Grow Your Client Base

• Ask for feedback

  Not everyone will be honest, but it can't hurt to ask for some constructive criticism (as well as acknowledgement of what you do best) to help you keep your clients happy and coming back for more. One way to do it: Prepare a feedback survey that clients can fill out anonymously to rate your strengths and weaknesses (include questions not only about your styling technique but also your professionalism, promptness, responsiveness to clients' needs, etc.).

• Tap into your network

  If you are looking to bring in new clients, look to your current ones. Satisfied customers are the best source of new customers. So don't be shy about letting clients know you're looking to expand your business and ask them to refer people to you whenever appropriate.

• Create incentives

  Reward your current clients for trusting you enough to refer their friends to you. Offer current clients a discount (like 10 or 20 percent off their next service) for every friend they refer to you who comes in for a cut or color service with you. You'll make current clients happy and get new clients at the same time.

• Promote yourself

  Let your achievements speak for themselves. If you or your work has been featured in a magazine or newspaper or has been awarded any kind of honor, frame it and hang it in your station for your clients to view. A photo album of favorite cuts, colors or styles you've created is another good tool for promoting your work.

• Throw a party

  There's no better way to thank your current clients and impress potential new ones than by inviting them to your salon for an evening of food, cocktails, and hair talk - to make it even more fun, hold a raffle where the winner gets a free cut or color with you. Make sure to follow up with the potential new clients who attended by thanking them for coming and inviting them in for a cut or color service.