Why you?

[redsadie]

Hi guys and a very Merry Christmas to everyone

I was sat here pondering (as you do) and I was looking for my USP (I know I put it somewhere :lol

It just made me think, why do people come to you? What is your USP? Is it because you are the only one who does a particular service in your area (similar to me with intimate waxing, I promote this, then tell people once they're in the door what else I can offer), is it price, or is it just the fact it's because you are you regardless of price or uniqueness, that's why they come?

Obviously it takes time to get to know you, if this is the reason people come, so what attracted them to you before they got to know you?

So come on guys n dolls, I wanna know!!!!! :green:

xx

 

[Lucia Etch]

I often wonder, why me?

The answers that run through my brain:

My prices are low. (Average for my area)
My timing is fast. (I treat each of my clients as though they are business women that must return to work).
I shut up. (My client is paying for a service, it is all about them). This keeps my work schedule on time. (They don’t need to hear my problems).
I sanitize/keep a clean work area. (I follow the rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed).
I do nail art.
I’m honest.
My nails last. (As soon as I make that claim, I get a client that comes in need of a repair).
I keep myself educated and updated. (I include the good the bad and the ugly).
I don’t share client information. (Say no to gossip/it all comes back).
I try not to drink beer at my work station. (This is a funny, people).
I try not to talk politics/religion. (Or any subject that can start fist fights and tearing out of hair).
I am at work, when I say I will be there. I rarely if ever cancel appointments. (My clients schedule because they know I will be there).
I am consistent, (My client gets my best, not saying that I am the best, I do what I can).
I try to stay healthy to avoid unnecessary illness, and loss of work days. (Usage of mask/gloves/lots of hand washing).
I keep my clients updated on health issues, new policies, anything that has to do with the industry. (I include the good, the bad and the ugly).
I am addicted to chewing gum. (It helps me concentrate). (No loss of clients, yet).

Maybe, they come, solely for the sights to see. I get my hair changed complete new style every few months.

 

[redsadie]

Thanks Lucia

That's some list! Do you let your clients know this though?

Is this why they came to you in the first place?

Happy holidays :hug:

xx

 

[Lynne Baker]

I offer a 100% money back guarantee on all products and services. If a client is not happy, or is disappointed in a product I give them their money back. I'm proud to offer this and I make sure it's on all my marketing. I find it reassures my clients, and so far I have yet to have anyone make a claim.

 

[redsadie]

I offer a 100% money back guarantee on all products and services. If a client is not happy, or is disappointed in a product I give them their money back. I'm proud to offer this and I make sure it's on all my marketing. I find it reassures my clients, and so far I have yet to have anyone make a claim.

That's a great one hun and exactly what I've done on my treatment lists. When the owner of the salon saw it she said "I wouldn't do that Sarah, the nail tek who was here before started to do that and she had no end of problems with people coming back and blatantly taking the p1ss so she stopped doing it"

I said to her that if she was 100% happy that it wasn't her fault and knew how to deal with this type of client, then she shouldn't have had a problem.

I still have it on my treatment lists and so far haven't had anyone come back to me (touches wood and whistles loudly )

Thanks for your input hun :hug:

 

[selmarose]

I think it is a persona or presence abut us that we may not even be aware of that says "I am good at what I do and you can trust me." After that it is customer service and profesionalism.

 

[Lucia Etch]

Thanks Lucia

That's some list! Do you let your clients know this though?

Is this why they came to you in the first place?

Happy holidays :hug:

xx

I don't explain too many things to my clients. Unless it's nail related.

I believe most have come to book with me because I do lots of nail art designs. I provide the service that the client ask for.
After being told that the sky was falling. I re-opened my book (this past August). I'm back to working 5 days a week. I am a workaholic and it's dangerous.
Happy Holidays to you too.:hug:

 

[VHunter]

My USP's are as follows:

• I offer art that's unique to the Montreal/Southshore area and have clients that travel 30-45min to come and see me.
• I am the ONLY ONE that does REAL UV Gel.
• I suggest they google art or come up with their own ideas and not stick to only what I've done so far - Up to any challenge.
• While my prices are above the NSS, I offer way more in terms of quality of products and services. No nasty wide shovels or rings of fire.
• Everything is clean, implements sanitized and disinfected. Clean towels and files etc for every single client.
• I am bilingual english and french and my clients can easily converse with me about their needs
• I educate them about their natural nails, their nail enhancements and how to get the most out of them. I inform them about the truth of enhancements & MMA & NSS and encourage them to google and learn the truth and not take only my word for it.
• It's a warm, quiet environment without the hussle & bustle of a salon and some of it's 'odours' with a scented candle lit, music playing and a time for them to relax.
• I offer a client appreciation program where for every 5 referrals that book an appointment, I will reward my client with a 25$ service of her choice (this works GREAT!)

Granted, it's easy for me to have so many USP's when in this tiny town and neighboring ones, all you find is NSS.
We are perhaps only 5 techs here in my town, 3 of which only do "gel-resine" (aka tip&dip) and 2 do L&P.


Then of course.................. THERE'S ME!
I'll say I'm unique:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[redsadie]

My USP's are as follows:

• I offer art that's unique to the Montreal/Southshore area and have clients that travel 30-45min to come and see me.
• I am the ONLY ONE that does REAL UV Gel.
• I suggest they google art or come up with their own ideas and not stick to only what I've done so far - Up to any challenge.
• While my prices are above the NSS, I offer way more in terms of quality of products and services. No nasty wide shovels or rings of fire.
• Everything is clean, implements sanitized and disinfected. Clean towels and files etc for every single client.
• I am bilingual english and french and my clients can easily converse with me about their needs
• I educate them about their natural nails, their nail enhancements and how to get the most out of them. I inform them about the truth of enhancements & MMA & NSS and encourage them to google and learn the truth and not take only my word for it.
• It's a warm, quiet environment without the hussle & bustle of a salon and some of it's 'odours' with a scented candle lit, music playing and a time for them to relax.
• I offer a client appreciation program where for every 5 referrals that book an appointment, I will reward my client with a 25$ service of her choice (this works GREAT!)

