Growing Your Business: How to Pack Your Schedule Like a Full Set of Volume Lashes!
So, you’ve just finished your lash training, and you’re ready to move from practising on friends and family to booking real, paying clients. You’ve probably spent the first few months perfecting your skills on people close to you, but now it’s time to start attracting clients on a regular basis. The big question is: how do you get more clients as a Lash Tech?
Word of Mouth
Let’s start with the basics – word of mouth. It’s probably the most important way to grow your business, and it can mean the difference between a slow trickle of clients or a steady flow of new bookings! If your friends and family have been your test subjects while you perfected your craft, it’s likely you haven’t been charging them. Now that you’re getting ready to take on paying clients, their next best gift to you is to spread the word. Ask them to recommend your services to anyone they know – this could be just what you need to get a few more bookings on your calendar!
That being said, word of mouth alone isn’t enough to grow your business long-term, so what else can you do?
Social Media
We’ll dive deeper into using social media to get clients in another blog post, but here’s the gist: social media is one of the biggest tools for getting your business noticed. In today’s world, people often discover new services through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Make sure your social profiles are active, and filled with gorgeous photos, videos of your work, and all the details potential clients need to book an appointment. You don’t need to be a social media expert, but showing off what you can do will encourage people to reach out!
Get Reviews
Reviews are the digital equivalent of word of mouth, and they often go hand-in-hand with social media. Positive reviews can be a game-changer when it comes to convincing new clients to book with you. So, make sure you’re giving your clients a place to leave feedback!
Setting up a business profile on Facebook is a great place to start. Facebook lets clients leave ‘recommendations’ instead of star ratings, where they can share what they loved about your services (and hopefully no negatives!). It’s a great way to build trust with potential clients.
Another super valuable tool is Google Business. It’s really easy to set up, and not only does it give clients a place to leave reviews, but it also helps them find your business, check your opening hours, and see what services you offer. Plus, positive Google reviews can help you rank higher in local search results, which is a bonus!
If you’re looking for a more long-term project, consider creating your own website. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your portfolio, manage bookings, and host reviews all in one place. It does require a bit more maintenance, but it’s a great asset for your business in the long run.
Respond to Inquiries Quickly
This might sound obvious, but how you respond to inquiries can be the difference between getting a booking and losing a potential client. It’s not just about speed, though – your replies need to be helpful and professional too. A simple trick is to set up an automatic reply for when clients message you, letting them know you’ll get back to them soon and giving them an idea of when to expect a response. It’s all about managing expectations.
Make sure to set aside dedicated time each day to respond to messages. For example, spend half an hour in the morning catching up, and check in again for a few minutes throughout the day. That way, clients aren’t left waiting too long, and you can stay on top of your inquiries without feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget – set boundaries! Only respond to clients during working hours to protect your personal time and avoid burnout.
Introductory Offers
A great way to attract new clients, especially those who are on the fence, is by offering a special deal. Here are a few ideas to create some tempting introductory offers:
- Discount for new clients:Offer a discount for their first full set, and maybe even throw in a deal for their infill appointment, like 25% off the first set and infills.
- Limited-time opening offer:Consider running a bigger discount for your first month in business. Just make sure you’re clear that it’s a limited-time price so clients know your rates will go back to normal afterward.
- Referral discounts:Encourage your current clients to bring in their friends by offering both parties a perk. For example, you could give £10 off to both the referring client and their friend.
- Free gift with booking: If you want to go the extra mile, offer a small freebie when someone books in your first month. It could be an aftercare kit that they’ll love and possibly come back to purchase again once it runs out.
Attracting clients might seem like a challenge at first, but with a little creativity and some smart planning, you’ll be well on your way to having a full booking calendar! Keep things simple, stay consistent, and before you know it, your business will be booming.
