Local Marketing Tips for Salons.
Don’t waste time and money marketing your salon to the world, when your salon clients are just around the corner.
Most salon clients are looking for ease and convenience when it comes to visiting a salon. So the majority of people will look locally. But will they find YOU?
To be sure your salon business is visible to your local community, follow these handy local marketing tips.
Why is Local Marketing Important for Salon?
Local marketing may seem like a no-brainer, but many salon owners frequently overlook this simple idea, resulting in poor marketing outcomes and a loss of hard-earned money.
Furthermore, loyal local clients are a fantastic advertising asset to your salon business.
Happy clients will tell their friends and family who most will likely live and work in the same area.
Local word of mouth is your best friend and can lead to many quality referrals.
Local Marketing Tips For Salons.
Claim Your Business.
Have you claimed your salon business on Google, Bing, and Yahoo?
Adding your salon business details to these search engine directories is extremely important to gain maximum visibility. Why?
Because a reported 90% of consumers used the internet to find a local business in the last year. Yep, you read that right…90%. So get your salon listed in these directories today.
Google is, by far, the most used search engine in the world with 91.5% of the population using it. Therefore, adding your salon business to “Google My Business” is strongly recommended.
Not sure how to do this? Here is a video that walks you through the steps.
How To Rank In Google Maps — FAST Method
Or go to Google My Business Help.
Don’t forget Yahoo and Bing. These smaller search engines may not be used as much, however, listing your business is free so why not cover all bases.
For help with Yahoo, go to https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/local
If you are already listed on these sites, great! But please update your salon’s business details if they change, because out of date information can look unprofessional.
Review Sites.
Adding your salon business to a review site like Yelp can be a powerful step to attract new clients to your salon.
Yelp allows clients to search for local business listings by type of business, geographical location, price range, and unique features.
Yelp encourages business patrons to leave reviews, star ratings, and photos about your business.
To get your salon business listed today go to Manage My Free Listing.
Geotargeting.
The internet is a powerful place to advertise. However, if you do decide to pay for advertising, be sure to use geotargeting.
Geotargeting is an AdWords feature that ensures your advertisements are only visible to people from your specified area.
The great benefit of Geotargeting is that you won’t waste your marketing budget on clicks from people who live hours away from your business.
Here is a geotargeting resource to help guide you through the setup.
Targeted Facebook Campaigns.
Facebook is a fantastic place for salon businesses. Not only do you get to showcase your best work, but your audience can share posts with others. This encourages word of mouth marketing and is often a great way to get more local clients.
Paid Facebook marketing campaigns are a beneficial way to target a specific audience. But to do this, you must be sure to identify your ideal client.
What type of clients does your salon best cater to? Do you have a specific niche or demographic you appeal to?
Facebook allows you to refine the scope of your campaign to your local area and type of client. Parameters you can target include location, age group, life events, singles, parents, etc.
Join Local Community Groups.
Joining a local community group like the rotary club or even a local charity helps you stay connected with residents and other business owners.
Joining your local chamber of commerce is also an excellent way to expose your business and network with other business owners. There is an annual fee, but joining is worth every penny.
Participating in community groups builds trust and relationships within your community which is an invaluable asset for your salon.
Approach Compatible Businesses.
Networking with other businesses in your area can lead to more local exposure. Think about approaching businesses that are compatible with your type of salon, spa, or barbershop.
Approach the local dance studio to advertise your salon’s hair or makeup services for dance events, and in turn, display their dance business brochures in your salon.
Consider partnering with a local wedding photographer or florist and cross-promote each other. Word of mouth is a powerful tool for local business owners.
Contact the local high school and advertise in the school newsletter, offering a discount to students who attend that school or offer your services in the lead up to graduation season.
Hashtagging.
Hashtagging in social media can help significantly to reach local clients.
Be sure to hashtag your local area in all social media posts.
For example: Get a fantastic #balyage at #Elantecreations in #Ashfield.
