Listen Up! This is probably the most important question you can ask yourself.
If you are a new Hairstylist, you need clients. If you are a veteran Hairstylist, you still need clients. As Hairstylists, we always always always need clients.
Studies show that a person forms their first impression of you between seven seconds and two minutes. A first impression applies to your online presence too. When a potential client does a Google or social media search for a Hairstylist, are they going to find YOU? What will their impression be when they first see a picture or video of YOU or read a review?
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”- Andrew Grant
Tell me this: If YOU moved to a new city, knew no one, and you really really needed a cut and color, what would YOU do? Here’s what I am guessing you would do….
How YOU Would Find A New Hairstylist:
Ask the girl at the nightclub, bar, grocery store, church that has the cut and color you’re looking for, “Who does your hair”?
Google "Hairstylists Near Me"
Go to Instagram and search "Hairstylists ________ (the city you live in)".
Read Yelp and Google Reviews
All of these typical “go to” ideas are what you should be focusing on as a Hairstylist. Just flip it in reverse to see how you’re doing, and what a potential client is finding when they are looking for a new Hairstylist. Are all “signs” pointing to YOU? Are they finding YOU?
Can a Client Find YOU?
Google the salon where you work. Does your salon pop up? A website? Google or Yelp reviews? Social Media?
Google yourself as a Hairstylist. Do you pop up? If you do, is all the information correct?
Search Instagram. Does a search in your city find your professional account and examples of your work?
Look up the reviews on your salon. Are there any Yelp or Google Reviews on you?
Do all of your friends and current clients have your business card or your contact information on their phone so they can give it to someone who asks them, “Who does your hair”?
If you are a new Hairstylist, you might not have a Professional online presence yet. Set down your phone. Stop reading this article. And set yourself up online. Pronto.
All of these typical “go-to” ideas are what you should be focusing on as a Hairstylist. Just flip it in reverse to see how you’re doing, and what a potential client is finding when they are looking for a new Hairstylist. Are all “signs” pointing to YOU? Are they finding YOU?
Your “To Do” List to get clients to find you!
Do not mix personal with professional, get a professional social media presence... Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Tik Tok, Linkedin account, wherever your ideal client would go to look.
Build a beautiful portfolio of your work on Social Media or your own Website. How? This is a tough one, but listen to me, this works. While you are building a client base, I want you to find people with REALLY GOOD hair, and do their hair for FREE. In exchange for free services, they agree to a photo and video session after services are completed.
Ask (beg) your friends and family to write Google and Yelp reviews for you. (If this is a struggle, you can even write the review, and ask them to send it from their account.)
Get professional-looking business cards. Old school? Yes, but they work.
Make it REALLY REALLY REALLY easy to contact you. Your name, Salon name, email address, phone number, website, social media accounts, hours, and specialties should be everywhere a client is looking. Make your contact information jump out at a potential client, and be easily accessible.
Ok, good, you get it.
All of these typical “go-to” ideas are what you should be focusing on as a Hairstylist. Just flip it in reverse to see how you’re doing, and what a potential client is finding when they are looking for a new Hairstylist. Are all “signs” pointing to YOU? Are they finding YOU?
Sometimes the best advice is the most obvious advice. I love to see New Hairstylists succeed. Potential clients have to know how to find YOU. You know why? Because you’re GREAT!
Elevating The Industry,
Karen Spinelli
Cosmetology Students and New Hairstylists My intention with every post is to give New Hairstylists all over the world the tips, short cuts, and tools they need to quickly achieve success. I would love to hear from you! You can reach out here, on my site, Instagram, or Facebook. Sign up for my newsletter to receive my weekly blog sent to your inbox.
Cosmetology Schools and Teachers I would love to talk to your students! To book Karen as a speaker at your Cosmetology School, click here.
Karen Spinelli is from Pasadena, California. She was behind the chair for thirty five years, as well as Salon Director of Education for New Hairstylists for the last twenty years. Karen loves Hairstylists! She loves to be a part of “AHA” moments, and to watch New Hairstylists grow in their confidence and skills.
