I'm not mobile so I don't have the travelling that you'll have to contend with, but I am based in a small semi-rural village - no passing trade and when I started I didn't have any clients. Seven months later and I couldn't be happier!
The main thing was letting people know that I was there, I did leaflet drops in all the local villages, created a website where people can book online and I'm on social media too. I'd also walk the dog with my uniform on and people in the village would say 'oh are you the beauty lady', I'd chat with as many locals as possible - it's funny how gossip travels in small villages, so before long, everyone knew who I was. In the early months I'd done treatments on most of my neighbours who didn't want to have to travel in to the local town ....especially the older ladies. I do a loyalty scheme that I think helped in the early days.
I always make sure that I have leaflets, price lists and business cards dotted about in my treatment room, so that clients can take a few for their friends. Word of mouth is powerful, and I also find that in the rural areas folk like to support local business and self employed, rather than bigger salons and spas, so that worked in my favour too.
I only had 3 clients in my first week and 2 clients in my second week, but as word spread and loyal clients returned, I soon became busy. Each month is busier than the last.
You need to find what it is the locals want in your area. In my area a lot of people have money and there are many 'ladies that lunch', so although I'm home based and I'm reasonably priced, I knew that I didn't want to offer cheap deals like some of the salons in town. I went with 'quality' and invested a lot of money on really nice equipment and furnishings. Obviously I try and make my treatments the best that they can be like most therapists, but I also offer little finishing touches and try to make their experience a special one - this is something that many of my clients comment on. So, see what your local area is missing and what you can do a little differently to make sure that any clients you do get, stick with you. Good luck!! xx
