If you are in #Nigeria
now, you will realize that the word “recession” has recently been reintroduced
to the lexicon of virtually all Nigerians especially the common man. The
downturn of condition of living in Nigeria is progressive and everyone is being
frugal with money.
As
a #makeupartist, I ask: do we stop buying makeup products? Do we stop wearing
beautiful faces and wear #recession instead? How do we survive? Do we change
businesses and to which?
As
makeup artists, we should understand that there are risks in the business and
there is need for #riskmanagementplan which include action we can take in the
event of (for example) loss of business or client due to economic downturn.
Though, it is always easier to think of what to do before recession than in the
heat of the moment when everyone is panicking and unsure of what to do.
However,
now that we are here, what do we do? Here are some tips on how to survive
recession as a makeup artist and a business person (makeup lover too):-
·
Reduce
expenses:
-
Your first course of action when hit
by recession should be to cut expenses where you can to the barest minimal.
This will help you stay afloat while you work out a more permanent solution or
until the economy recovers. Although from the look of things in Nigeria, economic
recovery does not seem feasible now. Find a way to reduce overhead costs like
utilities, administration and wasted materials. A freelancing makeup artist is
safe from all these because most freelancing makeup artists operate from their
homes.
-
You can also cut your advertising
spending by pulling out of traditional advertising like television, radio and
handbills. Instead focus on improving your social media presence. Doing so is
free though it might take more of your time because you have to compose advert
messages, upload pictures of your work regularly and so on. A freelancing
makeup artist can also employ this step.
-
You can also downsize. This can mean
either reducing staff or moving to a cheaper location. If you can’t afford to
move to a cheaper location because where your business is located attracts more
client then you have to let go of the less productive staff and drive your
remaining employees to work harder. A freelancing makeup artist is safe from
all these because most #freelancing makeup artists operate from their homes and
have little or no staff.
·
Cross-train
your employees:
If you opt to let some of your staff go, you will
need others to step up their games which calls for the cross-training of your
employees for various roles within the business. As a makeup artist, you can
cross-train them on using new techniques and methods. Makeup artists that
incorporate #spa treatment, nails, head tie, hair salon and what not can also
cross-training their remaining staff in these areas of the business.
·
Focus
on your clientele:
-
You should focus all of your efforts
on retaining regular clients and maintaining your relationship with them. Make
sure they know their patronage is appreciated. As a makeup artist, this can be
achieved by calling and texting them after each patronage. From time to time
(without being annoying), you can also remind them to visit/call you for more
services. You should strive to acquire new clients by asking your old clients
to refer you to their friends and families.
-
A recession is also a good opportunity
to evaluate you clients. You may have clients who want to enjoy quality services
to pay peanut, a recession is the perfect time to sever these relationships and
seek new ones.
·
Maintain
you service quality:
Keep your quality just as high as before, even if
you have to make other cuts around the business. Use the best beauty products
available as this reflects on your work as a makeup artist, you wouldn’t want
your #client to look like a raccoon or a scarecrow after two hours of applying
makeup.
·
Don’t
cut your prices:
-
As a makeup artist, cutting your
prices when the recession is hurting will only make it harder for the clients
to justify paying your regular prices when the recession is over. In fact,
recession is the time to increase prices as prices of makeup products also
increase in the beauty market. In addition, if you lower your prices, it can
cut into the much needed profits.
-
When faced with steep competition
during recession, you may want to offer discount to regular or new clients just
be clear to them that it is a-one-time #discount or to a stipulate time (say 24th
of December to 5th of January).
-
You may also apply the buy-one-get-one-free
method. As a makeup artist, this can be achieved by offering #makeuppackages
like “pay for the bride’s makeover and the chief bride’s maid gets a free makeover”
package.
·
Buy
Nigerian beauty brands:
-
Some Nigerian beauty products are
giving foreign makeup brands run for their money with spectacular quality and
affordable prices. To boost the economy, we are encouraged to #buymadeinnigeria
and it is pleasing to know that these Nigerian beauty/makeup products are worth
every penny. The Nigerian makeup products might be the same price as the #foreignproducts,
but think about the cost of delivering the foreign products to Nigeria. Do the
math! Makeup lovers can also do same to get #affordable makeup products.
·
Freelance
makeup artist:
If
you are a #freelance makeup artist,
-
advertise using social media,
-
do the leg work-visit salons without
makeup artist to introduce your services,
-
look for alternative jobs while
waiting on clients to make contact etc.
-
You can also get a regular job
(Mon.-Fri.) and offer weekend makeup services; after all in Nigeria, #weddings,
#parties, #thanksgivings and so on happen on weekends.
I
hope this helps someone in this recession period.
Thanks
for being here.
#mua #abujamakeupartist
#makeupartist #beauty #beautyqueen #ogpaulabeauty #tips #nigerianmakeupblogger
#makeupbloggerinnigeria #madeinnigeria #buymadeinnigeria #recession #howtosurviverecession
Kindly
share your opinions, observations, experiences, etc
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