Business 101: 16 Secrets to Build Your clientele for Barbers
Starting your career as a barber can be both exciting and challenging. While you may have honed your skills through years of training and practice, building a loyal clientele is essential for the success of your business. As a new barber, attracting and retaining customers can be a daunting task, especially in a highly competitive industry.
In this blog post, we'll share some useful tips and tricks to help you build a strong clientele as a new barber. From establishing a strong online presence to providing exceptional customer service, we'll cover foundational concepts to set you up for success. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to take your barbering business to the next level, read on to learn how to build a loyal customer base that will keep coming back.
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8 Tips to Build Your Clientele
Stick to a Schedule: Clients need to know your schedule. Create a schedule and stick to it. If you say you are going to be available, then be available. Reliable barbers are available barbers.
Make it Easy to Book: List your booking link on every possible platform. Clients will find you online, make sure you are there: Google, Yelp, Facebook and Instagram. It should be easy for clients to see your schedule and book an appointment. Click fatigue refers to frustration from repetitive button clicks. It is typically associated with implementing inefficient booking flows that requires too many clicks to accomplish the simple task of booking an appointment.
Tell the World: Reach out to friends, family, and random people that you naturally meet. You don’t have to be weird about it, there are more natural moments than you’d think. Barbering is a lifestyle. If someone asks you how your day was, it’s natural to tell them it was a busy day in the barbershop. Plant the seed. Let them know you are a growing barber and ask your existing clients for referrals.
Social Media: Use social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to showcase your work, build a following, and attract new clients. This is a way to find new clients and nurture your relationship with your existing clients. Make sure your booking link is on those platforms.
Gather Contact Info: you should have contact info for every person who sits in your chair. Name, phone number and email. It’s easier to get them to come back if you have their contact info. You can use email marketing to help retain them.
Special Offers: Offer special deals or discounts for first-time clients to attract new customers. $10 off your first service, 50% off your first service. Discounts are a great way to get them in your chair.
Partner with other local businesses: offer a discount to members from other local businesses. Partner with your local gym, offer their members $10 off their first service. Offer the basketball team a discount or offer a discount for high school students the week before Prom. Be creative and strategic with your partnerships.
Referrals: Provide excellent service to your clients and ask them to spread the word about your services. If the client refers you a new client, they get $10 off their next service. Offer some type of reward for their referral: discount off a service or product.
8 Mistakes Barbers Make
Not having a clear target market: Not identifying and targeting a specific group of clients can make it difficult to attract and retain customers.
Not having a consistent branding and image: Having an inconsistent branding and image can make it difficult for customers to recognize and remember your business.
Not having a professional and clean shop: A dirty or unprofessional looking shop can make customers feel uncomfortable and less likely to return.
Not offering a wide range of services: Not offering a wide range of services can limit the number of potential customers and make it difficult to retain current ones.
Not providing excellent customer service: this can lead to unhappy customers who will not return or recommend your business to others.
Not having a strong online presence: such as a website and social media accounts, can make it difficult for customers to find and learn more about your business.
Not keeping up with the latest trends and techniques: this can make your work appear outdated and less appealing to customers.
Not listening to customer feedback and making necessary adjustments accordingly: will lead to a lack of customer satisfaction and ultimately, can lead to a loss of clientele.
Free Barber Exam Study Guide
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Free Barber Exam Study Guide _
Building a clientele as a new barber can take time, effort, and patience, but it's a crucial step towards success in the industry. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can attract and retain loyal customers who will help grow your business. Remember to focus on providing exceptional service, creating a strong online presence, and developing meaningful relationships with your clients. With hard work and dedication, you can build a thriving barbering business that will provide you with a fulfilling career for years to come.
Written by Matthew Mendoza
Licensed barber, educator and consultant based in California. He is passionate about helping barbers pass their barber exam, develop their business and diversify their income. He hosts a podcast, writes a weekly newsletter and offers 1-on-1 consulting.
