Your hair salon business could be increasing this year by a minimum of 50% in new prospects and income, and if it's not than it's high time to make some changes.

Is the economy in the tank? Does that make it incredibly hard for your business to bring in a profit? You might not believe my answers... yes, to the first and no, to the second.

One of the very worst habits to get into is doing the same thing by default year after year and expecting different results. envision your business like an airliner... if it ain't moving forward it's falling. You can't let your business coast, and you have to continually put forth some effort to continue to build it; and don't worry, it's not hard and won't take too much of your time.

Even with a sluggish economy people will still be getting their hair cut and colored and some of the not so aggressive hairdressers will be leaving the industry from lack of customers. And that will mean there's more customers that'll need to find a new salon, so why shouldn't it be you?

Have you established the goals for your hair salon business this year? Are you constantly worried about your cash flow? Or, are you having new customers come in on a regular basis? If you are... congratulations, but if not then let's get with it and form a operable plan to actively bring in new prospects to your salon.

And one thing that I want you to internalize right now is that it doesn't cost a lot of money to work up some excellent salon marketing ideas. I'm certainly not opposed to using the yellow pages except for the fact that the majority of all companies don't even understand how to use that advertising medium to their advantage.

But that certainly isn't a cost efficient way to bring in new prospects in, so let's talk about some that would be easy to execute so you can build your hair salon business.

So, what are some cost effective ways to bring more people into your shop?

1. Referrals: This is absolutely the best way to attract new prospects to come in and most entrepreneurs don't use it to their potential. Let me ask you, who do you referral your friends to? Those that just mention to you "I'd like a referral" or those that stand out in their industry with their products and services? Did you realize that there are accepted ways to ask for referrals and get them? Did you know that the very best businesses always ask for referrals and get them? Did you realize that the best of the best will operate a referral only business?

So let me give you a proven way to develop for yourself right now. Ask for referrals when you've just put the finishing touches of on one of your clients. When they're oooing and aaahing is exactly the right time to ask.

2. Networking: This ought to be incredibly easy for you because you already have your customers coming in to see you, and with just a little bit of discipline on your part you can categorize your clientle by industry and offer to network with them to help their business and yours. Okay, here's the $64,000 secret tidbit that you need to know, help them first. That impresses them and shows them just how much you actually care about them and after that you can mention that your business is referral only and that you're always on the look out for new customers just like them. And if you use an incentive program then by all means let them know about it.

3. Public relations: Can you put together some thoughts for an article about your trade for your local newspaper? Do you know that by applying just minimal effort you could start writing articles for your local paper on some kind of a schedule and get free PR for your hair salon business? And that my friends means others will be mentioning your name over and over again.

Now, don't worry, you won't have to have a degree in English composition to write something, you only have to write like you talk to someone that comes in your shop. The best part is that you can write it one day, and then wait a couple of days to read what you wrote and then make any changes that you feel are necessary before you send it to the local paper. And if you have a blog about your business by all means mention it at the end of the article along with all your contact information about your business.

These are not difficult and economical and just need someone to begin using them in their hair salon business on a regular basis... will you do it? Never forget that we're all interested in the same thing - what's in it for me. This is why you've got to impress them and do good for them first, and then they'll be glad to help you.

Would you like to get some more marketing guidance? Come on over and spend some time with us at http://www.stylin2succeed.com