Any tips for a barber shop?

32 replies
I've been using the same barber shop since I was a little kid and am looking to offer some of my services to him. It will be a very informal approach as he is a neighborhood guy who I have a friendly relationship with. Does anybody have any experience with a barbershop or hair salon?

I am breaking the ice with a mobile website for him and I would be shocked if he said no to that. He is currently at the number 2 position in GP for "city barbershop" and most combos so I figure that is out.

I was thinking of setting up some QR codes around the shop for SMS marketing but am having some doubts of its effectiveness for this niche.

Any help/advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated!
#barber #shop #tips
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    The thing with barber shops is once you have a customer they will generally keep coming back until you give them a reason not to... and you can only get your hair cut every so often. I'm not sure about sms marketing simply because you would be sending the messages out to a whole lot of people who are not ready for a haircut.

    I know sometimes when I need a haircut and things are busy I will often put it off for a while. So whereas if I did it once a month I would be getting 12 haircuts a year, maybe I actually end up only getting about 6-8 haircuts.

    Maybe you could look at setting up some kind of sms reminder service so when a customer gets his hair cut, they can ask if they would like an sms reminder and you then send that customer a reminder 4 or 5 weeks later. Much like my dentist will call me and remind me when I am due for a check-up. It works.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    That's exactly what I was thinking Will. Why give someone a discount through a text message when they'll more than likely be back a week later anyways to pay full price. Surely there must be something that I can do though. Having a major brain fart right now.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    The way I see it there's only two ways to make them more money. That is to get their current customers coming through the door more often. You can do this using some kind of reminder service and/or a loyalty card.

    The second way is to get new customers coming into their business. This could be done through some creative advertising and/or a strong referral program.
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  • Profile picture of the author ADHardwick
    B, I've found that barber shops retain customers when they offer fringe benefits. Maybe thirty second neck massage from a handheld massager, or neck shave with a straight razor. Those small items make the difference. (shoe shines feel more like extortion).

    Get him listed on various maps from Universal Business Listings.

    Go the Facebook route.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    I appreciate your advice Will. I really respect your opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxReferrals
    Do a social contest, where people submit the worst lookin' hairdo in the
    area.
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    • Profile picture of the author snyokas
      B and B, I wrote the following article that changed the life of local barbershop:
      This Barbershop is very nice inside and with 4 Barbers who are actively cutting the customers hair.Plus these guys know what they are doing.The Location is good but they do not do any Marketing like most of Small Businesses, they think Marketing is for Big Business only and Marketing will add no value to their Businesses.I was Lucky it is the Manager of the Barbershop who was cutting my hair. I asked him to show me the models so that I can choose, but they did not have any. I asked them why the threw all the old magazine with models because they become old. I was waiting for about 20 minutes and the shop became full with more customers coming to get their hair done. A gentleman came for his hair and he asked the question how long is he going to wait, he was told 30 minutes and he left and let him go without stopping him. I stopped everybody to explain them they have committed a cardinal sin in customer services business.
      I gave the Manager a 30 minutes Free Strategic Marketing Consultation to grow and improve their business and next time I visit them they better implement those actions.
      Here is a list of Strategy every Barbershop must apply today:
      • Have magazines with models that show your customer a hairstyle to choose from
      • Be in a location that is good, but also have a very nicely decorated shop (don't spend a fortune just nice and clean shop)
      • Have some posters with pictures of local people who have got their hair cut from your Barbershop
      • Be online and present specially in Google Local, I could not find my barber in Google local this is not good.my business would have gone to the competition
      • Every time your customers come in, if you do a special hair cut style ask them if you can take the picture of their hair style and put it online and posters (please ask their permission don't be sneaky 9 out of 10 customers will say yes ).
      • Have a website with a Gallery of the hair styles from your customers. This implies that you must have a web site that is visible locally.
      • Put a small freezer with drinks to make sure that those who are waiting can get a free drink and magazine while they are waiting. You may think this is a waste of money believe me this will pay big dividend, these drinks will pay for themselves without you spending an extra penny
      • Have a website that allows your customers to contact you very easily. Again it must have a gallery with hair style pictures.
      I hope that help
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  • Profile picture of the author snyokas
    From this strategy my barber is gone from number 3 to number 1 in one month, now he can't cope because he has too many customers, he did not beleive me when I asked him to implement this strategies
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    Thanks everyone. Some cool tips in there. Still trying to figure out the best possible upsell.
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  • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
    This may sound old school...but I had an old time Barber who used to give his customers a free straight-razor shave every now and again - it is a great service you don't see very much any more like a shoe-shine - it is a great "feel"
    If he is a Barber, and not a "hair salon" - he caters to what we like - sports on TV, etc. - Guys used to actually hang around a barber shop to BS - now they just twitter...

