Advertising my new venture

DrMelfi

I'm trying to get established as a mobile nail technician in my local area, but struggling to get my clients. I've put a small add in the local paper, put flyers through doors and even gone around local businesses and shops asking them to put one up on their staff room notice boards. In one week I've had one booking (who cancelled). I feel like I've exhausted all avenues now and feeling pretty deflated.

Any ideas???

Rage_in_Eden

Do you know anyone who works at a local Hospital/University/College? You could ask them to put a flyer up on their noticeboard or alternatively sneak in and find the canteen - there's usually a noticeboard there. You could advertise on GumTree or are there any friendly hairdressers who would put the flyer up for you? Also the trust newsagents window? Local railway station? Do you know anyone who's a mobile hairdresser who may be willing to "recommend" you?

katchambers

You can get a free listing in the yellow pages and online at yell.com:

http://www.yelldirect.com/freelisting/home.html

Also, have you tried looking on google, local paper etc for beauty fairs near you? I attended one last year (as a trader, card selling) and there were oteopathists, hair stylists, nail tenchnicians, 'lush' etc all in the same room, it was fairly busy and everyone seemed to have several customers, good way to get some guaranteed customers for a day and to get yourself known. Where I live in Milton Keynes we have a shopping centre which hosts 4 beauty fairs a year, its fun to attend from both sides.

Here is an example of one that was on in May this year, I found this on google:
http://bristol.gumtree.com/bristol/63/23340963.html

Good luck!

Kat x

choolstuff

:wave: Not an expert or anything but I think maybe people need to see your name 2 or 3 times before they consider using you (I know I do) so you could try getting out and about at things like school fayres (Xmas ones coming up soon) - not to make any money but as advertising (Manicures by DrMelfi, only (insert a cheap price for a manicure here), profits to the school (or coffee morning or whatever). discount voucher for next treatment. Or even hire a room and organise a charity event yourself.

Think of some kind of thing that could get you in the local paper - do they have a business feature? They will be looking for stories! anyone who mentions the paper gets a 10% discount (or whatever)

How about you give the local hairdressers a free manicure - they might recommend you to their clients?

Or business cards in pub toilets, gymn changing rooms, mother and toddler groups (or offer to come and do manicures for them, proceeds to group?)

special rates for "Pamper parties", Xmas ball season coming up soon. Maybe team up with a mobile hairdresser or beautician to offer a package?

Bridal fairs?

I think the important thing is to keep getting your name known, sometimes it takes a while for people to notice an advert. It's difficult to sell yourself and your service, word of mouth is your best bet but can only be drummed up by getting out in front of people. Really really good luck.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Word of mouth is probably best at this stage. Do you have any friends who could recommend you to people they work with or other friends? Maybe you could do your friends' nails for free so they have something to show off to people and then they can recommend you? Particularly good if you have friends who work in large companies so they will come into contact with lots of people.

geordie_joe

DrMelfi wrote: »

I'm trying to get established as a mobile nail technician in my local area, but struggling to get my clients.

The problem is two fold, advertising and is there enough custom in your area.

What I would do is go looking for other mobile nail technician's in your area. Not physically, but looking for their adverts.

If you find any then ring them up and pretend to be a potential customer.

If they say "Sorry, we only have a slot at 2:30pm next Friday" then their advertising may be working and you should try the same.

If they say "Oh yes, we can fit you in any time you like" It means that either their advertising hasn't worked (They have no bookings so can fit you in any time) or there are not many potential customers in your area.

Either way, you need to find out if you have any competition and how it is doing.

If it's doing well, follow it, if not don't waste your money doing what it is doing.

LilacPixie

I have my own ventue. I make tiaras and bridal jewellery. I would second the idea of bridal fairs I have hooked up with a mobile hairdresser, she recomends me i recommend her type of thing. She also has a nail tech she works with so maybe trying to build up a rapport there would help. Wedding fairs are an excellent place to advertise if you can. lots of women take the bridesmaids with them rather than the groom

Another idea that is possibly bizzare but I know has worked for a friend of mine. She is a beutician and does gels and acrylics. She advertised in mens barber shops. The thinking was Men go there see the flyer think hmm nice easy birthday/xmas pressie for whoever and buy a gift voucher for her services. She is good so gets lots of returning custom now but it was a good way to start to build up a client base.

DrMelfi

Thanks everyone for your replys, some usefull stuff there.
I'll definetly give some of your ideas a wirl.
My main problem I think is that I'm knew to the area so getting friends and family to spread the word is difficult as they live a good 25 miles away, I guess thats how most people get started off with these things (word of mouth from people who know them) I do have small children so have acess to toddler groups ect, I'll start taking advantage of that I reckon. Theres bound to be a coffee morning somewhere in town full of mums who'd love a manicure!

Wish me luck!
An again thanks. X

DrMelfi

katchambers wrote: »

You can get a free listing in the yellow pages and online at yell.com:

http://www.yelldirect.com/freelisting/home.html

Also, have you tried looking on google, local paper etc for beauty fairs near you? I attended one last year (as a trader, card selling) and there were oteopathists, hair stylists, nail tenchnicians, 'lush' etc all in the same room, it was fairly busy and everyone seemed to have several customers, good way to get some guaranteed customers for a day and to get yourself known. Where I live in Milton Keynes we have a shopping centre which hosts 4 beauty fairs a year, its fun to attend from both sides.

Here is an example of one that was on in May this year, I found this on google:
http://bristol.gumtree.com/bristol/63/23340963.html

Good luck!

Kat x

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

A huge help, thanks very much.
I feel like a proper business now I'm in the Yellow Pages!!!

geordie_joe

itsme2008 wrote: »

Sorry don't know what happened there, it should be

What happened is the site is banned, and if you continue to spam it in here you will get banned too.

save-a-lot

I notice you are in Cheshire. Whereabouts?

I work for a large international company with Cheshire locations that has a massive social section, a magazine and a discounts list, the discounts lists gets pulished via the website too. Everyone references the discounts list aswell when they want a service or to buy things. So, send me a PM and I'll give you the details of the company I work for and details of someone in the social section.