Marketing Ideas for Barbershops: How to Promote Your Barbershop and Earn More

Running a barbershop isn’t just about giving a great cut; it’s about creating an experience that keeps clients coming back. In today’s competitive market, standing out requires a smart approach to marketing, so we’ve put together some top strategies to help promote your barbershop and attract new clients.

1. Build a Strong Social Media Presence

Social media is where your clients hang out, so meet them there! Instagram and Facebook are especially powerful for barbershops. Use these platforms to share high-quality photos of fresh cuts, beard trims, and happy clients. Add short videos to show off your skills or a “behind-the-scenes” look at the shop. To boost engagement, try using branded hashtags or run a monthly “Client of the Month” feature.

Pro Tip: Offer a small discount to clients who share their haircut on their own social media and tag your shop. This generates free word-of-mouth advertising and helps to build your shop’s online presence.

2. Use Private Label Products to Boost Revenue

Nothing says “professional” like offering your own line of products, from beard oils to grooming kits. Partner with a private label company, like First Element, to create products under your barbershop’s brand. Private labeling not only enhances your shop’s perceived value but also generates an additional revenue stream—without requiring a massive inventory investment. First Element makes it easy by offering low minimum order quantities and ensuring each product is crafted in small batches to guarantee quality.

Since each product is created with high-quality, natural ingredients, you’ll be able to provide clients with effective, trustworthy options they’ll feel confident using. Customizing products with your own branding can also build client loyalty, as clients can continue their grooming routine at home with products they trust from a barber they know.

Extra Tip: Choose natural, high-quality ingredients that align with your target market’s values. As clients incorporate these trusted products into their routine, your branded line will become an essential part of their self-care, reinforcing their connection to your shop with each use.

3. Get Listed on Local Directories and Goolge My Business

Make sure your barbershop is listed on Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews online. A higher rating and positive reviews make your business more attractive to potential clients searching for a barber in the area.

Tip: Respond to reviews, both positive and negative. This shows you’re engaged and care about client satisfaction.

4. Start an Email Newsletter

Collect emails from clients (with their permission) and send out a monthly newsletter with updates, promotions, and grooming tips. Share exclusive deals for newsletter subscribers, or provide educational content on beard care, hair styling, and grooming product recommendations. Newsletters keep your barbershop top of mind for clients and provide a direct way to communicate any special offers.

Quick Win: Feature loyal customers in your newsletter to build rapport and make your community feel valued.

5. Collaborate with Local Influencers

Micro-influencers, particularly those with followers in your local area, can help boost your brand. Invite them in for a free cut or grooming session in exchange for a shout-out on their social channels. Local influencers often have a high level of trust among their followers, so a positive mention from them can encourage new clients to give your shop a try.

6. Create Tutorial Videos for Social Media

Show clients you’re not just a barber but an expert! Post quick tutorial videos that teach viewers how to maintain their style, groom their beard, or properly use hair and beard products. This builds your authority and gives potential clients a taste of your skills, making them more likely to book an appointment.

Pro Tip: Use Instagram Reels or TikTok for quick, engaging videos that reach a wider audience.

7. Design a Referral Program

Encourage your existing clients to bring friends by offering them a discount on their next cut for every new client they refer. Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to bring in new clients, and a referral program incentivizes clients to spread the word about your barbershop.

8. Offer Membership Programs

Consider offering a monthly or annual membership for your regular clients. Membership perks could include a monthly haircut, a discount on products, or priority booking. This adds a steady stream of income and encourages loyal customers to keep returning.

9. Host Events and Promotions

Creating a sense of community can help build client loyalty. Host monthly “Gentleman’s Nights” where you offer a discount on cuts or provide complimentary beard trims for regular clients. During holidays, consider gift card promotions or seasonal discounts. Adding small events can create buzz around your shop, attracting both new and existing customers.

10. Create a Loyalty Program with a Twist

Loyalty programs are a fantastic way to turn first-time clients into repeat customers, but a traditional punch card might feel a bit predictable. Instead, add a unique twist by offering a free “Barbershop Branded” product after a set number of visits. This could be a bottle of your own branded beard oil, crafted and labeled by First Element with your unique branding. Not only does this show customers that you value their loyalty, but it also introduces them to high-quality, private-label products they can use at home. Plus, every time they reach for your beard oil, it reinforces your shop’s presence in their routine, and they’re likely to mention it to friends—giving you a boost in word-of-mouth advertising.

By choosing a private-label item with better margins, like beard oil or balm, you’re not only keeping costs manageable but also creating a perception of high value. Clients perceive branded products as premium, and offering these as part of a loyalty program reinforces your barbershop’s image as a top-tier grooming destination. Plus, when clients enjoy their free product, they’re more likely to return to purchase more, boosting both loyalty and revenue.

Pro Tip: Position the loyalty reward as an exclusive, limited item they can’t find in just any shop. This elevates the program’s appeal and builds excitement, making clients feel like they’re part of something special every time they reach a new reward.

11. Showcase Your Barber Portfolio

Your portfolio is proof of your skills and style, so make it easy for potential clients to see! If you have an Instagram feed packed with high-quality photos and videos of your work, integrate it directly into your website. This makes your best cuts and styles accessible to website visitors, giving them confidence in your expertise before they even step through the door.

Pro Tip: Highlight unique styles or specialty services (like beard trims or fades) that set you apart. Regularly updating your feed shows potential clients that you’re active, trendy, and invested in your craft.

12. Deliver Amazing Customer Service – The Ultimate Barber Experience

Every client should leave your shop feeling like a VIP. Create a welcoming, comfortable environment where clients feel relaxed and valued. Small touches, like offering a complimentary beverage, providing a consultation before starting the cut, and listening closely to each client’s preferences, make a world of difference. You want your clients to leave not only with a great cut but also with a great experience that keeps them coming back.

Extra Touches: Consider adding loyalty perks, like a complimentary hot towel treatment for loyal customers. Even small gestures make clients feel appreciated and elevate their experience.

13. Invest in a Professional Website with Online Booking

Your website is often the first impression new clients get, so make it a good one! A professional website with online booking options saves time for both you and your clients, allowing them to book anytime without having to call. Your site should feature high-quality photos, detailed service descriptions, and information about your barbers. Additionally, keep an active blog that provides grooming tips, style trends, and answers to common hair care questions.

SEO Boost: To help new clients find you, use SEO-friendly content on your website. This includes service-specific keywords (e.g., “beard trimming in [city]”) and local terms (like neighbourhoods) to make it easy for clients in your area to discover your shop. 

14. Introduce a VIP Beard Trim Option with Exclusive Discounts on Beard Kits

Take your beard trims to the next level by offering a VIP upgrade that includes an exclusive discount on a full grooming kit. With this option, clients not only get a premium beard trim but can also purchase a curated set of your barbershop’s branded products at a special price. This package might include essentials like beard oil, balm, and a comb—all crafted and labeled by First Element with your unique branding.

This VIP option gives clients an added-value experience, making them feel pampered while showcasing the quality of your private-label products. By allowing clients to bundle grooming services with top-notch products, you’re encouraging them to invest in a complete beard care regimen that keeps them looking their best. It’s also a great opportunity to turn a one-time service into a repeat retail sale, as clients who enjoy the products during their VIP experience are more likely to return to purchase them again.

Pro Tip: Present the VIP option as a limited-time special or an “exclusive offer” for regulars to enhance its appeal, and make sure clients know the grooming kit is a special deal they can only get with the VIP service.

By implementing these strategies, you’re not just promoting your barbershop; you’re building a brand that people want to visit, recommend, and remember. Start today with a couple of these ideas and watch your barbershop grow!