Back in the good old days, barber shops could rely on passing trade and word of mouth to bring in new clients. But times have changed and sadly most barbers can no longer depend on this.
These days, barbershops are using creative methods to market themselves and reach their target audience. So, it’s important to keep up or else you will get left behind!
You may be thinking, a barbershop marketing strategy is going to be both time-consuming AND expensive.
However, there are plenty of simple marketing techniques that can help save you time whilst attracting new customers. It’s a no brainer!
In this article, we’ll cover why you should:
- Optimise your Google My Business listing
- Implement promotions and a loyalty scheme
- Build your social media presence
- Get an online booking system
- Market your business with Shortcuts Software
Optimise your Google My Business listing
Aside from social media, the main place that clients go to to find their nearest barber is of course Google. In fact, 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.
Does your barbershop show up when you type in ‘barbers near me’? If not, you are likely not optimised for local search and missing out on potential business!
First up, make sure you have created and verified your Google My Business listing. This online platform allows you to manage how your business appears in Google search results as well as Google Maps and other local search features.
Make sure all your information is up to date, encourage customers to leave reviews, add good quality photos and details on your services.
All of this will help to make your business more attractive to Google and so make it easier for clients to find you – win, win!
If you still don’t know where to start and need some help with Google My Business, our handy Education team is here to help. Get in touch with us today to get started.
Implement promotions and a loyalty scheme
Let’s face it, everyone loves to save a bit of money. So, a promotional offer such as 20% off your first appointment is a sure-fire way to get clients through the door.
Don’t be shy about getting the word out about your promotion. You can add a banner to your website, post on social media, add it to your email or SMS marketing – the options are endless!
While promotions will help to attract new clients, you need to find ways to retain them too. Of course, excellent customer service can go a long way but you can go the extra mile with a loyalty scheme.
With our Rewards Club feature, you can engage your loyal clients and keep a steady revenue coming in. Clients will make an upfront payment which will then give them points to be redeemed later on services that are worth MORE than they paid.
Build your social media presence
It’s no secret that social media is a powerful marketing tool for barbers. Set yourself up for success by ensuring you are using the right platform to target your existing and potential clients.
If you have a younger demographic, your best bet is to focus on Instagram and Tiktok. Meanwhile, if you have an older demographic, Facebook may be a better option.
Now, it’s time to get creative. Post good quality images of clients and experiment with video content too. Did you know? By posting video content, you’re almost guaranteed to increase engagement on your Instagram profile.
And you don’t even need to have any fancy filming equipment, shooting with a mobile can be just as effective. Which means you can easily capture engaging content during the day.
Get an online booking system
It’s a well-known fact that young people prefer to book online instead of calling up. In general, barber booking systems are much more convenient for everyone and can also save you a LOT of valuable time.
They also happen to be great for marketing purposes since you can encourage people to simply click on a link rather than make the effort to call up.
If that wasn’t enough, you can also set up automated reminders to send to your client after they book and to remind them to rebook. It couldn’t be easier!
Looking for an appointment booking system to help you manage your day with ease and focus on the important stuff? Have a look at our Appointment Book feature.
Market your business with Shortcuts Software
Now that you know how to market your business, you’ll need the right barber software to help you guarantee success.
Our powerful marketing tools will help you grow your brand, keep your guests in the loop and you can sit back and relax as the hard work is all done for you.
We’ll also help you cut your admin workload in half by simplifying your daily tasks and automating the essentials, so you have more time to do the things you actually enjoy!
Interested in learning more? Get in touch with us or book a demo.
