Career in PMU?
All the articles I decide to write come out of an idea, a request or a task. This time I am writing because one of my students requested me to write on paper all the marketing information I shared in class. Since it has been so long I am in this industry, those pieces of information will come naturally because as far technology became so present in everything, I didn ́t even realize how much we rely on apps in order to make a business going. Here in this article I will show step by step how to make your business running using the best tools available in the market.
- Build your web presence: If you don’t have a website nowadays you technically don’t exist. You can do it yourself in a friendly user third party platform (wix, squarespace, weebly) very quickly! Most of them uses drag and drop features which makes the job very easy to do. You can also build a basic website on google or hire a professional to do it. It doesn’t need to have a ton of information since you are just starting, but be sure it is clear enough to show what you offer. If you don ́t have a portfolio, you can purchase copyrighted pictures online (don”t simple steal them), on istockprotos, shutterstock or vecteezy. Many of them also offer royalty free pictures as well. When you have real clients photos, add them to your website as gallery.
- Print business cards: yes, it is very old school but still effective! You can make very cute ones on vistaprint or pay someone to design your logo so you can have it printed elsewhere. A stack of cards at your hair stylist ́s booth, nail salon, friend ́s boutique can bring people to your door. Keep in mind that you can also put some inside your client ́s post procedure care bag.
- Join Facebook local groups, build a facebook business page, Instagram and Tiktok. Start becoming popular in your area and get followers. When you start and decide to post your SPECIALS, you will already have an audience! This is free and can be the best way to spread the word about your business. Before you open, post everything about your business: be humble, tell your story and share the fact that your shop will be open after (your opening date) and you
need models since you are building a portfolio. You can actually start booking for a fee! - Get your inspection done after setting up your shop (follow all the requirements) and make your business legal (county, city, state). You will need those documents on your wall. Make your consent forms following your state rules, if you are getting insurance, ask them for the forms. In case of a claim you will be covered.
- If you can, plan a Grand Opening! Bring family, friends, serve some champagne and finger foods. This is an occasion to be shared on your social media. You can also pay for some ads to let people know you EXIST now!
- To start spreading the word, do some free work on your friends and family. It doesn ́t need to be a full procedure: map their brows and let them walk around with them made with regular make up. Let them feel comfortable with them first, and when that happens, it is time to have them microbladed or shaded.
- Prepare the post procedure care bags and write down pre procedure care guidelines so when your clients start coming you will have it ready for them. Be clear on instructions so the results will speak for themselves and bring you more clients.
- Sponsored ads on social media can work well, but for that you should have real work pictures to share. Download on your phone some apps to help you improve the quality of your pictures (Snapseed, Faceapp, Facetune, Visage Lab). You can also use some apps to make before and after collages (PicCollage, YouCam Perfect, SplitPic, Canva). Explore your creativity and create your unique style which will identify your business. If you don ́t have real pictures to post ads, get a royalty free (or pay for copyright) and at the end of your post add the information: Picture for attention/not my work.
- It may feel kind of sketchy but Groupon can help you start. You don ́t need to stay there for too long, just enough to get your wheel turning. Make your ad offering just the first session and be clear at the fine print that the touch up apt must be paid when the person comes to have the first treatment done: don ́t make it optional. When the person calls to book, explain the importance of the follow up appointment: you don ́t want your client walking out there with unfinished work on her face. Keep in mind that Groupon gets 50% of your fee most of the times, but you will still get a lot of phone calls from people who saw your ad there but will book straight with you if you can offer the same deal!
- If you want to keep your books under control, download Quickbooks Self-employed. That will make your taxes filling a lot easier since most of accountants know to do is affordable. Start controlling your finances DAY 1!
Don’t wait until you need to file your taxes to start with the app. You will have a lot of work trying to put your revenue and expenses on paper. - Scheduling: you can start your business scheduling people manually, with a hard copy calendar. As soon as you can, opt for a scheduling app (Gloss Genius, Vagaro, Schedulicity, Acuity) so it will be easier to collect booking fee from your clients (you can do without the booking fee but for sure you will have some no-shows). The best ones are paid, but they save you a lot of time because you can set reminders by email, text, let them change, cancel,
schedule. They work pretty much the same, but you should choose the one which will fit better your needs. - Always ask for reviews! Doesn ́t matter where (Facebook, Instagram, Google, Yelp, Groupon) Anything good people can say about your work will add to your popularity and bring you more clients. When your business is already running, print some gift cards and give to your clients for them to give to their friends… it sounds a lot more professional than coupons and you can also reward your clients if they help you to spread the word.
- Don ́t fall for the scammers in the industry! There are a lot of them out there eager for your money and promising unrealistic outcomes. Always check their reviews and listen to people who used them and before compromising your money, be sure it is an investment and not an expense.
- Share your work on social media so people can see your work. It is your work which will bring people to you before you start having referrals!
All the companies, websites and apps mentioned here are NOT paying for my recommendation. I have been using several of them for years and I believe they are good tools for your business. There are still a lot of other online tools available and each day we see more apps being created in order to make our work more effective.
This article is an inspirational map to make things happen, and we all need good information
when starting a new career!
Best of luck my dear PMU Rookie! I am here cheering you up and praying for your success, always! God bless!