How to Market Yourself as a Hairstylist: Brush, Brand, and Beyond

Want to learn how to market yourself as a hairstylist? Hang tight, we’re about to journey into the world of hairstyling self-marketing. Buckle up, it’s a ride filled with creativity, personal branding, and lots of customer engagement.

With a landscape saturated with stylists, standing out is key. It’s more than just the perfect cut or color, it’s about curating a unique experience that keeps your clients coming back for more. Convincing a new face to trust you with their locks is no cakewalk. The trick lies in retaining and satisfying your existing customers while gently pulling in new ones.

But hey, it’s no mean feat. To transform your hairstyling talent into a thriving business, you need to don a marketing hat alongside your stylist’s smock. It’s an elegant dance, a mix of passion, time, and strategy. Marketing a hair salon is like a beautiful canvas – there’s room for some serious creativity and customization. It’s time to flex those marketing muscles using ads, customer loyalty programs, websites, and online booking options.

Ready to dive in and learn how to market yourself as a hairstylist?

We’ve got the tools, tips, and tricks that’ll make your plans shine!

How to Market Yourself as a Hairstylist in 12 Essential Steps

• Carve Out Your Niche
• Talk, and Then Talk Some More
• Create a Website
• Harness Visual Marketing Channels
• Leverage the Power of SMS
• Amplify Your Business Reach
• Feel the Magic of Email Campaigns
• Turn to Geo-Targeted Advertising
• Embrace Online Booking
• Become the Buzz of the Town with a Stellar Referral Scheme
• Boost Client Love with a Customer Loyalty Program
• Rock Your Style with Unwavering Branding

Carve Out Your Niche

This one’s a must. It’s crucial to differentiate yourself from the crowd. With a swarm of talented hairstylists around, it’s your personal brand that’ll set you apart. What’s your thing? Are you the wizard who can turn an average Joe into a catwalk-ready model within an hour? Or maybe you’re the genius who can curl hair to utter perfection?

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is your beacon. Flaunt it, show it off, and make your clients fall in love with it. Tell your clients about your specialties or put up snaps of your successful styles on your studio wall.

Decide on your target clientele. Are you the curly hair whisperer? The master of men’s grooming? Once you’ve narrowed down your specialties, get your name out there on websites that cater to your unique expertise. Your salon’s info and your personal branding should be front and center.

Talk, and Then Talk Some More

Communication is the golden rule. It’s often the word of mouth that triggers a wave of new clients. Be vocal about your work, don’t shy away from talking about it, even at social events. But remember, it’s all about balance – don’t let your marketing efforts turn into party spoilers.

Communication is a mirror of your confidence. An open dialogue during a consultation and a clear understanding of your client’s needs – this is the secret recipe that’ll win over their trust.

Instead of asking, “What size perm rod would you like to use?”, switch it up to, “What type of curl would you like to see as an end result?” Show them examples, let the photos do the talking, and make sure you both are envisioning the same result.

You’re the expert here, so steer the conversation. Provide suggestions, give them a glimpse of the possibilities, and guide them toward the best choice. Open communication builds trust, showcases your expertise, and ensures customer satisfaction.

Create a Website

How to market yourself as a hairstylist and get your name out there? A well-put-together website is your secret weapon. It reels in new clients, makes you look legit, and spotlights your hairstyling skills. In a sea of hairstylists, an online presence is your lifesaver. It helps you float past the local clientele and wave hello to a broader audience.

Have some work you’re proud of? Time to show it off on your website. Sure, social media is handy for showing off, but old pics often get buried under the new ones. You’d want your favorite cuts and styles to shine when someone’s deciding to book an appointment with you, right?

Not just that, a website helps your hair salon pop up on Google.

But don’t stop at just the website, plaster your web address everywhere:

• Business directories like Yelp, Foursquare, Yellowpages, you name it
• Your salon’s Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Your Google Maps account (yes, that’s Google My Business)
• Your online booking page
• Business cards

Harness Visual Marketing Channels

Don’t overlook the power of social media. But remember, don’t just share content for the sake of it. Make it engaging and interactive. A touch of fun wouldn’t hurt also. Consider building an online network of friends and clients to help you spread the word about your talent, your spot, your contact info, and when you’re available.

