The Stylist’s Toolbox.com

This is the first in a series of how to use social media to market your salon business.

Are you on Twitter? Twitter is suddenly HUGE, posting growth of nearly 1400% in February. Twitter attracts more than 6 million unique visitors and 55 million hits every month.

What does this mean to your salon? Your clients are on Twitter and you should be, too. Oh and BTW, Twitter is free to use.

A Short Guide to Twitter

For those of you new to tweeting, Twitter users post short, 140 character messages (Tweets) to answer the question, “What are you doing?” It’s kind of a snapshot of people’s lives.

When you join Twitter, Twitter asks for permission to browse through your email lists (just like Facebook does), looking for people you know who are already on Twitter. You can then choose to “Follow” them. When people you Follow post a Tweet, their Tweets will appear on your Twitter homepage.

Your name will show up their list of Followers and most of them will Follow your Tweets, too. You can also search for people you know and add them to your list of people that you are Following.

A number of (mostly free) Twitter services have popped up, allowing users to post pictures and post and view Tweets from their cell phones.

Many people just use Twitter to stay in touch and post Tweets about the cereal they ate for breakfast and what book they are reading. But a growing number of savvy businesspeople are effectively using Twitter to grow their businesses, stay in touch with their clients and promote new services.

How to Use Twitter to Promote Your Salon or Your Services

Step 1: Open a Twitter account in your own name if you are an independent contractor, or use the salon name if you are the owner. Add a picture of yourself or the salon and search for your clients that are already on Twitter. When you find them, Follow them. They will receive a message via email that you are Following them and they will smile and think fond thoughts of you, their lovely stylist who thinks enough of them to Follow them on Twitter.

Step 2: Tweet. Everyday. Several times. Even if nobody is following you yet. When people click on your profile, they can see all of the Tweets you have posted. Have some interesting content for potential Followers to see.

Step 3: What to Tweet?

*Tweet that bangs are hot for Summer.

*Tweet that trashy summer hair can be repaired by slathering on some olive oil before bed.

*Tweet that you’ve got a cancellation this afternoon and the first person who calls to fill it gets 25% off highlights.

*Tweet a reminder for your clients to wear sunscreen.

*Tweet that you just got in a hot new styling product.

*Tweet free bang trims to maintain those hot summer bangs.

Find ways to be insanely helpful to your clients. DO NOT always try to sell them something. This is obnoxious and people hate it. Offer valuable information and useable tips intermixed with  some soft sales and your Followers will look forward to reading what you have to say.

How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business

When you Follow people, you have access to their entire community of Followers through the picture grid on their homepage. You can take some time and find out who these people are and Follow them if you think they might be a good fit. If they Follow you back, they will be receiving all of your helpful tips, hints and promotions. You never know who is looking for a new stylist.

Also, if you have a Facebook page, you can change your Twitter settings to automatically update on your Facebook profile (or better yet, your Facebook Page that promotes your business!). Friends that look at your Facebook profile (and Friends of Friends and so on and so on and so on) will all see your Twitter activity and can choose to follow you.

The Last Word

Establishing a presence on Twitter make sense. It’s fast, free and it’s where your clients are. Take an hour or two and figure out how it works. Make a plan to Tweet once or twice or five times a day for a month and see what happens.

Some Twitter Resources:

*If you are the kind of person who would rather plan ahead, TweetLater lets you write a bunch of Tweets and schedule when they will go out. So if you’ve got a free hour on Sunday afternoon, you can enter a week or month’s worth of Tweets. Check them out – it’s cool!

*There are now Twitter groups called “Twibes” (say it with me, awwwww), for every subject on Earth. If you are interested in networking with other salon industry folks, check out the BeautyTweets and Cosmetologists Twibes. All of the member’s Tweets show up on one page and you can get some great information!

*Feeling ambitious? Start a Twibe for your salon and invite all of your clients to join!

*Want people to find you on Twitter? Register at WeFollow, a place where you can list your salon information and three keywords. People searching for salons or hair stylists or whatever will be able to find and Follow you.

And finally, be sure to Follow me @StylistsToolbox.

Sign up for a Twitter account here. Happy Tweeting!