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I currently have been braiding hair since I was about 12 or 13 years old but I don’t have much clientele because of school and when I’m home all I want to do is rest, how do I expand my clientele to build knowledge of what I do ? Is it my prices? Is it because I’m an at home braider & I don’t have or work at a salon?
#money #business #accounting #clientele #finance #youngbraider
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7 answers
Updated
Veselinka’s Answer
hi Taleah!
I admire your courage, work ethic and willingness to grow. You asked for advice and this is the first step.
I personally never had my own business but I will share my 2 cents anyway.
I cannot comment on the pricing since I do not have information but bare in mind that the pandemic takes its toll on the beauty business and I would rather see that as a reason for less customers than before.
For business like yours best (and cheapest) way to grow the customer base is WORD OF MOUTH - means the happy clients will tell others ...
You can also use social media like facebook (sponsored post, page, etc) or other e-media available - with low cost you can reach large audience.
Then look at the competition (is there any similar around you, what are they doing)
hope this helps and good luck!
I admire your courage, work ethic and willingness to grow. You asked for advice and this is the first step.
I personally never had my own business but I will share my 2 cents anyway.
I cannot comment on the pricing since I do not have information but bare in mind that the pandemic takes its toll on the beauty business and I would rather see that as a reason for less customers than before.
For business like yours best (and cheapest) way to grow the customer base is WORD OF MOUTH - means the happy clients will tell others ...
You can also use social media like facebook (sponsored post, page, etc) or other e-media available - with low cost you can reach large audience.
Then look at the competition (is there any similar around you, what are they doing)
hope this helps and good luck!
Hi Taleah - have you tried using social media and posting pictures of your client's hairstyles? You might also want to show how you're practicing Covid-safe protocols so people feel safe. All the very best!
Shailesh Paul
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Congrats on your business.
As a former retail, and current customer service provider being available during your clients preferred is also necessary.
So when are your clients likely wanting this service? Think about the times you do want to work, only offer those times when people contact you for appointment. Be sure to have a nice phone voice/ script when answering a phone from a possible client.
Another option is a awesome business card with a number/ email they can call for appointment. (perhaps a new email with a great name for your business)
Mention on your card, done in the comfort of your home. this may also be a big win for many.
A website etc to showcase pics of your braids and services at some point is another way for clients to reach out and find you.
defining your work hours
business card, work email address
website for pics of braids, services
As a former retail, and current customer service provider being available during your clients preferred is also necessary.
So when are your clients likely wanting this service? Think about the times you do want to work, only offer those times when people contact you for appointment. Be sure to have a nice phone voice/ script when answering a phone from a possible client.
Another option is a awesome business card with a number/ email they can call for appointment. (perhaps a new email with a great name for your business)
Mention on your card, done in the comfort of your home. this may also be a big win for many.
A website etc to showcase pics of your braids and services at some point is another way for clients to reach out and find you.
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
William’s Answer
Dear Taleah,
I applaud your initiative to start a business at such a young age!
There are alot of factors that go into this, but I guess in terms of wanting to expand your client base, I would suggest starting a referral program with your past clients or current clients. A possible idea would be that if a person refers a friend to you, she or he will receive 25-50% off their next braiding appointment.
Another possible idea would be to utilize social media to expand your platform. Try to find the positives of having an at home braiding service, whether it be a more personal experience, allowing close relationships with your client, or discounts in general. Make that your core brand to expand your product value.
Hope everything turns out great!
Best,
William Tu
I applaud your initiative to start a business at such a young age!
There are alot of factors that go into this, but I guess in terms of wanting to expand your client base, I would suggest starting a referral program with your past clients or current clients. A possible idea would be that if a person refers a friend to you, she or he will receive 25-50% off their next braiding appointment.
Another possible idea would be to utilize social media to expand your platform. Try to find the positives of having an at home braiding service, whether it be a more personal experience, allowing close relationships with your client, or discounts in general. Make that your core brand to expand your product value.
Hope everything turns out great!
Best,
William Tu
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hi Taleah,
Using social media actively is a great way to build your brand. With your existing clientele, ask them to post about the work you do for them, tag you on social media, and start building a positive word of mouth campaign on your favorite social media platform.
