I'm exhausted and frustrated trying to make my new business work

[strugglingspmua]

I am a semi permanent make up and microblading artist, been qualified almost a year and have my own home studio.

I absolutely love my work and I hope this doesn't sound big headed but I know I'm good at it. Clients are happy and I'm happy with my results. But I'm exhausted with the constant never ending hustle to get clients. I have to be on social media all the time I'm not working, making posts and trying to encourage people to engage with my posts so in turn my posts get seen. Interacting with people so they in turn see and interact with my posts. It's so fake

I also feel really pressured to portray a really successful lifestyle on social media etc. based on what I've seen This seems to be the done thing if you have a beauty / aesthetics business. And I feel the need to appear really busy so I look like I'm in demand, so when I do get clients I feel I have to make out I can't fit them in for ages

But I actually work 3 part time jobs including my business. But I keep the other jobs a secret from most people (apart from family and mates) as I don't want my clients knowing I need to do other jobs. Last week a lady came to me who works for a company who I do office cleaning for on the side so I almost got caught out 🤦‍♀️

It's so frustrating as if I could get even one new client a day I'd earn really well and not need my other jobs.

My friends know this full well and I've hinted it would be nice if they could give me a quick like or comment to help me. yet not one of them ever likes or comments on my business posts it's really hurtful but I can't say anything as I'd look unreasonable

By the way, it’s perfectly possible that the algorithms aren’t consistently serving up your business posts even to your friends… what you actually need is satisfied clients to share an original post, and to get that you need to incentivise your satisfied clients (who shouldn’t just be your mates!) and there are great ways to do this e.g. a discount on their next session if they post and tag you, or the classic ‘introduce a friend’ offer.

There’s loads of ideas on this thread for you to try to get more clients in, and then you can give them the social media incentive discount. Even old-fashioned letterbox leafletting has its place. Offer a session to local community raffles (school summer fairs, charities etc.)

Sit down and make a big list of all the ideas here. Formulate a strategy. Stop seeing social media as the solution and more as a tool to amplify your already delighted client base.

I wonder could you offer some free sessions for local influencer types in exchange for them to promote you on their social media?

No if a person does not value what you do let them go elsewhere.
The so called influencers or ponces and scammers.

You have no web site - how do you expect to be busy

Have you been in contact with your local council or county council ? A lot have new start up/business growth grants. Ours has one where you can get a simple but good web site built for free. You just pay the hosting costs.

I don’t have much experience in this area but just wondered if it was worth looking at other beauty self-employed people who wanted access to a studio when you’re not using it? Or putting packages together with others could bring in more business. Eg Bespoke wedding/ prom/ treat yourself packages with a make up artist and eyebrow blading etc?

Why do you need to portray a lifestyle on SM?
If I see someone with a beauty business and an extravagant lifestyle, I’ll think they’re faking or charging too much!

I'm a digital marketer. Post a couple of times a week and learn how to boost your posts well to reach your local audience (just search online for this). Organic posting will get you nowhere on Facebook. Boosted posts will advertise to both FB and Insta if you want them to.

Use images of your work and of you (you're selling yourself). Videos/reels will get you lots of views. Use testimonials - I would only ever go to someone recommended for this. Your videos could include info - like telling people your prices (don't go too low, people will assume you're not very good!), how to prepare, what to expect, aftercare.

If anyone asks about your other jobs - just say you like the variety! It doesn't have to take over your life. Good luck!

Also, if you're really good, you will get most of your work through word of mouth. A woman near me is booked out solid for 2 months in advance all the time.

Oh and set up Google my Business. It's free and very good. That's it from me! I think...

Last one. You don't need a website if you can't afford one. Just have a great Insta page

Honestly it seems to be a thing 😫😫

I suppose if people look to have a flash lifestyle it means they're excellent at what they do

Yeah I've thought about doing lashes or something but lashes really are super saturated round here. And the profit margin is low

With regards to the microblading: spmu - Generally, People need to get a colour refresh every 12-18 months which I charge less than the original service but still make good money. So I need a mix of new clients and returning clients

Not sure how to Pm on the app! But I'm in the East Midlands

I think you are making a number of incorrect assumptions, not least is that people need you to have a glamourous lifestyle and that admitting you do other jobs is a downer. Anyone starting a new business is likely to have an additional source of income while they start out - either by working a second job or by having a partner or family member who is supporting them financially in some way. So I wouldn't be hiding that. You don't have to make a big deal about it, but it's perfectly reasonable if you're found out.

