Where to start
Start with offering the services you`ve mastered perfectly. For example, if you`re good at basic mani-pedi, keep it up. Working with real clients will give you the much-needed experience and confidence. You will gradually learn more complex procedures and add them to your list of services.
How to create your first portfolio?
At the beginning of your career you will need models for practicing. See if your girlfriends, colleagues, neighbors would like to share the cost of the materials and get free manicures. This way you will bring joy to your friends and have something to show off. Nowadays social media is almost all you need – Instagram page will be a great portfolio. Tell about the services you provide and be sure to pick only high-quality photos and perfectly done works. Also, think about the background, lighting, hand positioning – presentation is everything.
Internet promotion tools
Once again, social media are the perfect way to promote your services. Many experts consider Instagram to be the most effective platform for advertising beauty services, but don`t forget about other opportunities, as well. Create a Facebook page and Telegram channel, make an interesting video and share it on YouTube, post your works in groups. Possibilities are truly endless. The sure way to gain people`s interest is a contest where you can give the winners a free manicure session. To support the interest, post relevant and interesting information – advice, trends, nail industry news, share your best works. Soon you`ll see many followers who like your content and what you do, therefore, potential clients. In addition to social media, use other online promotion tools like city forums, ad boards and yellow pages. You will not believe how many people would be glad to find a good nail artist in their part of the town.
Offline promotion
Any professional must have a card. This is not only a way for people to know your address and phone number, it is also a powerful promotional tool. Think about its design and the information on it. A sure marketing trick is a discount that goes with the card. Your own nails are another offline promotion tool. Think about it – would you go see a professional nail artist whose nails are a mess? Be creative and tasteful – you should get people`s attention, but not too much of it, though. Trust us, this is a truly important matter. After having your nails done and after making a pack of your perfect cards, sign up for a conference of a specialized exhibition. These are the places to find new clients and adding many useful contacts into your list. Make your clients do your promotion. A happy client is a chatty client. As we`ve discussed earlier, ideal manicures are the best advertisement and marketing surveys state that when people choose the service, they rely on recommendations from their friends and co-workers.
Be creative
Sometimes all we need to do in order to gain success is a little effort. Use unpopular promotion tools: - Client exchange. Establish a working cooperation with other beauty specialists and have them recommend you to their customers. In many cases a trip to a hairdresser or a masseuse is all it takes to find a good nail artist. - Give your clients another reason to tell their friends about you. Offer special deals for those bringing their friends to you. This may be a gift, a special service or a discount. - Think of the ways you are different from your competitors. Maybe, you may guarantee that your work will be good for some period of time or do house-calls or even use special materials. Make a list of your advantages and speak of them. - New technologies. Try using online services for creating your schedule. This will give your clients the opportunity to choose the best time for their visit and will help you with organizing your work. Those are often available not only on websites, but also even in social media.
Loyal customers
High quality services, clean and safe tools and materials, politeness and sensitivity, good mood and sincere care – these are the things that will help your first-time customers become your good friends and regulars. Start acting and love what you do! Good luck!
