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Thread: Boost business by word of Mouth

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    Boost business by word of Mouth

    Hi All,

    Here To Brain storm ideas for marketing.
    As some may know I own a Hair Salon. Been open a few months. Adveretised in newspapers, handed out flyers, given out vouchers.
    We have had no response from flyers or the local newspaper.
    I gave vouchers to the ladies only gyms and recieved a good response there, but nervous to carry on in case they get tired of promoting me.
    I do believe that a hairdresser is personal experiance much like a doctor. Most people won't just go to anyone unless refered by a family member or friend.
    How can I get my exsisting clientelle to refer people to me? How can one boost word of mouth?

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    How about a "bring a friend" discount?

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    carm (31-Aug-09)

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    Hi Dave,
    I thought of that, but my clientelle is majority men. men dont bring friends to hair salon. Or what would entice men to bring a friend for a cut?

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    Moderator IanF's Avatar
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    Carm
    Have you considered a money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied your money back. You would only have to refund a person once because if he is not satisfied he shouldn't come back. I would just have a short questionnaire to explain the dissatisfaction, give the money back with a smile and say "since we can't please you, you won't be coming back". If you did mess it up you give the money back and say please come again as we stick to our guarantee.

    The idea is not to refund money but to keep yourself on your toes so you don't have to refund the money, and you use that thinking when you are asked about it.

    I used to offer a guarantee your printing at the agreed time or your printing for free. It worked and I only gave printing for free once by doubling the order quantity at no extra cost as our press was down. Then canned it after a lady came and asked for about 20 different quotes with lots of permutations,which would have taken at least half a day to estimate, she wanted the quotes straight away and then asked with the biggest smirk how long it would take. I told her at least 3 weeks for the printing as it would have to go out for foiling die cutting etc. She just clucked loudly and stormed out the shop.
    Only stress when you can change the outcome!

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    carm (01-Sep-09)

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    Men are so easy - just pump up their ego and they'll talk

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    carm (01-Sep-09)

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    Platinum Member Marq's Avatar
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    Where is your salon in relation to your advertising spread?
    Guys need it to be like next door, with no q's and no real frills stuff...well thats my idea of a good haircut - Its not something I plan or even put on my agenda - its - hey I've got 5 minutes think I'll shoot out and get a haircut.

    Perhaps another idea is to go travelling...get a travel kit together and go round the local offices and (get permission) cut hair in the boardroom at a huge discount rate. Get a regular clientèle going and then get them to come to you.
    The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
    Sponsored By: http://www.honeycombhouse.com

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    carm (01-Sep-09)

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    Hi Guys
    I do offer money back guarantee. There are no frills, definately no ques. there is a pub directly opposite my shop. The gents walk out satisfied and come back every month, some even pop in just to say hi. but no referalls
    What i am trying to work out is what makes men and women talk about thier hair. Women i sort of know give her a compliment and she will tell all. Men i dont know. I can not see a men sitting in a pub complimenting each other on thier hair. What makes men talk hair? Is the experiance maybe a free beer, sexy hairdresser, fantastic head massage? What makes men tell thier wives to go to thier hairdresser?

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    Moderator IanF's Avatar
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    Carm
    Next to a pub, that sounds like a perfect location. What about a free beer with your haircut promotion. M barber charges R70 a cut. You could get the bar to go in with you and charge you cost for the beer as it will help with his promotion. Now where is your shop it sounds good as I stay in Glenvista.
    Only stress when you can change the outcome!

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    carm (02-Sep-09)

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    Platinum Member Marq's Avatar
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    Men do not tell their wives to go to the hairdresser, Carm.

    They learn fairly quickly that this means a number of things but foremost that came to mind is firstly it means lots of bucks gone in short time scale ...secondly it would be similar to the question of does my arse look big. Dont go there....

    Men telling men about hair....No I dont think so either. Just put a sign up in the pub and redirect them to your shop.
    The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
    Sponsored By: http://www.honeycombhouse.com

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    carm (02-Sep-09)

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marq View Post
    Men telling men about hair....No I dont think so either.
    Which to my mind means you need to give them something else to talk about. It's called lateral marketing.

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    carm (02-Sep-09)

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