Granted, it's easy for me to have so many USP's when in this tiny town and neighboring ones, all you find is NSS.
We are perhaps only 5 techs here in my town, 3 of which only do "gel-resine" (aka tip&dip) and 2 do L&P.


Then of course.................. THERE'S ME!
I'll say I'm unique:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Excellent hun! This is what I was talking about

Trying to think of a USP is sometimes quite daunting and to try to think about what it is that makes us different is challenging.

I think of myself as a Nail Technician who also performs intimate waxing and spray tanning services but the hair salon I am currently in already has a Nail Tech (owners daughter) and there isn't enough room for the both of us, so I focus on the waxing USP as I am only one of two who offers this service in our town, then once they're in the door I explain the other services I have to offer and explain that if they would like me to do their nails I will come to them after hours in the comfort of their own home for the time being.

The salon owner is opening another one in our town and I will be renting a table from her to enable me to focus on my acrylics as well (either in the existing salon or in the new one, I'm not sure which yet), so once this happens I will make my USP the quality of my nails not quantity (i.e in and out the door asap), the friendly atmosphere and personal aspect of the service - dedicating that time to you. I know this won't convince everyone as there will always be those who don't mind their nails being trashed as long as it doesn't take too long but we can always try

xx

 

[mannipatch]

That is a really good question and got me thinking, why do they come to me. I really don't know but I suppose I should make it my new year's resolution to find out.
I do know that my client 1, is a client of my client 2, client 1 was having personal problems. When my client 2 asked her did she ever think of getting counselling, client 1 replied, oh no I just go to my nail tech. She is my counseller and really good to talk too.
Wondered why I was so depressed!!!
But seriously it does go in one ear and out the other now. I used to fret and worry about some clients, were they ok, did it all work out. Had my hand on the phone many a time but stopped myself just in time. That would have been an intrusion on their privacy. So to me it is all about knowing the individual and personal lines that are drawn in each client's life and for me the nail tech to know these lines and never cross them.
And more importantly forget every word that is said pronto.

 

[redsadie]

That is a really good question and got me thinking, why do they come to me. I really don't know but I suppose I should make it my new year's resolution to find out.

I do know that my client 1, is a client of my client 2, client 1 was having personal problems. When my client 2 asked her did she ever think of getting counselling, client 1 replied, oh no I just go to my nail tech. She is my counseller and really good to talk too.
Wondered why I was so depressed!!!
But seriously it does go in one ear and out the other now. I used to fret and worry about some clients, were they ok, did it all work out. Had my hand on the phone many a time but stopped myself just in time. That would have been an intrusion on their privacy. So to me it is all about knowing the individual and personal lines that are drawn in each client's life and for me the nail tech to know these lines and never cross them.
And more importantly forget every word that is said pronto.

That's excellent hun, you are seen as a good listener! Could that be a USP of yours???? I know most oriental, dedicated nail salons round here don't speak English, so you're sat there for 45 minutes getting your cuticles filed away and no words exchanged between the client and the 'tech'.

Did you ever get client 1 as a client of yours?

xx

 

[sknight]

The main reason clients come to me is by word of mouth and people noticing my clients nails and asking where she had them done. I have also had a number of clients say to me that they came out of curiosity as I am a male tech and they had never had their nails done by a guy before and thankfully they returned.

 

[hippy-chick]

I too think this is a great question.

I think people return to me because:

• I really am the only holistic in the area
• I offer a wide variety of holistic therapies that not many or no-one else does
• I make the client feel special and not a number
• I remember details from our last conversation and ask them how they go on
• I offer a brief chat/catch up then fade into the background
• I only talk about myself if I am asked, the client has come for THEIR quality time
• I encourage them to try other things
• I am constantly learning new things
• I send out emails to keep them informed
• I offer special packages to make them feel pampered
• I try to finish on time so that no-one is kept waiting
• I am friendly, approachable and have a beam on my face
• I am never ill
• I rarely cancel
• I now offer retail to enhance their treatment but don't push it in their faces
• I have an aura of mystery about myself (as I am a guru )
• I don't get involved in gossip, I occassionally refer to another client but it is "oh another client has got IBS too" type of referral
• I research for them, ie if they have something going on and I can't answer it, I check my reference book or net it for next time
• My room is always gloriously warm and has subdued lighting so looks really inviting

 

[redsadie]

These are great guys, keep 'em coming :green:

I was going to post that I was suprised that more people hadn't replied, but actually I'm not that suprised really as I think actually trying to think about what makes clients come to you in the first instance and then why they stay is sometimes difficult.

I definately think that being a therapist that is unique in what they have to offer is the best USP to have, people will come just for the fact they are interested in what you have to offer especially with therapists such as Ann who is the only Holistic in the village , then you have to build on this by continuing to be the best at what you do to retain their custom, especially if another salon/therapist sets up in your location offering similar treatments.

Anyone else wanna get their thinking caps on? :hug:

xx

 

[essentia]

Clients first come to me for a variety of reasons - either it is by referral, or they have found out I do good brazilian waxes, facials, massage or because I am local. They all remark on how nice my room is and I always make sure it is clean. I try to inform but not push and never have an attitude. I hope that clients enjoy and feel at ease when they visit - that is what I aspire to aim for.