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Are you a mad genius hairstylist, superbly talented nail technician, or extraordinarily gifted skin care professional? Fantastic! But you may still find it challenging to get ahead in the beauty industry. Why, you ask? Because success within any salon or spa isn’t just about your technical skill or creativity. It’s also based on your ability to attract and build your clientele and retain them after their first visit to your chair. Fortunately, building a strong book has become easier thanks to today’s social media platforms—if you know how to use them correctly.

In a survey of 1,800 U.S. customers conducted by Square, 75 % said that Facebook is their favorite social media tool when searching for a new salon, making the powerhouse of social networking the perfect place to begin when you want to start growing your clientele. Below, we offer a few simple tips and tricks to help you make the most of every Facebook post.

1. Share plenty of posts featuring your best work – Before and after shots of color corrections or makeup applications, prom and wedding up-dos, trendy or classic cuts and colors, the latest nail techniques and designs, you get the picture… and potential clients really want to see them. In fact, a study by HubSpot found that Facebook posts with photos received 53% more likes and 104% more comments than those without. The takeaway: don’t hesitate to post photos of your best work every day.
2. Ask clients to post reviews of your services on Facebook – In the Square survey mentioned earlier, 36% of consumers indicated they consider online reviews posted by clients when seeking out a new salon. Make the most of this by encouraging your best clients to post a review of their visit on your Facebook page. You can also re-share recommendations and reviews they’ve written about you on their own pages (with permission, of course).
3. Share your expertise – Successful cosmetology industry professionals strive to continuously learn and improve their knowledge. It’s easy to share posts about new haircare, nailcare and skincare tricks you’re learning while you’re in beauty school. Make sure you keep it up after you graduate! Discovered a new product you love? Post about it. Attending a beauty industry trade show? Post about it.
4. Offer special Facebook Fan deals and discounts – The more Facebook Fans (basically, people who’ve liked and followed your professional Facebook page) you have, the larger your audience and potential client base. Encourage people to become your fans by offering a discount on their first service. You can then keep them coming back by offering the occasional discount or value-add for mentioning a particular Facebook post when booking with you.
5. Run contests to encourage more likes and shares – Of course, your social media reach on Facebook isn’t just limited to the number of people who have directly connected with your page. When fans like and re-share your posts, your Facebook exposure grows exponentially. While the best way to get likes and shares is to regularly post content that is of value and interest to your audience, the occasional drawing for a free product or service in exchange for re-shares can be a great way to boost your outreach.
6. Use ads to drive more visitors to your Facebook page – As if first quarter 2018, there are 2.19 billion active monthly users on Facebook. If you want to reach more of them than you can through fans and followers (and their friends) alone, Facebook ads can help you do so. Facebook gives professionals an arsenal of targeting options for ads (also know as Sponsored Posts) to enable you to reach a precise audience. In addition to your geographic area and the target age and gender of your ideal customer, consider narrowing down even further to Facebook users who have liked specific pages, such as the pages of the companies’ whose nail, skin or haircare products your salon or spa uses.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

How to keep your profiles appropriate and your employers happy.

By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology

By nature, most successful beauty industry professionals are sociable and engaging. They enjoy interacting with others and spend many hours each day learning about their clients’ lives and sharing stories of their own while providing services, whether they’re cosmetologists, nail technicians or skin care professionals. As a result, the use of social media also comes naturally–sometimes a little too much so. While Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be valuable tools for building your brand and a thriving clientele when used correctly, public posts and tweets that lack an adequate level of professionalism can actually damage your career.

At a time when 81% of the U.S. population has at least one social media profile, 70% of employers are using social media to screen job applicants, and 18% of consumers consider social media presence when choosing a salon, it can make sense to spend some time cleaning up your online appearance. Do so before you finish your beauty school program, and you’ll be ready to job search with confidence.  What should you delete (and carefully avoid sharing in the future)?

Start with the following:

Provocative content – In CareerBuilder’s survey of employers, 39% said they rejected candidates because of provocative photos, videos or information shared on a social media profile. Keep in mind that ‘provocative’ doesn’t just mean sexual in nature. Provocative content may include any post or tweet intended to cause annoyance, anger or other negative reactions, so you might want to remove overtly political posts as well as bikini photos from your public timeline.

Content related to drinking or drug use – Thirty-eight percent of the employers CareerBuilder surveyed had rejected job seekers because of social media content related to alcohol or drugs. While there’s nothing wrong with posting about attending happy hour with a few friends or tweeting about the wine you’re enjoying at a local gallery opening, just do so responsibly.

