It may be nail tech Tanya Pahl’s sidewalk sign that first sells customers, but it’s her skill that seals the deal. “My sidewalk sign cost me around $150 and it has more than paid for itself given the customers I have gotten from it,” says Pahl, who works at Just for Looks Hair & Tanning in Vandalia, Ohio. Her sign offers passersby $18 fills on any competitor’s nails, which is just $2 less than her regular fill price. “People are stopping in left and right,” she says. “Some don’t want to make an appointment, but most will.” Her new customers are quick to notice the difference in the product she put on them. “I let them know that their acrylic will not yellow with tanning or tanning lotions. That has retained quite a few customers. And I just love getting the ladies who say they can’t keep nails on due to lifting,” she says.

Pahl recommends against offering deeply discounted full sets as that can get costly in terms of product and time. “If you’re doing a fill, you’re not using as much product, plus it gives you a chance to wow them. Suggest an upsell like some bling or a permanent French,” she says. “I do all the stylists’ nails so I will bring one of them over to show the client an example.”

— Judy