Relax--advertising your salon isn't as difficult as it seems.
An effective advertising strategy is vital to making your salon a success. Don't worry if you don't have a marketing background. It doesn't take a business degree to market a business. What it does take is a few solid advertising strategies and some dedicated time. Then you'll be on your way to finding clients for your salon.
Referral Program
Word-of-mouth advertising is one of the best (and cheapest) ways to promote your salon services. People trust the reviews of their friends, family and colleagues, so getting your clients to spread the word to others is a reliable way to create regular business. One way to encourage your customers to refer new people is to offer incentives. These are up to you, but should be attractive enough to inspire clients to action. For example, offer a free salon service, like a haircut or massage, to those who refer a new client to you.
Social Media
Many people in the web-focused world of 2010 view a company's website before choosing a new service provider. Having a website, even a simple one, can help prospective clients find you. In addition, maintaining a Facebook and Twitter (see the Resources section) presence helps customers discover you as well. It's not enough to simply have pages. You must actively engage with your followers to keep your business on their minds. Facebook and Twitter specials and contests also promote your business and inspire word-of-mouth advertising, as followers forward your pages to their friends and family.
Cross Promotion
Find small businesses in your area that cater to the same target market as you do and ask if they will post flyers or coupons to advertise your business in their stores. In return, you can advertise their stores in your salon as well. The content of your flyers should include your salon's name, address, phone number, website and hours. Don't forget a call to action to entice people to make an appointment, such as coupons, specials or free offers, which are wise choices for print advertisements.
