The saying is old but still very VERY true: 

"It's not what you know, it's WHO you know"

Let's say you're the best lash technician that ever existed on the planet. You have the prettiest and most comfortable room set up. You're up to date with the latest tools and equipment and you stock all your lashes and products with us...so the quality is obviously TOP NOTCH 😉 

Only one problem. No ones knows you exist. 

We've covered in many blogs listed below on the importance of marketing, referrals, word of mouth, social promotion, boosting posts, etc. 

#70 ESSENTIAL MARKETING FOR LASH TECHNICIANS

#51 - A FAB WAY TO GET MORE CLIENTS

#44 - CRUCIAL TIPS IN BOOSTING SUCCESSFUL FB POSTS

#42 - INSTAGRAM ESSENTIALS PT. II

#39 - 3 STEPS TO BRINGING CLIENTS BACK TO YOU

#38 - CHRISTMAS & CUSTOMERS

#36 - HOW INSTAGRAM CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS (BACK TO BASICS)

And whilst this is all still very necessary, there's ANOTHER way to expand your client base AND support your local community, which we'll explain here...

 

NETWORKING

When you really look back in time to all the great, awesome people you've met. Your mentors, friends, partners, clients, you'll notice it's because YOU made some kind of interaction. You made a lovely comment that then sparked a conversation or perhaps you sent a nerve racking email asking for advice, or you reached out to someone on their Instagram photo and left a comment complimenting their great taste of cafes. This is basic human relations. 

Unless you're a hermit and don't leave the house ever, then it can be quite easy to find opportunities to meet new people and build a relationship with them.

 

 When building relationships on a more professional level, this is what we call 'networking'.   

 

THE GREAT NETWORKING IDEA!

1️⃣ Make a list of all the local businesses in your area that you currently shop at; nail/hair salons, coffee shops, grocery stores, bookshop, pilates, clothing stores, etc. 

2️⃣ Get in contact with them. You can email them but directly going to their shop and having a personal face to face conversation is always more effective.

3️⃣ Ask them if they would like to cross promote each others businesses through vouchers or general promotion (i.e flyers, business cards, etc). 

For example, putting your flyer in your local grocery store with a discount tab (that you tear off and take to your appointment). 

4️⃣ Create your own personalised goodie bags for your clients with a mixture of aftercare products, flyers/vouchers to these small businesses, etc  

  

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

 

For many individuals that have succeeded in their career, the causes have largely been contributed to the strong networking channels they have created over time.

But the question of who you network with and their relevance to your career matters more. This way, you don’t have to network with everyone.

Rather, first study how you can contribute to THEIR success, in addition to how you stand to benefit from their knowledge/service.

For example, if you contact them explaining that you'd love to help local businesses in your area and you really support what they stand for, they will be aware that they now have a 'friend' in their area and somewhere down the line, they will probably find a way to support your business too.

Your helping them bring customers to their door without them having to lift a finger and you're exciting new clients of yours with beautiful vouchers helping support your local businesses. 

Remember your clients are just like you! They do their grocery shopping, they get their nails done, they go to pilates, they probably also have 5 coffees with double shots just like you! 

So when you're thinking about putting together this cute little aftercare good bag, think what would YOU love to receive from someone in a goody bag? 

BENEFITS TO NETWORKING:

• When you network with local businesses in your area, you will automatically grow more attention in ways you never thought.
• When talking to other business owners, you can get more advice and learn something from what they're doing right that you could also talk away.
• You may even gain a beautiful friendship with the owner of your local flower store