on my experience on my website. If you click the tab directly below the banner it's there along with other ideas and advice for all new starters http://www.liverpoollashes.co.uk/?m=1

Hope this helps xx

 

[Deeders]

I've been based in a hair salon since February but only do Saturdays as I've got another full time job. I've worked hard marketing and advertising myself and kept at it but to no avail. I've got 4 regulars who only want monthly service, so it works out I have one client every Saturday, this pays for my rental so in effect I'm never in profit nor breaking even as I still have to cover the cost of stock. I've been very disheartened of late about it so admit haven't put myself out there as I used to. I'm now beginning to think long and hard about packing it in and just do my regulars on a mobile basis, this way at least the money will be mine. How long do you keep at it before you start thinking this way? I prepared myself for things to be slow at the start, but when does the "start" run out?

 

[jazii]

I currently have a Facebook page and instagram I also put a free ad up... Due to me being new to the area I live in word of mouth isn't possible as I don't know anyone! Lol thank you thou ladies will keep trying and stay positive and motivated )))

 

[manystyle]

Don't want to jinx it but I've been doing nails fir 2 yrs . N it's hard to build clients. Then all of a sudden I had one regular every day then recently 2 regulars a day. I'm happy but now I'm wondering us this bad? Should I be getting more after 2 yrs. of course there's times when 3 or 4 a day but on a slow day 2 regulars would come.:|

 

[missBeauty-lic]

I will be following this thread as am interested in this as well

miss Beauty-licious

 

[Sportsgirl]

And me! X

 

[hollyjane]

Following too as I've just moved interstate, from one side of Australia to the other, and desperately need to build clients asap

 

[soniamarie]

following too

 

[Meira]

This thread has a tonne of ideas to help http://www.salongeek.com/showthread.php?t=83160

 

[Saitpicks]

I qualified in jan and was starting to build a nice part time client base. Then we moved across country. I started my fb campaign prior to the move as a mobile tech and got head hunted by a salon. So a week in the new location and I've hit fb hard with every local group introductory offers, shellac parties. Today I've done a prize draw for a likes push, ok I'm giving away a shellac but fingers crossed the more people see my page the more chance of getting new clients. I also do free ads on gum tree, I've had a few clients from that. Now for the salon, they used to have a nail tech but she was taken I'll so the beautician who's ok at gel polish but not amazing. So I've got a lot of work to do but the owners happy for me to do what I want with the nail side. Oh and don't forget all the free online listings on local and national sites. Just has met them all.

 

[GoldCrest]

Same boat here. I am waiting for flyers to arrive but will not drop them into every household but rather trying to chose wisely. Lol I keep my fb page as active as possible. Not much to put up there at the moment. Only got 27 likes. Doing a give away for voucher just now to push liked but so far not really anyone likes. [emoji52] I keep going. I want this to work but you do get sometimes disheartened. How else can you get your likes on fb? I did spend some money on fb advertising. Wasted. Lol x

 

[Cindy2021]

Same boat here. I am waiting for flyers to arrive but will not drop them into every household but rather trying to chose wisely. Lol I keep my fb page as active as possible. Not much to put up there at the moment. Only got 27 likes. Doing a give away for voucher just now to push liked but so far not really anyone likes. [emoji52] I keep going. I want this to work but you do get sometimes disheartened. How else can you get your likes on fb? I did spend some money on fb advertising. Wasted. Lol x

Likes won't always bring you business. You need them to engage with your posts otherwise FB stop showing it on their newsfeed.
I pay for FB adverts and have found it successful. I target specific areas and age groups based on precious success and I'm gradually getting busier with new and regular clients.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

Hoe much do you usually spend on this Ciderella71? £10 per month? X

 

[Cindy2021]

Hoe much do you usually spend on this Ciderella71? £10 per month? X

I don't have a set budget but I usually do £14 over a week every few weeks or so.

 

[GoldCrest]

I maybe try again with the fb adverts.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I don't have a set budget but I usually do £14 over a week every few weeks or so.

Thanks, I've been thinking about doing it myself x

 

[Titterbug]

Following[emoji106] x