How you keep your business and passion for nails alive speaks a lot about your dedication as a nail technician or salon owner. Given the growing number of nail artists and businesses in the country, you must continue to promote your business and learn how to stand out from the competition. But in doing so, never sacrifice your unique and authentic self! We’re here to guide you with our 10 great tips to stay trendy and relevant in your nail career. Being on-trend and relevant isn’t all about nail art or design. Read on to find out what other contributing factors can attract customers and make yourself stand out in the market. But first, why is it important to stay relevant and on-trend? Like every facet of life, failing to evolve and truly care for one thing may result in downfall. We’ve known some huge companies that didn’t try to innovate and faced a lot of problems, including bankruptcy and permanent closure. This reality should be enough to motivate us to keep up with the ever-changing nail trends and customer demands. It may be overwhelming at first when you think about it, but take your time and be kind to yourself during this transition period. Once you find your groove, everything becomes easy and worthwhile! Tip #1: Evaluate your current work and process Before you jump into learning new nail arts and techniques, take a look in the mirror and assess your current nail services and processes (from booking to the after-service stage). List down your strengths and weaknesses to identify areas you could improve on. From there, have a weekly or monthly game plan to work on those areas and monitor your progress. Tip #2: Follow credible nail-related social media accounts Learning online from credible people in the industry or within your nail community will equip you to become a better nail technician. When you follow celebrity nail techs and inspiring nail artists, you’ll surely be updated with the latest nail trends, design techniques, and tools or equipment. Maintain a teachable attitude and incorporate their best practices into your routine. Tip #3: Study basic color theory and combinations Color Theory allows nail artists to understand which colors go well together. Understanding basic color theory helps us create multiple color combinations and suggest colors that would suit the client’s skin tone. Most customers rely on our expertise, and having basic color theory knowledge will come in handy when we need to make some custom colors requested by clients. Tip #4: Spice up different nail inspirations There are many ways to spice up a client’s nail request or a manicure you found on the internet. Besides changing the colors of a specific nail inspo, adding nail accessories is another excellent way to elevate a nail design, enhancing your creativity and making it your own. It doesn’t need to be very intricate or high-end; applying glitter or foil is enough to upgrade your client’s nails. Tip #5: Showcase your talent by doing your own nails Believe it or not, you will encounter some customers who are conservative with their nail choices. One subtle way to encourage them or introduce something new is by showing them your hand-painted nails inspired by different trends. Share how beautiful and fun it is to use neutral or their go-to gel polishes for ombre, gradient, or marble manicures. Tip #6: Plan your nail content creation In today’s highly digitized world, content creation is the best way to market yourself online. The first step is to look for the most viral nail tech videos and see which ones are achievable for your level and capacity. You may create a script or a storyboard for your videos, then study TikTok or Reel transitions. Choosing hit songs, adding voice-overs, and tagging the brand also help with engagement. Tip #7: Collaborate with other nail technicians Collaborating with your friends in the industry helps you build lasting relationships, gain more audience, and develop openness and trust with your clients. Whether it’s a podcast or video content, any collaborative project is an avenue to talk about fresh ideas and educate the audience about nails. This can also help you form a network of trusted people in the industry. Tip #8: Get creative with how you run your business Similar to other beauty companies, you can keep your customers happy by being creative with your promos and advertisements. Reward your customers with stickers for their loyalty cards that have different perks every visit, and have more fun by placing a spin-the-wheel roulette by the door of your salon. Make “Marble Mondays” or “French Fridays” happen as well! Tip #9: Always offer a safe and clean service A clean and safe place is non-negotiable. Period! Since your nail school days, the importance of disinfection and sanitation has always been emphasized. Whether you are a mobile nail tech or a salon owner, ensure that the products and equipment are well-maintained and will not cause any harm. Keep in mind that some customers prioritize safety over anything. Tip #10: Build your nail art portfolio and keep practicing We never know who we'll run into, therefore, it's always a good idea to keep a portfolio of all the nail art or designs you've created over the years. Big clients may hire you for a special occasion and ask you to provide your wonderful work (prepare a website or a presentation). You may also utilize Instagram's highlight feature to display your various nail art styles and services. Refreshing your nail career or embracing change is not a bad idea; rather, it will allow you to open up toward growth and expand your horizons. We are hopeful that these tips will help you in your nail career. Do you have any tips and success stories of your own? Share them with us on our iGel Beauty Facebook Community! Be a part of the iGel Beauties, and start empowering others! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on September 25, 2024 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the current trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
