How to Attract the Right Clients and Keep Them

One question that comes up for many of our students after a class is, “How do I get new clients?” We want to be the first to tell you: new clients are great, but returning customers are the main course of your business. Your loyal returning customers are going to be a great source for word of mouth referrals, which are worth their weight in gold! Because lashes are maintained every 2-4 weeks, the clients you see regularly are worth the investment to be kept happy. When you make their satisfaction your priority, new clients will come automatically. Here are 8 things you can do as an artist to keep your loyal clients happy and keep the new ones comin’!

If pointing sharp objects at someone’s eyes without proper education isn’t a scary thought, becoming a lash artist may not be the path for you. Lashing is a complex blend of science and art- without learning the science behind it, you will be limited in the art that you can create and it will show in your work. You also may injure someone, and then have to face some bigger issues. Do yourself and your clients a favor and invest in the building blocks of your career. If you never stop learning, you will never stop improving as an artist. We recommend taking a course or two a year to keep your skills fresh in an ever changing industry. If online learning is your jam, check out what LA has created for you! 

Consider social media as your living, breathing artwork portfolio. Your potential clients love looking at examples of your work before making the commitment to come and see you for an appointment. Give them the goods on social media so they can dream about what wearing your lashes will be like! Think about your business social media like a dating profile. Since this is such an intimate service, your future clients want to know what you’re like as a person, too! Some behind the scenes action in your IG Stories can help them build a sense of trust and familiarity around you, and help them feel like they already know you when they walk in for their first service.

The things that will really make your social platforms shine are simple. Authenticity, great lighting, diverse canvases, and of course, beautiful lash work. Keep in mind that you aren’t posting for other lash artists, you’re posting for clients. Most clients don’t understand “This is a doll eye map I created using The Couture Collection .07 CC curl in lengths 7-11 mm.” Speak to them in the captions the way you would speak to those who know nothing about lashes. Keep it fun, and remember to take those gel pads off for extra Instagrammable photos!

Respect YOUR CLIENT'S TIME - AND They WILL Respect Yours

Time is the most precious human resource one can give. If you want to build a clientele that is loyal and returns to you, you must respect their time! If you are consistent about being on time for their appointments, and you don’t reschedule them often, they will return the favor. Once in a while you will have a client that you will have to train to be on time to their appointments, and these things can be managed through having strict policies in place. An example would be, “For the sake of other scheduled appointments, if you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment will be rescheduled and you will be charged a late cancellation/ no show fee.” Other helpful tips include getting your lash space set up ahead of time, and keeping track of time during appointments. Add 10-15 minutes after every appointment to properly sanitize your space, eat a snack, and check your texts. (Or chug a protein shake while you pee- we don’t judge!)

We can all agree that after a pandemic like COVID, cleanliness really is next to Godliness. Sanitation practices are more important than ever! Just because you have to be sanitary does not mean your space has to be boring. There are tons of ways to keep your lash space cute, functional, and sanitary- it just takes a little creativity! Get crafty in sourcing furniture pieces that are vintage or pre-owned to save some cash and put together a lived in, comfy space for clients to relax in. Your clients will also feel more comfortable during their services knowing you are educated in sanitation and technique, so proudly display your accomplishments like the Lash Safety Certification on your wall in cute frames. 

Show Appreciation TO YOUR CLIENTS

Remember how we mentioned earlier that word of mouth referrals are worth their weight in gold? We meant it. Nurture those word of mouth referrals by offering a kickback to clients who are bringing you new business. It could be a Starbucks gift card, a small discount on their appointment, or even a free fill after a handful of referrals. Clients who come to you because they were recommended to you by a friend are the best, because they feel like they already know you in a sense. When they meet you for the first time, you’ll have an icebreaker by sharing a connection. Show your existing clients you care for them by recognizing their birthday with a treat, discount, or a complimentary service. Pro tip: A bouquet of flowers can go a long way when they’ve lost a family member or pet, they graduate, they get married, etc!