Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Barber School
So you decided to make the investment in your education and go to barber school.
Congratulations! You’re already on the right track.
But like receiving any education, not everything is going to fall into place after you graduate if all you did was pass the assignments. So we compiled these Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts to follow through your barbering education to help you stand out as a cut above the rest.
Barber School DON’TS:
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Don’t be sloppy. Clients come to you for a professional job, not a half-hearted attempt. To make sure your customers leave your chair feeling confident and fresh, thoroughly clean up their head, neck and collar to remove any loose hair, and finish off the job by washing their hair and styling it with gel.
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This rule applies to your own look, too! It’s difficult to find clients if you look unkempt – no one is going to trust a stylist with a shaggy, uneven beard or an uneven cut as their go-to grooming expert. You are a walking portfolio cover, so make a good impression and show the world what you can do from the minute they see you.
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Don’t skimp out on your tools. A barber’s work is only as clean and sharp as his tools. Investing in industry standard, professionally-recommended tools is worth it – it will make sure you deliver the best quality cuts and ensure your clients’ comfort and safety, which will only improve your business.
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Don’t be stubborn. Although you’re the expert, that doesn’t mean you know exactly what the client needs. Take the time to listen to your client before you work on them, and pay attention to their hair and preferences. If you give your client a haircut that doesn’t fit their hair type, they won’t be able to maintain this style at home. If you completely ignore their stylistic preferences, they’ll lose confidence in their look, and probably won’t come back to your shop. At the end of the day, the client knows their needs best.
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Don’t do the bare minimum. You won’t get far with just knowing the basic techniques. To become an excellent barber, you need to have a well-rounded knowledge on traditional barbering as well as what’s on trend. Do the extra research and find out what’s cutting edge by following different successful barber shops on social media. It’s also a good idea to find a niche for your practice, like kids’ haircuts or bold, artistic fades. This will set you apart from the competition!
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Don’t keep to yourself. Take barber school as an opportunity to network with people in your industry, as it can expose you to new techniques and insights from different backgrounds. Staying social is also an important practice for interacting with different kinds of customers. Your livelihood will depend on how well you can maintain a relationship with clients, so knowing how to connect with people and make them feel comfortable is key.
Barber School DO’S:
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Do use social media to your advantage. Social media is a powerful tool for marketing any kind of business, and your barber shop will be no exception to this. You can use social media platforms as a tool for researching the latest barbering trends. Posting photos of your cuts is an easy way to build a public portfolio and show your progress over time. As your talent grows, so will your client base!
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Do get to know your clients. Before you start cutting away, be sure to analyze the hair, face, age, and lifestyle of your client, as well as what he or she wants out of this experience. Is the client a young, rebellious person looking for an edgy fade design or cool color job? Or someone older looking for a classic cut and trim? Is the hair thick and curly, or is it fine and straight? Are they talkative and friendly or do they prefer to relax quietly? Knowing how to respond to these different preferences is essential for providing excellent service and building trust with the client so they keep coming back.
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Do wear comfortable shoes. Spending entire work days standing up is no joke! For this reason, we highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes to work so you can withstand the long hours spent standing.
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Do actively participate in class. Show up a little early, take notes, and never be afraid to ask questions. After all, you’re investing your time, effort, and finances into your education and future, make the most of it!
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