Discriminatory comments – Negative posts about race, gender or religion caused 32% of the surveyed employers to reject job candidates. Any social media content that suggests you’re less than inclusive of any type of client is a surefire way to limit job prospects. This also brings about the potential of unintentionally turning clients away.

Bad-mouthing previous employers or fellow employees – While the salon industry has a reputation for drama (just think Beauty Shop or TNT’s Claws, for example), savvy real-world business owners are never eager to hire troublemakers. Remove these types of posts and tweets from your profiles immediately and, in the future, air your grievances in person to a sympathetic friend.

Proof that you’ve lied about your qualifications- When surveying employers, CareerBuilder found that 61% review job applicants’ social media profiles in search of information that supports their qualifications. However, 27% have rejected candidates when they actually found proof to the contrary. If you’re attending Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, you’re learning everything you need to know to be successful in your first cosmetology, nail tech or skin care jobs. Posts about your classes and experiences at school can show potential employers that you’re enthusiastic about your future.

While there are plenty of potential career landmines to avoid when using social media, a professional online persona can actually increase your chances of securing a salon or spa job as well as attract more clientele for your services. If you don’t want to alter the way you engage in your personal life on social media, you may find it easier to set up separate professional Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter accounts and adjust the privacy settings on your personal profiles accordingly.

In CareerBuilder’s survey, 44% of employers said they had found content on social networking sites that actually caused them to hire the candidate. The primary reasons they did so? Posts that illustrated great communication skills (37%), a professional image (36%) and creativity (35%)—all things Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology graduates are certain to possess.

If you are tired of pounding the pavement looking for jobs only to keep coming up short, you are not alone. There are many people in the Dayton area who are unhappy with the job options they have available to them. The good news is that you can make a change, and it doesn’t have to take a long time to do it! Now may be the time for you to consider a career change to the beauty industry. The more you learn about what it is, the more you may love the way it sounds for your life.

Cosmetology is the field that deals with hair, skin, and nails. To have a career in cosmetology you essentially go to beauty school, such as Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for those in cosmetology, including nail technicians, hair stylists, and skincare specialists, is growing faster than average.

Here are three programs to consider that will help get you into a whole new career change that offers stability and the ability to be creative:

• Cosmetology. This career field puts you in a position to offer hair styling, which includes cutting, coloring, and other services, such as facials, makeup, and nail care. This program is 1500 hours and can be completed in as little as 11 months. Those with cosmetology training can work in salons, spas, and own their own business offering the services.
• Nail technician. A nail technician, or manicurist, is someone who does nails for a living – manicures, pedicures, gel nails, polish and more. They may work in a salon or spa, or may provide some mobile services. Some nail technicians own their own company, while others rent a space inside a salon or work directly for the salon. The nail technician program is 200 hours and the advanced nail technician program is 300 hours. You could be graduated and entering your new career in as little as 8 weeks.
• Advanced esthetics (skincare). This program is for those who want to focus on skin, including makeup, facials, relaxation massage, waxing, and more. Their role is to help make the skin more beautiful, healthy, and refreshed. Skincare specialists work in salons, spas, doctors’ offices, and even own their own businesses. This program is 900 hours, and can be completed in as little as 8 months.

Making a change to help secure your future and get a good career is easier than you may realize. One year from now, you can be well into your new career, established, and loving what you do. Opting to make the change now will put you on the path toward career success. Our training programs are available at both our North Dayton campus and our South Dayton campus, making it more convenient for our students. We also have a student salon and spa that is open to the public, so that our students can get real-world experience before they head toward their successful careers after finishing training.

Call us today to get the wheels in motion. Having a new career is all in your hands, and we are here to help you do it! Financial aid is available for those who quality, and we offer flexible programs so that it’s easier for people to attend.

There are people in every city around the country who work in the cosmetology field, including here in the Dayton area. At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we have trained thousands of people to work in the field. Our beauty school offers three different programs and we have two campuses in the Dayton area, making it flexible and convenient for those who are seeking a real career that can change their life.