    Google I think it is "art of shaving" - it has a look that may give you some website theme tips...
    (they sell upscale razors, etc...)

    Also - what about a cross sell to Cigar Shops and "smoking lounges" ?
    Just like the old days...Shave, Haircut, and a good cigar...you're good to go...
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    • Profile picture of the author naruq
      You can set up a referral system. If a present customer brings in a new customer, have the barber give the referrer a discount on their next haircut.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      Geez...Louise! I just took a look at this thread and some of the "Suggestions"....IMHO....appear to be from folks who WANT to help you BUT, DON'T HAVE A CLUE.....as to HOW to do it!

      Why...can I say this? Because...."I Ben Dere...done dat" ...an'....I KNOW what "Works" an' What "Doesn't" !

      CONJECTURE....is fine! Shows an "INTEREST" in "Helping"....BUT....if YOU "Ain't Ben Dere an...done dat....."....your "suggestions" lead folks down the Wrong Path! They're NOT based on...."Real World experience!"

      However....US guys who've...ben dere...done dat!...have a different 'Idea" on what to do!

      And..granted...WE..are in the "Electronic AGE" where almost everything is based on IM stuff.

      So....us "Old-Tyme Promotion Guys" STILL..... use some of our "Old-Tyme" promotion methods.

      And....one guy (ME) who has HELPED 3 of my favorite Local Barbers (and over 100 other, Barbers (acorss the country) get MORE Business) across the country....BOOST their business ...from a Simple Idea (I will FEELY GIVE to you, who are reading this.... now.....at NO CHARGE!).... is....my....

      "BEE BACK CARDS"! (See photo below)

      So.......here's how I discovered this "Astounding" way of " Doubling or Tripling" the busiiness of...... Barber Shops (and Beauty Salons)!

      What I did was simply....go to my favorite Barber....sit in one of the seats provided for Waitiing customers....when it was my turn to "get clipped"....I asked my Barber if he was "Happy" with his present Clientele.

      He responded with...."Hell NO!" "I'm OPEN...to ANY ideas YOU have to bring me MORE Biz. The "Franchise Operations" have taken LOTS of my customers away.

      So....I went back to my Home PC....made up a Sample of my "BEE Back" Card"....showed him my Sample and the guy went Ga-Ga...almost tore my arm off...grabbed me and telling me ....I GOT TO HAVE THIS!....I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS!"

      Well....I've NEVER had a potential customer react this way! I KNEW I was onto something....BIG!

      So...I made up some "Bee Back Cards" for him....and....this turned out to be ONE OF MY BIGGEST MONEY-MAKERS!

      Don Alm
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      • Profile picture of the author prodigy1290
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

        Geez...Louise! I just took a look at this thread and some of the "Suggestions"....IMHO....appear to be from folks who WANT to help you BUT, DON'T HAVE A CLUE.....as to HOW to do it!

        Why...can I say this? Because...."I Ben Dere...done dat" ...an'....I KNOW what "Works" an' What "Doesn't" !

        CONJECTURE....is fine! Shows an "INTEREST" in "Helping"....BUT....if YOU "Ain't Ben Dere an...done dat....."....your "suggestions" lead folks down the Wrong Path! They're NOT based on...."Real World experience!"

        However....US guys who've...ben dere...done dat!...have a different 'Idea" on what to do!

        And..granted...WE..are in the "Electronic AGE" where almost everything is based on IM stuff.

        So....us "Old-Tyme Promotion Guys" STILL..... use some of our "Old-Tyme" promotion methods.

        And....one guy (ME) who has HELPED 3 of my favorite Local Barbers (and over 100 other, Barbers (acorss the country) get MORE Business) across the country....BOOST their business ...from a Simple Idea (I will FEELY GIVE to you, who are reading this.... now.....at NO CHARGE!).... is....my....

        "BEE BACK CARDS"! (See photo below)

        So.......here's how I discovered this "Astounding" way of " Doubling or Tripling" the busiiness of...... Barber Shops (and Beauty Salons)!

        What I did was simply....go to my favorite Barber....sit in one of the seats provided for Waitiing customers....when it was my turn to "get clipped"....I asked my Barber if he was "Happy" with his present Clientele.

        He responded with...."Hell NO!" "I'm OPEN...to ANY ideas YOU have to bring me MORE Biz. The "Franchise Operations" have taken LOTS of my customers away.

