Let’s be real. Getting clients after esthetician school feels like someone handed you a license and said, “Good luck out there!” No roadmap, no marketing class, just a half-used facial kit and a dream.
Whether you’re brand new, just moved to a new city, or finally going solo, this guide will walk you through the exact steps to start getting booked—without begging your cousin to let you wax her brows “for practice.”
Here’s how to start attracting real, paying clients (even if you’re starting from scratch):
1. Get Your Online Presence Together
If a potential client can’t find you online, you’re already missing out.
Your website should do three things really well
- Let people know who you are and what you offer
- Make it easy to book a service
- Look like you take your business seriously
✨ Pro tip: Use a website template made for estheticians. You don’t need to DIY from zero when the right tools already exist. (Like the ones we made at GlamTech, built for beauty pros.)
Your site should include
- Clear descriptions of your services
- A strong call to action (like “Book Your Facial”)
- Your online booking link
- A mobile-friendly design that looks good on every device
2. Make Booking Simple
Don’t make people hunt for your booking link like it’s buried treasure.
Check these quick fixes
- Is your booking link in your Instagram bio? (Not just on a Linktree with 6 other options)
- Is your “Book Now” button easy to spot on your website?
- Do clients know what happens next once they book? (Think: confirmation emails, policies, intake forms)
When your booking flow is clean and easy, clients are more likely to follow through.
3. Show Up Where Your Clients Are
Your ideal clients probably aren’t searching spa hashtags at 2 a.m. They’re scrolling Instagram, Googling “best facial near me,” or texting friends for recommendations.
Here’s where to focus
- Google: Create a free Google Business Profile so you show up on Maps and in local search results
- Instagram: Share skincare tips, before-and-after results, your space, and client wins
- Word of Mouth: Offer a simple referral bonus, like a free add-on, for any client who brings a friend
You don’t need to be viral. You need to be visible.
4. Use a Freebie to Stay Top of Mind
Most people won’t book the first time they see you. That’s where a freebie comes in. It gives potential clients something valuable while getting them on your email list.
Here are a few ideas
- A mini skin guide for first-time facial clients
- A fun skincare routine quiz
- Or this one: The Book Me Up Checklist (Now yours to use, free!) — a free resource that shows beauty pros how to go from invisible to booked
5. Start Acting Like the Booked-Up Version of You
This one’s mindset meets marketing. You don’t need to fake it, but you do need to show up like the business owner you’re becoming.
Even if your books are empty right now, try
- Posting your availability confidently
- Talking about services like people are already loving them
- Sharing behind-the-scenes content of your setup or routines
Consistency builds trust. And trust builds bookings.
One Last Thing
Nobody tells you how hard it is to build a clientele when you’re first starting out. Your beauty school probably spent more time on lymphatic drainage than on marketing strategies.
But you’re not stuck guessing anymore. With a solid brand presence, smart tools, and a little strategy, you’ll be booking dream clients who value your work and respect your time.
✨ Want to speed things up?
Download Book Me Up: The Free Checklist to learn what your beauty biz needs at every step of the booking journey, so you’re not just showing up, but you’re actually getting booked.
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