Targeting the student population.

[marina]

Hi everyone!

I just need a few points of view from you all.
This morning I was expecting a pedicure client, at 9am. She didnt turn up, so I rang, but no answer. This is the icing on the cake! :cry: All my clients are no shows now. All of them!! So, I'm thinking of targeting a new clientele.
I live in Portsmouth, which is now a thriving student city. What do you all think about targeting students when they come back in September? I've thought about giving a discount to them on treatments, say 10-20%?
Portsmouth has a large quota of overseas students too, and I wonder if they would be interested?
I recently graduated from Portsmouth Uni , so I know the campuses which would be a bonus.
Has anyone had experiences with student clients? Good or bad?
Love, Marina xx

 

[izzidoll]

Hi, I suppose you know your own area better than any of us.......and I know the image of the poor student is a bit outdated.....BUT...I never found students to be reliable clients....too young and have other priorities.....best client base is the over 40's that have got rid of their student children and now have disposable income to spend on themselves.
There is always an exception that proves the rule though...I did have 1 client who was a student, and she was a regular (and reliable)....and after she graduated and got a fab job in Marketing she remained a client and brought me other clients too, from her work.
So give it a go....what have you got to lose.......

 

[Rose143]

Hi everyone!

I just need a few points of view from you all.
This morning I was expecting a pedicure client, at 9am. She didnt turn up, so I rang, but no answer. This is the icing on the cake! :cry: All my clients are no shows now. All of them!! So, I'm thinking of targeting a new clientele.
I live in Portsmouth, which is now a thriving student city. What do you all think about targeting students when they come back in September? I've thought about giving a discount to them on treatments, say 10-20%?
Portsmouth has a large quota of overseas students too, and I wonder if they would be interested?
I recently graduated from Portsmouth Uni , so I know the campuses which would be a bonus.
Has anyone had experiences with student clients? Good or bad?
Love, Marina xx

Hi Marina,

I totally agree with Isabel here about the students as I find the older generation a bit mor loyal and bit more respectful towards someone trying to run a business.

Why on earth are all your clients no shows? Have you maybe tried to ring and confirm the day before? I know this could possibly give them a chance to cancel but at least they cancel and they can give you a reason and you're not losing out on an appointment space where you could be giving it to a better/more loyal client.

xxxx

 

[tinkywinky]

I was a Uni student once, hungover a lot and a lot of getting out of bed at 1pm feeling ill etc. I didn't make a few appointments as I either forgot was ill with hangover or had work to do. I would target non students if I were you as I bet most of them are like I was, too much in their own little world to realise other people are waiting for them!!

 

[marina]

Rose, I think my clients are no shows because they think theyre doing me a favour, and some have told me so. So, they think they have the divine right not to come and not to explain why.
I qualified in February, so I'm still gaining a client base. Sadly, some of my clients ring me for an appointment an hour beforehand ( I do say no to this). Theyre largely word of mouth clients through my mum or neighbours etc. I have a cancellation policy now, and terms and conditions. I'm trying to make them understand that I don't do nails as pin money, its my bread and butter.
I'll ring the day before to remind them, as you suggested. That sounds like a good idea.
Izzidoll, I'll try the students, but wont hold my breath! My parents attend a church where most of the congregation are 30-40 ish I think. Perhaps I should target them? Don't really feel comfortable going to a church for clients though!? :o
Many thanks for your help. :hug:
Love, Marina xx

 

[Rose143]

Rose, I think my clients are no shows because they think theyre doing me a favour, and some have told me so. So, they think they have the divine right not to come and not to explain why.
I qualified in February, so I'm still gaining a client base. Sadly, some of my clients ring me for an appointment an hour beforehand ( I do say no to this). Theyre largely word of mouth clients through my mum or neighbours etc. I have a cancellation policy now, and terms and conditions. I'm trying to make them understand that I don't do nails as pin money, its my bread and butter.

I cannot believe people treat you like this, do you do this full time? What do you say to clients about your cancellation policy when they book with you?

Maybe you need to come accross a bit more assertive yet friendly over the phone. The reason I say this is because when I started taking appointments over the phone when I was a bit desperate for business (in the beginning) I tried very hard to sound very friendly and came accross more desperate than anything else especially my emails as well. So now I sound like a business woman, and very professional yet I still make the odd joke or two.

Also don't let your Mom or neighbour book or arrange your appointments for you, if someone wants to book an appointment, let them ring you, remember hun you are too busy to be messed around like this.

xxxx

 

[MINKUS]

this is very odd hun, i have only had two no show's in the whole year i have been trading.

One is a complete dizzy dora of a personality very scatty and rang to appologise...the other a young girl who prob didnt have the cash that day.

