Pr your salon and do your bit for charity

Holding a charity event can benefit the cause and your business - but planning is key.

Successful salon owner Ronnie Marshall, has run numerous charity events in the 16 years since opening Byron Hairdressing in Kirkcaldy.

Here are his top tips for making events a success...

• Plan Meticulously
  
  Charity events are good for business, they generate positive publicity and promote a good vibe in the salon. But they only work if they are planned properly. Dedicate time outside of business hours so everyone who wants to be involved can be. Have weekly meetings to maintain momentum.



• Get the Team on Board
  
  Don't steamroller your team into getting involved; persuade them. Brainstorm ideas about what to do and choose which charity to support together. Don't penalise those who are less than enthusiastic, just concentrate on those who are keen and get them really involved. Delegate responsibilities so everyone has ownership of the event.



• Get Inspired
  
  Read the news pages of HJ to see what other hairdressers have done to raise money, be it a charity ball, a cut-athon or a team parachute jump. But remember, originality will attract more publicity.



• Link up with Other Businesses
  
  Don't be shy in asking other local businesses for help and support. Last October, we held a charity day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, offering haircuts at a fixed price. We drummed up lots of raffle prizes locally, and also linked up with a local car hire company to chauffeur a winner picked out of a hat, to and from her appointment in a Silver Shadow Rolls Royce. It made the local paper before and after the event attracting great publicity for us and the car hire company. Ask everyone for raffle prizes and ask your local wine merchant and caterers for a discount. They just might do it.



• Advertise your Event
  
  Get the team to talk to clients about what you are planning so they have a vested interest. Put posters up in the salon. Ask local businesses to put posters up in windows. Get the local press involved before and after - if you can come up with a quirky idea you'll get more column inches. And try to find photo opportunities for them. Don't forget to keep your charity in the loop too, it might be able to get you more publicity.



• Make it Special
  
  Ensure everyone has fun. Welcome them with a drink, run fun competitions and a raffle, send them away with a goodie bag - manufacturers will often give you small samples to give away. Get all your team involved in encouraging everyone to have a good time but make sure you show your appreciation for them on the night and afterwards.

Haidressing Charity Events

• hob Barnet's Comin Relief hair-a-thon
• Stylist jumps for charity
• Hairdressers climb mountain for charity
• TONI&GUY golf day raises £5,000