How to Build Clientele as a Barber: A Complete Guide

Finding, establishing, and building a clientele is one of the most challenging tasks for barbers. Sometimes, keeping the schedule full and the business flowing can feel like an uphill battle. But, the good news is that there are proven strategies on how to build clientele as a barber, and all they require is meticulous execution. 

Getting a breakthrough in the barbering industry can be challenging, but the following article will provide the latest techniques to gain and maintain new clients.

You will learn the best moves to build, connect, and retain your clients. You’ll also learn the best ways to make repeat clients and how to encourage them to tell others about your business.

9 Strategies for Building a Loyal Clientele at Your Barbershop

1. Create service offerings that speak to your clients

Your service menu should be clear, concise, and tailored to your clientele’s needs. Focus on the most popular services, and make sure your menu highlights what’s in demand. 

Research the market to see what the clients or customers are looking for in a barbershop. This will give you better ideas on what types of services or products they want to purchase.

For example, barbershops in urban areas might cater to younger, trendier clients by offering the latest styles and beard shaping, while shops in more suburban areas might find success with traditional cuts and services geared toward older clients. 

2. Create an experience worth coming back for

Great haircuts are important, but exceptional customer experience is what turns first-time clients into regular customers. It is essential to have high standards, especially if the business is just starting. From the moment clients step through the door, they should feel welcome and valued. Offer them refreshments as a greeting while making them feel at home by playing soothing music. Bring them a magazine for entertainment and ideas before their session.

Customer service checklist:

• Have appointments available.
• Set clear expectations for each service.
• Let your clients know about the latest products, services, and promotions.
• Provide a friendly, professional greeting.
• Explain the services they’ve chosen, including what to expect. This will help avoid any confusion and miscommunication that could lead to dissatisfaction.
• Maintain professionalism and respect, no matter the situation.

3. Run a referral rewards program

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Advertising can be expensive, especially if the business is just taking off. One of the best ways to build a clientele is to offer a referral rewards program. Word-of-mouth marketing is always effective. Clients who are referred by other people are more likely to trust the salon. And having a program like this will encourage more clients to refer your business to their family and friends. Offer clients discounts, free services, or other incentives for bringing in more people into your barbershop.

Spread the word about this program through social media, email, and the salon website. Always keep track of the number of clients through the referral program to know if the strategy is effective.

4. Show off your expertise

Potential clients want to see your work before they commit to booking an appointment. Building a strong portfolio and showing off your work will help people gain trust in your services. Post these photos on your website and social media pages, or display them in your barbershop to give clients a visual idea of your skill.

However, it is crucial to ask for the client’s permission before putting their faces or photos in the book.

5. Don’t let appointments hold you back

While scheduled appointments are vital for managing time, don’t limit yourself to them, especially when you’re building a new clientele. If the business is still new, allowing walk-ins will give better opportunities to the salon. This doesn’t mean you need to have your whole schedule open and hope someone will just walk in, but rather, to find a schedule that accommodates both scheduled clients and leaves space for some foot traffic. 

Some people are too busy to call for an appointment before having their hair cut or styled. Or they may just discover your shop while walking by and want to give it a go. So, until the clientele is very established, walk-ins should be welcome.

Walk-ins can lead to new business, especially if your shop is located in a busy area where foot traffic is high. Don’t be afraid to welcome spontaneous visitors – they may turn into loyal clients.

6. Encourage rebooking while the client is still in the chair

One of the simplest ways to build long-term clients is by encouraging rebooking during their visit. Before your client leaves, ask if they’d like to schedule their next appointment. This ensures they don’t forget and helps you fill in your schedule way in advance. 

In some cases, rebooking is not an option, especially if the shop is within the tourist or hotel area or if it doesn’t accept appointments. However, the rebooking strategy should be implemented in all other cases as it brings marvelous results. It will also give the impression that your business is doing its best to cater to the needs of its customers.

Moreover, some clients are too busy to rebook, or they often forget to revisit the barbershop. Having them rescheduled will prevent this and avoid the possibility of them visiting competitors. 

Use a good barbershop scheduling app to make this process even easier. Your client will be able to quickly select their next available time and even get reminders before their appointment.

