Clipper Business Tip - Week 5

We have missed a few Fridays through the holiday break. We are up to week number 5.

Week 5 -Rebook

Rebooking, the art of booking a clients next appointment before they leave the shop, is the single most important non-technical skill that a clipper cutter can develop. Filling spots for the future insures your chair is occupied. Locking in clients for the next cut provides a buffer against competing shops and cutters. Setting the interval between cuts discourages appointment stretching. You will see the same client more times in every year, thereby increasing your income even before new clients are recruited.

Do this. This is one of the easy keys to real success. No one becomes a top level cutter without doing this. In tougher economic times this powerful business tactic becomes even more vital to your growth and continued success. It is easy. What I love about this tip is that while it costs you absolutely, totally ZERO $ it can pay you back in real hard cash very quickly. This is the ultimate clipper tip... easily in my top 10 favorites.

The start of the year is a great time to buy my ClipperGuy Says... Get Busy book. It is the 52 strategies for building your clipper cutting business. Start now and 2009 will be amazing for you. 2010 will be even better.

Buy an appointment book:

http://www.ataglance.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category3_10052_10002_46706_-1_Y_46701_10052_Y

Buy my ClipperGuy Says... Get Busy book:

www.blurb.com search clipperguy

UK hair info site

Regular readers will know that I blogged a bunch in the wake of my trip to the U>k. for a hair show this past fall. You will recall I said no more blogs on that trip this year... but... A friend in the U.K. refer ed me to this site for a great way to keep tabs on what is new, hot and happening in the hair industry over there. I am sharing it with you cuz I think it is cool and you will like it. Go surf now!
TY
CG

http://www.ukhairdressers.com/style/index.asp?month1=361

Clipper Vocabulary - F

Wednesday in the blog is ClipperGuy clipper cutting vocabulary day.

F is for Fade
Fade is a term somewhat interchangeable with "taper". Fade is typically used in the textured market. Fading does not have to be limited to the perimeter of a clipper cut style. A fade can occur higher up the head at the crestline or beyond as well. A fade is characterized by a look that is higher and shorter with a lighter overall finish. The best phrase to use to describe a fade is a "seamless, progressive transition of lengths in a clippered style". How is that? Be on the lookout for a fade video from Andis and me coming to YouTube really soon.

Here is the Andis FadeMaster clipper:
http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?SP=Y&Product=Clipper&Div=Professional&ID=01690
Here is the Andis 00000 BG series fade blade:
http://www.andis.com/USA/BladesAndMore/BladesPopUp.asp?ID=70
Here is a fun video on YouTube of a guy cutting a fade on himself... not easy as many a barber can not cut a good one on another's head much less do their own...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9My64fnRkrI

Clipper Tip #8

Tuesday is here again. Right after Monday. Tuesday is ClipperGuy and Andis clipper tip day.
Clipper Tip #8
Be Selfish
Never share your tools. Everyone needs to own, bring, use and maintain their own tools.

Have you ever tried to borrow a wrench from a mechanic? They will chase you out of the shop just for asking. Have you ever driven a rental car? How do you treat someone elses equipment? Shop tools are a bad move too. Shop owners who provide tools will spend a lot of time and money replacing damaged tools. Respect yourself and your craft. Buy your own stuff. Look out for a rookie. Hand down your old tools so they have something to use and do not ask to use yours. Help them. They do not know better. It is your job to train the next generation.

Go here to buy tools:
http://stores.atlantabarber.com/StoreFront.bok
Go here for a rental car:
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/index.jsp?targetPage=reservationOnHomepage.jsp&refererUrl=http://search.msn.com&searchString=hertz&id=1150&LinkType=HZLK
Go here for a good mechnaic: They have a mechanic finder on this site. it is good.
http://www.cartalk.com/index.html

KC, MO

KC, MO

I went to KC, MO for the clipper cutting. While I was there I made the most of the BBQ. 2 nights in town and 2 BBQ dinners. Can’t beat that. Arthur Bryant’s one night and the next. I highly recommend either (or both) on your next trip to town. The crew at Evelyn’s beauty supply were great hosts for the Andis class and hands-on workshop. We just do not do enough hands-on workshops. These are a lot of fun to facilitate and likely the most real usable education for your dollar and time opportunity out there. Would you like a hands-on workshop in your area? let me know. If I get sufficient interest for any markets we will find a way to set one up and get it done. I would love to come to your area. Especially if your area is known for BBQ!

Monday - Question of the week.

The Andis Company takes a holiday break from just before Christmas until just after January... But the ClipperGuy blog goes on.

Monday is question of the week. This weeks question:

Which is better, the Andis BGRc clipper or the Andis Excel 2 speed?

These are both Andis BG series detachable blade clippers. Both can drive the full range of BG blades both CeramicEdge, ceramic cutter blades and UltraEdge steel blades. The BGRc is upgradeable to cordless and is basically 1 speed, high speed. The Excel 2 speed is just that, a true 2 speed model. Both share many of the key features that make Andis detachable blade clippers great. Nylon housings. Good power-to-weight ratios, long cords, state of the art ergonomic design, etc.

Have a look at the links to learn more.

Here is the BGRc:
http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?SP=Y&Product=Clipper&Div=Professional&ID=63965
Here is Excel 2 speed:
http://www.andis.com/USA/productsPopUp.asp?SP=Y&Product=Clipper&Div=Professional&ID=22315
Go here to buy them:
http://www.householdappliance.com/andis/
or here:
http://stores.atlantabarber.com/StoreFront.bok