Beauty Supply Stores Need Blogs Too

Today I was interviewed for an article in a trade magazine for beauty supply store owners. Last year the same writer interviewed me for a similar story that was published in Pool and Spa News for owners of pool supply stores.[Just reread the article and there's good info, if I do say so myself!]

Apparently, most beauty supply stores are what the writer refers to as "mom and pop" retailers. One or two stores, usually in malls and located near a nail salon (that's my observation). At least here in Los Angeles, it seems like you'll almost always find a beauty supply store near a salon.

While we talked mostly about why a blog is a great marketing tool for small business owners, we did also touch on social media. I was informed that most of the smaller store owners have been slow to come to the Web and don't have much (brochure style website) if any web presence.

Previously I wrote about why locally based businesses need a web presence. I stand by that and assert that no matter whether you own a bakery or a beauty supply store or you're an optician or an orthodontist, you need to be visible on the Web because that's where people are looking for solutions to the problems you solve. They're also looking for validation from others in the form of reviews before they make buying decisions.

For that reason, I also talked about Facebook for retail stores as well as setting up a business page on Yelp. I'm not a big Yelp user but I know a lot people swear by it to find great restaurants as well as many other types of service providers and just about any type of business you can think of. Even my dentist has a page on Yelp. I looked up "beauty supply store" in my neighborhood and 5 results turned up. Not one had a blog. One had a Facebook Fan page with over 6000 fans.

6000+ fans is great and the page is pretty active so I was pleased to that. In addition a beauty supply store could create a lot of fun content for a blog. Aside from featuring new products, styles, colors, etc., they could solicit photos and videos from customers about their fave products, do video demonstrations, interview manufacturers, discuss new trends, offer blog-only coupons, etc. They could also partner with complementary services (those salons that are always near by) for events or contests or fundraisers.

I'm curious to know what you, as a customer, would want to see on retail store's blog, beauty supply store or otherwise? What kind of content would convince you to make the trek to the physical location? Share your ideas in the comments below...your feedback could help a new business blogger!

Comments

[Julius]

For me, honest online reviews of their products would convince me to visit the actual store.

[lavash]

This is a great article and a great point. Beauty has to be promoted as well and being a fashion and beauty enthusiast myself I know the first place where women look for some tips is a blog.

[Jamie Austin]

I agree - just because a business is only in a certain local area doesn't mean they can't generate internet business.

[Pedicure Supply]

I would look for positive reviews on the store. Everytime I get recommendations from friends, I actually read reviews on them. Then I decide whether to try them out or not based on what I have read.

[angela]

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