7. Attract new faces with promotions

Having occasional promotions can help build clientele and keep clients coming in to enjoy the latest freebies or promotional items. Slow seasons can happen anytime. We cannot expect businesses to be on top all the time, so promotions are essential. 

Instead of discounts, you can add services to the original package. For example, you can offer first-time clients a bundle deal (like a free beard trim with every haircut). Posting this promotion to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or other social media platforms provides additional opportunities to increase your client base.

Additionally, don’t forget to leverage local marketing channels like community groups, online directories, and collaborations with nearby businesses. Partnering with a local café or gym, for example, to offer a joint promotion can introduce your barbershop to a new set of potential clients.

8. Take advantage of seasonal offers

Seasonal promotions, such as discounts for Father’s Day, holiday beard trims, or back-to-school specials, can keep your shop busy year-round. Offering limited-time promotions or “buy one, get one free” deals during key times of the year gives clients an extra incentive to book their next appointment.

Don’t forget to highlight any credentials or awards your barbershop may have received to increase trust. Even if you don’t have formal awards, using phrases like “cuts by our top stylist” can boost credibility and attract more customers.

Reassuring clients that your business only gives premium services will encourage them to visit the shop and maybe even become loyal customers.

9. Create a loyalty program

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Here is a great way to ensure your regular clients continue to come back – loyalty programs. But how do barbers attract customers in the first place? Well offering incentives right from the start can help you get desired results.  Even before your clients make their first visit, you can entice them with a special “first visit” discount or a bundled deal (like a free beard trim with their first haircut). The initial incentive will encourage potential clients to book that first appointment, and once they’re in, loyalty programs will help keep them coming back.

As your clients start to return, you can implement a rewards system where each visit earns them points or stamps. After a set number of visits, they can redeem those points for a free service, such as a haircut or a shave.

9 Ways to Build Clientele Outside Your Barbershop

1. Know your target market

Before working on specific strategies, it’s good to know the specific audiences or clients you want to reach. Take the time to get to know them. Who are they? What do they care about? Are they young professionals, parents, or retirees? Do they prefer classic styles or the latest trends?

Knowing your audience is crucial, especially when deciding where to set up your barbershop or how to increase its traffic. For example, if your barbershop focuses on organic or eco-friendly grooming products, then targeting individuals who prioritize non-toxic, sustainable products is key. If your barbershop is located in a trendy, urban area, your ideal clients may be younger, style-conscious individuals who want modern cuts and beard grooming.

Alternatively, if you’re setting up in a more upscale neighborhood, your target market may be affluent clients seeking premium services. All in all, you should take the time to tailor your offerings, marketing, and pricing to match your ideal clientele expectations. 

2. Track your metrics to understand the growth

Knowing the barbershop’s statistics allows the business owner to understand the current status of the shop. Market research will surely help you test methods and strategies that will work to some extent. Then, track the results to see what the most effective and efficient strategy is that yields the most results. By tracking the right metrics, you can fine-tune your approach and grow your business.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor:

• Peak service times – Track when your barbershop is busiest and adjust your hours accordingly. This will help you accommodate more clients. Additionally, this will be great information to have when planning barber shifts. 
• Average daily profit – Keep track of the profit the barbershop receives per client and observe the average price they are willing to pay. This will help you understand pricing and potential opportunities for upselling.
• Retail sales – If you sell grooming products, keep an eye on how these items are impacting your sales. Offering high-quality products that complement your services can boost revenue.
• Website traffic – Know the numbers of daily and weekly visitors to observe how many customers come through online marketing or other strategies.
• Repeat clients – Loyal clients are the lifeblood of any barbershop. Tracking how many of your clients return regularly shows whether your service and experience are living up to expectations.
• New customers – Keep track of the new customers you are bringing in every day and each month. Are your promotional efforts bringing in fresh faces? If not, then it’s definitely time for a new approach. 

These metrics will give you valuable insight into what’s working and where you might need to adjust your strategy.

3. Keep improving your skills to stay on top

If you’re wondering how to build clientele as a barber, one of the best ways is by constantly learning and refining your craft. This approach will help you offer new services that appeal to a wider range of clients, ensuring your barbershop remains competitive and in demand.

