littlened started this topic @ 22:33 on 16/03/2006
My Partner has had her 1st floor hair salon for a little over 2 year now. Things have been going ok but recently business has started to really decline. It's a big salon but there will only be my partner left working there soon as the girl she has working for her is leaving next week.
Th salon is in a medium sized village, and is the only salon in the village, but there are other salons in neighbouring villages.
We've looked into advertising in the local newspapers but the cost is very expensive, around £400 for 1 issue I believe.
There are alot of eldering people in the village, and my partners salon is on the 1st floor, so I expect this doesnt help.
What I'm asking is if anyone has any tips and advice on how we can try to increase business without it costing an absolute fortune?
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RE: Hairdresser Business Advise
golddigga | 17/03/2006 12:01 PM
Hi im not no expert in hairdressing but I guess all businesses are the same when it comes to marketing/promoting.
You mentioned that there are a lot of elderly people in the village, if it’s a problem for them to come to you then you should go to them- offer a home service for the evenings or even just on the weekend?
With regards to promoting and generating custom from neighbouring villages just try the basic methods i.e balloons, leaflets- pricelists they wouldn’t even have to be fancy just do a design and deliver yourself, do your special offers like a free hair wash/dry- limited periods or 10% discount on next hairdo.
Obviously I cannot comment on the location or the service you offer but maybe you need to look at the design, decoration, style of the salon?- if the outer villages are taking your customers then there must be something “better” about them, look in to your competition and see what their doing. :-)
RE: RE: Hairdresser Business Advise
Jonny | 17/03/2006 12:11 PM
Originally posted by: golddigga
look in to your competition and see what their doing. 
that's a really good point.
If the locals are not getting their hair cut with you guys then where are they getting it cut?
How much do the others charge? Are you more expensive?
Why do the customers go there and not to yours.
If you can get your head round that then you are a good step along the way to getting your customers back.
I'm not sure if it would work, but maybe a loyalty card scheme? Get your hair done 5 times and then get the 6th free? Or maybe an introductory offer of a half price haircut. Or free glass of sherry with each blue rinse haha?
I saw one of these business start up programmes on a hair salon once and they got some good press and pr out of arranging a photographer to come and take photos of some local models sporting their haircuts and wearing clothes from a local fashion store. Seemed to work quite well for them. Think they had a competition to find the "face of their salon" or something. Generated a load of interest anyway.
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