~stephanie~

Hi guys. I own a small salon in a town of less then 3000. Just a few weeks ago a new salon opened across the street from us. And now we have a brand new one going in next door. We've been here in the same place since 96. I'm not concerned with keeping our old faithful customers. But insteed I'd love some ideas to bring in some new customers and keep them.

thanks

unity

"I'm not concerned with keeping our old faithful customers."

Ouch, you should always be concerned.

Either way, with 3000 people you probably have had every potential tanner at your place already.

The question is not what can you do to get new clients, its what can you do to stay relevant and competitive. Then concentrate on getting new clients.

__________________
OMG! I made a post! :)

caribbean tan man

im thinking when you say "I'm not concerned with keeping our old faithful customers." you "hopefully" mean you feel or know they wont leave.

either way these are your bread and butter clients. i focus on my current clients the most( my database)

i suggest you stay in contact with them (your database) everyway possible.

emails
myspace
facebook
text message specials
direct mail

then let the word of mouth bring in the new clients.

its cheaper to retain a client then gain a new 1

to bring in new clients try
buddy passes
1st tan FREE (IF U REALLY NEED TO) I do 1st tan free with packages
Referal program that offers something to your current client when they bring in a new client....use in conjuction with buddy passes.
and if all else fails.......simply be the best! they find you

PS: 3 SALONS IN A TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF 3000 IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO GOOD FOR ANY OF THE 3

__________________
someone PM me when a good tanning topic is posted. :lol:

timeout888

Next door.......Do you have exclusivity in your plaza? (or are you even in a strip mall ) ?

caribbean tan man

u know that totaly blew by me!

__________________
someone PM me when a good tanning topic is posted. :lol:

~stephanie~

nope we're not in a strip mall. actually our tanning beds are located in a motel. ah the joys of a small town.

mr belvedere

You need to absolutely FOCUS ALL OF YOUR ENERGIES ON KEEPING YOUR OLD FAITHFUL TANNERS!!! Believe me, in a town of less than 3,000, there aren't any more!!! Best of luck to you.

__________________
"A dusty bible leads to a dirty life ..." -Synonymous

~stephanie~

thanks guys. I've been doing some brain storming and reading on what everyone has found to work. I'll let you know what ideas i run with and how they work. thanks again for the imput.

missyhot

Do you have room to offer some retail items like purses? Do you offer Spray Tanning? Do something that the 'others' dont do to set you apart. Everytime I do something, every other tanning salon around starts doing it and it ****** me off but you gotta keep offering things that the others dont imo. Maybe do an inexpensive makeover to your salon to keep things 'fresh'. That sucks that is happening to ya, good luck.

Tanzenite

Im not sure why someone would open up next door.