Are you a master with sheers and a razor, yet you aren’t acquiring enough business to make your bank account sing?
Then read our 10 tips to attract customers to your barbershop.
10 Best Ways to Get More Customers for Your Barbershop
Youtube and ASMR
According to Wikipedia, autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is “is an experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine.”
It’s also a significant trend on YouTube. There’s even a channel called ASMR Barber.
For whatever reason, there’s something about haircuts that relaxes people.
ASMR videos can get millions of views. There’s no reason you can’t leverage this Youtube trend by filming relaxing straight razor shaves, for instance, to bring attention to your shop.
Community Engagement
A barbershop is a crucial thread in a community’s fabric.
As such, be an active part of the community instead of just having a business that arbitrarily happens to be in town. You could sponsor a local sports team or offer co-op placements to a nearby high school’s students.
Either way, it’ll establish goodwill for your shop which, in turn, will attract customers.
Tutorial Videos on Facebook
First, you’ll need a business page to produce tutorial videos on Facebook.
Once you’ve established your business page, tutorial videos are a must. Furthermore, live streaming is proven to get 3x more views than pre-recorded videos at 8-billion views a day.
It’s also worth noting that videos get shared more than regular Facebook posts, ensuring you’ll reach more eyes than just your immediate network.
A tutorial will establish you as an expert and will show your high-level skills in action, making your services more appealing to prospective customers.
As a local barber, you’re likely down the street from a café, a flower shop, a law office, and any other number of businesses.
Start knocking on doors and seeing if there are ways you can cross-promote. Most of these businesses are reputable establishments whose recommendations will be trusted by their loyal customers.
Remember, if you scratch a business’s back, they’ll be more inclined to scratch yours.
Carve a Niche
Just like a chef has their signature dish or an actor has their prominent role, decide on your specialty haircut. Start by researching trending hairstyles — then commit to mastering one.
Still, you’ll need a way to show off your expertise, which brings us to our next tip:
Get on Instagram
We’ve brought it up in our other blogs — but it’s worth saying again; Instagram is a visual platform, and a barbershop is a visual business. If you aren’t already on Instagram, you’re doing your shop a disservice.
Instagram can connect you with a local audience, as its algorithms pick up on your current contacts and their locations. Beyond that, relevant hashtags — such as #FreshFade — coupled with an eye-catching photograph, will attract plenty of engagement and, in turn, new business.
Digital Loyalty Program
69% of customers say their choice of retailer is decided by whether there’s a loyalty program.
Still, some loyalty programs are clunky. You need to shell out cash for card printing, and customers forget their cards most of the time.
With a digital loyalty program, the inconvenience is no longer part of the equation. There are no printing expenses, and customers don’t have to remember bringing a card.
Are you unsure of how to use a digital loyalty program?
Well, you can offer a digital stamp for every appointment and reward your customers with a free shave after 5 haircuts. Head over to Loopy Loyalty to get started with your digital stamp card in minutes.
Online Brand Advocacy
Did you know that 90% of customers read online reviews before visiting a business?
Encourage your customers to leave positive online reviews either on Facebook, Yelp or Google. There’s no need to bribe them or offer incentives. Just mention you’d appreciate their feedback, provide them a link, and if your service was excellent the customer will be thrilled to leave a glowing review!
Offer Customers Barbershop Swag
Giving your best customers physical keepsakes will turn them into your walking billboards.
Keep in mind; you’ll need to offer swag customers will actually like. Customers will accept a mediocre piece of marketing collateral with a smile — then throw it in the garbage once they’re home.
Creative Business Cards
Handing out a cookie-cutter business card will end up buried in a prospective customer’s wallet.
Take the time to craft a memorable loyalty card that makes prospects think of you the next time they need a haircut.
We hope these suggestions will have your barbershop packed to the brim with new customers. Have questions or suggestions yourself? Leave them in the comments!