Try using hashtags to announce your participation in local events, encourage donations to local charities or cheer on the local sports team.
Boost engagement by targeting your niche audience in hashtags. Just be sure the hashtags are relevant to your salon business and your target clients.
Local Event Participation.
Be on the lookout for community events or charity fundraisers in your local area and consider volunteering.
Many fundraising events will advertise the participating businesses in brochures or local news articles which is excellent local coverage for your salon.
Be sure to wear T-shirts with your salon’s name and carry business cards or flyers to distribute.
You may like to donate a gift card or a basket of products which, of course, will include your business card.
Sponsoring a local sporting team, social or educational event is another way you can get your business noticed.
Letter Box drops and Flyers.
Printed flyers or brochures are still a cheap and effective way to get noticed by the locals.
Let people know what you offer, where you are, what your niche is, and how they can get in touch with you.
Distribute flyers in a local letterbox drop, hand them out to people walking past your salon during quiet times, or pop them on car windscreens parked nearby.
Approach your business neighbours and swap flyers to cross-promote each other.
Both businesses can display these flyers and help each other get traction with the locals. It’s a win-win!
Drive Your Own Billboard.
Magnetic car advertisements or vinyl wraps are an inexpensive way to transform your car into a driving billboard.
Statistics show that 97% of people remember vehicle ads compared to only 20% for billboards. Furthermore, vehicle marketing has been shown to get more audience impressions than any other form of marketing.
So just by driving around town, you are effectively marketing your salon business and building brand awareness. In fact, even a stationary car is still working as a powerful billboard.
However, there is one downside: if you are an arrogant driver who frequently gets into road rage arguments, maybe this form of advertising is not for you. After all, first impressions matter.
Local Newspapers.
Local newspaper advertising is still a great way to get noticed and gain new clients. Of course, there is an outlay, but the exposure to the local community is significant.
Plus, most newspapers have a website or social media page that you can advertise on, so you are sure to be noticed.
Local Business Awards.
Most local councils or newspapers run an annual business award campaign where they pick the most outstanding business or best customer service business.
And here’s the secret to winning…You have to be in it to win!
Check out the local business awards group online and be sure to register your salon for nominations.
Encourage clients to vote for your business. Most loyal clients will be delighted to vote for you and see you succeed.
Winning such an award has excellent benefits for your salon business. Not only do you get the prestige of winning, but you also get to display a sign in your salon which people recognise and trust.
Such awards help boost the credibility of your salon and encourage new clientele.
Online Bookings.
You already know (or should know) that online visibility is important for exposure to new clients.
However, once a client has found you, don’t lose them by expecting them to pick up the phone and call to make an appointment.
Make it easy for clients to book by providing an online booking opportunity customised for your website and/or social media channels.
Potential clients may be browsing for a new salon during their work commute, on a lunch break, or after hours when calling is not an option.
Konnect provides you with an online booking feature that allows you to take bookings, provide confirmation, include a cancellation policy, or take payments.
Once an online appointment is made, you will be automatically notified, and your appointment schedule will be updated across all devices.
Konnect makes the process easy and painless for both you and your clients.
Conclusion.
It is essential that you consider targeting your salon marketing to the local surrounding community.
The tips discussed prevent you from marketing your business to the masses and wasting your time and money.
Listing your business in as many local sites as possible and geotargeting your paid ads is vital if you want to get noticed in your local area.
Participate in your local community and charity events to propel your salon business into the hearts and minds of your community.
Foster local business relationships to encourage cross-promotion and word of mouth.
Successful local salon marketing includes advertising in your local newspaper, using your car as a billboard, and distributing flyers.
Finally, give potential salon clients every opportunity to book a service with you by providing an easy to use online booking tool.
Konnect provides you with the simple, easy-to-use tools to successfully run day-to-day operations in your salon.
Not using Konnect Spa and Salon Software? Sign up for a free demonstration today.
