Marketing

Episode 161

I often get questions like, “I get a lot of new clients, but we never seem to grow. Where are we going wrong?”

So today, I want to talk a little about the role of marketing and what marketing really is.

Many salon owners are focused on growth. So all their attention, time, money, and energy are focused on attracting new clients into the business.

But the problem is that they are only addressing one component of marketing.

In today’s show, we will discuss:

Client Generation: Attracting new clients.
Client Conversion: Turning those new clients into regulars.
Client Retention: Keeping them as long as possible.

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[01:01] What role does marketing play?
[01:44] Marketing has three components.
[02:42] The three reasons clients don’t come back.
[03:24] The most common reason clients don’t return.
[05:50] Clients should feel wanted and not rushed.
[09:00] Finding new clients is only the first step.
[10:40] Being friendly and positive can make a huge difference.
[13:08] A recap of what has been discussed so far.
[14:10] Marketing is about making a promise.
[15:50] Take a break!
[16:06] Next steps to take to grow your business.
[17:10] Some helpful resources for you.

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is.

Thank you for your support! Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Episode 140

Why “Build It and They Will Come” Is Not a Foolproof Strategy for Starting and Growing a Business with Antony Whitaker

“Build it and they will come” is a line from the 1989 movie ‘Field of Dreams’.

Unfortunately, it is a strategy that many salon owners use when opening up a new salon only to find that Hollywood movies don’t necessarily reflect business reality.

In today’s podcast episode, I am answering two questions from our listeners. In answering their questions I will be explaining why “build it and they will come” is not an effective strategy for starting and growing a business.

The first question is from Sandy in Birmingham who asks…

“I opened my salon 4 years ago and I am finding it hard to grow. It’s a beautiful space to work in, I have 3 staff members, [two stylists and an assistant] I’m great at doing hair, I’m always fully booked and I generate most of the revenue myself working 5 ½  days a week behind the chair. But despite that the business just won’t grow so what should I do?”

The second question is from Steve in Florida who asks…

“I heard you say on one of your YouTube videos that salon owners shouldn’t employ a manager. So, can you talk about why I shouldn’t employ a manager on your podcast? Because honestly I can’t do this by myself, so I need a manager to help me”.

Listen to this week’s episode to hear my answers!

In this Episode:

[01:58] A listener question from Sandy in Birmingham.

[03:24] Two of the biggest false expectations that hairdressers have of themselves and their businesses.

[07:03] The four components in your business that you need to have a clear vision for.

[09:02] Questions to ask yourself when developing the vision for the marketing element of your business.

[12:15] Advice for clarifying your financial vision.

[15:11] Factors to consider when you are developing the product and services vision for your salon.

[17:19] How to approach the creation of a vision for your team.

[21:18] The difference between leading from the front and being a manager.

[22:19] A listener question from Steve in Florida.

[23:09] Why you, as a founder, need to take responsibility for the problems that arise in your business.

[24:00] My thoughts on when you should and shouldn’t consider hiring a manager.

[26:49] How the salon industry has evolved (and continues to evolve).

[28:02] Benefits of the Salon Management Checklist that I have put together for you.

[29:19] What you can expect from the free online Salon Management masterclass taking place on May 16th.

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Free Management Masterclass

On May 23rd I will be presenting a free online ‘Salon Management Masterclass’.

If you would like to register for this 1-hour online masterclass Click here for times in your area and to register.

Free Download

I have put together another freebie just for you! The Salon Management Checklist allows you to mark off what you currently have in place in your business so that you can identify where there are opportunities for you to improve.

Click here  to download the Salon Management Checklist.

Episode 134

My guest on today’s Podcast is Jason Crozier, salon stylist, editorial stylist and the founder and Director of CrozNest Creative Agency in London. 

CrozNest helps salon businesses gain traction by providing digital marketing services and curated content packages for social media.

On this episode we discuss:

• The benefits of using some curated content on your Instagram feed
• The relevance of trend reports
• The ever-evolving role of social media in your business

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:56] Jason shares where his journey as a creative professional began, and how his career has evolved over the years.

[12:39] How Jason’s digital agency, CrozNest, has been bridging the gap between hairdressing and fashion for the past 11 years.

[15:35] What CrozNest’s curated content packages consist of, and how they elevate the social media platforms of the salon and fashion businesses that utilize them. 

[18:20] Jason explains how he and his team create their content packages.

[27:55] The different package options that CrozNest offers to their clients, and the costs associated with each one.

[31:53] Social media platforms that CrozNest’s packages are geared towards.

[33:48] Changes to their business model that CrozNest is in the process of implementing.

[35:19] How CrozNest makes sure that their content is relevant across the world.

[37:41] Value that the CrozNest’s social media content planner (which can be downloaded for free from their website) provides to salon and fashion businesses.

[39:24] What you can expect to learn from the trend reports (another free downloadable resource) that CrozNest releases seasonally. 

[45:30] How to make your salon’s Instagram profile stand out from the rest. 

[49:34] Jason’s recommendations for managing a business Instagram account.  

[52:21] Advice on writing copy for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to Jason for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

CrozNest Creative Agency

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

Jason Crozier

Instagram | LinkedIn

Episode 118

Navigating the World of Alternative Media with The Hair Nerds

I was recently listening to a discussion about climate change and one of the presenters said something along the lines of “It is not possible to achieve the targets we have set in the time frame available.” 

And the other presenter said, “In 10 to 20 years’ time we will have technology and solutions that haven’t even been imagined today. And that is why these targets are realistic”. 

Now if you are wondering what that has to do with today’s podcast, the answer is absolutely nothing. Except that in 10-20 years’ time there will be jobs and career paths in our industry that haven’t even been imagined today. 

If you don’t believe me, just think of the jobs such as social media managers or influencers or App designers or SEO specialists. They are all jobs that have been invented in the last 20 years and are now in high demand. 

And that is the connection with my guests today. 

They are Annie and Erin from ‘The Hair Nerds’ and they describe their business as ‘an alternative media agency’ that specialises in the hair and beauty space. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with them and I know you will enjoy the conversation too.

In this episode we discuss:

• Creating career paths that didn’t exist before
• How to work with social media agencies
• The relevance of Facebook
• The importance of education… 

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[04:40] Inspiration behind Annie and Erin’s company, The Hair Nerds. 

[09:24] How The Hair Nerds has evolved over the years. 

[10:57] An explanation of the realm of alternative media, and how it can benefit creatives. 

[16:36] The different levels of social media management offered by The Hair Nerds. 

[19:35] Challenges that I have had with outsourcing my social media.   

[20:56] The importance of keeping the client fully involved in the social media content creation process.

[22:10] What you should be looking for in a social media manager. 

[24:08] How social media platforms are evolving.

[27:42] Why Annie decided to go back to school to get a graphic design degree. 

[30:58] Erin and Annie’s commitment to continuous education. 

[33:18] Value that the Facebook platform holds for professional beauty businesses. 

[40:32] A brief rundown of the online courses offered by The Hair Nerds. 

[42:46] Work being done by the charitable organizations that The Hair Nerds collaborate with. 

[49:40] Why Annie and Erin feel disappointed about the direction their industry is heading. 

[54:22] What it takes to master a craft.

[57:02] Misperceptions about social media, and where the true power of these platforms lies. 

[1:01:01] Things that Erin, Annie and I are feeling inspired by right now. 

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 

I also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to Annie and Erin for sharing their insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

The Hair Nerds

Website | Instagram | Facebook

The Thirst Project

Website

Dresscode Project 

Website