If you have wondered if you are a good candidate for a field in cosmetology, you are not alone. Here are 6 characteristics that those in cosmetology often have:

1. They enjoy working with hair, nails, and makeup. The field of cosmetology is about beauty, and specifically helping people to love their hair, skin, makeup, and nails.
2. They like to interact with others. Some people like to hide away in a cubicle, but if you are a people person then you enjoy the social interaction. Those who have a career in cosmetology get to interact with people all day and help them, making a difference in their lives.
3. Higher earnings potential. Those in the cosmetology field like that they are not usually bound to one hourly rate for their earnings. They can earn commissions and tips, and they also become their own boss, allowing for even higher earnings potential.
4. Flexible schedules. Most people who work with hair, nails, skin, and makeup get to make up their own hours. This flexibility in their schedule allows them to better coordinate it around their child’s schedule or simply work the hours they prefer.
5. Variety in duties. Cosmetologists, nail technicians, and estheticians enjoy a variety of duties. Each person they help is a chance to do something new, giving them a chance to change up their day and not get bored.
6. Security and stability. One of the nice things that those in the cosmetology field have is that there are plenty of jobs. In fact, it is a field that is considered to be growing at a pace faster than others.

Most people who do hair, nails, makeup, or skincare for a living tend to build a steady clientele. They enjoy seeing these people every week or couple of months for their services, getting to know them, and helping to meet their needs. Cosmetology careers are very rewarding, offering people a chance to be their own boss and have a stable career.

In the Dayton area, we have helped many students to get started on their path of being a cosmetologist, nail technician, and esthetician. Our programs are flexible, with full and part time options, and we offer high quality instructors. When you graduate from our program, you can rest assured that you are well-prepared to enter the field, score a great position, and let your creativity get to work. Our beauty school also offers a student salon and spa that is open to the public where students provide services. Stop in and take a look around, or give us a call so that we can answer your questions and help you get started on your new and exciting career!

If you live in the Dayton, Ohio area and are interested in beauty school, you are not alone. There are many people who consider cosmetology school in order to better their career position. Having a career in cosmetology provides you with a lot of opportunity, and the good news is that it is a field that is open to just about everyone.

At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we have helped many students on the path to a more rewarding career. Our cosmetology programs have been life-changing for our students, helping them to obtain great positions, earn a good living, and have a rewarding career that they love.

Here are 6 things to know about a career in cosmetology if you are considering one:

• The field offers a lot of career opportunities, as well as the ability to be self-employed. If you have dreamed of owning your own business or being your own boss, this field will help you get there.
• Hair salons and spas are open at all different times and days of the week, offering people a flexible schedule. This is great news for those who want to work their schedule around their children or other duties.
• Whether you are styling hair or helping someone have a beautiful full set of nails, you can use your creative freedom to do it. Being creative is a big part of helping people find styles and looks that they love.
• Many of the students who graduate from our programs didn’t know that they could finish something so rewarding. Finishing a program in cosmetology will help give you a great sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence.
• Once you finish our beauty school program, you will no longer just be looking for any old job. You will have a career. You will be a professional who is able to find good positions within the field.
• Many people feel held back by their current jobs or lack of opportunities. When you complete a beauty school program, you will feel you have the freedom you need in order to live a better quality of life.

At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we offer three programs to choose from. They include cosmetology, nail technician, and advanced esthetics (skincare). Depending on the one you choose, you can be finished and working in your chosen career field in as little as a couple of months. Plus, we offer financial aid for those who qualify.

Contact us today to take a tour of our facility or to get your questions answered. We have a North Dayton campus and a South Dayton campus, making our class locations and times convenient for those looking to change their life. We also have a student salon and spa that is open to the public, where we offer all types of services by our students. Stop in to check out what our students are capable of and see for yourself the high quality of instruction and wonderful atmosphere that we offer the Dayton area!

If you are looking to attend beauty school in the Dayton area, you are not alone. Many people are seeking a great cosmetology program in the Dayton area, because the career field is growing. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for those in the cosmetology field is growing at a faster than average pace. At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we have helped countless students with their training to enter the field, and we look forward to helping many more.

It’s not always easy to decide where to go to get your cosmetology training so you can enter the field. But here are 5 reasons why students choose Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology:

1. Career Placement: We are dedicated to preparing you for your career and equipping you with the technical and professional skills you’ll need to be successful in your career. We have a dedicated Career Placement Specialist that works with our students and graduates to have careers ready for you at graduation.
2. Academic Reputation: For going on 25 years we have been the beauty school of choice for salons to hire from in the Dayton, Ohio area. Salons and spas prefer our graduates because they know we consistently give our students the training they need to be successful.
3. The feedback we receive from our students and graduates is that we have great instructors. They are dedicated to their passion of helping students achieve their goals. They know how to help each student get the most out of their training and to be able to showcase their creativity.
4. Our programs make it easier for those students who need flexibility. We offer programs that are full and part time, including evening programs. We also have two locations, one in North Dayton and one in South Dayton, to make it easier and more convenient for you.
5. The overall atmosphere of our school is one of the main reasons people like you choose us. From having high quality instructors to a top-notch learning facility, we put our students first, offering them an ideal place to begin their new life-changing career.

