Ideas for Barbershop Marketing Client

whats the link to the website?

They don't need SEO or brand help. They already have all the customers they can handle right there in front of them.

Here's what to do:

>> Have them buy an iPad
>> Have them setup a MailChimp account
>> Setup Chimpadeedoo for them
>> Setup autoresonders for them
>> Give the customer 50% off their haircut when they're checking out after their haircut in exchange for their email address (They all signup if they have an email address)
>> Offer those that leave their email address 50% off a hair cut for anyone they refer for a haircut
>> You do this referral offer part in the email autoresponder series. They get this offer every 3 weeks as a reminder about referring people
>> You charge a recurring monthly fee plus X$ per email collected

Now....some ideas that have worked and might work


Not sure the $$$ on videos are worth it....won't the styles be out of date pretty quick?
Salons (and barber shops) need to constantly update their visual output


Put effort into that facebook - get more likes,get them to promote that everywhere, at the shop itself
The ipad idea is pretty good - there are companies out there that offer that plus a loyalty "reward" program......with barbers a loyalty reward program is good - reward with that free haircut after so many cuts (10?) (commission or reduced commission paid to stylist by owner)
Instagram could be a good choice to display their work


Before you build their "brand" they need to decide what it is. Some barbershops today are like "man spas" - metrosexual - with pedicures, facials, high end décor Waxing - waxing is a moneymaker....back waxs LOL


. I know one barbershop that offers "beer" ...just like salons offer a glass of wine to customers they give these guys a beer haha. That promo is their "brand"
You can even make it a man cave - big tvs with sports, a pool table


Some are more family - catering to men, kids and some women who just want a good hair cut
Some are more Urban with lots of very fancy cuts that change constantly, hip hop and rap music playing a young "décor" Some are more standard...just a barber shop but with skilled old time staff that keeps them coming back


Build a brand - promote it
Some promos that enhance - doing cuts for a local charity ...
doing cuts and donate to locks for love o similar (always alert local media, get this promoted free)
"Movember" promos - staff grows mustaches, they do cuts or ? specials to benefit Prostrate cancer


If more family oriented -- "first haircut" promos work nicely- make a big deal of it , have staff take a digital photo of kiddo to send/print for parents -


Just as salons have a wine and cheese open house, you could promote a beer and ? pretzels...or pizza open house - team up with a nearby pizza joint and get if free LOL


You also want to keep it pretty local local local....clients will want a shop near their home or work
Don't overlook large office buildings - offer a lunchtime special on slow days (tues, wed?)


So figure the brand first - you do say they are "bringing in stylists:"....so do u want to go more unisexual, or do you want more "macho"? IMHO they will need to expand their offerings and décor to cater to women successfully

Freebiequeen1999:

Not sure where this comes from: "do speak from experience, not some wso theory off the top of my head"

We do a lot of business updating local businesses online presence. We charge for a new web design, monthly recurring fees for marketing and for each email address we collect. We do this on a daily basis.

With EVERY business our first step is to resurrect their existing customer list, organize it then get them into an email list. Then we start on all aspects of local marketing from Google Business Page, Google Trusted Photographer to about 50 directories.

That's just a start. I could give examples of how it works, but I'm not sure you'd understand.

acornhill: Start on resurrecting their client list and work out from that. If you come up with a system where their current clients refer their friends, buddies and family members to the barber shop they'll have to change the hinges on there door often.

An email list is great, but with a business like a barbershop, SMS would be better and delivery and read rate would be much better.

Collect phone numbers by offering an MMS coupon if someone texts in "haircut" to a local phone number. Then you can run weekly specials, during slow times of day, or days.

If people like the person that cuts their hair, they generally stay with them. Trick is to get them in the door to get a really good first experience. Then use SMS/MMS to entice them to come back.

Salon type products usually have a 100% profit margin, so some of those SMS messages could be for big discounts on products with the purchase of other services too.

Just found this online, pretty damn creative if you ask me.

Barber Gives Misbehaving Kids “Old Man Haircuts”

Just have to find something that makes them stand out. Barbershops are everywhere and are usually sooo boring. Have to find a way to create buzz and give the customer a fun experience.

one I use offers good cigars to smoke and shot of good whiskey ...50 dollar hair and high ,so I visit very seldom...

Thanks for all the help guys! I personally think the george jefferson haircut is hilarious, barber is getting a helluva lot press here in Atlanta. I wouldn't recommend that to my client but defn is pretty funny.

It depends on the size of the business and how much value you are bringing him. Be honest with yourself and with your client and figure out how your services will translate into more business. Then and only then will you know how much to charge.

