Seven Clever Marketing Lessons from My Local Barber Shop

Here’s a more conversational and easy-to-read version of your article:

Hey, did you know you can learn a lot from small businesses? I’ve had some pretty enlightening experiences while getting my hair cut at the local barber shop. I’ve come up with seven key marketing lessons that I think are worth sharing.

First up, let’s talk about sign strategy. Back in the summer of 2007, I was drawn to the Traville Barber Shop by their eye-catching signs. The shop was in a new strip mall in Rockville, MD, and their sign was like a beacon of local entrepreneurship. It wasn’t just the location that got me in the door, but the welcoming vibe of the place. Over the years, their great service and convenient location kept me coming back. So, the lesson here is to make sure your business has clear, inviting signs, especially on weekends.

Next, the "Open" for Business Sign. This barber shop always has a blinking "open" sign when they’re open. It’s a simple thing, but it’s caught my eye more than once and led to a spontaneous haircut. They also clearly display their business hours and let customers know when they’re closed for holidays. So, remember to use a bright, flashing sign during business hours and clearly communicate your opening hours.

Now, let’s talk about customer service. The barber shop has a really welcoming atmosphere, kind of like what you’d expect at a fancy hotel. The owner, Dimitri Axaopoulus, really knows how to make customers feel cared for. He always takes the time to chat with every customer, no matter how busy the shop is. This kind of personal touch builds trust and respect. So, always greet every customer with a smile – it’s free and it’s priceless.

Then there’s the importance of asking the right questions. I’m a pretty low-maintenance guy when it comes to haircuts – "short" or "medium short" is about as specific as I get. But the barbers here always check in to make sure they’re giving me the cut I want. They’re just as attentive with other customers, too, even those with more complicated haircut requests. So, train your team to ask the right questions at the right time.

Setting customer expectations is another big one. The last time I went for a haircut, the shop was busy, but I only had to wait a few minutes. They were upfront with new customers about the wait time, which was never more than 10 minutes. So, as your business grows, make sure you’re scaling up your service and setting the right expectations for your customers.

The barber shop also excels at providing extras. Things like warm shaving cream and a shoulder and head massage make a simple haircut feel like a treat. They also offer little extras like trimming hair around the ears and eyebrows. These small touches make a big difference to customer satisfaction. So, always look for ways to go above and beyond for your customers.

Finally, they’re great at taking care of non-customers. My son doesn’t get his hair cut here, but he loves coming with me. The shop has popcorn and lollipops for kids, and a bunch of toy cars to play with. These small gestures show that they care about all their customers, even the ones who aren’t getting a haircut. So, think about what you can offer to people who might be waiting around.

In addition to these seven lessons, I’ve also noticed that the barber shop has a really community-centric approach. They’re involved in local events and causes, they collaborate with other local businesses, and they’ve created a welcoming space where customers can interact. This kind of approach can really help to build customer loyalty and grow your business.

So, what can we learn from all this? Here’s a quick summary: