smarino21

I am opening a new salon and i was wondering should i start advertising now. I am gonna be opening in July. I dont know what is the best way to go with this. I was thinking of advertising early. I am not sure though what is the best way. Can you guys help me out. I know its a **** time to open.

MATT A

If your opening in July no offense but you either did not do your homework correctly or hopefully you have worked it out with your landlord where you don't pay rent unitl about December. However some still see busy season till the end of July and others it cuts off around July 4. Either way I'd get your pricing down and education about owning and operating a salon before anything. Work out any issues you may have and then start advertising two weeks after you open. You want to attract clients since your brand new you need a new client special that is hot and going to bring them in. Good luck

sunsally

Don't advertise now - waste of money.

Two choices -- do nothing initially, let them "find" you, and ride it out until January.

OR

Run a "Tan 'till 2007" special (e.g. probably $99 or less on your Level 1 beds) with a banner on your store (if allowed), postcards to your 3-5 mile radius (or as many as you can afford). See if a local pizza shop will let you put them on their boxes (in exchange for free tanning for the owner?), etc.

Until then - print up some "free week" or "$10 off" or "3 free tans" or whatever you are willing to do as a new client special and when you think you are about 3 weeks or less out from opening, start passing them out to everyone you meet! Grocery clerks, waitresses, bank tellers, neighbors, hairdresser, nail tech, babysitters, etc Get word of mouth going!! Have a spot on those cards for referrals and give THOSE people some extras to give THEIR friends with some incentive (e.g. get a free upgrade with every one brought in or get a free week for every 5,...).

Gppd luck!

caribbean tan man

build yourself a quick website even if its only 1 page and put the addy on everything you print. the main problem i see is you will spend hundreds advertising early and it most likely will not be a great turn out unless your giving away the farm.

and be very concerned about opening in july im already cutting back on my spending and ive been in business 3 yrs going on 4th slow season

missyhot

Smarino, where in Michigan are you opening? Just curious. Good Luck.....don't advertise yet.......jmo.

MATT A

Advertising is something that should be done year round but cut back during the slow season but you still want to get something out year round in my opinion.

sunsally

Year 'round advertising when you are an open salon - yes.

Starting to advertise a salon NOW that is SUPPOSED to open in July (and could be delayed from that - they usually are!) - no.

Website is definitely a good idea. Anything to start building awareness, inexpensively.

Tasha_Tosh

i would start advertising a week or two before you open... you can't wait for them to come to you with slow season coming. you need to make the most you can at the end of busy season to help you get through slow season, if you don't you will be putting up a closed sign before you know it. good luck

tanu01

I have not spent a penny on advertising this year and having the best year I've had in 10 years

West Side Tanner

I'll have to try that Tanu01.