Business is sooo slow :(
I have been an Esthetician for less than a year and I am very fortunate to have a great mentor. She has helped me along the way and she has been a way for me to gauge how my business is doing since I'm not what is progress and what isn't (hard to tell when you're not making money the first year). My business started picking up in June and I had a pretty good summer. I actually had my best week last week but that is because I am getting better at selling retail (I retail my own products so all the profits are mine!) not because I had a lot of clients. I'm getting nervous so I am trying to come up with ideas to get clients in. These are things I have done...
Email List (I send out emails frequently). I offer different specials. Sometimes a Free Moisturizer if they book a facial this week (something like that). Client gets something free and it doesn't cost me very much. I try to do things like that rather than discounting a facial but sometimes I will discount.
Facebook/Twitter
Yelp
Website
Blog
Marketing in the same shopping center
Stylists in my salon (some send me clients- all have had my services)
I have no signage in the actual salon- I used to but not anymore. Long story. Owner likes to play games. I did order a lawn sign so I have that out in front of the salon. She can't say anything about that b/c it isn't actually the salon property. :)
The salon is in the community I grew up in so I know people and that has helped me. People tell me they are going to come in and my clients tell me they tell their friends to come in but you know how that goes...
I know people are always asking for ways to build their clientele but maybe I am missing something off my list. I have had 1 client this week so rent wasn't even covered. I am really stressing out, not sleeping and searching the internet for anything that will help me build. What do you guys think?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shelley Hancock on
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Have you heard that daying "never let them see you sweat"? I'm sure you are not actually sweating, but you get my point....I hope. Your nervous energy radiates and people feel that, (hether they know they are feeling it or not) and people are not drawn to that kind of energy. I know...it sounds whoowhoo but it's proven. So, my first thought for you would be to do whatever it takes to let go of being nervous. Visualize yourself being super busy and people are loving your services so much that they talk about you to their friends and the phone is ringing off the hook and you are booked two months out and the money is rolling in like crazy and....you get my point! How does that feel when you think about that? Awesome! So stay in that awesome place and I can bet you that before long your phone does starts ringing and they're knockin' your door down to get to you!! Keep us posted!!
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Permalink Reply by Devyn M. on
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Alright, I'll try that. For the most part I do stay pretty positive about things b/c I love what I do so much. I haven't been sleeping much lately so sometimes the sleep deprivation gets in my head. You're right though. I will start thinking envisioning better things. :)
Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on
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I absolutely agree. One thing I notice is if I get overwhelmed with the rest of life and I take a break from say networking, etc, then I am not as busy with clients. It really does sound a little hokey but I am a firm believer in what SHelley is saying!! I don't have hardly ANY traffic where I rent, it's an odd place. There is a cafe that gets tons of biz but I have tried targeting them and it just seems they are their own click...so I am going to advertise with a sign that I have organic facials and see if that changes things...besides the point, but I literally have to network like crazy and sometimes I get burnt out...when I get burnt out from that...I end up burning out on life.
Sounds to me like you need a pampering day for yourself :). Maybe take some time to get a facial and massage, try trade or something.
I had the same problem with signage, but recently said screw you, not literally, and I made some signage on esigns.com...it's really easy to work with...shipping is extremely fast and great customer service. What about car signage?
Do you pay rent on a weekley basis? I started my business in Feb and I have still not pulled a paycheck and can't seem to get ahead so I feel your pain...each month I am at least making money to cover rent but not a ton over. just know that it WILL turn around and get better.
Try hooking up with a local womens gym or whatever is near you adn see if they offer customer appreciation days with vendors...if not, maybe suggest they have one and offer to set up a table and do a little treatment...something easy, facial spritz (energizing bf their workout), lip scrub or hand scrub (I saw a really cool idea for having a little hand scrub station set up at a table so it's not too messy and you don't go through a ton of towels or anything), maybe bring your moisturizers with you...and have some cucumber mint water. if the place you are renting is a busy plaza, maybe set up a table outside with a sign when you do not have clients (hhmm I never thought to do this myself...I will put that on my list :) ).
Also I am not sure if you saw this post from Shelley (and I have yet to impliment it because I do not have the client base yet or traffic to be able to market it) but you can have a little bowl set up in your place that has things like 10% off product, free lip treatment, free service up to x dollars, $5 off, etc and tell people that when they book their appointment they get to draw from the bowl and everyone wins something.
Good luck Devyn!
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on
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Most of my clients are moms with kids.
The back-to-school whirlwind and associated costs keep a lot of my clients away at this time.
The phone will be ringing again by next week...and they are going to want a fabulous treatment to repair the summer damage. Go ahead and plan a welcome back special with limited time availability. You just KNOW most of these girls need a good peel!
And really - that is the way the business goes. I have had great weeks followed by disastarous weeks. You get used to it...kinda...and try to plan ahead by keeping extra $$ in your account to carry you thru a slow week or month. My July was my best month in years, but my August was my worst. :(
I try not to do too many emails - I keep them at once a month for specials. If they get too many they just delete them unread.
I am not good at this yet - but you probably would be able to figure this out...
see if you can add a Facebook check-in or share deal...that will get you a lot of exposure.
(...for example..."Share" this special and receive a free gift or xtra $5 off or something like that)
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oh and seriously?
The owner collects rent from you but doesn't allow any signage?
that's pretty lame!
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Permalink Reply by Lucie Margot on
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The economy is really bad everywhere, even in NY city. Even though not as bad as in other areas of the country.
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