first day opened...is this normal?

suncountry · 11-11-2004, 07:25 PM

Just wondering....We finally opened today and we didn't even have one person come in...I'm sooooo disappointed. We did have some phone calls as people seen our ad in the paper, but not one stinking person.

Just a little bummed out...

Is this normal?

tanu01 · 11-11-2004, 07:31 PM

Yes, opening this time of year takes alot of advertising, and get out and about and give some feebies away

ALOHATANCA · 11-11-2004, 07:45 PM

yes, we are in off season !!!!!! Ineed ajob that pays right now...hahaha

X-Treme Tropix · 11-11-2004, 08:14 PM

Yup, unfortunately it means LOTS of advertising just to get your name out. If your community has a Christmas Parade, maybe get in it and pass out fliers. Join the Chamber of Commerce, get yourself in local paper to introduce your new business. Go to each businesses and introduce yourself, pass out your business card maybe with a free tan for first time use. Just to get them in door.

Make fliers and start advertising gift certificates. Just get creative and go for it. Don't know til you try. Just be careful with spending though especially advertising. It can suck you dry. It did us and wish I did it alittle different when I started but had to bite the bullet and just do it. GOOD LUCK

suncountry · 11-11-2004, 08:19 PM

Thanks for the help and info guys!

I figured it was normal, and I have placed some ads in a couple of our local papers...We also have it on our huge sign outside. It was just a little disappointing that no one came in.

I'm probably going to do up some flyers and maybe put them on cars in the parking lot of our local mall. Hopefully that will help out!!

Sherin · 11-11-2004, 08:38 PM

Build that data-base!
Have a box of cards printed with "Bring a friend & you tan free" on them. It's pretty cheap.
Give them out everywhere you go. To restaraunts, the store, latte stands. Then reward your new customers with upgrades when they bring in more than 1 friend (that buys a package)
Word of moth travels slowly..Don't dispair! Keep plugging away!

K-tina · 11-12-2004, 10:01 AM

Very scary. Hang in there! Don't close early or start changing your hours around because no customers are coming in. If you are open until 9:00 p.m. - NEVER close at 8:30p.m or 8:45p.m I used to feel "why bother staying open" and then customers starting coming in 10 minutes before we close. It's a bummer but not when they buy a big package and a bottle of lotion. People will start talking about a good salon, good hours, good service.

Sunset_Beach · 11-12-2004, 05:48 PM

I agree. Stick with the longer hours. Its only a matter of time before people start coming in. Like everyone said, right now is a good time to create flyers and get your name out there.

Neon Beach · 11-12-2004, 06:47 PM

They will find you, but you have to put in some effort, and it doesn't have to be expensive ad blitzes. Get your family and friends involved, your hair-stylist (if they have no tanning), other business owners that you may know. I remember my first day, I felt like Bahboo when he first opened his restaurant accross from Gerry's apt. building.

hockey92 · 11-13-2004, 03:29 PM

I have been open since July 15th and still have people walk in saying they didn't realize we were open yet....We did a lot of fliers and advertising in papers.

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11-11-2004, 07:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
suncountry Join Date: Oct 16 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 244 Rep Power: 4	Just wondering....We finally opened today and we didn't even have one person come in...I'm sooooo disappointed. We did have some phone calls as people seen our ad in the paper, but not one stinking person. Just a little bummed out... Is this normal?

11-11-2004, 07:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
tanu01 "The Man" Join Date: Mar 4 2003 Location: ohio Posts: 3,977 Rep Power: 7	Yes, opening this time of year takes alot of advertising, and get out and about and give some feebies away

11-11-2004, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
ALOHATANCA Police Department Join Date: Nov 14 2003 Location: CALIFORNIA Age: 49 Posts: 4,436 Rep Power: 8	yes, we are in off season !!!!!! Ineed ajob that pays right now...hahaha

11-11-2004, 08:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
X-Treme Tropix Join Date: Dec 22 2003 Location: MO Posts: 620 Rep Power: 5	Yup, unfortunately it means LOTS of advertising just to get your name out. If your community has a Christmas Parade, maybe get in it and pass out fliers. Join the Chamber of Commerce, get yourself in local paper to introduce your new business. Go to each businesses and introduce yourself, pass out your business card maybe with a free tan for first time use. Just to get them in door. Make fliers and start advertising gift certificates. Just get creative and go for it. Don't know til you try. Just be careful with spending though especially advertising. It can suck you dry. It did us and wish I did it alittle different when I started but had to bite the bullet and just do it. GOOD LUCK

11-11-2004, 08:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
suncountry Join Date: Oct 16 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 244 Rep Power: 4	Thanks for the help and info guys! I figured it was normal, and I have placed some ads in a couple of our local papers...We also have it on our huge sign outside. It was just a little disappointing that no one came in. I'm probably going to do up some flyers and maybe put them on cars in the parking lot of our local mall. Hopefully that will help out!!

11-11-2004, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sherin I love Derf!! Join Date: Aug 10 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 4,765 Rep Power: 10	Build that data-base! Have a box of cards printed with "Bring a friend & you tan free" on them. It's pretty cheap. Give them out everywhere you go. To restaraunts, the store, latte stands. Then reward your new customers with upgrades when they bring in more than 1 friend (that buys a package) Word of moth travels slowly..Don't dispair! Keep plugging away!

11-12-2004, 10:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
K-tina Join Date: Dec 18 2001 Location: South Posts: 365 Rep Power: 7	Very scary. Hang in there! Don't close early or start changing your hours around because no customers are coming in. If you are open until 9:00 p.m. - NEVER close at 8:30p.m or 8:45p.m I used to feel "why bother staying open" and then customers starting coming in 10 minutes before we close. It's a bummer but not when they buy a big package and a bottle of lotion. People will start talking about a good salon, good hours, good service.

11-12-2004, 05:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sunset_Beach Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Jan 14 2004 Posts: 117 Rep Power: 0	I agree. Stick with the longer hours. Its only a matter of time before people start coming in. Like everyone said, right now is a good time to create flyers and get your name out there.

11-12-2004, 06:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	They will find you, but you have to put in some effort, and it doesn't have to be expensive ad blitzes. Get your family and friends involved, your hair-stylist (if they have no tanning), other business owners that you may know. I remember my first day, I felt like Bahboo when he first opened his restaurant accross from Gerry's apt. building.

11-13-2004, 03:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
hockey92 Looking at my Ta-Tas ..eh Join Date: Aug 31 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,161 Rep Power: 11	I have been open since July 15th and still have people walk in saying they didn't realize we were open yet....We did a lot of fliers and advertising in papers.

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