Try to get to the bottom of why they are not turning up - how do you mean they think they are doing you a favour?

Put a surcharge system in place.

My clients all tend to be 35 + though (going upto 72!!)

Hope u get it sorted matey i would be tearing my hair out !!

Ambx

 

[marina]

I get the client to read the terms and conditions incl the cancellation policy , and then they have to sign that they have read and agree to the terms. Although I've had clients who don't bother to read anything but sign anyway??!
I tell them that if they don't show up or cancel in 24 hours or less then I will make anote of it in their record and they will be liable for a £10 fee.
I don't let my mum and neighbours make appointments for me, they just 'recommend' me to people. I'm now wondering if theyre being a bit pushy with people. You know, like "have you made an appointment with Marina yet" type of thing. The clients think theyre doing me a favour by 'helping' me by being a client, and because they know me or my friends, family, etc.
Another no show was the other day, when a girl who I'd done a full set of p & ws 5 weeks previous knocked the door and wanted them soaked off there and then. Of course I said no, she'd have to make an appointment. So, she booked in, and didnt arrive. Her mum rang at 9am (her appt. time) and said she didnt want to get up. I dont think she had any intention of coming when she made the appt.
I'm fed up with it. How can some people be so rude? Weird isnt it. Some other people I know who do hair, beauty, nails etc have the same problem. Perhaps its Portsmouth?!
Love, Marina xx

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Not going to say anything about Pompey or I might incriminate myself (I'm in Fareham btw)!

Okay several points here.

Firstly if you are really pushing your cancellation policy then people are probably too scared to phone and cancel in case you are going to charge them, and they won't ever come back because they know they WILL be charged. I would say your policy is working against you not for you. All I say is, that if you can't make it for any reason then please phone and let me know - you could add to this by saying things like I could then offer your appointment to clients on my waiting list, or because you have to book out a lot of time.

Secondly, you could try the student market but they may be unreliable due to hangovers, getting essays in last minute, going to the beach etc.

Thirdly the girl that turned up without an appointment and then failed to show when you did book it probably found somewhere else in the meantime. She was then either too rude or too embarassed to let you know, and then got her mum to do the dirty work.

Frankly I don't bother with all this terms and conditions milarcky, I wouldn't like it if my hairdresser, doctor, dog parlour etc did it and so don't enforce it on my clients. Yup I've whinged on here too when I've had a run of no shows, unfortuntaely it goes with the territory. Phoning the night before has worked with me in the past.

But I've had people make an appointment 2 hours beforehand and not show up. Just wish I had the bottle to phone them up and be really rude to them, but then I'd be sinking to their level!

 

[nails 4 u]

Not going to say anything about Pompey or I might incriminate myself (I'm in Fareham btw)!

Okay several points here.

Firstly if you are really pushing your cancellation policy then people are probably too scared to phone and cancel in case you are going to charge them, and they won't ever come back because they know they WILL be charged. I would say your policy is working against you not for you. All I say is, that if you can't make it for any reason then please phone and let me know - you could add to this by saying things like I could then offer your appointment to clients on my waiting list, or because you have to book out a lot of time.

Secondly, you could try the student market but they may be unreliable due to hangovers, getting essays in last minute, going to the beach etc.

Thirdly the girl that turned up without an appointment and then failed to show when you did book it probably found somewhere else in the meantime. She was then either too rude or too embarassed to let you know, and then got her mum to do the dirty work.

Frankly I don't bother with all this terms and conditions milarcky, I wouldn't like it if my hairdresser, doctor, dog parlour etc did it and so don't enforce it on my clients. Yup I've whinged on here too when I've had a run of no shows, unfortuntaely it goes with the territory. Phoning the night before has worked with me in the past.

But I've had people make an appointment 2 hours beforehand and not show up. Just wish I had the bottle to phone them up and be really rude to them, but then I'd be sinking to their level!

hi im trying to get on this site to talk to you all PLEASE HELP have i done it right???

 

[Sassy Hassy]

hi im trying to get on this site to talk to you all PLEASE HELP have i done it right???

YES!!

 

[nails 4 u]

hi im trying to get on this site to talk to you all PLEASE HELP have i done it right???

:cry: please please!!!!

 

[nails 4 u]

YES!!

thanks sooo much sassy

 

[nails 4 u]

So here i am atlast yes im a proper geek that needs all yours help pls im sooo confused abt loadsa stuff!!! Ive recently trained in college for man/ped & cosmetic make-up class & most recently i have done a gel course which i dont think was much of a course just looking for a helping hand really?

 

[nails 4 u]

YES!!

just posted a thread im such a novice at this site why cant i get into chat to the girls what am i doing wrong