NEW PRICE* High-End Boutique Barbershop

After twenty years of business and over thirty five years in the industry, the owners have decided to seek new challenges which will move them out of the country.

Nestled in one of the most vibrant communities on Vancouver Island, the boutique barbershop is only a five minute walk to the ocean. The business neighbours are all forward thinking entrepreneurs, including a sushi restaurant, bakery, grocery store, and poke joint. Along with Starbucks, a high-end burger joint, clothing stores, a bookstore, and numerous other locally owned businesses, this shop is without out a doubt in one of the busiest areas of Victoria.

New condominium developments are scheduled to begin within the next few years, and many are in the final stages of construction. Along with a developer-friendly city council, there is no telling how much the population will grow, and how much opportunity for business growth there will be.

The strategies this shop has employed over the last twenty plus years of business were:

1. Print ads in local newspapers
2. Print ads in provincial magazines
3. Groupon marketing
4. International tradeshow appearances
5. Black tie events/social engagements
6. Public Relations outreach - leading to free press coverage
7. Bus advertising
8. TV exposure
9. Radio exposure
10. Facebook ads
11. Google ads
12. Hosting local events at the store, including wine and whisky tastings
13. Online booking implementation

Of these strategies, they have concluded that the following are the most powerful in terms of ROI:

1. Google Ads - by far the simplest approach with measurable results including 10% increase in revenue month-over-month.
2. Online booking has significantly boosted revenue generation.
3. Public relations outreach - engaging in free press is by far one of the best strategies to boost brand awareness, but it may not necessarily result in immediate revenue augmentation.
4. Bus advertising - definitely boosted brand awareness, but once again, revenue augmentation was difficult to notice.

As of lately, they are strictly using Google ads, as well as a biweekly newsletter sent directly to clients who have opted to receive notifications from the salon. These strategies couple with online booking has proven to be the fastest and most cost effective way to target and market those customers that spend directly with the shop.