Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

Create a poster/flyers for a makeover "package": hair, makeup, and teeth (etc.).

Or, create a brochure/poster focused on getting a great look for "special events" (job interviews, weddings, conventions, reunions, etc.). The stylists can simply ask their clients if they have "anything special coming up", and mention some other services they could recommend. Yes, a referral fee is nice to offer the stylists, but may not be necessary - their benefit is offering more services to their clients.

Also, you don't want to sell teeth whitening per se. You want to sell a better sell-image.

My salon has many services like you describe. Instead of brochures in each station, some have a little "special" at each station. The person running the tanning booth has a small "get ready for summer" blurg, the medical director is doing a special on fillers. They don't give each other cash for referrals-- but they talk about who they like. They do give each other discounts for services. I was in getting my nails done-- and mentioned my fiancée was in dire need of an updated haircut. Out of 8 or so stylists in there, she pointed me to one. So be open and take the time to describe what you can do for their clients. You are all in this together, so fusion market with them.

As an aside-- I am recently engaged and went to my first bridal fair. Besides the usual dress, invites, and catering-- the booths were full of laser procedures, weight loss, Mary Kay-- but no teeth whitening services. The place was packed with attendees. The giveaways were fantastic. I won $500 toward fraxel-- but when I delved into it further-- the local docs offer it for $1500 vs their regular price of $3000. So while the giveaway sounded generous-- it was marketing hype. I did use the $500, but only one "region" as they call it-- still spending what I never intended!

Hope that helps, Carol
Sell Well and Prosper tm

Wow knowing this from personal experience, be very careful how you approach the stylists in the salon. Many stylist may not appreciate it, and may think you are trying to steal their clients or move in on their business even though you are whitening teeth not styling hair...

Maybe consult the owner of the salon and set up a plan with him that might help your business to get more noticed.

As far as the stylist go, maybe offer them personally an incentive, such as they send you a certain number of customers and you will give them a commission or maybe a percentage off if they want their teeth whitened. This may keep them from feeling bombarded or intruded on.

Good luck your business sounds fantastic!

I do want to specifically promote my teeth whitening as that is what I do.... I don't do hair or anything else.

I haven't yet started in the salon and do not know the stylists to start asking them to put together a package with me. ..perhaps that will come at a later time as they get to know me and understand what it is I do. I would like a way for them to straight refer me to their clients for the service I offer.

As for the bridal fairs...I think that is a great market and there are several that I want to attend but that is going to be a little more down the road when I get another chair set up and definately have someone to help me as that is sometihng I can't handle with just one chair. :-)

I think you are making it more complicated than it really is. Everyone in the salon wants to see each other succeed. Build a relationship with them and they'll refer you. There is no reason to wait "down the road". Just introduce yourself, educate them about your biz and ask for their referrals. They really don't expect a fee. When you get a referral thank them- or present them with a random gift certificate for a local restaurant. I wouldn't complicate things by building a rigid program. Keep it fresh, create excitement by promos, be kind to the rest of the salon staff. That's all that is required.

so maybe should just leave my brouchures on the main front counter and just tell the stylist about my bsuienss so I am not intruding?

And I lose the core belief that you are intruding. Your presence adds value to the salon-- and all of its members. The more services the salon offers, the more the salon has TOMA, top of mind attitude to their (and your) client. Now someone can get their hair, nails, and teeth whitened and whatever else done with only one number to remember. How many other salons can say that? Its a differentiator that makes the group stronger!

I agree that your presence at the salon adds to its value however this is most likely not the major concern of the stylists their. The most likely situation is that they will receive no direct personal benefit from your presence.

I agree that you should introduce yourself and make friends, that is always helpful. I just caution against approaching their customers directly. This may be interpreted as unproper etiquette for lack of a better term.
I don't think a rigid program is necessary either, but so long as people know their is personal benefit they will be more motivated to help. Its the nature of people.

I never intended at anytime to approach a stylists customer directly....