Here’s a hint – visually showcasing your work is key. Hairstyling is a visual craft, and you need marketing platforms that let you flaunt your work, your skills, and your quality.

Keen on building your personal brand as a hairstylist? Try focusing on platforms that love visuals. We’re talking about Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. They’ve got images, short videos, long videos, and more that you can use to show off your hairstyling prowess and share nuggets of wisdom.

You might find platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter less important. They’re more pro-focused and not big on visual content. But hey, even professionals need hair and beauty services. Who knows, you might strike gold with a little bit of experimentation.

Leverage the Power of SMS

Alright, your new (and existing) clients know where to find you on social media. Now, you need an effective way to keep in touch with them. Say hello to SMS.

The stats on SMS open rates will blow your mind. People don’t just open texts, they engage. Text messages have a nearly 99% open rate, and you can expect a click-through rate of about 36%.

But managing all your clients from your personal phone could be a pain. It’s not just unprofessional but also means you never get a break. You wouldn’t want a client texting about a hair crisis in the middle of date night, would you?

Here are a few cool ways stylists who use SimpleTexting leverage SMS in their business:

• Sending links to review requests;
• Reconnecting with past clients to check if they need any services or products;
• Sharing beauty tips and product recommendations;
• Running a rewards program with incentives for referrals and birthday discounts.

Sure, it seems like a full-time job learning how to market yourself as a hairstylist. But the good news is, a lot of the groundwork will keep things rolling down the line.

Amplify Your Business Reach

Image by pch.vector on Freepik

So, you’re looking for the golden trio of business exposure? Meet printed ads, web marketing, and word of mouth. No exposure means no clients, as simple as that. It’s usually on the salon owner to run the salon ads and keep the website humming, and even if you don’t have your own salon (yet) you should know what the ads offer and how the website paints your skills.

Then there’s the third slice – word of mouth. This one’s totally your game. Learn to pitch yourself in a snappy one-minute spiel. Say something like, “Hey, I’m Alex. I’m a whizz at hairstyling, with a knack for creating edgy cuts.” Drop a line about your training, and don’t forget to hand over your business card. Keep them with you always. Don’t just lounge around expecting the salon owner to send clients to you. You have to own your career, and that’s what’ll keep you in the hairstyling game.

Feel the Magic of Email Campaigns

When trying to market yourself as a hairstylist, emails are your best friends. An email is fast, simple, and cheap, and a brilliant way to stay in touch with your clients. Even a monthly email with your top picks of the latest hairstyles can bring in more clients. ‘Cause they’ll be reminded of your talent, and let’s face it, you’re pretty amazing.

Throw in a call to action nudging them to book their next hair appointment, even if it’s way in the future. Use e-mail to wish them on their birthdays with a special discount. If you hear about them tying the knot, expecting a baby, or celebrating a milestone, get in touch with an email.

It’s an effortless way to show your clients some love. Make your email campaigns personalized to get them clicking. And remember, an eye-catching subject line is your ticket to their attention.

Turn to Geo-Targeted Advertising

Whether you’re a Facebook fan or an AdWords aficionado, geotargeted ads should be your bestie. You definitely don’t want appointment requests from sunny California when your salon is in bustling New York!

Say, you’re running an email marketing campaign, someone in Atlanta, Georgia, doesn’t really care about deals from a hairstylist in Los Angeles, California. So, zeroing in on the areas your business caters to and showing your ads to people in those places can turn clicks into clients.

You could up your game with a supercharged version of geo-targeting called radius-targeting. With this, you can target customers in a razor-sharp area (like, say, within a mile of your salon).

The cool thing about using Facebook ads for hairstylist marketing is that they can be segmented into four types:

• Everyone in a location
• People who live in a location
• Recently in a location
• People traveling in a location

Embrace Online Booking

Hair stylist extraordinaires, you are the architects of incredible transformations and trendsetters in the beauty industry. But beneath the sparkle, you know the struggle of balancing your creative genius with the tough realities of running a business.

