Idea's for this hard financial time

[mdskora]

I have been reading a few threads on here about "quiet" times.. i know most of us are feeling the crunch... i have not been in business long enough as yet to have a rock solid client base.. some of my regulars love their nails... most are younge mothers who just want them for special times and have an infill 2 or 3 times then take them off.... they always come back at some stage... i have all the young girls i did last year for their formals coming this year again.... BUT... time are soooooo quiet...

I was thinking of doing a little advertising... I have a frequent printers card at a local shop.. I can print photos for 10c each... what do you all think about doing a "gift voucher" with a little nail file in a pack and handing them out... like $10 off your first nail or waxing service etc... my inlaws own a shop and i could put them in their shop and in all the bags etc... it was cost me next to nothing and i don;t mind wearing the $10 discount if it is bring money and clients thru the door... even if only half make a future apt i will still be building the business...
I am just getting to the point that the door is hard to keep open in these tuff times...

any help would be great...
any idea's that worked for you
Mel

 

[Cupcake Blonde]

From a customers perspective, I think its a great idea.

 

[number1kitty]

Why not offer a free mini pedicure and then include the after care kit with the treatment.

If you discount you end up having to do twice as many clients as you need to for the same money.

Plus rememeber the reason people go to sales. They are not going to establish a regular repeat business which is essential for you to succeed. If you get one off clients you will always have to advertise to replace these clients and always be offering discount!

Kate x

 

[RedAdmiral]

Its better to advertise your services rather than advertise specifically for newclients - get people talking about your salon and the buzz will result in the clients you want coming to you. You really dont need lots of discount clients as next month you'll be in the same boat. I personally am keepingf my name out there by attending different events and by have editorial in the local paper I'm not dead quiet yet and hopefully I wont get ther as ther are always people talking about my salon.

 

[~ Fickle Feet ~]

Personally, I would spend time getting your name out there. Rather than advertising specifically for new clients work on getting your name known.

Put your cards/posters anywhere you can!

Rather than discount offer a free gift with which ever treatment you want to promote.

Also work on existing clients, if they have manicures offer them a half price pedicure when they have the treatments done at the same time.

Set up a 'refer a friend' scheme so that your existng clients can help to bring in new clients

xx