Struggling mobile nail technician in need of some help!

[kateee]

Heya,

I recently qualified as a nail technician - I planned to be mobile, as I have two small children!

I have just secured a position in a salon in Leicester on a commission basis, however, they previously didn't do nails - so the salon owner is currently doing some advertising etc.

I am finding it really difficult to get customers - I've put flyers & business cards in serveral local shops, post offices etc, just made my own website, have a facebook page & group etc - but am still not really getting any enquiries!

When I first started I charged £15 as I needed the practice - & I got quite a lot of clients, however now I am charging full price - people don't seem as interested!

Are there any other mobile nail technicians who can give me some advice & guidance on how I can build up a strong client base? I know it takes time, but I'm getting pretty desperate now!

Thank you,
Kate =]

 

[Unique Nails09]

It takes ages to build up a client base, for me Facebook is a great free way to market your business, simply get snapping pics of your work and post them to your profile, request as many ladies as you can to be friends and get the word out there. You can also post on there special offers etc - everyone uses FB so get them interested from the comfort of their laptop and sofa!

x

 

[laurajd28]

Heya,

I recently qualified as a nail technician - I planned to be mobile, as I have two small children!

I have just secured a position in a salon in Leicester on a commission basis, however, they previously didn't do nails - so the salon owner is currently doing some advertising etc.

I am finding it really difficult to get customers - I've put flyers & business cards in serveral local shops, post offices etc, just made my own website, have a facebook page & group etc - but am still not really getting any enquiries!

When I first started I charged £15 as I needed the practice - & I got quite a lot of clients, however now I am charging full price - people don't seem as interested!

Are there any other mobile nail technicians who can give me some advice & guidance on how I can build up a strong client base? I know it takes time, but I'm getting pretty desperate now!

Thank you,
Kate =]

Hi Kate!

I know how you feel, I'm just starting out as a mobile nail technician (due to be qualified on Thursday - fingers crossed!!!), and I did a spray tanning course a couple of weeks ago!
It is really hard getting clients
I've got a Facebook group (although it's a nightmare getting people to join as mine is a 'like' page),and a website. I've also advertised on Gumtree, Yell.com, Thomson Local, Beautyzone, Hotfrog, Viva Street, Partypop.com and Net Mum's.

If anyone can think of anymore to help us out, that would be great!!!!

Laura x

 

[samjackjord]

My best friend works behind a bar so I minxed her nails for free! I got so much business back from that as she was armed with business cards. I also did my neighbours toes for half price as she works in a massive insurance firm and knows everyone:lol:. Again she was armed with business cards, she loved that she was helping me to promote my business and getting the half price treatments helped too!
These were over summer, now it is glitter tips and nail art to get them noticed, the ideas above can be adapted to whatever treatments you offer. I always donate a voucher for a free treatment to the school for any prizes and fayres they have!
Have you got car magnets? They are a good way of getting your name about.
hth's

 

[debbietex]

hi katee
Im in the exact same position myself ...!

The only business Im gettin is word of mouth and people admiring my nails and striking up a conversation with them.word of mouth seems to be the best way and as Im new I dont really want to work on COMPLETE strangers so friends and friends of friends is good for me to build up slowly

 

[kezza*]

I have found a leaflet drop great. Word of mouth does take time, I have been working from home for the past year and it's going great, I have worked hard advertising and to tell the true it's only been this past month that word have mouth is kicking in,,, all I get is "I've had your number age's".

Family and friends are a great way to start.

You could do recommend a friend, say both get 10% off.

It's christmas coming up,,,, sorry to mention it lol, try and work out specail promotion's or christmas nail art design's.

Do different nail art things on you own nail's,

Not sure if you do minx but it's deffo worth it they are so popular.

 

[Lynne Baker]

I posted a thread a wee while ago about how to promote your business; lots of people have been kind enough to say that it helped them.
http://www.salongeek.com/biz-geek/83160-more-ways-promote-your-business.html#post848493

 

[Claire83]

I posted a thread a wee while ago about how to promote your business; lots of people have been kind enough to say that it helped them.
http://www.salongeek.com/biz-geek/83160-more-ways-promote-your-business.html#post848493

Lynne, I have found your post brilliant and have completed a lot of your ideas. Gumtree etc, Facebook which gained me a couple of parties, but I still don't have any regular clients. Now I'm starting to lose confidence and faith.

Any ideas?

 

[Lynne Baker]

Have you done any business networking?

 

[karenrose]

I started out with nails thinking it was going to be really busy! But like you I was struggling to get regular clients. I would only get the one offs. So I started to train in other areas aswell. Now I do minx, manicures, warm and hard waxing, eyelash extensions, spray tanning, lash and brow tinting and perming and hollywood toes! Business soon picked up once I could offer a variety of different things! Maybe you should also look into doing a few more courses? If nails are your thing then there is also manicures and pedicures, minx and shellac!
And wear your products! The amount of times Iv been stopped in m&s or sainsburys as people have seen my minx toes or my glitter nails is unreal! You are the best advertising for your business!
You mentioned you have children, are they at school or nursery? Could you hand out leaflets to the other mums and teachers?

 

[kirsty]

I started my mobile business in April and really struggled at first to get clients. The 2 forms of advertising that have brought in the most clients so far are:

1. Having my car sign written - expensive but a few more clients and it will have paid for itself, and then it's free advertising (just got to remember to wash the car once in a while lol!)

2. My facebook page, I asked all my friends to suggest my page to as many friends as possible and ask them to suggest it to their friends. I did a set of nails yesterday and posted a pic on there and within 2 hours I had 4 new clients booked in! Can't complain as it's free!!

HTH

 

[Claire83]

No to the networking, too scared. :o Bad I know.

I wish my Facebook page would work like that. Have 83 followers and not one has said a thing/commented. Feel like I'm talking to myself. I offer Shellac (limited colours due to cash atm) and will get Minx soon.

Next year plan to do beauty and go in to eyelashes etc, but for now it's rather limited. Maybe I started way too early.

 

[Gaynor cox]

Heya,

I recently qualified as a nail technician - I planned to be mobile, as I have two small children!

I have just secured a position in a salon in Leicester on a commission basis, however, they previously didn't do nails - so the salon owner is currently doing some advertising etc.

I am finding it really difficult to get customers - I've put flyers & business cards in serveral local shops, post offices etc, just made my own website, have a facebook page & group etc - but am still not really getting any enquiries!

When I first started I charged £15 as I needed the practice - & I got quite a lot of clients, however now I am charging full price - people don't seem as interested!

Are there any other mobile nail technicians who can give me some advice & guidance on how I can build up a strong client base? I know it takes time, but I'm getting pretty desperate now!

Thank you,
Kate =]

Hi, I work 3 days a week as a mobile tech and I get all my clients from facebook. I have set up a page and I post ads and share my page on all my local buy and sell groups at least 3 times a week. Also share your page asking your friends to like and share. Post lots of pics of your work. I only started In Feb and I have lots of regulars, some come and go, but I do have between 8 and 10 clients a week now. It doesnt sound much but its £30 hands and £45 hands and toes, I get between £250-£350 a week

 

[Trinity]

Hi, I work 3 days a week as a mobile tech and I get all my clients from facebook. I have set up a page and I post ads and share my page on all my local buy and sell groups at least 3 times a week. Also share your page asking your friends to like and share. Post lots of pics of your work. I only started In Feb and I have lots of regulars, some come and go, but I do have between 8 and 10 clients a week now. It doesnt sound much but its £30 hands and £45 hands and toes, I get between £250-£350 a week

Looks like Kateee posted this thread in September 2010 and never came back to check for replies - shame as she got lots of great advice