Try something new with your marketing
Likely not often enough and let’s face it as the long hot UAE summer comes around, we’re all thinking of ways to drive new footfalls into our salons, spas and clinics.
Today I share some bite sized actionable things you can try to drive new interest and leads to your business.
- Experiment With LinkedIn
LinkedIn is just for corporates and people looking for jobs, right? Wrong! LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for reaching new audiences and whilst initially you may wonder how as a salon or spa owner or hair dresser you can use this channel, hear me out. The good thing with LinkedIn is that it’s not over-crowded and you have the chance to be in a space all your competition is not. Secondly, it’s very easy to target by location and company too, so if you want to run ads by location or even specific companies you can. Invest in creating organic content on topics such as “Office Up Dos to help in the Heat”, share other content you like from magazines such as Vogue or Elle relevant to your crowd whilst remaining in sync with the platform and I promise if you invest 3-6 months on this platform it will pay off.
- Profile yourself
If people buy people, why are you not investing in profiling yourself? Have a LinkedIn presence and use it and consider your own public Instagram profile for your work and a little behind the scenes. Why not contact a magazine you like and see if you can contribute some tips, tricks or feeling bold even a monthly column? You can find most editorial contacts inside magazines these days or call up reception and they will usually give you what you need. You may not get a yes first try, but don’t give up and before you know it you may see yourself in print or online. And so may your future customers. Profiling comes in many ways too and why not join some of the local business networking groups (Female Fusion and British Business Group are two great ones in the UAE) to meet new people and be part of their events.
- Ask for Google Reviews
Getting Google reviews is important for businesses and for building your online presence and reputation, especially for small businesses. Where do people look for a new hairdresser or nail spa? Often they Google or they ask their friends. By asking your customers for Google Reviews (the unpaid comments customers write about businesses on Google) you have the potential to greatly influence consumer behaviour and those searching for local services near them. 86% of potential customers read reviews when in need of a service because it’s easier to trust the opinion of others. Generally, though you won’t get a review unless you ask for one. Research also showed that 76% of customers who were asked for a review gave one. Why not incentive your customers the next time they visit and offer them 10% off their bill if they write one or you could include in your next newsletter – you do have a newsletter right?
- Show clients you care and they’re not just a number
Research shows how important the relationship is with our chosen hairdresser or beauty therapist.
This one is a little timely and will add to your day, but what if it kept clients loyal and returning and made them share it with their friends too as a really cute touchpoint.
After each visit, pop your client a text or WhatsApp (however your business communicates) with a thank you and a hair care or styling tip.
For example, … “ It was lovely to see you today as ever. If you want to keep your hair really hydrated each week, try sleeping in a hair mask or even a rich hair conditioner and I promise you’ll see the difference. See you soon, Laura xx” or… “It was lovely seeing you today as ever. The product I was telling you about was xx. I believe there is a 20% discount on it at the moment at x store, so it’s a great time to pick one up. See you soon, Laura xx”.
The personal touch and showing you care never goes out of style and you can create some interchangeable templates to personalize too.
- Collaborate
We talk about the power of collaboration all the time and we truly mean it and that we’re stronger together. Think about where your target audience hang out and where you can find them. It is a gym, a fitness centre, a local boutique, or clinic? Speak to the owner or manager and see if they’d be up to supporting you and vice vera – this could be a giveaway, a social collaboration, a pop up in each other’s space, emailer to the respective databases or anything else you can magic up together. The best bit, more often than not it costs nothing.
Natasha Hatherall, Founder and CEO of TishTash Communications, an award winning specialist marketing and communications agency for the beauty, health and wellness industry.