3 ways you can build up your online presence as a hairdresser

Creating an online presence as a hairdresser can be quite challenging as you spend most of your time in the physical world looking after clients.

The expectations that today’s society has on everyone to have a personal brand can be scary.

I know it because I’ve experienced it myself as an entrepreneur. Some of us just don’t want to spend their time selling themselves online all the time. That being said, it's necessary in today's world so I thought I would make a short list of the main ways to promote yourself online as a hairdresser with their pros and cons.

1- Build a social media presence

Pros 😎

• Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or TikTok can help you reach a wider audience and build a loyal following.
• It can also be a great way to showcase your work and engage with your clients in an interactive way.

Cons 😒

• Maintaining a social media presence can be very time-consuming and requires constant creativity.
• Social media platforms can be competitive, as you have to fight for attention amongst all sorts of influencers and content creators
• Unfortunately, although LinkedIn and Twitter are great tools, they aren’t well adapted to hair professionals

Conclusion: It’s recommended to have at least one professional social media account where you can post pictures or videos of your work regularly. That’s also a convenient way for you to engage with your clients. Make sure you separate your work and personal accounts. However, keep in mind this is likely not going to be enough to build your personal brand and may be very time consuming.

2- Create a professional website

Pros 😎

• A website can be a great way to showcase your work, services, and prices.
• It allows for full customisation and can be relatively easy to make thanks to platform such as Wix or Squarespace.
• It can also increase your credibility and make it easier for potential clients to find you online.

Cons 😒

• Creating and maintaining a website can be time-consuming and require technical knowledge.
• If not done properly, a website can have the opposite effect and harm your reputation.
• It can be quite expensive: You need to pay for the hosting platform and domain name. You may need to pay for some help to design it and you will also need to invest in search engine optimisation or ads in order to attract clients to your website.

Conclusion: Having a website is a must if you own a salon and hire people as most clients and employees will expect it. However, if you are an employee or an independent hairdresser, there are more effective ways to promote your work. Finally, keep in mind that it won’t be enough to attract clients or co-workers anyway and you may need other avenues to do so.

3- Use online directories

Pros 😎

• Listing your business on online directories such as Fresha or Booksy can increase your visibility and make it easier for potential clients to find you.
• It can also help you stand out from your competition and establish your credibility.

Cons 😒

• Some directories may require payment or take a commission from your services to allow you on their marketplace.
• Most directories are for businesses not individuals

Conclusion: It’s a good idea to use online directories to increase your visibility and attract new clients. However, make sure to choose directories that are relevant to your location and niche.

One quick word about MuseAvenue

MuseAvenue is a brand new type of platform for hairdressers combining the strengths of an online directory, the community aspect of social media and the uniqueness of a website.

On MuseAvenue you can create an online profile for free that showcases your skills and specialties as a hairdresser.

You will also be part of a marketplace dedicated to hairdressers which allows you to stand out in your city. Your profile is like a mini-website with its own url which you can share to your colleagues, employers and clients.

You can sign up to MuseAvenue and create your professional profile for free here.