By Johnnie Akons
All professional barbers when we were in school we had so many big dreams about what we were going to do when we get out of school. We are going to make so much money, we are going to open our own shop and be a celebrity barber. All of this within 6 months to a year. We expect when we go into our very first shop that we are gonna get so many clients and we will always be busy because in school you cut so many heads(In some cases). We expect that all our clients from the school will follow you to your new shop. This will not be the case maybe some will but you better believe that 80% of them will move on to the next best student at the school. In this business the more you love it the better you will do. If you love it and have a passion for it the money will come. It all begins in school!!! Cut as many heads as possible. The more practice you get the better you will be. School is where you learn the basics and depending on your instructor you can learn more than the basics. I'm telling you this because your skill plays a big part in your advertising. If you have skill with a great personality, professionalism and the right attitude you will go far. So im going to tell you *MY* 4 W's to advertising. Who: Only you can make your business go to the level that you want it to go to. Your shop owner, mentor, fellow barbers and support system can help but only you can actually get out there and make it happen you must work on your customer service & skill so that you can retain those clients that you cut. As a shop owner I look for barbers with the right attitude and hunger for this industry but I cant or no one else can get you there if you dont do your part. You're the Who. What: A lot of barbers put all their time advertising their work to other barbers that are not gonna make them not one dollar. They will tag fellow barbers but won't tag their clients. Your clients will be your best form of advertisement for your business. This is called word of mouth. Make sure you give your clients your best work because it's your job and they are your walking advertisement. Pass out business cards when you're not cutting. There should be no down time when you're building a clientele. Use social media for business purposes. If you have anything negative that you just have to post do not post it with your work. Create you a business page just your business. Tag your clients on your haircuts that you post that way their friends can see your work as well. Facebook is great for this strategy. This is the What. When: From the time you wake up till the time you go to sleep you should be advertising. Whether it's passing out business cards at the busiest store, resturaunt or school near you. Posting pics of your work with specials *Again* when you're not cutting. Post your available spots you never know who will see them and need a cut. Also every head that you cut you should not post. If you cut a client and that client is thinning very bad by his front hairline, potential clients might not know that all they will see is his lining is messed up. Be selective with what you post! Your posts can also do damage to your career. Keep cards on you at all times because now that you are a Barber you should be passing out cards and trust me you will be paying attention to everyone's head. This is the When. Why: Why should I advertise? This one is as simple as it gets. You don't make money you don't eat, bills will not get paid and you will not survive. Nobody should want it more for you than yourself. There is a reason that after the first year of barbering only 30 out of 100 new barbers continue to make it and even less after 5 years. They do not advertise and market themselves right. There are no excuses at all. Business cards can be made and printed for at the minimum of $10. Passing them out to people is free. Social media is free. Doing specials and letting your clients know about referral specials are free. This is not just for students but barbers that have been cutting forever don't do this. So lets get on it barbers and elevate your Business!!!! Remember a closed mouth wont get fed. This should be your Why. These are my 4 W's.........Who, What, When and Why and I hope they help you.