Managing appointments, dealing with cancellations, and marketing your services could be as entangled as a bad hair day. No more! Enter Trafft – your ultimate business companion.

FAQ about how to market yourself as a hairstylist

How can I utilize social media to promote my work as a hairstylist?

Well, you’d want to hop on Instagram or TikTok. These platforms are visual and perfect for showcasing your work. Post photos of your cuts, styles, colors – anything that shows off your skills.

Use relevant hashtags so folks looking for new styles or local stylists can find you. Don’t forget to engage with your followers, respond to comments, and maybe even share some behind-the-scenes stories!

What’s the best way to build a portfolio?

Starting off, take high-quality photos of all the work you do. Show variety. Straight hair, curly hair, short, long, different styles, cuts, colors – all of it!

You could use a platform like Wix or Squarespace to build your website. Include a section for client testimonials and your contact information too. Keep it updated as you continue to expand your skills.

How can I network effectively within the beauty industry?

Networking is all about building relationships. Attend local events, trade shows, or seminars. Reach out to other stylists or beauty industry professionals on social media. Be authentic and express genuine interest in their work.

Collaborating with others can open new opportunities and increase your visibility. Remember, it’s not just about what you can gain but also about what you can give.

How can I market myself as a hairstylist effectively in a saturated market?

Find your niche. What can you offer that’s unique? Maybe it’s an exceptional skill with curly hair or a knack for vivid hair colors. Once you’ve found it, hone that skill, and make it known!

Brand yourself around this specialty. When people think “balayage,” you want them to think of you.

How can I solicit reviews and why are they important?

After a session, kindly ask your clients if they wouldn’t mind leaving a review. You could do this in person, via email, or through a text message. Reviews are like word-of-mouth in the digital age.

They help build trust with potential clients and boost your online presence. A slew of positive reviews can work wonders for attracting new business!

How can I provide value to my clients beyond hair styling?

Think of ways you can provide an exceptional experience. Maybe it’s by creating a relaxing environment, offering expert advice on hair care, or being a good listener.

Remember, people come to you not only for a haircut or style, but also for the experience. A client who feels valued and pampered will keep coming back.

How should I price my services?

Pricing can be tricky. You need to consider the cost of your time, the cost of materials, your expertise, and what’s competitive for your area.

Research other hairstylists in your area to get an idea of the going rate for various services. Never undervalue your work. Your skills and time are worth it!

How important is continuous learning in this field?

Oh, it’s essential! Trends change all the time, and new techniques are constantly being developed. Attend workshops, webinars, and industry events to keep up with the latest trends and techniques.

Plus, learning new skills will allow you to offer more services and attract a wider range of clients.

What should I consider when choosing a salon to work at?

The environment, culture, and values of the salon should align with yours. You’ll also want to consider the reputation of the salon, the clientele it attracts, and opportunities for growth.

Additionally, consider their business model – whether it’s commission-based, booth rental, or salary.

How can I manage difficult clients?

Communication is key. Listen to their concerns, acknowledge their feelings, and do your best to rectify the situation. However, remember that you can’t please everyone.

If a client is continuously difficult despite your best efforts, it may be best to part ways professionally. Your peace and the quality of your work come first!

Final Tips on How to Market Yourself as a Hairstylist

The hairstyling business is all about personal branding. It’s the secret sauce that’ll help you establish your reputation. All the tips we’ve shared? Use them to shape your own brand and let the world know just how amazing you are.

Building a client base? It’ll take time and energy, no sugarcoating here. But look at it as an adventure, like you’re piecing together the best parts of your lifelong career in beauty. Your mantra? “Always be Marketing“, just like the sales pros with their “Always be Closing”.

Here’s the deal: treat your career like it’s your very own business. In fact, it is your business, regardless of where you work. You’re crafting a livelihood that’s uniquely yours.

Finally, whip up a marketing plan for your salon and get cracking! Remember, persistence is your friend here. You might feel like throwing in the towel in the first few weeks if you don’t see results, but hey, good things take time. Stay patient, stay persistent, and you’re bound to see success.

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