        So....I went back to my Home PC....made up a Sample of my "BEE Back" Card"....showed him my Sample and the guy went Ga-Ga...almost tore my arm off...grabbed me and telling me ....I GOT TO HAVE THIS!....I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS!"

        Well....I've NEVER had a potential customer react this way! I KNEW I was onto something....BIG!

        So...I made up some "Bee Back Cards" for him....and....this turned out to be ONE OF MY BIGGEST MONEY-MAKERS!

        Don Alm
        pic...........?
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  • Profile picture of the author BackLinkingNinja
    I've seen some great local marketing by barbers by using their Facebook page as a way to promote special offers and also a prize for the first person to get 100 new likes. Worked a treat - plus they also give a free coffee if you're waiting and a member gets member discount card 'introduce a friend and they get X and you'll get Y' Some also give free head massages etc and free 'product' on your 10th cut.
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  • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
    Now that you've got my attention Don -
    There's no photo of the"BEE BACK CARDS" (see photo below) ...
    (Gee - do I have to tear your arm off to see one? :rolleyes: jk)
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    I have a Salon client that I have been trying to upsell in following way. (Full disclosure, I haven't yet closed the deal yet, so I have no idea how effective this will actually be!)

    Beyond just getting hair cuts and the usual Barber Shop/Salon services, most of them also sell products. I am trying to get my client to put a QR Code sticker on all their products that when scanned will take the user to a mobile website where they can reorder the product on the spot. That way if somebody is low on shampoo, they can just scan the code on the bottle and have a new bottle sent out to them. The main reason my client has been balking at this idea is that they don't want to get into the mail order business, but I believe that there is a big future in mobile payments and transactions like this.

    Anyway, I just thought I'd throw this out there!

    -Ben
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  • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
    Not a bad idea Ben - couldn't they drop ship and that removes the hassle they see in mail order?... Salon's get perks for promoting one product over another, the buyer would see the shop link, but the order goes to the distributor, and he ships?
    Though I'll admit, I'm not real salon savvy..my "stylist" corrects me when I call her a barber :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    Midasman - I'm interested to see what 'bee back card' that you're talking about. I assume that they're giving some sort of discount to returning customers.

    Warrior Ben - That is a cool look of things. I think I'll dig into that some more. My barber doesn't really sell any products that I know of, I'll have to bring that to his attention.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    DazedandConfused & B and B,

    Drop shipping might be a good use in this situation-- I actually hadn't thought of that before, but since they don't sell any products, it might be a way to get it started. The only issue I can think of is if a drop shipper would add a QR Code sticker on the product before shipping it... if they would do that, it might be worthwhile to scale it up a bit and hire a programmer to create a platform that a dropshipper could offer to their clients. Obviously that could get somewhat expensive, but mark my words-- we are going to see QR Codes on products that link to a reorder page in less than 24 months.

    Anyway, glad I could help out in a small way!
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    • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
      Originally Posted by Warrior Ben View Post

      DazedandConfused & B and B,

      Drop shipping might be a good use in this situation-- I actually hadn't thought of that before, but since they don't sell any products, it might be a way to get it started. The only issue I can think of is if a drop shipper would add a QR Code sticker on the product before shipping it... if they would do that, it might be worthwhile to scale it up a bit and hire a programmer to create a platform that a dropshipper could offer to their clients. Obviously that could get somewhat expensive, but mark my words-- we are going to see QR Codes on products that link to a reorder page in less than 24 months.

      Anyway, glad I could help out in a small way!
      The initial QR code the salon puts on their store stock would also add the clients re-order to a list. The Salon now knows they "dig that poo", and sends the client coupons or links, whatever, to buy those related brand products - like JV, every subsequent sale the salon owner gets a perk for his referral...he's cookied...
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay Moreno
    wouldnt it be a good idea for the barber to sms people when business is slow... that way people dont have to wait or he could offer them a discount hair cut to get those people in today who usually wait till end of month etc...

    actually depending how big is list was he wouldnt want all of them turning up so perhaps he can do like a VIP list or something...

    dunno just brain storming a few ideas
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Very true... I really think there is something big here. If people can reorder common products, not just from Salon's, but anything really, with their mobile phone it could revolution how people shop for goods.

