Creative marketing strategies and ideas for your home nail salon.

So, you have a rocking home nail salon all set up and ready to go. You have managed to get a few clients in but there's lots of holes in your booking calendar. Next steps...get more clients. No need to let 'marketing' scare you anymore! Check out these 5 creative ideas to build your business and attract new clients, spread the word and have fun doing it.

1. Run a competition for the best nail design: Gather your supplies and get ready to host a nail art design competition. Ask each of your potential clients to submit their favourite mani or pedi design. Offer an amazing prize like a free mani/pedi session, salon t-shirt, or gift basket for the winner. Not only will this give you an idea of the type of talent in your community, but it will also help to spread word of mouth about your services and encourage more people to give your salon a try!

2. Partner with local business owners for a special offer: Connecting with other small business owners in your area is a great way to build relationships that can result in beneficial collaborations. Reach out to nearby spas, hair salons, boutiques, florists and cafes and offer their customers exclusive discounts on services from your home salon in exchange for advertisement space in their store, on websites or social media accounts.

3. Host a ‘Pamper Night’: Pamper nights are a great way to encourage existing clients to bring their friends and family and to show off your skills. You can offer discounted services, complimentary refreshments, and even partner with other local businesses to offer a more comprehensive spa package. This will help you to build relationships with your clients and showcase your services to a wider audience.

4. Offer a ‘Mobile Salon’ service: Why wait for clients to come to you? Take your salon on the road and offer a mobile service to clients who can’t make it to your home salon. Even if it is only for a particular month, it will help you access clients you would not otherwise come in contact with.

5. Run a 'Theme Nail Promotion: Valentines, Star Signs, Halloween, Bridal... there's so many creative themes you could run with. Create a few themed nail sets and promote them through community FB pages, local noticeboards, partner businesses and such. These always attract clients as not many other salons market in this space. Plan for a promotion as special events or holiday seasons are coming up.

Give a few of these ideas a go and don't be surprised when you get booked out! You've got this.

Chrissie Campbell - Designer Nail Academy 2023