Learning new skills can lead to better services. It will also be easier to upsell. Consider attending barbering workshops, watching tutorial videos on YouTube, or collaborating with other professionals to exchange techniques and ideas. Whether it’s learning a new fading technique or mastering beard sculpting, continuing education will give you the confidence to charge premium prices for specialized services.

4. Build your presence

Barbershops thrive on local relationships and community connections. So, the best way to build clientele as a barber is to get integrated into your local community. Spread a word about your shop, participate in local events, sponsor community activities, etc. 

When wondering how to increase clientele as a barber, many owners forget the power your presence has in the whole process. The more people know you and your expertise, the bigger the pool of potential clients will be.

Also, don’t forget about your social media presence. This will help reinforce your connection to the community and keep your barbershop top-of-mind. A strong presence can make you the first choice for residents looking for a trusted barber.

How long does it take to build a clientele as a barber?

This is the question all barbers ask when starting their own business. But unfortunately, the answer isn’t that simple. The best we can give you is that it depends, but continually improving your skills and investing time into your community will definitely speed up the process. You want to make your barbershop more attractive to a variety of clients, so new skills, some events, or a limited promotion can help you stand out in a crowded market.

Offering services like hot towel shaves, scalp massages, or men’s grooming packages could differentiate your barbershop from others. Knowing how to get more clients as a barber often starts with delivering exceptional, memorable services.

5. Automate your barbershop for success

As a barber, you probably understand the importance of client satisfaction and the role smooth operations play in it. But the reality is that managing appointments, reminders, and daily scheduling can quickly become overwhelming. 

Having this many things to juggle every day can quickly lead to burnout. This is where Trafft comes in – the perfect barbershop appointment software that will help you stay focused on what matters most: your clients.

6. Collaborate with other local businesses

Businesses of the same nature can, in fact, collaborate rather than compete with one another. By partnering with businesses that share a similar clientele, you can expand your reach and gain new clients. For example, collaborating with nearby coffee shops, clothing stores, or fitness centers can be an excellent way to attract customers who are already familiar with the concept of personal care and grooming.

When making a partnership, it is useful to try the service yourself and then decide whether the collaboration will be beneficial. Take the time to understand their offerings and clientele and determine if it’s a good fit for your services. The key here is creating partnerships that feel authentic and not forced.

Having a partnership and collaborating with similar niche businesses will result in win-win situations. Both will gain from one another, helping businesses to grow together.

7. Take advantage of reviews and ratings

Good ratings and reviews can help you build clientele by encouraging people or consumers to schedule a service or purchase a product. Most people visit the review or rating section to see if the product or service is worth a try. Websites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook provide platforms for customers to leave honest feedback, which is invaluable for gaining new clients.

Having strong reviews not only improves your reputation but also boosts your ranking on search engines. The more positive reviews you receive, the higher you climb in search rankings, making it easier for customers to find your shop. 

The best way to boost the local ranking is by getting good reviews from customers. Thus bringing benefits to your salon.

Benefits of displaying reviews and ratings

Increasing conversion rate

Positive reviews are one of the most effective ways to increase conversions and attract new clients. When potential customers see glowing testimonials, they’re more likely to trust your services and book an appointment.

Showcasing professionalism

Negative reviews are sometimes unavoidable, but how you handle them can make all the difference. By responding to criticism in a respectful and constructive manner, you demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and your willingness to improve. 

Building a reputation

Positive reviews help solidify your reputation within the community. When people see your business being praised consistently, they’ll trust that you’re a reliable service provider. This can be a game changer in a competitive market.

8. Improve Google’s Presence

Google is one of the biggest search engine platforms to advertise businesses or online markets. Google is the most widely used search engine, and when potential clients search for barbershops in your area, you want to make sure your business shows up at the top.

Ensure your barbershop’s website is visible to search engine results pages. Boost the website and make it SEO-optimized. Redesign it if necessary so it’s user-friendly with smooth transitions and navigation. Include relevant keywords, like “barbershop near me” or “best barber in [your city],” so Google can rank your site higher when customers search for related services.

