How to bring home more income as a hair stylist
Hair stylists provide an essential service, but they often don’t make as much money as they should.
Between economic hardship and the competitive market, it can be hard to find solid ground as a hair stylist or beautician. If you want to know how to make your work stand out more so you can bring home the bacon, you’re going to need to know what strategies often generate more income.
Continue your education
Like any job, the field of cosmetology is continuously changing. Older methods may be updated, or newer trends may require additional knowledge. It’s important to keep learning! Take extra classes or acquire additional degrees to stay up to date with the industry.
Learn from newer stylists and stay up to date with beauty trends. Not only will you improve your skill set, but you’ll stay relevant with a wider variety of clients. Depending on your location, obtaining new education and knowledge is easier than you may think.
Texas
In Texas, the number of cosmetologists is predicted to increase by nearly ten percent in the next ten years. Hair stylists and beauticians will need to obtain as much knowledge as possible to stay competitive and successful. Thankfully, just like renewing your cosmetology license, you can take advantage of Texas cosmetology continuing education entirely online.
Florida
Outside of California, you won’t find more cosmetologists anywhere than in The Sunshine State. Thankfully, continuing education is available online and in popular cities like Orlando and Miami to keep your skills sharp. You don’t want to be out of touch here.
California
California has the largest amount of cosmetologists compared to any other state. You will need to remain up to date with the latest hair styling methodology and trends to be successful, particularly in heavily saturated areas like The Bay Area or Los Angeles. Aside from renewing your licensing, you can take in-person or online educational courses to cater to a wider variety of clients.
Improve your marketing plan
When was the last time you took a look at your marketing strategy, if you have one? If you don’t have one, you’ll need to get started. Marketing is one of the most efficient ways to get more business in your hair salon or stylist chair.
Expand your strategy by targeting a wider variety of audiences. Hire a marketing expert to help your strategy become more efficient. Use different approaches, such as local marketing and social media marketing, to show off your skills. Why should clients choose you over other hairstylists? Incorporate the answer to that in your marketing plan!
Start networking
In many industries, including cosmetology, it’s helpful to establish connections. By networking with other hair stylists or beauticians, you can expand your clientele, increase job opportunities, and learn some industry insight you may have otherwise missed. You can observe other stylists’ techniques and even provide guest visits to their salon and vice versa. The more stylists you know, the more clients you can get to know, too.
Change your schedule
If you only provide your salon services when everyone is at work or church, you may not get much business. Take a look at what days and hours you’re open. Try to shoot for a few hours outside the nine-to-five range. Most people save hair appointments for the weekends, after work, or their days off.
While you don’t need to work all day every day, try to change up your schedule to see if you get more walk-ins. If you find clients often trying to schedule for a specific time or day, try to accommodate them by adjusting your schedule if possible.
Move locations
If you own a salon, you may not be gaining the foot traffic you need. What is the crime rate in your salon’s immediate area? What other businesses are there? Is your salon easily viewable from the street or sidewalk? Consider adding more signs to show where your salon is. You may want to change locations entirely if there is a crime rate problem. You don’t want your clients too scared to walk through the door!
Create an online presence
In today’s digital world, many people who provide visual services, like hair stylists, makeup artists, and tattoo artists, thrive with an online portfolio or website. A website allows people to learn about you, your work, and how to schedule an appointment.
By creating social media profiles, you can attract more audiences and create a brand for yourself. While adding to your social media is more work, you can see more success with a good strategy. People can view your previous work and determine if you’re a good fit for them easier.
How much more income can you bring in?
The most effective way to bring in more income depends on your business, the scope of your work, your clients, your location, and more. However, when you adapt to industry trends and digital demands, you can find yourself casting a wider and more versatile net when it comes to hair styling.
You may need some practice with social media curation and client outreach strategies, but creating a brand for yourself can broadcast your work where it needs to be.
