For aspiring cosmetologists or those who have recently graduated from a cosmetology training program, developing a list of regular clientele can be a bit of a challenge. Typically, when cosmetologists begin perfecting their craft, marketing themselves and their businesses isn’t always the primary focus.
While a strong dedication towards hair stylist training and education is admirable, without an effective strategy of growing a sustainable client list, it can be hard to build your business successfully. However, there are some steps you can follow to make this process easier. Here are four ways you can increase your cosmetology client list effectively.
Focus on Your Clients First
The success or failure of your cosmetology business is solely dependent on your ability to carefully take care of your customers’ needs. Client retention and referrals are one of the main ways cosmetologists build and sustain their client lists. By remaining professional, friendly, and attentive to your clients’ needs at all times, you’ll be able to grow your clientele over time.
Encourage Walk-in Appointments
While being able to schedule all of your cosmetology appointments is beneficial to your long-term planning, in many cases, it might not be practical to limit your business growth to appointment only. Working with walk-in traffic is a great way to broaden your client list. Showcasing this flexibility when working with new clients proves you’re more interested in their needs than your own and leads to long-lasting customer relationships.
Manage Your Schedule Professionally
Nothing hurts your business more than forgetting about an appointment or overbooking your clients. Maintaining a well-organized schedule allows you to give each client the attention they deserve and significantly impacts your ability to retain regular business. Unfortunately, poor scheduling is another common reason why clients choose to work with new cosmetologists. By keeping track of your clients through task management solutions and scheduling applications, you can ensure you develop and keep a good reputation with your clients.
Build a Portfolio
Without a doubt, one of the most effective ways of building a more extensive list of clients is through a well-formatted portfolio. Developing digital and physical portfolios of your stylist abilities helps new clients know what they can expect when they work with you. Along with photos of your work, portfolios are a great place to store and showcase customer testimonials and satisfied client reviews. Sharing this information on your social media platforms is also beneficial.
Advertise Your Services Online
Once you’ve begun growing your business organically through customer referrals and a sufficient portfolio, advertising your services online can be a great way to reach even more prospects. You can do this by starting your own blog or promoting your services through industry-related job forums. Social media platforms are another great way to showcase your skills while introducing yourself to a wider range of clients.
While establishing an extensive client list can be beneficial for cosmetologists, balancing your growth with your performance on the job is vital to success. Building your client list steadily over time is an effective way to ensure you’re giving each client the attention they require while scaling your business efficiently.
