Originally Posted by grifangel

Hi Everyone,
Okay, I am starting a new mobile tanning business. I have my business License, I have my equiptment. My Business cards and spray tent arrive tomorrow.My website should be done in about a week. I have scheduled print advertising starting July 1st.
I have trained on two people, and it turned out fine.
What do I do now?
I am very overwhelmed on what to do next. I am ready to work but unsure what my next step should be.
Can you please let me know the steps that were taken to start getting clients for a mobile business. I am in a very large suburban area outside of Atlanta.
Any advice and motivation would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by CrystalSS

I have built 3 successful large stores so here are a few little tips I have learned from other mentors. You cannot turn on the lights and phone and customers start running in the door. You will start by hitting the pavement like never before. Not having a Brick and Mortor salon will make it tougher. You should have a goal of passing out at least 500-1000 business cards in the first 30 days alone (in this industry you cast a very large net to capture a few fishl). You MUST, let me say this again, You MUST invest in marketing at this critical time. I take most of first year income and reinvest it into my business. Join organizations and network groups not only to get tools as a business person but to meet tons of new people and pass your cards out. You should be handing your cards out to ANYONE within 3 feet of you that you speak with to include the grocery store clerk and the mailman. I still after 15 years hand out at least 5 a day. They should ALWAYS be in your pocket at ALL times. You need to build a talent of striking up conversations with strangers and then GETTING what you do in the conversation. Have something on the back of your first 2000 business cards like a free leg spray (YES...FREE) because if you are not luring them in to "earn" that business then good luck (Only a small percentage will take you up on it anyway and an even smaller amount of people spray tan). Get into ANY business you can to introduce yourself (Even offer a free sample spray) to either co-op or work with...gyms, bridal business, gymnastics centers, modeling agencies, salons or ask them if you can put your flyers on the tables in the lobby.....pull out the phone book for ideas. Be prepared to work any and all hours to please your new customers AND then once established you can be pickier. REWARD your folks that send you friends and family. THEY are the most value to you. Be an artist and good at what you do. YOU will not see them back for repeat business if your spray tans are substandard. Continue to pick the brains of the experts on tantalk. Stay in front of your customers always. I know birthdays and even anniversaries and you better believe I am sending a handwritten card to them on each to include Christmas. NEVER let them forget about you. Call the next day to ask about the spray tan results. Emails to them with updates on spray tans and technology, specials you are running, call if you have not seen them in awhile to say hello and perhaps give them a call to action. After the spray on give them a coupon that they MUST use in the next 30 days..any type of call to action. Bottom line is YOU are going to get what you give. Read books on selling and stay up on technology and continuing education. Give 150% and you get back 150%, do it with half intentions then you die. If building a business was easy everyone would do it...it is hard work. Demand the same of your workers or drop them. Be good at what you do and keep your standards high. All this is part of the first steps to building your business then there is an art to keeping it viable. If despite your hard work you are not making money...move on to a new business and I will give you a refund on my advice. Today I did 13 spray tans. Best wishes in your new venture.