Marketing your barbershop can help bring more customers in the door.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, the industry for barbers, cosmetologists and other personal appearance workers is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. However, this also means there will be plenty of competition in the market. Using a variety of marketing tips to promote your business can help your barbershop stand out.
Promotions and Discounts
Offering promotions and discounts will get people talking about your barbershop. For example, offer back-to-school specials and senior citizen discounts as part of your marketing strategy. Advertise these specials on your outdoor sign, on your windows and by placing an ad in a local newspaper. Especially in times when the economy is down, people look for ways to save money. Giving incentives for those individuals to choose your shop will get more customers in the door.
Search Engines
Search engine marketing, also known as "paid search," is a marketing strategy in which you place ads on search engines like Google, Yahoo and Bing. You come up with a list of keywords you think customers would use to find your business online. For example, if you own a barbershop in Midtown Manhattan, customers might use search terms like, "best barbershop in Midtown." Once you have your list, bid on several of these search terms at one or more search engine providers and submit your ad. If you bid high enough, your ad will appear next to the search results. You only pay "per click" when someone clicks on the ad to your website, which makes this a highly effective strategy for driving targeted traffic to your shop.
Email Newsletters
Email newsletters help barbershop owners stay connected with customers. Start by collecting the email addresses of every customer who comes into your shop. Tell them you have a monthly newsletter that features hair care tips and coupons. Send out your monthly letter to your email subscribers. Include discounts for your hair care products and services.
Mobile Marketing
Mobile marketing is using cellular phones to market your barbershop. Ask your customers for their cell phone numbers, along with how often they cut their hair. For each customer, send a text message reminder a couple days before each customer is due for a haircut. You can also send coupon codes for customers to use for discounts on haircuts and styling products.
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