How many barber shops does New York City have?
Truth be told, nobody really knows!
Estimates range from 700 to more than 3500. There’s no way of knowing exactly how many because not all of them are registered businesses. There are barbers in Brooklyn and Manhattan that are arguably among the best in the world, but only the local population knows about them.
Barbershops and salons are more than just places to get your hair done. Many of them are local institutions with histories as old as the cities they serve. They are places where people gather to have conversations, settle debates, and come out looking sharp as knives.
But even such elite status may not be enough to thrive in the digital age, where 81% of consumers check Google reviews before choosing a business, while 36% consult multiple websites. The occasional referral from a loyal customer or a few scattered customer comments online is not enough to stand out among a sea of determined and highly competitive players.
So how can you ensure your barber shop makes a memorable impression and attracts the right clients? Through strategic marketing focused on building a strong online and offline presence.
To that end, we've curated a list of 10 effective barber shop and salon marketing ideas.
Whether you run a modern barber shop that offers trendy cuts and shaves, or one that offers traditional services to old and new customers, here are ten things you must do to grow your business.
The first step to enhancing your barber shop or salon business marketing strategy is ensuring an up-to-date online presence.
Maintaining current and accurate information is crucial, whether through your Google Business Profile, website, or social media handles. Ensure your listings mention the correct business hours, include a map for easy navigation, and display the latest rate cards to avoid customer confusion or disappointment.
Update your Google Business Profile regularly to keep potential customers informed and positively impact your local search rankings. Google search algorithms consider the freshness and accuracy of your business information when ranking search results, so outdated information can seriously mar your online visibility.
Make sure to add high-quality photos to your online profiles for enhanced customer engagement. The quality and relevance of photos are some of the top factors influencing decisions, so a visually appealing and informative online presence is key to enhancing your business's appeal and converting potential clients into loyal customers.
Local SEO is a strategy that makes your business more visible in local searches. It helps you drive traffic to your website and build brand awareness.
To optimize for local SEO, start by claiming and verifying your Google My Business (GMB) profile. Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are correct and consistent across all platforms. Use relevant local keywords in your GMB profile and website content - such as 'barber shop in (city)' or 'hair salon near me' - to improve your chances of ranking high in local search results.
Next, focus on creating localized content that resonates with your target audience. Write blog posts or create videos about local events, hairstyle trends in your area, or hair care tips specific to your region's climate. Cross-platform promotion is also a great SEO strategy because it increases your content's reach and visibility across different channels. Localized content like videos can be cross-promoted on IG, TikTok, and YouTube, while blog posts can be shared on local Facebook groups.
Finally, encourage satisfied customers to leave a review on your GMB profile or other sites. Remember, positive reviews can significantly improve your visibility in local searches; they are a direct path to thriving businesses.
Managing online reviews effectively is a strategic imperative for building a positive online reputation and attracting new customers.
Encourage customers to leave reviews and feedback by sending personalized messages containing a direct link to your Google or Yelp review page. Positive reviews lead to good word-of-mouth and help build trust in your brand, as long as they are genuine and reflect real customer experiences.
According to one 2024 survey, 48% of customers feel positive about a business if its reviews are written by named users, instead of anonymous ones. In other words, personalized reviews go a long way in building positive consumer perceptions about your business.
Monitor reviews regularly and respond to them, especially if they involve negative feedback. A simple apology or a compensatory rebate speaks volumes about your dedication to customer satisfaction and helps you build a loyal customer base in the long run.
Partnering with relevant local businesses is a cost-effective marketing strategy that gives you access to a wider customer base. Besides the obvious opportunity for cross-promotion, partnerships and collaborations help create a positive brand image while increasing visibility and building a sense of community.
For example, a barber shop could partner with a local clothing boutique to offer a joint promotion where customers receive a discount at the clothing store with a haircut receipt. Similarly, a salon could collaborate with a popular spa to offer package deals combining hair and spa services.