    QR Codes might be the way to start, but I'm guessing that eventually their will be an NFC tag in the product and then it can send an alert to somebody's phone when they are near it. NFC is poised to take over QR Codes in my opinion, but it will probably be 2014 or '15 before they become mainstream.
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    • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
      I did some field engineering in RFID, and NFC is similar, needs to be near a reader...also needs more security encryption - may be before 2014 - any Japanese Warriors out there? They use it now all the time - must know a lot of apps for it
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  • Profile picture of the author IdeaFool
    If the barber is unique in some way, that's how I would market him. The fact that he is a "barber" and not a "stylist" is unique in and of itself. A barbershop is typically a "man's" place where the magazines aren't about hairstyles; they're about fishing and cars and hunting. It's where a man can get a shave, a haircut, a hot towel, talcum powder on the brush and see combs floating in a tall, glass container filled with some green liquid and probably a football or baseball game on an ancient television. It's a place for conversation....masculine conversation.

    Many men who are grown have memories of the smell and feel of a real barber shop, and THAT is the emotional sell. If I were marketing a barber shop, I would invoke those memories. Putting a video on the mobile site with a voice-over that brings to mind these feelings would be pretty cool.

    The franchise Sport Clips has banked on this, but they typically are more expensive than a local barber and still seem a bit "plastic."

    I'm a keen observer of mens fashion and think Ralph Lauren walks on water. His style has always been classic, timeless and masculine. He used a certain barber for years that worked in some little shop in New York City. Ralph offered him a TON of money to come to Ralph's NYC store and set up shop. Ralph even built him a shop within the store. This is the power of a good barber and the memories that they bring to mind.

    Anyway, I probably got off point a bit, and Don Alm above has experience in this field, so listening to him on strategies and tactics is the smart move. I just wanted to weigh in, because the lack of real barbers is, to me, demonstrative of the fading of an icon of Americana and something I discussed with a friend recently.
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  • Profile picture of the author DazedandConfused
    Ideafool ain't no fool...that's just what I mean - I used to go to a MENS barber shop called "The Uppercut" had a boxing theme all around - a MAN CAVE with a Barber Chair!
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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Vraibel
    Ha. That is exactly what I have on my hands. An inner city barber shop filled with everybody who knows each other. When you walk in you have to shake multiple hands of other customers that you know before you sit down.

    The shop itself actually had a small cameo in a hit Hollywood movie that was filmed in this particular Massachusetts "town". I plan on offering him a video interview about this and would market that online to increase exposure but still contemplating the best way to monetize the whole situation.

    You guys are incredibly helpful as usual. This warriorforum really spoils me as a marketer with all the help that is readily available.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jimian
    Why not use video and showcase the kind of cuts, styles, whatever makes his place unique ...location....
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  • Profile picture of the author leehill
    I have a great digital signage system that we use in Hair salons, PM me if you want more details, he can use it to upsell his other products and services...its cheap too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Originally Posted by B and B View Post

    I've been using the same barber shop since I was a little kid and am looking to offer some of my services to him. It will be a very informal approach as he is a neighborhood guy who I have a friendly relationship with. Does anybody have any experience with a barbershop or hair salon?

    I am breaking the ice with a mobile website for him and I would be shocked if he said no to that. He is currently at the number 2 position in GP for "city barbershop" and most combos so I figure that is out.

    I was thinking of setting up some QR codes around the shop for SMS marketing but am having some doubts of its effectiveness for this niche.

    Any help/advice/experiences would be greatly appreciated!


    Barber shops get word-of-mouth advertising when customers talk to family, friends and colleagues. But there are other ways to bring in new customers.

    Coupons:
    Have professionally designed coupons made. Model them after the glossy color coupons you see in Valpak mailings. Ensure that the coupon deal is tempting, such as 50 percent off the first cut. Hire an energetic and trustworthy street team to canvas the area within a 10-mile radius of your barber shop

    Local Online Featured Ads:
    Sign up for a Yahoo Featured Listings account.When the customer clicks on your featured listing, be sure that there are positive reviews about your business listed.

    Male-Focused Events:
    Because the majority of barber shop clients are men, it makes sense to focus your advertising efforts around events that are frequented by men, such as sporting events. Take your small advertising campaign, including your coupons or fliers, to the parking lots of sports events in your town.
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  • Profile picture of the author crowngate
    I'm about to start approaching barbers and offer to build them a website, i dont know how keen they will be and wondering what to reply to the question:

    Why do i need a website?

    I have a few here, can you kindly please add some more:

    People are looking for you Online.
    People are looking for your service.
    Have a central focal point to your business.
    You can show your products and previous work on your website.
    Run special offers and promotions through your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author prodigy1290
    interesting. just built a site for a barber. looking for new srategies to get clientele.
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