Any tips for a newly qualified mobile nail technician?

DrMelfi

I've got all the gear, my certificate, a room set up at home, flyers and bussiness cards printed and I've just been out and posted them door to door today. I'm thinking of putting an add in the local paper too. Anything else I could be doing to get me started?

Thanks

ClaireLR

How about some offers? Half price or a third off etc???

DrMelfi

On my flyers I've put..''First set of acrylics £20'' thats cheaper than anywhere else I've seen around here so I'm hoping that will get people interested.
It's just fingers crossed now! I'm dead nervous though.

Mips

Who did you train with? What products do you use?

Horseygal_2

Congratulations on your new business :T

I'm in a similar line and have been qualified for 7 years. My business didn't really take off until I started renting a room in a salon. Clients somehow think you are more professional and some salons will offer rooms very reasonably by the hour or day. It may be worth checking out.

Money off vouchers are OK but sometimes they have the adverse effect (people wonder why you are so cheap and assume there is something wrong!!)

Word of mouth recommendations are by far the best so maybe offer a 'recommend a friend' promotion or even pamper party evenings. I have also found if you have friends in nurserys, schools, hair salons, gyms, etc - you can pick up alot of clients through them.

This probably sounds a bit off but be a little choosy where you place your promotional material i.e where people with the disposable income to afford your services will hang out/live.

As for newspaper advertising I have never found them particularly beneficial - maybe its my area but parish magazines seem to bring more people in and they are cheaper to advertise in too. Where I live I can advertise in a parish magazine for a year for what it would cost me to advertise in the local rag for a week!

Keep going and dont give up - the first year can be a little tough and there will be days when you only have a couple of clients and wonder what you are doing wrong but as your reputation grows so will your client base.
xx

DrMelfi

Dippychick wrote: »

Who did you train with? What products do you use?

*****************

It was a VTCT course, level 2. At Wirral Met College.
I compleated it over 12 months ago but only done friends and family so far, it's about time I started making use of it I reckon.
They used Essential Nails products for the course, I've been sticking to what I know. Is there any others you could recomend?

DrMelfi

Thanks Horseygal.
I like the ''introduce a friend'' promotion thing, that makes good sense!
I'm hoping after a while I'll be able to just rely on word of mouth, it's just getting those first clients in the first place!

BTW...How much (roughly) would I be looking at to hire a place in a salon?

Horseygal_2

Well my salon is in a relatively rural area and I pay £30 for the day which is 10am until 7pm - I think I have an absolute bargain I do know of other salons that do hourly rates of between £5-£10.

The good thing about working from a salon is they already have a client base so you could potentially build yours up from theirs. They may even let you do a direct mailshot to their clients introducing you and your services to the salon. Try to find one where you will be the only nail technician so not in direct competition with anyone as this should be easier.

samjackjord

I love using nsi, you can get a sample pack of there products for under a tenner and they run some good one day courses to do nail art, hollywood toes etc. Worth a look!

hm71_2

It does up to get a relationship going with a salon- not necessarily renting a room from them but I have 2 friends one a beautican the other a body piercer. They have set days that they visit a salon in the piercers case it is a tuesday. If clients want to make appointments for other days they are given her number and visit her at home in her specially adapted room. works brilliantly for her and keeps costs low.

ClareEmily

One word "Weddings"

I would have loved for somone to come out to me on the morning or night before to do my nails and also my bridesmaid's nails.

Ask to advertise on the hitched and confetti wedding forums.