Social network your salon
Published
07th Oct 2010
by rachael
Social media is changing the way we receive, share, and access information, but can it help your salon business?
Whether you're a total novice or a Facebook pro, there's never been a better time to get involved in social networking - not only can you promote your business, you can also attract new clients, talk to industry professionals, and get your work noticed by the press.
Keep reading to find out more about how a few simple steps online can boost your business, with a minimum of effort and virtually no cost.
Starting out
- If you're a total beginner, it's much better to choose just one, and do it well.
- Don't worry about being an expert or hiring someone to do your social networking for you - if you can write a Facebook stats update, you can do it.
- Remember that running a Twitter page or blog can be a great alternative to spending money on a website; it's just another way of looking at things.
Getting followers
- Start by linking with people in your local area, as well as industry leaders such as HJ. It's easy to search for followers by interest and location, as well as by name.
- If you're struggling to find interesting or relevant people, look out for other salons or similar businesses, and see who they're following.
What do I write?
- Don't think too much about what you're writing - just get something down, and you'll soon find your own flow. Talk about what's new in the salon, the latest celebrity looks, or a successful client makeover.
- Consider how much of your personal life to share online - congratulating an employee on the birth of a baby is one thing, but sharing pictures of a staff night out may not be appropriate.
- Use video to showcase your talents. Two billion videos are watched every day on YouTube, with hair and beauty how-tos rating highly among the most popular categories.
- Keep your site up to date, but don't get carried away. Bombarding your fans with hundreds of status updates a day can be more intrusive than interesting, and could lose followers.
Sites you need to know
The following social networking sites are all free, and really simple to use.
Setting up a company page on Facebook is quick and easy, and allows you to connect with clients and contemporaries, sharing news, images, and events with them.
Twitter is a simple way to let people know what's going on in your salon with short, timely updates. You can send and receive messages directly, and communicate with celebrities, designers, and leading ind
ustry names.
Once you've set up a YouTube channel, it's simple to upload videos. Even a short clip filmed on your phone can be helpful, and hairdressing how-tos are one of the most popular searches on the site.
This photo-sharing website provides a clean and stylish way to share your images online. Use it to host your portfolio, document events, store inspirational imagery, or simply to check out the work of other hairdressers across the world.
These three websites allow you to set up your own professional blog in a few simple steps. Create a customised look using the easy-to-follow templates, then start sharing your news, pictures, and thoughts.
Don't forget to follow Hairdressers Journal on...
