4 Best Ways to Stand out in the Barber Industry
As a mass-filled industry as the barbering industry, barbers need to stand out from one-another in order to grow. I, being in a relationship with a barber, has given me the eye inside the barbering world: its pros and cons. It is very easy to blend in if you do not market yourself the best way possible, learning the algorithm, and being consistent with your work and posts. Here I have put together 4 best ways to stand out in the barber industry:
Your Brand
Everyone in the world has their own personality. No two people are exactly the same… that I am aware of. You have to use your own personality in order to build what you call a brand. If you look at clothing companies, for an example, there is not just a general “clothing” company. It is divided in their own brands and styles ranging from high-end to low-end. You have brands such as Hollister or Forever 21, but then you also have Balenciaga or Gucci. Four completely different brands that do not have the same exact styles or the same prices! People either go for the affordable clothing because it is cheap, or they go for luxurious, expensive clothing. This is how branding works. This is where it all depends on you. Whether if you want to promote yourself as an “affordable” or “amateur” barber, or a “prestige” and “professional” barber.
Consistency is also key when building your name in the barbering world. No one likes a flaky or a phony person! Keeping consistent quality haircuts and posts are essentially what will help you build your clientele.
Including Yourself as your Brand
Including your own self and your personality as part of your brand is best! People as viewers don’t only look at items, or in this case haircuts. They also want to know who is the person behind the haircut! People as we know it are curious to know where you come from, what your hobbies are, and who you are.
Rob the Original as many other barbers choose a cool pose to pose to next to their haircuts such as a child standing next to their trophy as they win it. It is their prized possession, which makes the haircut seem more valuable. Rob uses the same machines as any other barber, but the way he presents his work and portrays the fact that they have quality creates more clientele, and access for you to charge more for your work. Now placing his face there is showing his viewers, “Hey, this is me. And this is the work I do.” This helps the viewer feel connected to the person they end up looking up to.
Collaborations with Marketing
Collaborations are one of the smartest way to market yourself. Collaborations, also known as “collabs” are when you and another individual in the same industry collaborate together to create a project. This tactic is best because you get to bring two fan-bases together. Some fans cross over to the other influencer, which helps create establish more of a fan base.
Collaborations are similar to shout outs. A shout out helps share your profile to others and their followers, and if they like what you post, they give you a follow as well!
Get The Vibes’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Rob the Original took this collaboration idea and made it very successful by coming out with his own clipper from the company BaByliss.
Now imagine a clipper with your face on it selling for $300? It is insane! Maybe you wonder, who will buy it? Well, following the marketing tips that help grow and build a strong clientele is who. Now not only are you making money by cutting hair, but you are also getting commission by each clipper that is being sold with your face on it. That is one great way to have passive income.
Youtube Channel: Tutorials and/or Vlogs
Remember what I had said earlier about including your personal life in your brand? Well, this is a great way to do it! Influencers post tutorials such as how to cut hair, how to fade, how to make crispy line-ups, etc. Barber @Southbaychris on Instagram uses this to promote himself, and I believe that it has been working well for him.
Comparing to how El Fantasma, Rob the Original, A Rod promote themselves, it is completely different. Another barber, Big Al, promotes his haircuts by posting vlogs and tutorials (mostly vlogs).
It is very interesting how a lot of Youtubers post vlogs of them driving around and eating can be a hit. I sometimes cannot wrap my head around that concept, but it is true! Posting what you do on the day to day basis even though it might not be so eventful; maybe it is just you going to work, is enjoyable for people to watch! Look at South Bay Chris, he teaches amateur barbers how to cut a fade with waves, which is super trendy right now. He is posting a tutorial plus a trend! Win win!
Big Al’s tactic is creating not just vlogs, but barber vlogs. Vlogs, if you are not familiar with the term is a video blog. Pretty much what you are reading at the moment. A writer talking about whatever they would like. Teaching, ranting, or giving advice. Big Al has a video posted on Youtube about fixing his dead clipper and inserting it with a new battery that is TRENDING…See how all of these tips tie together?
As a marketer of a barbershop myself, I had to learn what works best for the barbershop from trial and error. Especially coming into this industry not being a barber. These 4 tips have helped us stand out, attract a strong clientele, and have a strong standing business in general for many years.