In the Dayton area, our beauty school has helped thousands of people start a whole new career. They are able to find a job that they not only love, but that gives them the stability and flexibility that they need. Whether you want to be someone who is self-employed or who works for another salon or spa, our programs will equip you with the skills you need.

If you are looking for a career in the cosmetology field, contact us at the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology. We offer a program for those looking for a career in cosmetology, nail technician, and esthetics (skin care). Take a tour of our facility to see what we have to offer. Better yet, stop into our salon and get a service by one of our students. Our salon and spa services include hair, nails, and spa options. Stopping in as a customer will give you a chance to see our students in action, and we feel you will be impressed!

There are many people in the Dayton, Ohio area who would love to have a new career. They are tired of the same old process of scoping out the help wanted ads only to find jobs that are low pay, offer horrible hours, and treat them as if they are a machine. They crave a career where they can use their creativity, feel good about what they are doing, and have the flexibility they want in their life. The good news is that you can have exactly that right here in the Dayton area!

Have you ever considered a career in the field of cosmetology? The cosmetology field is an exciting one, because it offers the ability to do a variety of things, all while giving you the creative freedom you want with the stability you need. You can choose to do hair, offering styling and coloring, or you can opt to do nails, helping people to have beautiful nails with great designs. You can also choose to focus on esthetics, opting to become a skin care specialist, who offers makeup services, facials, massage, and waxing services. There are options for every personality and career plan.

Many people who are interested in a cosmetology career in the Dayton area fear that they won’t be able to afford it. The good news is that most people absolutely can. There are financial planning options to assist with training, including:

• Pell Grants. These are monies that are issued by the government that do not have to be paid back. Since this is “free” money towards your program, if you qualify, it can help you to reduce the program cost to make schooling affordable for you, making it possible for you to start your new career.
• Deferred student loans. These are loans that are issued by the government that do have to be paid back, starting six months after you graduate. If you qualify for these loans they are a great help because they allow you to be working in your career when the payments are due. These loans also typically carry a low interest rate and a low monthly payment.

Financial aid services are available for those students who qualify and we can help you to complete your FAFSA (financial aid application). The important thing to know is that most likely you can afford to get the training you need to start a whole new career. There are options for most people so that they can get the help they need to afford career training.

Contact our office today to see what type of financial assistance you may qualify for. At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, we have helped many people in the Dayton area to find a way to afford the training to get them started on a new career path. We can most likely help you too! Within months you can be on your way to career freedom, having the training and skills you need to give you security, peace of mind, and a career you love.

If you are looking for a career change or to establish a career, you can’t go wrong by considering all that the field of cosmetology has to offer. Throughout the Dayton, Ohio area you will find many hair salons, spas, and nail salons, which are all potential places for you to work once you finish your education in the field. And the good news is that training doesn’t take nearly as long as you probably think it does.

There are many reasons why so many people choose a career in the area of cosmetology, both in the Dayton area as well as in the rest of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s a field that has a job outlook that is growing at a faster than average pace. Here are 5 more reasons to consider a cosmetology career:

1. Life changing. There’s a great sense of accomplishment in being able to have a career you love that helps you earn a living. By completing a cosmetology program, you will be more in control of your financial future, better able to get a good career, and you can do something you enjoy as you work.
2. The cosmetology programs and the careers in the field are flexible. This provides people with the options they need to complete training and work in the field. Whether you want full time, part time, days or evenings, the options and flexibility are there.
3. Short training program. Unlike going to college, the training programs in cosmetology don’t take years. In fact, you can become a nail technician in as little as two months, an esthetician in as little as 8 months, or a cosmetologist in only 11 months.
4. Financial assistance. Financial aid is available and for those who qualify, this can be a great way to make your training affordable.
5. Options for creativity. Being able to express your creativity is a great reason to go into the field of cosmetology. You can opt to do nails, style and color hair, or help people with their makeup (on and off stage). There are plenty of options to let your creativity flow.

At the Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology we have helped countless people to enter their careers as nail technicians, cosmetologists, and skin care professionals. We have program graduates who work all over the Dayton area and beyond. Our students gain valuable experience working in our student salon, providing services to the public, while they are completing their program. This helps them be ready to go out and offer their creative services to the world, one person at a time.

If you want a great career that will give you the flexibility and stability that you need, contact us for more information on our programs. With campuses in North Dayton and South Dayton, we can help put your career on the right path!