Starting a lash extension company can be lucrative. Once you’ve practiced and perfected your technique, as well as got your time down, you’ll have the confidence you need to start charging for your services. After all, that’s why you learned how to apply eyelash extensions, right?
In order to turn your eyelash extension training into a successful small business, however, you need to find clients. Once you’ve built your clientele, you’ll start reaping the financial benefits of your hard work.
But the question remains, “How do I build up my clientele?” It isn’t so easy to find good, loyal, repeat customers. In fact, the whole process can seem overwhelming. You might not know where to start. Just use these tips to start building your clientele.
1. Ask for Referrals
Referrals are any business owner’s best friend. This goes for just about every business owner in any industry! The more people you know, the greater success you’ll have with referrals.
Ask the friends and family members you practiced on if they’d be willing to offer referrals or share your business cards with anyone they know.
To attract referral business, consider offering your service at a lower price for a limited time. Once people test out your services, they should be happy enough to keep coming back for top-ups time and time again.
If you have any clients right now, give them flyers with a discount code to share with their friends (and don’t forget to rewards those clients for sending business your way too).
2. Go Hard on Social Media
Social media is a great platform for new business owners. Over the years, you’ve likely already built quite a following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Now it’s time to use your profiles to your advantage.
Post photos of your work, offer discount codes, and share testimonials to attract more business. Share informational content discussing trends, products, and styles in the eyelash extension industry. This will help you gain credibility.
The more friends who “like,” comment on, or share your posts, the more brand awareness and visibility you’ll get.
Also be sure to research relevant hashtags to use in your posts in order to widen your audience.
3. Become an Active Member of the Community
During your training, you likely met several other professional and aspiring lash artists. Keep in touch with them for tips and tricks of the trade. There are also lash communities on Facebook and other social media sites where you can ask questions, find answers, and become a part of a larger group.
How does this help you build your clientele? It’s a vital source of information. Not only will it help you keep up to date on industry trends and changes, but it can also help you learn from other artists’ mistakes, learn how to price your services, and so much more. You’ll come away with knowledge that will help you run a better business your clients will love.
4. Treat Your Clients Like Goddesses
Again, you might be wondering how this will help you gain new clients. It’s important to realize just how critical word of mouth is in business. The better you treat your existing clients, the better the chances they’ll shout their praises from the rooftops. They’ll tell everyone they know—even strangers who stop them on the street to ask about their lashes—exactly where to go to get quality eyelash extensions and great customer service.
Above offering great products, always be positive, professional, and friendly. Give clients a listening ear if they want it, and learn to be quiet if that’s what the client prefers. Play calming music, keep a clean environment, and do what you can to keep clients as comfortable as possible.
Your clients will tell their friends, who will tell their friends, and so on. Soon, you’ll have clients knocking down your door.
With these four tips, you’ll be generating new business for your eyelash extension services in no time.