Partnerships can lead to the creation of unique offerings that expand your reach and drive customer engagement.
According to a survey conducted by Yotpo, more than 53% of global respondents said a loyalty program is what influences them to continue to purchase from a brand.
Implementing a branded loyalty program for barber shops can be a smart move to keep your current customers coming back and to draw in new ones. Since people generally need haircuts or salon services every 6-12 weeks, a loyalty program is a great way to ensure those visits stay on schedule.
Leveraging loyalty and review software can be a game-changer for local barbers and salons looking to enhance their online presence and create a positive brand identity. These platforms allow businesses to give voice to their loyal customers by integrating loyalty programs with review requests to create a seamless and rewarding experience for clients.
A key feature of these software solutions is the ability to trigger review requests when customers redeem points or achieve specific milestones in the loyalty program. Once a customer earns a certain number of points, for instance, they receive a notification inviting them to leave a review in exchange for additional rewards or benefits.
It’s an easy way to incentivize customers to leave reviews while ensuring they are coming from satisfied and loyal customers.
Leveraging social media can be a powerful marketing strategy for salons. Consider sponsored ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach a wider audience and target specific demographics interested in hair and beauty services.
Before and after images are perfect for showcasing your work and attracting clients looking for similar results. Share haircare tips to position yourself as an expert and provide valuable information to your followers. Timelapse videos of haircuts or color transformations are visually engaging and hold viewers’ attention from start to finish, while hair color videos highlight your creativity and new styles. Additionally, sharing behind-the-scenes content from your salon gives potential clients a glimpse into your environment and staff. Participate in beauty and wellness communities online to advertise your services and connect with individuals actively seeking salon services. By crafting fun and shareable content and using simple tools for filming and editing, you can effectively market your barber shop and build a loyal, engaged following across platforms.
The effectiveness of influencer marketing and its ability to sway consumer purchasing decisions cannot be overstated. According to a recent survey, 61% of consumers are at least somewhat likely to purchase from a brand if an influencer they know and trust posts about it.
Start by identifying influencers in your area who resonate with your target audience. Look for people with a strong following and engagement, especially those focusing on beauty, grooming, or local lifestyle.
Once you've identified potential influencers, collaborate with them to promote your services. That could involve sponsored posts, where the influencer showcases their experience at your salon or barber shop or reviews of your services. You could also consider hosting events or workshops with an influencer to tap into his or her audience.
You can also consider offering special promotions or discounts through influencers to incentivize their followers to visit your business. On the whole, barbershops and salons can increase their visibility, reach new customers, and build credibility within their community through effective influencer marketing.
Seasonal promotions and discounts are a great way for barbers and local salons to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Discounted rates on specific services during holidays or special events, for instance, can create a sense of urgency for customers to book appointments and help you stand out from competitors.
Seasonal promotions are also a great way to introduce new services or products. For instance, you could discount a new hair treatment or styling product to encourage customers to try it. Promotions are especially effective in keeping your appointment books full as you tide over slower seasons.
Offering personalized and exclusive discounts to loyal customers is a fantastic way for barbershops and local salons to show appreciation and strengthen customer relationships. Exclusive discounts can be key to realizing the maximum customer lifetime value (CLV) from your most loyal patrons.
One way to do this is by offering special discounts on their birthdays or anniversaries. Another strategy can be creating personalized packages of their most-used services bundled at discounted rates. If a customer regularly gets a haircut and beard trim, for instance, you could offer a package deal that includes both services at a price lower than what they would have cost if booked separately.
Elevate your salon's customer loyalty and online reviews with DataCandy.
Our platform simplifies collecting and sharing reviews from your most enthusiastic customers. By triggering review requests when your members earn or redeem points, you can potentially quadruple your online reviews.
DataCandy also facilitates the seamless sharing of reviews across your online profiles while handling automated campaigns.
Learn more about how we can help you scale up with a gift card and loyalty program!