How beauty Pros can get discovered by more local clients

Great beauty work can bring clients back. But first, new clients need to discover you and understand whether you're the right person for what they want.

Someone searching for a hairstylist, nail technician or makeup artist often wants to see the work before making contact.

That makes your online profile more than a business listing. It's an opportunity to show your style, explain your services and give potential clients useful information before they enquire.

Your portfolio is one of your strongest selling tools

Beauty is visual.

If someone wants balayage, bridal makeup or detailed acrylic nail art, they'll probably want to see whether you've done similar work before.

Build a portfolio around the services you actually want to be hired for.

Consider including:

• recent work;
• different styles you specialise in;
• close-up photographs where detail matters;
• before-and-after images where appropriate;
• bridal or event looks if you offer them;
• examples across different hair types, styles or relevant services; and
• work you're genuinely proud to repeat for another client.

Clear, well-lit photographs usually communicate your work better than heavily filtered images.

Only upload client photographs you have permission to use, and be especially careful about identifiable faces and personal information.

Don't try to be everything to everyone

A clear speciality can help the right client recognise that you may suit what they're looking for.

Instead of simply saying “Hair”, explain whether you offer services such as:

• cuts and styling;
• colour;
• highlights or balayage;
• braids;
• extensions;
• natural-hair services; or
• event styling.

Nail Pros might specify gel, acrylic, extensions, nail art or other services they genuinely provide.

Makeup artists can distinguish between bridal, event, natural, glam or other styles they offer.

Accurate service information can also reduce enquiries for work you don't do.

Make your pricing easier to understand

You don't necessarily need one fixed price for every possible service.

Hair length, nail design, products, travel and complexity can all affect what a client pays.

But where practical, give potential clients enough pricing information to understand what to expect.

Depending on your business, that could mean:

• fixed prices for straightforward services;
• “from” prices where the final amount depends on the service;
• price ranges;
• explaining common extras; or
• stating when a consultation is needed before you can quote.

If hair, lashes, nail art, removal, travel or another extra isn't included in the starting price, make that clear.

Transparent pricing helps both you and the client establish expectations earlier.

Reviews help tell the story your photos can't

Your portfolio shows the finished work. Reviews can tell potential clients more about the experience of working with you.

After a successful appointment, encourage the client to leave an honest review.

Don't write reviews for customers or tell them what rating to give.

Over time, genuine feedback can help future clients learn more about things such as your communication, professionalism and previous customer experiences.

Give mobile clients the information they need

If you travel to clients, make your service area clear.

Explain:

• which areas you cover;
• whether you charge for travel;
• whether travel is included within a particular area;
• what you need at the client's location;
• how long appointments generally take; and
• any relevant booking or cancellation terms.

This is especially useful for bridal and event work, where timing, location and travel can have a major effect on the booking.

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, the profile can display the ID Verified badge.

Identity verification confirms identity. It does not prove beauty skill, guarantee the quality of someone's work or guarantee personal safety.

Your portfolio, reviews, service information and other relevant profile details help potential clients evaluate whether your business suits what they're looking for.

Turn enquiries into useful conversations

A fast response can be helpful, but a useful response matters too.

When a potential client contacts you, gather the information you need before confirming the service or price.

Depending on the booking, ask about:

• the service they want;
• preferred date and time;
• their location if you're mobile;
• hair length or current condition where relevant;
• reference photographs;
• desired nail length or design;
• event details for makeup bookings; and
• anything else that materially affects the service or quote.

For services that need a consultation, say so rather than guessing at the final price.

Keep your profile current

Your work changes.

Your profile should too.

Replace older portfolio images as you produce stronger work. Add new services when you genuinely begin offering them. Remove services you no longer provide and keep your service area and business information current.

A profile showing recent work gives potential clients a better picture of what you do now.

Share your profile where clients already find you

If your Know a Pro profile has its own shareable page link, use it beyond the platform.

For example, you can share it through:

• Instagram;
• WhatsApp;
• your other business social profiles;
• your website; or
• appropriate client communications.

This gives potential clients another place to see your services, portfolio, reviews and available trust information.

What it costs to list on Know a Pro

Know a Pro uses a monthly membership model.

Independent Pro — R300/month

For independent Pros and sole traders.

Registered Business — R500/month

For registered businesses.

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Prices shown are current at the time of publication and may change.

Ready to build your beauty presence?

Create your Know a Pro profile, show potential clients the work you do and make it easier for people in the areas you serve to discover your business.

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