Remember to set up the Google My Business account. And to improve your listing, ensure your profile is fully optimized. Add accurate information, including your barbershop’s address, hours of operation, website link, and photos of your work. 

9. Create business profiles on social media platforms

A strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X can increase your visibility and help you connect with potential clients. Creating a business profile on these platforms will enhance your professional image and keep clients updated on your latest services, promotions, and availability. 

Social media allows you to share photos of your work, client testimonials, and videos showcasing your skills. This kind of content is highly shareable and can attract new followers who may turn into loyal clients.

Engagement is key. Use your social media to interact with followers by responding to comments, sharing special deals, and running contests or giveaways.

FAQs on How to Build Clientele as a Barber

1. How can I attract new clients to my business?

Establishing a strong online presence for your business is one of the finest methods to draw in new customers. This includes using online marketing strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, as well as optimizing the website and active social media accounts. Offering special incentives or promotions to new consumers is another successful tactic to entice people to try your goods or services.

2. What strategies can I use to build long-term relationships with my existing clients?

Consistent communication and personalized care are necessary to develop lasting connections with current clients. By sending out personalized emails, newsletters, and frequent check-ins, stay in touch with your customers. To express your gratitude and keep them coming back, you can also provide special discounts or promotions. Also, it’s critical to pay attention to their feedback and make the required changes to satisfy their needs.

3. How do I identify and target my ideal client demographic?

Start by examining your current customer base and identifying common traits like age, location, interests, and purchasing behaviors in order to determine your ideal client demography. Create buyer personas, which are fictitious representations of your ideal consumer, using this information. This will assist you in developing targeted marketing efforts and adjusting your goods and services to suit their requirements.

4. How do I differentiate myself from my competitors and stand out to potential clients?

A distinctive value proposition that sets you apart is necessary to set yourself apart from your rivals. Use your barbershop’s strengths and unique selling proposition as the foundation for your marketing and branding. Provide a memorable customer experience and offer great customer service to stand out from the crowd.

5. What kind of marketing tactics are most effective for building a strong client base?

SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, content marketing, and email marketing are all effective strategies for growing a loyal clientele. To provide a seamless consumer experience, it’s crucial to have a consistent message and identity across all platforms. Use analytics to monitor the results of your marketing initiatives and make the required corrections.

6. How can I leverage social media to expand my client network?

Determine which social media channels your ideal clientele is most active on, and establish a regular presence there to grow your client base. To persuade customers to test your goods or services, share informative material, interact with followers, and give special discounts or incentives. Use social media analytics to monitor engagement and pinpoint the most successful strategies.

7. What are some effective ways to encourage referrals from existing clients?

Offering incentives, such as discounts or free goods or services for each new client they bring in, is one efficient strategy to drive referrals from current customers. In order to create a great experience, offer first-rate service, and if the moment is right, try directly asking for recommendations. 

8. How do I handle difficult clients and maintain a positive reputation?

Clear communication, tolerance, and patience are necessary while dealing with challenging clientele. Pay attention to their worries and take prompt, polite action to resolve their problems. Provide a refund or other form of compensation if necessary to make things right. By politely replying to unfavorable comments or reviews and constantly offering top-notch customer service, you can uphold your good image.

9. How can I measure the success of my client-building efforts?

Keep track of indicators like customer retention rate, customer acquisition cost, and conversion rates to gauge the performance of your client-building activities. Track the success of email campaigns, social media interaction, and website traffic with analytics tools. Regularly check these indicators and modify your plan as necessary.

10. How can I adjust my approach to client building as my business grows and evolves?

It’s crucial to frequently review your client-building approach as your business expands and changes. Keep an eye on market changes and modify your marketing strategies as necessary. To reach a wider audience, think about introducing new goods or services and changing your marketing strategy. Engage with your current clients on a regular basis to learn about their evolving requirements and preferences. Use data analysis to spot trends and decide where to concentrate your client acquisition efforts. Be adaptable and ready to change your strategy as your company expands and changes.

If you enjoyed reading this article on building clientele, you should check these:

• How Can Trafft Help You Grow Your Barbershop Business
• Barbershop Business Plan 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Success