I'm not keen on discounts because they tend to attract the bargain hunters instead of the
type of customers a business really wants. It's all about positioning to get the sweet spot
in the market. The barbers/stylists probably prefer nice customers, who are not financially
stressed and will tip well.

Last year at my hotel, I raised prices a lot. We do have nicer customers and more revenues
at about the same level of occupancy. (Prior to last year I rebuilt the reputation and increased
occupancy to what is pretty much max for our location.) Because the occupancy level is about
the same as before the revenue increase, utilities, labor and supplies costs are about the
same - more net profit.

But if they do the discount thing for reactivation or referral business, then make sure ahead
of time that the barbers agree on the amount of discount or the way it is handled. Maybe
offer a lesser discount and keep the employees at their same pay.

I'd find other low cost ways to make it a wow, talked about experience and great perceived
value. Free fantastic cookies, coffee, maybe wine. A random gift of appreciation - like a bottle
of their favorite shampoo or conditioner or lotion. Tickets to a sporting event or concert. Get
the owner to learn the customers and their families and offer random gifts relevant to their
interests. Find out a kid is into Taylor Swift, give her latest CD....

Themes might work too. Sports, lingerie wearing stylists... Depends on the target market.

Videos will work -especially if they need a Search engine boost.

Don't forget local newspaper, website, blog advertising and improving the copy/conversion
rate of the ads.

Bizgrower has the right attitude , IMO. You can establish a higher cost First. then discount that back to the regular price for the Special...and throw in some cookies, a topless babe or 2 serving Dalmore 64 shots, wash and wax the Bentley etc....
instead of the traditional charge of 20 bux for a haircut, post the new price of 44...then give referrals a 50% discount ...barbers make the same FOR A WHILE...then they make more ...if people doint groupon deals would manage the sales in this format, they would 1.make money on the deal and 2. install a higher value to their services by the price increase...or maybe not ?

I just worked with a Surf Shop. They have amassed an email list over 2,000 customers and never used it.
They used living social teaching surf lessons & with the ammount of customers that came in they didn't have time for anything even personal lives. That year they pulled in $160,000 gross and took home less than $60,000 - they being husband and wife.

I say run the numbers- Shop rent $1500 a month Haircut average $27 that's 55 haircuts a month 2 cuts a day? Then pay the bills. I'd shoot for 15 cuts a day = $400.

Discounts are given with appointments, so you create some urgency. People are busy & always on their phones. Texts are a good idea, handing out business cards for small discounts.with emails etc...
Create customers for life!

Great Question, I think businesses can learn front his example. You have to go above and beyond just regular customer service. Like you pointed out providing extras and taking care of non-customers can be really helpful in getting new customers in the future.

As some others have said, build up that email list fast. You can offer a % off their haircut, but don't do 50% discount up front - because you've ALREADY got them in the door, willing to pay full price. So give them the perk once they've done what you wanted i.e. subscribed to your newsletter/email list. Email them a coupon for (insert whatever special your client is comfortable with here) to get them to come back.

I work with one of the most well known hair salons in NYC and I can tell you from experience what has worked for them.

The video idea you want to do is a bad idea. Are you training new barbers or generating leads? Instead - do a set of "stylist or barber spotlight" videos, that focus one of your barbers/stylist in each video.

I like this approach for 2 reasons - The customer gets to know the staff a little ahead of time -what kind of experience they have, what they specialize in, accolades, etc and then the customers get to pick who they like the most. It also gives the stylists a little bit more incentive to stick around longer term, because they'll be generating free leads this way - Many people don't know that stylists & barbers pay quite a lot of money for those chairs each month.

Also, a strong Facebook & twitter presence can make a significant impact slower days. Hope this helps!

Why not get back to basics?

I'd print up flyers and hit the pavement. No one is willing to do these things now, everyone just wants to marketing online.

Barber shops / Salons are every where. I think you should focus on a like a 2 mile radius. Flyer major parking lots, strip malls etc.

Sure some people will get mad that they have a flyer on their car but you know for sure everyone of those cars will read what your BRIGHT COLORED FLYER is advertising.

Put something on the flyer about showing the barber / receptionist that they "Liked" your Facebook page for $2.00 off a cut or show that they are following you on Instagram and get a $2.00 discount (if you're trying to drive traffic to social media.

Don't be lazy or afraid of grass roots movements, they still pay off!

Barbershops and Salons, lend themselves perfectly to text messaging as their customers will frequently visit. For example some people will get haircuts as often as twice a month and with text messaging you can easily remind your clients to come visit based on their typical frequency.