Building and Keeping a Client Base
Clients are truly the backbone of your career. A lot of new barbers assume customers will always return because of one sharp haircut or a friendly chat. The real story? There is a barbershop on every corner. People have plenty of options, and they’ll go where they feel valued and comfortable. People always remember how you made them feel way more than remembering how you made them look. Looks fade but feelings linger. If a barber acts like a hotshot or shows up late even a couple of times, clients notice. You’re on stage and every one is watching you, the professional barber. Everyone is a customer until they become a client. There’s a big difference between the two. Follow these easy steps to turn a customer into a loyal client and keep them.
Make them feel welcome
Even on a jam-packed day, pausing just enough to make clients feel important pays off big time with repeat business and great referrals. Give that person in your chair the attention they are paying you for. This isn’t the time to hold side conversations with other barbers or the client that just walked in who tips well. Now you begin rushing mr James out the door so you can cash in on the tip you believe Fred has for you. You can only service one person at a time the one in your chair gets all the focus and all the attention. It doesn’t matter how big they tip, or how long they’ve been coming to see you for services. Treat everyone with respect and appreciation. This is noticed and felt by all that enters the shop. Greet everyone that walks through the door whether they are coming to see you out the barber next to you. Meet ALL with a warm greeting. It may be Tony‘s first time visiting your shop. He’s an extrovert that needs someone to ease his anxiety of entering a shop. You can turn a not so easy task into a experience that puts him at ease. Tasteful Respectful humor goes a long way to breaking the ice. laughter is a universal language that we all enjoy. Finding a place like this can make anyone feel welcome.
Connect with everyone personally
I picked up early in my career that learning someone’s name makes them feel important. Offering a warm smile puts them at ease. To actually listen to what they want makes them feel heard. While giving extra care to finishing touches helps build authentic loyalty. Make it a priority to Remember names, small personal details, or asking for feedback shows you care.
It’s not about ego; it’s about building relationships with the person you are asking to pay you money. We aren’t just giving a hair cut we are offering a real service. Building relationship through personal connection gives the public a reason to come back and see you.
People will become loyal to the person they connect with on a personal level. It’s your job to learn the person visiting your shop for services. Find something you connect with each individual on a personal level. It could be sports, movies, kid, reading, etc… When you find the thing you both have a love for build on it. Remember birthdays, anniversaries, vacation times, graduations, additions to families.
These events can be leveraged in the future to show your customer their lives matter and offering a free service as a birthday gift goes a long way. A congratulatory service on house makes a man feel special who just got that promotion or just became a father for the first time, or a second time even a third and fourth time.
When you become invested in a persons life they become family and will almost feel it a must that they become a loyal client.
Availability is the best ability
Every first time customer should know exactly how they can receive a service from you again. Closeout letting them know the best way this is possible. For walk in traffic, what are your hours of operation? You prefer they book an. appointment? what’s the best way to do so? This can be handled by having a business card ready with the information printed right on it.
Being available when they need you will begin to build trust and convenience for the customer ready to become a client. A client is defined as a loyal customer who refuses to be seen by anyone else unless they have to. These occasions happen when you aren’t able to service them. You’re on vacation, out sick, or dealing with a family emergency.
All other times you should be communicating with your clientele of your where about and happenings. This is a great way to prepare them for any arrangements they need to make to have work done by you in a timely manner.
Follow these simple steps to not only turn each customer into a loyal clientele but keep them satisfied throughout the years you practice as a professional barber.
