Monday, June 24, 2013

Is your business Pinteresting?

 

 
      I took a webinar last Friday night, yes I am that dork, and learned a few new tricks Pinterest has up its sleeve for businesses. I know, when Pinterest first hit the scene we were all pinning away, not really with much purpose and staying up way too late to do it. Now the game has changed dramatically. First off you can now set up an account as a business. Don't worry if you have an account already, Pinterest makes it easy to convert your personal account to a business if you have a ton of content already on your boards. You can also have several Pinterest accounts so not to worry, just add a business account. The research Pinterest has uncovered about their audience is quite astounding. People on Pinterest are shoppers, big shoppers, much more so than Facebook, twitter and Instagram, even with the new video feature. What is Pinterest in a nutshell? According to their website, Every day, millions of people use Pinterest to explore their interests, find products to buy and connect with people who share common interests. A pin is an image or video that people add to Pinterest. People add pins directly from websites or apps by using the Pin It button. Any pin can be repinned and all pins link back to their sources...your sources. Having a Pinterest profile increases your SEO (search engine optimization) which increases your online visibility. You can also get a Pinterest Facebook tab page at www.woobox.com/pinterest


Pinterest suggests these 4 easy steps to be a pro pinner.
1. Put together a stunning profile. Think dating game here. Select an eye catching image or logo, one your audience can connect to your brand. A business account gives you access to Pinterest analytics which tracks your activity and reach. Who's viewed you, and who's repining you.
2 Create and organize boards. Design several different boards to showcase your company. Give them clear yet creative titles to encourage people to follow them. You can do boards like Our Celeb favs, Products we can't live without, Services that rock, Summer trends. You get the picture, and speaking of pictures, have great images and enough pictures or videos to make your boards substantial. Make sure your most relevant boards are on top and don't be afraid to swap out seasonal boards front and center.
3 Make sure to pin at least once a day. Try creating your own compelling images with picmonkey.com. (the photo on top I made with picmonkey).You can also pin others pins that are useful and relevant to your content. People love check lists, and info graphics. Useful content is what goes the most viral. You can create your own info graphics at Infogram

Get creative here Picmonkey
 
4 Engage. In order to build your community you need to be an active pinner yourself. Follow other fashion boards, like brands you carry and repin to your community. Don't forget to like and comment. People want easy so make it simple to pin your stuff by adding the Follow button to your website and make sure you include a Pinterest link in emails so people know you’re a Pinteresting salon. Increased social media is increased visibility and that's smart marketing.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your World

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      Athena asked me if I could think of a question or topic for Michael, one that might wake techs up. I thought for a minute and the first thing that popped into my head was what is truly holding us back. It is a great question. So much of my mission for the show as well as in my professional life is to help people find the small clues, speaking in whispers, that are keeping them from what they want. It's not always what is shouting to us, that we recognize and can choose to either take action or continue to ignore what we internally know and look to place blame externally, on circumstance or luck, or social status. Heck some people even think they were born in the wrong time or place. But we were all designed to be exactly where we are. We are where we are because of our thoughts, that become our actions and choices.
When I was at the live listening party a tech came up to me and told me she is successful today because of me. She shared that my one post, In order to change your world you must change yourself. literally changed her life. It was so powerful, something so seemingly insignificant moved her mountains.

 
      So with that said, my belief that what holds us back is ourselves. Our thoughts, what we believe and most importantly what we don't believe. I am reading a book called The Key to yourself. It speaks of the law of attraction, yet it was written in 1952. Unfortunately I think a lot of people got an unrealistic mindset about the law of attraction from "The Secret". This book did such a disservice to these principles. This author led her audience to believe the secret was some magic potion that would instantly change your life. This couldn't be further from the truth. Changing a mindset of negativity, ill health, scarcity and the like takes work, weekly, daily, sometimes hourly work. We all have false beliefs appearing real, fear. What we have been told by our parents, by our partners, by society does not dictate who we are. The law of attraction is not a new, or even new age philosophy. It is based in science and psychology. From the book Bloodworth breaks down the law like this. "Every thought that enters the conscious mind is subjected to our reasoning power; if we accept an idea or thought as true, it is then carried to the subconscious mind to act on and is brought forth into visible expression as a part of our physical condition and immediate surroundings. Thus we find in its last analysis the conscious mind decides our fate. So to control our health and environment we must control our thought.
Product Details
Check out her book here Key To Yourself
She writes your present conditions are the result of your past thinking. You will be what you are thinking today. It is law. What are your thoughts bringing you. It is no different that planting a garden. You cannot plant tomato seeds and expect to get cucumbers. The seeds you are planting in your mind are creating your life. Plant seeds of success, health and vitality, love and relationships. Speak prosperity into your life and your business. It may seem odd at first but what have you got to lose? Maybe a whole bunch of negativity to make room for the positive in your world. Change your thoughts, change your world.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Brides and Grads and Dads, Oh My!


      'Tis the season of summer specials. Are you ready? Brides can be a very lucrative business. If you are thinking just about the day of you are thinking way too small. Brides need a beauty schedule for their nails just as much as for every other part of their special day. Start with a bridal consult. Does the bride have nice natural nails you need to just nurture along or is she in desperate need of a growth strategy? Will she need a full set? Working with brides in the months preceding the wedding can be quite rewarding both emotionally and financially. You must remind her she needs to be ready for her close up. Hydrating and anti-aging treatments will be in order for her hands to look their absolute best. Set up a schedule 3 months out, 6 weeks out, two weeks out and day of appointments. Remember the bride more than likely has a bridal party and will need to have all her ladies accommodated.
      Partner with a local restaurant or caterer and offer snacks in a party atmosphere. Bridal parties usually bring their own food and beverage in, why not offer this as a service and charge accordingly? Taking this task off their hands will be something they truly appreciate. Don't forget the groom and groomsmen. They can be scheduled in a few days ahead to make sure they are camera ready as well. Put together a look book with bridal ideas from natural to fashion forward and everything in-between. Having this at the ready shows them you are a true professional. You might even want to have a few professional shots of work you have already done. Network with bridal shops, photographers, jewelers and wedding planners to market to future brides. I always offered a special deal with each of these businesses for a free consultation.


