Getting new clients: groupon???

Professionals Only! Electrologist to Electrologist (pros only)
#21

Timmamit, sorry I did not reply sooner I am not on Hairtell that often. I did not use Groupon because they are very difficult to get in touch with. Now Groupon is very is to get involved with but they do not promote your business at all and I do not like them. Living Social on the other hand has been great and I have run two deals with them. They promote your business which can bring in high volume. They got a hold of me the first time so I do not know how to get a hold of them. If you do a Living Social Merchant search you might have some luck.

Odi, the numbers have changed. On my second run with Living Soc. I am getting 75% repeat business with out additional deals. These folks are coming in and paying full price. These people see results and they like coming to my office and they do refer their friends to me. Now I do get those folks who only come in when the see a deal and that is fine. It’s not I am running deals all the time because I am not, for those people I tell them pay me instead of Living Social. Overall it has worked out really good and I am finding that there are so many people out there who do not know what electrolysis is. These deals are an introduction for so many therefore bringing electrolysis back into the for front. In conclusion, Odi you are wrong.

#22

Maybe there is no competition for electrolysis in your area, that could explain the weird numbers that you are seeing.

#23

Or I am doing my job right, I know crazy concept. I have plenty of my colleagues surrounding me. I do not look at them as competition anymore. I did at one time but this website and the three fb pages for electrologist’s that I know of have taught me different.

#24

I have said it before, There really isn’t all that much to compete for in this industry. If everyone currently doing work tried to book one hour of treatment time in any given month, there would not be enough practitioners available to work the total hours being sought. Add to that the people who would do electrolysis if they knew anything about it, and we have a deluge.

Of course, I know of people who think of me as competition just because someone passes them on their way to see me. My reply is, that person had just as much opportunity to choose you, and there are plenty of people who would never work so much as a sample treatment with me, who would just adore working with you.

#25

So I have a friend in business for herself that used Groupon. To get around their fees she somehow put in her ad to contact her before they purchase the Groupon. This way she received for profits and also got to talk to her to book an appointment.

#26

When I opened my clinic years ago I ran groupons for a while. worst decision ever. All the clients it brought were tire kickers. We ended up kicking groupon to the curb. You get NOTHING a pittence of the work that you do on groupons that doesnt even cover supplies. I would not recommend them to any new professional. totally not worth it.

#27

In the last six months, I’ve had a tsunami of “tire kickers” (unrelated to Groupon) … clients that are difficult to manage and/or those that will not follow through. It’s like the craziness experienced during/post covid. A few clients have canceled appointments without explanation, so, I began to wonder, is it me? What have I done? All have had excellent results. Some are trans clients that really need the work, but something else always gets in the way that is more important than electrolysis.

#28

Actually I’ve come to know this is actually normal. Transgender clients can go through some tumultuous times financially, often relationships end, jobs disappear and they have a hard time being hired on, Some may be students or do seasonal work where income changes over time. In times of hyperinflation, like now, they have to make some tough choices. This isnt any different for my CIS clients either. Sometimes , like recently, I end up restarting cases I began 3 years ago where the client abruptly stopped due to a change of employment right at the beginning of covid. She’s back on the schedule for an hour a week after 3 years absence. If you did good work in the first place, and they left because their situation changed when it betters again you find these clients looking you up.

#29

I’m finding myself struggling, maybe it’s a few cancellations and the state of the world in general getting me down, but I’m not where I hoped I’d be at this point. I started renting a room one day a week in 2022 and now I rent a room that I have open 4 days a week, but I only see maybe 4 clients per week. I moved to a new country and don’t know anyone so I tried to advertise with Google but didn’t get a single appointment from it. I have great reviews and my regulars are wonderful, but obviously, after a few months they don’t have hairs left for me to treat, so I need to be bringing new clients in. I’ve advertised on a local Facebook group but I only ever get the “how much for my full body pls” usual unserious people.
I see so many others talking about being swamped and their waiting lists and I just wonder what I should be doing better?

#30

I can tell you this, Dont do groupon. You wont gain any long term clients from it and they demand huge price breaks. Instead concentrate your efforts on marketing that matters. Do you have a google business page? If not get one and encourage a couple happy clients to leave you a review. Think like someone who has a hair problem . Where do they start looking for someone to help them? Then establish your presence in that medium.

#31

I do have a Google business page with almost all 5☆ reviews (one 1☆ blank review from a client I fired for being late to every appointment AND disrespectful). I have all 5☆ reviews on Fresha, I’ve advertised in a local Facebook group that gets me some “how much for my whole body” inquiries that never go anywhere. I sought out electrolysis myself because I have pcos but I don’t want to barge into communities asking them to give me money, if that makes sense. I’m told joining the BIAE could give me a boost but they don’t make it easy, and I’ve actually been discouraged by other members against joining. Appreciate your input as always, Seana.