A barbershop can be an intimidating place for a first-timer. It's usually packed with regulars and everyone seems to know each other.
However, there are some tips that can help you find a good barbershop without stress. One way to do this is to ask for recommendations from friends and family.
1. Check Online Reviews
A barbershop's online reputation is crucial to its success. Checking reviews is an easy way to get a sense of how well-run a barbershop is and the level of service its clients receive.
Word of mouth is one of the best barbershop marketing ideas because your regular clients can be your marketers for free. Ask friends, family members and co-workers for recommendations and then search for their recommended barbershops online.
Offering service bundles is a great way to encourage your clients to visit your barbershop regularly and upgrade their appointments. However, it's important to avoid discounting core services as this will devalue your business and attract clients who are only interested in the low price point. These customers will quickly turn into recurring, valuable clients, but they may not be the ideal fit for your barbershop. By sending targeted and relevant emails to your existing clients, you can capture more of their attention. This will also prevent your email campaigns from being filtered into their promotions or spam folders.
2. Check the Location
It may be common sense, but the best way to find a barbershop is by getting recommendations from friends and colleagues. If someone took the time to go to Google or Facebook and write a positive review, it’s probably worth giving them a shot.
Visiting the shop before you get your haircut is another good idea. This will give you an opportunity to check out the atmosphere and see if it is something you would enjoy. The hum of clippers and the nostalgic twirl of barber poles speak to some people, while others prefer salons with more of a focus on styling and a collaborative environment.
You should also look at things like the cleanliness of the shop and the chairs. Some shops have fancy leather thrones, while others have the more earthbound version of Captain Kirk’s chair on the Enterprise. Make sure the seats are comfortable and easy to sit in for an extended period of time.
3. Check the Staff
When it comes to hiring barbers, you want a team that has the right skills and a personality that matches your own. It’s important to check the quality of their work – make sure they use modern tools and practice the latest techniques in barbering.
In addition, it’s important to find a barbershop that has a high customer service standard. This can be a huge factor in whether you end up going back to that shop baber shop again and again.
Word of mouth can be one of the most effective marketing strategies for barbershops. Asking your regular clients to recommend your services to their friends and family is a great way to promote your business for free. You can also create a loyalty program that rewards your customers for booking with you again and again. This could be something as simple as a “Bring a Friend” service package or a discount on their next appointment. This will make your clients feel valued and encourage them to talk about you.
4. Check the Equipment
It’s a good idea to check out the equipment at the barbershop you are thinking of going to. This will give you a sense of how well the barber and their team keep up with the latest trends and techniques. If the barber uses outdated tools or seems hesitant to try new things, they may not be a great fit for you.
It is also a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends and family members. They will be able to give you an honest opinion about the barbers they go to and how their haircuts look.
You can also find some offline marketing ideas for barbershops that you can use to attract more customers, such as offering loyalty programs. You can even use text messaging services like Goldie to automate appointment reminders and send clients grooming tips. These simple steps can make a huge difference in your business’s success. Moreover, beauty and bodywork insurance from BBI can help protect you against accidents or injuries during your hair services.