On the pricing, you will have to look at what competition in your area charges and decide how competitive you can be. If you mostly work with friends and family for now, you may have to look at how much time you're spending on each client vs. how much it costs you to spend the time working on them.
Good luck to you!
Find out what other hair braiders are charging in your area, and analyze your costs if they are competitive to them.
Start asking satisfied clients to post on social media about your work, possibly create a business account on social media to focus on your work.
Using social media actively is a great way to build your brand. With your existing clientele, ask them to post about the work you do for them, tag you on social media, and start building a positive word of mouth campaign on your favorite social media platform.
On the pricing, you will have to look at what competition in your area charges and decide how competitive you can be. If you mostly work with friends and family for now, you may have to look at how much time you're spending on each client vs. how much it costs you to spend the time working on them.
Good luck to you!
Matt recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Tania’s Answer
Hi Taleah,
I admire the fact that your started your business since such an early age.
I would suggest conducting simple surveys, among friends, school peers, and current customers. Perhaps with questions to find out about their wish list and/or priorities and preferences, that would help you identify opportunities to enhance your services, focus on potential client segments, consider pricing strategies, etc.
Hoping my suggestion will be helpul.
I admire the fact that your started your business since such an early age.
I would suggest conducting simple surveys, among friends, school peers, and current customers. Perhaps with questions to find out about their wish list and/or priorities and preferences, that would help you identify opportunities to enhance your services, focus on potential client segments, consider pricing strategies, etc.
Hoping my suggestion will be helpul.
Updated
Lateefah’s Answer
Hello Taleah,
Well done starting a business and juggling your business with school. That is really courageous and you should be proud of yourself for that. I would like to provide two words of advice:
1 - It would be important for you to plan your time and schedule appropriately to ensure that you are able to manage your time well, and do not get too tired at the end of each day. So for example, maybe you can plan to have classes only on Mondays - Thursday, and then only accept clientele on Friday - Sunday. That way, you would be able to focus on either the business or school each day and not have to juggle priorities.
2 - With regards to the business, there has been some advice above about doing some research on what pricing is appropriate for the service you provide in your area. I greatly agree with that. Also, I think you should utilize social media as a marketing tool. It is a great way to get your business out there and for people to see the work you do.
I hope this helps.
Well done starting a business and juggling your business with school. That is really courageous and you should be proud of yourself for that. I would like to provide two words of advice:
1 - It would be important for you to plan your time and schedule appropriately to ensure that you are able to manage your time well, and do not get too tired at the end of each day. So for example, maybe you can plan to have classes only on Mondays - Thursday, and then only accept clientele on Friday - Sunday. That way, you would be able to focus on either the business or school each day and not have to juggle priorities.
2 - With regards to the business, there has been some advice above about doing some research on what pricing is appropriate for the service you provide in your area. I greatly agree with that. Also, I think you should utilize social media as a marketing tool. It is a great way to get your business out there and for people to see the work you do.
I hope this helps.
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Hi Taleah,
Building your clientele can be done in a few ways. First, there is word of mouth. When you are at school, out shopping, etc, you can tell people about your hair braiding business. The good thing about word of mouth is that it is a free and efficient way to market your business.
Secondly, you can utilize social media to promote your braiding skills. Many people like to search for braiders through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. You can use hashtags like "hairbraider" or "SanFransisco" to make sure your content gets to the right audience (which is people within your area looking to get their hair braided). You can also do certain promotions on instagram. For example, if a client shares 3 of your posts, you can give them $10 off their next appointment. Essentially, social media is a great way to create unique promotions in order to get your business out there.
Good luck!
Building your clientele can be done in a few ways. First, there is word of mouth. When you are at school, out shopping, etc, you can tell people about your hair braiding business. The good thing about word of mouth is that it is a free and efficient way to market your business.
Secondly, you can utilize social media to promote your braiding skills. Many people like to search for braiders through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. You can use hashtags like "hairbraider" or "SanFransisco" to make sure your content gets to the right audience (which is people within your area looking to get their hair braided). You can also do certain promotions on instagram. For example, if a client shares 3 of your posts, you can give them $10 off their next appointment. Essentially, social media is a great way to create unique promotions in order to get your business out there.
Good luck!