KEY TAKEAWAYS: There are opportunities galore that you, as a barber business, can take advantage of–it just takes some knowledge, intentionality, and good old-fashioned hard work. In this article, we'll walk through a few key secrets to success–email, social media, digital marketing, and financials.
The world of barbering is ripe with excitement and potential. It’s no wonder that it attracts ambitious, creative, entrepreneurial, social, and talented individuals who have a passion for perfecting their craft and forging their own stories. With so many skills to learn and possible paths to take, it’s only natural to feel the overwhelming weight of what could be when starting your barbering journey.
Finding success as a barber rarely happens overnight. It takes commitment, determination, and hard work. More than that, it hinges on your ability to identify and reach your audience, connect with clients, and make your mark on a competitive industry, but don’t despair. With the right guidance and tools, you can begin your barber business success story now.
Building a Barber Business–One Brick at a Time
Once you have the basics of your barbering career sorted out–including your initial education, certifications, and so on–there are four primary things to focus on if you want to grow your barber business and unlock a successful future. Keep in mind that these overarching focal points are detailed skills that take time to learn, strategize, and implement. The time and effort you put into them will be well worth it when you reflect on the journey from atop the barbering game.
Emphasize Email
As a barber, one of the most powerful tools in your advertising arsenal is email. As you progress through your career, your barber business will collect quite the email list through client contacts, inquiries, and so on. This email list gives you a direct line of communication to a large audience of people who have already expressed interest in your work.
Email can be used to market your barber business’ latest promotions, connect with people through meaningful shop updates, ask for and build a solid compilation of reviews, and otherwise touch base with everyone who is on your list.
"As a barber, one of the most powerful tools in your advertising arsenal is email."
Social Media Matters
Whether you love social media (perhaps a little too much) or are indifferent to the point of complete disconnection, it is a necessity for small businesses operating in the modern world. For barbers, social media is a particularly compelling tool packed with benefits and can’t-miss opportunities.
While the scope of social media’s potential impact is massive, there are a few elements barber businesses can focus on to maximize their effectiveness.
Encouraging user-generated content (UGC) is an excellent way to boost client engagement, procure positive feedback for your shop, and show off your exceptional work. You can also build your community beyond your personal clients by reaching the industry at large.
Social media helps you connect with potential customers, collaborate with fellow barbering professionals, and otherwise establish yourself as an active voice within the barbering community.
Make the Most of Digital Marketing
Email and social media marketing might occur in the digital space, but they are adjacent to the broader use of digital marketing. With more consumer activity taking place online now, having a strong digital identity is imperative. If you’re able to leverage digital marketing to your advantage, your barber business success story is sure to blossom.
Digital marketing is centered around your website and content that exists in the digital space. Enhancing your visibility through search engine optimization (SEO), sharing valuable information through your blogs, growing your reputation through Google reviews, and more are all advantages of taking digital marketing seriously.
Growing Your Barber Business Revenue
You may have many goals as a barber. From instilling your clients with feelings of confidence to opening a second location as your barber business grows, dreaming and working toward those dreams is what makes an entrepreneurial spirit so potent. While there’s no reason your career as a barber can’t be incredibly fulfilling regardless of circumstances, experiencing revenue growth can go a long way toward facilitating your vision as a barber.
Financial success doesn’t define your career, but it does play an integral role in your barber business’ longevity and ability to find success in other facets of your work. There isn’t a universal blueprint for revenue growth, but there are a few key steps you can take to give your barber shop its best shot at financial gain.
Strengthening your branding, creating your backbar, embracing branded merchandise, expanding your services, and otherwise appealing to your ideal audience through a variety of avenues increases the earning potential of your barber business and primes it for revenue growth.
Your success as a barber business is within reach. Whether you’re just starting your career or you’re a veteran looking to reach that next level of success, the insights offered here are foundational to growing your business. For more tips, tricks, and industry information, we encourage you to subscribe to the National Barbers Insurance and visit our frequently updated blog.