Agree with others - for something that doesn't need to be done often, you need more clients so try a imx of treatments that are regular vs the semi-permanent etc.

A website doesn't have to be fancy - you can do a "website" on a facebook page, but I think a lot of people like to check out photos and prices rather than phoning up to ask first.

Finally, word of mouth is key. So offer friends and family discounts/loyalty cards/referral discounts etc. If a client is willing to post a link to your page, they get a discount or voucher for next time etc.

If I saw someone offering your services who had a “flash” lifestyle, honestly I’d assume a high earning husband and you were doing this for pin money. I would not assume it meant you were good at it. I’m some ways the opposite, if I saw it as your little “fun” business funded by him.

Concentrate on content of your work and yourself - but not your “white Mercedes” - honestly, I think it undermines professionalism and makes you look like you have an MLM not a skill!

My friend does micro-blading and semi permanent make-up. She works from a beauty salon and in the beginning she would pay them a percentage of her fee as they would bring her new clients. People who go to a beauty salon for waxing, nails and other beauty treatments are the most likely to be interested in semi permanent make-up so it was really beneficial to her to set up there at a business with an established customer base. She only went in if she had appointments.

I wouldn’t buy a service like micro blading through Facebook, I would only consider a provider with a proper website - price lists, galleries, reviews, online booking. I don’t want to have to faff about messaging someone through social media platforms I barely use. A website looks far more professional.

I agree with this. The “look how successful I am” stuff just screams MLM and I’d be worried you were going to start trying to recruit me to sell something half way through a procedure when I couldn’t escape. I don’t think you need to share your lifestyle at all tbh, it should be about your work.

Ultimately unless you know how to market properly on social media you will find it tough.

Microblading and semi perm makeup are quite expensive things to have done and not something I'd have done just by anyone.

You need a product that gets people coming back every few weeks which you can then upsell the microbladding too.

Can you train in HD brows or similar?

That way you have the cheaper option to get people in the door.

Also, people who will use you will ultimately live in a very small area around your studio. Have you done a simple leaflet drop?

When I was in the market for this, I searched online and looked for websites.

I wouldn't be impressed by a flash lifestyle - that just means you charge too much.

I'd want photos of your work and positive reviews.

I think you need to network with other local people in the beauty industry, so that you can push business to each other.

Do you offer discounts to anyone who recommends you? My friend got £10 off for recommending me, and about three other people (she was very motivated!)

Our salon is also offering the fifth treatment free once you've had four full price treatments (she also does lashes and nails), which she says seems to be encouraging customers to book in for more than they usually would.

Oh and you don't need to lie about being busy and giving them appointments that are ages away. You'll get a reputation for being too busy to fit people in. If they ask for 10am on Thursday just tut a bit and say you could probably squeeze them in at 11:30 with a bit of reshuffling.

I use Weebly for my website - it’s about £60 a year and you literally choose the template, write your stuff, click save! Seriously- it’s that simple. I personally wouldn’t use a business who only have a facebook page, I think it looks a bit dodgy & unprofessional. I always search for a website before I book something.

Ha ha at "white Mercedes"

I do have something similarly flashy. I won't say what but let's just say my clients always notice it. Ironically I mostly hate it as it gets me unwanted negative attention and costs me a bomb to service and run 🤦‍♀️ and I'm in dread of it ever getting scratched

I have a little, ancient Peugeot that I mostly use daily, the other car just decorates my drive

What a sad fuck I sound

White Range Rover Evoque then? 🤣

Seriously - focus on the quality of your work, not some weird “lifestyle” stuff.

And no way would I be exhausted with 3 jobs to pay for a vehicle a mostly hated 🤷🏻‍♀️

Please don't expect your friends to do your advertising for you - it will sour the friendship on both sides.

I have various friends who run their own business, I'll share their posts sometimes if it's something I think worth sharing, but mostly I'm on social media for a bit of a break, not to build up someone else's business.

Do you do Instagram? Find a local influencer and do it for free to show your skills ! Then get them to share share share !