      Graduates need to look their best at this transitional time from school to work. Get them ready for the business world with a nail update. Interviewers will be paying close attention to every detail and groomed nails are like the icing on the cake. A consult here is in order as well. Ask what they are willing to commit to keeping their nails in great shape? Are they a natural girl that will need weekly manicures or would gel polish be more suitable for their busy lifestyle? Enhancements are also an option for those willing to commit the time and money to have their nails looking fabulous at all times. Find out their comfort level with trends and guide them toward the best colors and fashions.
Last but never least what are your Fathers day specials? It's not too late to do an email blast to your database offering man friendly services. How about a Manscaping makeover? Set aside one night after Fathers day for a men's only night. Set up TV's with sporting events and a great selection of craft beers. Turn your nail cave into a man cave for an evening and you just might be surprised how many men will rebook.
     Once you get them over the initial hesitation and they realize just how wonderful these pampering services can be they will be on board. Design services with men in mind, none of the fru-fru fragrances. Men friendly scents of musk and citrus are always a hit. Partner with a local massage therapist to come in and offer chair massages, or full massages if you have the room. Sports themed services like a runners pedi or golf pedi can include reflexology or an extra long foot massage. Knowing foot health is important to their performance may be the tipping point. They may even want to get couple services and spa with their girlfriend or wife. Couple services are very lucrative and men are likely to spend more when they are in the mix. Summer is a great time with so many opportunities. Planning your summer with these new clients in mind is just smart marketing.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Go Bluffa Jo


  
     Maisie Dunbar founder of Maisie Dunbar Spa Lounge launched 9 new products last weekend at the Orlando Premiere show. What is Bluffa Jo? It is a term from Liberia, where Ms Dunbar hails from, used to describe one who embraces inward and outward beauty.
     According to Ms Dunbar "Our line is a highly-sophisticated blend of minerals and bold colors which form a filter that allows the skin to breathe and function normally, while simultaneously protecting it from air-borne pollutants. The staying power of the minerals is so great that you rarely need a touch-up during the day." I can tell you from the perspective of a 30+ year veteran of beauty products, both professional and retail this line is exquisite. It surpasses all my expectations. With her finger on the pulse of beauty and style this classic yet fashion forward line is a winner.

     Nine new lipglosses including 4 fashion fun specialty colors rich in pigment. Dual glosses combine a regular gloss with just the right amount of shimmer.


     Two new concealer pots in both a duo and trio offer cover-up for skin imperfections and rosacea. They can also be used to contour and highlight under mineral powder. All shades are available in single pots as well.
     All new Lip trios are the same fabulous Bluffa Jo gloss in convenient pots. Two tonal palattes come in bare and expressive. And last but not least the all new Trio Blush Bronzer.

     This all new trio contains a blush, bronzer and shimmer in a sleek compact perfect to add just the right glow to summer skin. The Bluffa Jo brand, keeping skin care in mind, uses natural mineral pigments, a natural alternative to chemical makeup. They do not contain any dyes, oils, talc, alcohol or fragrance.
Check out the whole line here Bluffa Jo Cosmetics


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

How to WOW!

 
     A friend recently gave me the book Platform, Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt, so I thought it would be perfect reading for my flight to the Premiere Beauty Show in Orlando.The Nail Talk Radio team had a live listening/Ustream party set up for Sunday evening with only my marketing segment..so...no pressure :) I thought this book would have a great nugget I could share. The book itself is really more for speakers, authors and the social media tribe, but I did notice chapter 7 was called Wrap the Wow in Style I thought I could tweak to fit beauty world. I was working on it at lunch for a bit and then had to head over to Maisie's class.
 
   Well it just so happened Maisie had the WOW factor in her presentation as well. So I though who better to share than this highly successful entrepreneurs top 10 ways to wow your guests.
1. Provide a total customer experience: No Compromise. Keep a clean environment at all times. That means the front door is clean to the products are not dusty to the toilet is scrubbed. Everywhere is stellar.
2. Be a servant: Providing everything they need when they come in. Always remember their favorite polishes, what their drink preference is etc. Make sure  you make them feel like the most important person in the room.
3. Build trust: If you say you are going to do something...be NIKE, just do it (especially love that one) Always under promise and over deliver.
4. Give attention: Focus on only them. Even if the salon is full and there are other conversations going on around you. Use your active listening skills and give 100 percent attention to your guest.
5. Respect: Respect their time. If they have a 10:00 am reservation and you are running late, call them, or have someone call them and let them know how late you are running.
6. Be proactive. Know the latest and the greatest in the beauty industry. Make sure you know about it before they ask. Always come up with solutions for them and make professional recommendations.
7. Happy Environment: Make sure you and your team are always happy regardless of what is happening outside of work,
8. Take action: if something goes wrong, take action and let the guest know  you will fix it, no matter the cost.
9. Commit to excellence: Make sure you, your team, your products are GREAT. Develop a spirit of excellence and you will never have to worry about pricing.
10. Honesty: Do unto others as you would want done to you. You do not want to sit at a dirty dinner table, therefor your patrons should not have to sit at a dirty nail or pedicure station.
Commit to these top ten Wows for smart marketing!