Why Word-of-Mouth Is Still the Most Powerful Marketing Tool in NZ - And How to Boost It for Hairdressers & Stylists

Word-of-mouth is gold for hairdressers and stylists in New Zealand. In our close-knit communities, recommendations from friends, whanau, and neighbours often outweigh any ad campaign. Here’s how you can harness and boost this powerful tool to grow your local hairdressing business.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Create Memorable Client Experiences

Great haircuts and styles are the baseline, but it’s the full client experience that gets people talking. From a warm welcome to listening carefully to what your client wants, making them feel comfortable tells a story that word-of-mouth thrives on.

For example, in Christchurch, a stylist built a loyal client base by remembering clients’ preferences and offering personalised styling tips during appointments. This attention to detail encouraged clients to enthusiastically recommend her to their friends.

2. Encourage Online Reviews

Many Kiwis check online reviews before booking a hairdresser. After a fresh cut or colour, ask happy clients to leave a review on Google Business Profile, Facebook, or local directories like NoCowboys.

A Wellington salon owner credits a steady flow of new clients to just a few glowing online reviews left by happy customers, showing how digital word-of-mouth extends your reach.

3. Get Listed on NZ-specific Directories

Directories like Builderscrack, Localist, and TradeMe Services are often overlooked but fantastic for local exposure. You can showcase your work, respond to job requests, and collect reviews that build credibility.

Yada is another great Kiwi platform tailored for specialists like hairdressers, offering no lead fees and an easy-to-use interface with private client communication. Using Yada can connect you efficiently with clients in your area.

4. Share Your Work on Social Media

A picture tells a thousand words, especially with hair styling. Posting before-and-after photos, styling tips, or short clips on Instagram and Facebook helps remind clients and potential customers that you’re the local expert.

Weirdly enough, clients love seeing the real behind-the-scenes moments as much as the finished look, so keep your posts genuine and approachable.

5. Set Up a Referral Program

Something simple like a discount for you and your client when they refer a friend can work wonders. Kiwis like to share good experiences and a little perk makes them more likely to spread the word.

A Napier hair salon grew its client base significantly offering $15 off for referrals, turning every happy client into a mini marketing team.

6. Build Relationships with Local Businesses

Networking with local beauty salons, gyms, or bridal shops lets you create a referral ecosystem. For example, hairstylists and makeup artists often work together for weddings, sharing client referrals organically.

Drop your business card or flyers at complementary businesses to get your name in places clients trust.

7. Maintain a Simple Mobile-friendly Website

Most Kiwi clients will peek at your website before booking. A tidy site with your services, prices, photos, and happy client testimonials builds trust and supports word-of-mouth recommendations.

Google Business Profile profiles especially support local search visibility and are free to set up-make sure yours is complete and up to date.

8. Join Local Social and Community Groups

Participate in community Facebook groups or chat on Neighbourly where locals ask for recommendations. Don’t sell hard-just offer helpful hair care advice or styling tips to build credibility and goodwill.

Hairdressers in Tauranga have seen bookings rise just by making genuine connections in these online spaces.

9. Prioritise Hygiene and Professionalism

New Zealanders take salon hygiene seriously. Being transparent about your safety standards and professional qualifications reassures clients and encourages positive word-of-mouth referrals.

With increasing government scrutiny on non-compliant salons, this trust factor is a major client drawcard.

10. Use Yada to Connect with Local Clients

Yada makes it easy for hairdressers to respond to local job requests without lead or success fees. Its rating system ensures you match well with clients and the internal chat helps keep communication smooth and private.

New or busy stylists benefit from Yada’s mobile-friendly platform, which keeps leads trickling in so you can focus on doing what you love.