Promotion Ideas for Barbershops That Work

Promotion ideas for barbershops are a practical way to attract new clients, keep existing ones coming back, and fill gaps in your book. Done right, they increase volume and word of mouth without giving away your work. In this guide you’ll find promotions that usually work, how to run them, and how to avoid over-discounting.

Many barbers avoid promotions because they think “lower prices” means losing money. The key is to choose specific offers, with limits on time or number of uses, and to measure whether they actually bring in more clients and more revenue. Here are clear ideas you can put into practice.

Why Run Promotions at Your Barbershop?

A good promotion helps you:

• Win new clients: someone who doesn’t know you may try a first cut at a reduced price.
• Fill quiet slots: e.g. discounts in low-demand times (weekday mornings).
• Raise average ticket: combos like “cut + beard” or “cut + product” mean more per client.
• Build loyalty: a birthday treat or a discount card after X visits keeps them returning.

If you’re already working on retention, see customer retention strategies for barbershops for more ideas that pair well with promotions.

30 Promotion Ideas for Barbershops That Work

Here are 30 promotion ideas for barbershops grouped by goal. Pick the ones that fit your shop and your clients best.

To attract new clients (1–6)

• 1. First cut discount: 10–20% off on the first visit. "First time only" so they try your work.
• 2. Launch price: first cut at a fixed low price for anyone who books within a set period.
• 3. Try the beard service: first beard-only visit at a discount; they get to know the shop and come back for a cut.
• 4. Social coupon: "Show this post or story and get X% off your first visit." New clients only.
• 5. Referred by a friend: if the client says who sent them, both get a small discount on their next visit.
• 6. Open day: one day per month (or quarter) with lower prices or a short free service to introduce the barbershop.

Bring friends and refer (7–12)

• 7. Bring a friend: the one who brings gets a discount on their next cut; the friend can get one on their first visit.
• 8. Double referral: both the referrer and the new client get a discount. Boosts word of mouth.
• 9. Group of 3 or more: if they come together (same day or same booking), a percentage off for everyone.
• 10. Share on social: client shares a result photo or tags the barbershop and shows proof = discount on next appointment.
• 11. Google review: leave a review and get X% off or a small treat on the next visit.
• 12. Business card offer: you hand out cards with a code; whoever books and shows the card gets a first-time discount.

Combos and average ticket (13–18)

• 13. Cut + beard combo: pack price lower than the two services separately. Raises average ticket.
• 14. Cut + product: when they buy wax, oil, or shampoo, the cut gets a small discount (or the other way around: cut + beard and a mini product free).
• 15. Full service: cut + beard + brows (or neck trim) in one fixed-price pack.
• 16. Second service half price: same day, if they get cut and beard (or another second service), the second one at 50% off.
• 17. Cut + mask or treatment: add a short facial or hair treatment in a pack.
• 18. Monthly or quarterly pack: X cuts per month (or in 3 months) at a fixed price. Builds loyalty and smooths revenue.

Loyalty and frequency (19–24)

• 19. Loyalty card: after 5 or 10 paid cuts, the next one gets 15–20% off.
• 20. Birthday: discount or treat (mini product, coffee) in the client's birthday month. Barbería Club helps you keep client dates so you can send the message.
• 21. Client anniversary: "You've been coming for 1 year"; small discount or treat.
• 22. Come on your day: if the client usually comes on a certain day (e.g. Fridays), a small benefit when they book that day.
• 23. Regular client: whoever books every 3–4 weeks in advance gets a special price or priority.
• 24. Pack of 5 or 10 cuts: pay upfront for a block of cuts at a lower per-cut price.

Time slots and days (25–27)

• 25. Weekday mornings: Mon–Thu before 12pm, 10% off. Spreads demand and fills gaps.
• 26. "Low cost" day: one fixed day (e.g. Tuesday) with slightly lower prices or one extra included.
• 27. Last slot of the day: last appointment of the day at a discount to use the slot.

Seasonal and calendar (28–30)

• 28. Valentine's Day / Father's Day: discount or treat to "look sharp for the occasion." See how to prepare your barbershop for Valentine's Day for an example.
• 29. Black Friday or Cyber Monday: limited offer (that day or week only) on a service or combo.
• 30. Christmas / New Year: "cut + beard for the holidays" pack or discount in the week before New Year's Eve.

How Not to Over-Discount

A poorly designed promotion can make you work more for less. To avoid that:

• Time limit: “February only” or “this week only.”
• Usage limit: “First visit only” or “once per client.”
• Clear terms: make it obvious whether it applies to cut only, combo, specific times, etc.
• Don’t go below your floor: know your costs and margin; the promo price should still be profitable.

Checking your numbers helps you avoid giving away work. In basic accounting for barbershops you’ll find concepts to see if a promotion leaves you margin or not.

How to Communicate Promotions

A great offer is useless if nobody hears about it. Use:

• Social media: post the promotion with a clear image and end date.
• WhatsApp: if you have a list or groups, send a short message with the offer and the booking link (if you use online booking).
• Window or in-shop sign: for passers-by and clients already inside.
• Website and booking: if you have a site or booking system like Barbería Club, show the promotion on the booking page or in a banner.

For more on attracting and keeping clients, see how to increase sales at your barbershop for strategies that work with well-run promotions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbershop Promotions

Do promotions make clients expect a discount every time?

They can if you run offers all the time. That’s why it’s better to limit them by time (“this month only”) or use (“first time only”) and not have everything on promo constantly. Then clients see it as a special occasion.

What discount is reasonable?

It depends on your margin and your market. Around 10–20% on first visit or on combos is common and usually doesn’t “burn” your price. Above 25–30% is more aggressive; use it only when you have a clear goal (e.g. filling lots of first visits in one month).

Can I stack several promotions?

Better not. If a client can combine “first cut” + “bring a friend” + “morning slot,” the discount explodes and you lose control. Define one promotion per campaign and terms that don’t stack unless you’ve calculated it carefully.

Summary: Promotion Ideas for Barbershops in 5 Steps

1. Pick one or two specific promotions (first cut, combo, birthday, time slot, etc.).
2. Set limits on time or use so you don’t cut the price too much.
3. Promote on socials, WhatsApp, in the window and, if you have one, on your booking page.
4. Measure whether you get more clients and whether average ticket or occupancy improve.
5. Use an organized booking system to apply terms and remember dates (birthdays, campaigns). Try Barbería Club for free to manage appointments and clients without the hassle.

Promotion ideas for barbershops used well help you grow without giving away your work. Choose clear offers, communicate them well, and check the numbers. If you want your bookings and client data under control so you can run campaigns with confidence, try Barbería Club for free and take your barbershop to the next level.