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The Magic City Classic in Birmingham is more than just a football game—it’s an iconic cultural event that draws in tens of thousands of visitors from across the nation. For barbers, this event offers a golden opportunity to increase visibility, attract new clients, and boost revenue. With careful planning and strategic marketing, barbers can maximize the benefits of this event and turn attendees into loyal customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how barbers can leverage the Magic City Classic to their advantage and develop a sustainable marketing strategy.
Understanding the Magic City Classic Audience
The first step to capitalizing on the Magic City Classic is understanding the diverse audience it attracts. The Classic is a homecoming event for two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, bringing in alumni, college students, sports enthusiasts, and visitors from all over the country. This event is much more than just a football game—it’s a weekend-long celebration with tailgating, parties, and social gatherings, making it a prime time for people to want to look their best.
For barbers, this means you’re not just dealing with your regular clientele but with a large number of out-of-town visitors and young professionals who need grooming services. Catering your marketing towards this event-centric crowd can make your business stand out. People attending the Classic will likely want a fresh haircut for the festivities, so emphasizing your availability and service quality will go a long way in attracting new customers.
Building Buzz Before the Event
To maximize the benefits of the Magic City Classic, it’s essential to start promoting your services well in advance. You want to build anticipation and create a sense of urgency so that potential clients book appointments with you before they even arrive in Birmingham. Digital marketing tools, particularly social media, play a vital role in this pre-event buildup.
Promote your shop by running targeted social media campaigns. Utilize platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to reach event attendees by using hashtags such as #MagicCityClassic and #BirminghamBarbers. Create visually engaging content—whether it’s before-and-after shots, videos showcasing your skills, or client testimonials—that will resonate with people looking for fresh cuts for game day. You can even collaborate with local influencers or athletes attending the event. Offering them free grooming services in exchange for promotional posts can help you tap into their followers and broaden your reach.
In addition to digital efforts, offering special pre-event promotions is another way to generate excitement. For example, you can create packages tailored to event attendees, such as a “Game Day Grooming Special,” which includes a haircut, beard grooming, and a touch-up. Promoting these offers a few weeks before the event will help you fill your appointment slots early, ensuring a steady stream of clients during the busy Classic weekend.
Strategic Partnerships with Local Businesses
Partnering with local businesses can be an incredibly effective way to extend your reach during the Magic City Classic. Given the wide range of visitors and events taking place during the weekend, barbers can collaborate with complementary businesses such as clothing boutiques, hotels, or restaurants. These partnerships can help cross-promote services and provide mutually beneficial deals.
For instance, you can team up with a local fashion boutique that caters to event attendees, offering package deals where clients receive a discount on haircuts when they purchase a game day outfit from the store. Similarly, partnering with hotels frequented by out-of-town visitors can bring in new clients who might be looking for grooming services close to their accommodations. By leaving flyers or business cards at these establishments, you increase the likelihood that visitors will come to your shop for a cut before or after the game.
Another opportunity is to set up vendor pop-ups at key locations around Birmingham. If your barbershop is located near the event or along high-traffic areas, you can set up a booth offering quick services like shape-ups or beard trims. Having a presence at popular tailgating spots or near the stadium can drive last-minute walk-ins to your shop or introduce your business to potential clients who will visit later.
Offer Mobile Barbering Services
Mobile barbering services are particularly beneficial during high-traffic events like the Magic City Classic. Many attendees won’t have time to visit a physical barbershop but may still want grooming services for the weekend’s festivities. Offering mobile barbering can help you cater to these clients, providing convenience and exclusivity.
Consider promoting a mobile service option where you go directly to the client’s hotel, Airbnb, or tailgating spot to provide a haircut or grooming service. You can charge a premium for this added convenience, as event-goers may be willing to pay more for the flexibility of not having to leave their location. Be sure to market your mobile services early, using phrases like “We come to you!” to emphasize the ease and convenience of the service. Highlighting this option on social media, along with testimonials or videos showing mobile services in action, can give your shop a competitive edge.
If you don’t have the capacity for mobile barbering, you could still set up a temporary grooming station near the event or in a public venue that receives heavy foot traffic. A well-placed mobile barber station, even if only for shape-ups or quick beard trims, can attract event-goers who may not have planned ahead.
Word-of-Mouth and Local Influencer Marketing
Building brand awareness during the Magic City Classic doesn’t stop at digital advertising or partnerships. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing, and you can use it to your advantage during the event. Encourage your current customers to spread the word about your services, especially if they are attending the event.
Additionally, leveraging local influencers is a highly effective way to amplify your visibility. Collaborate with micro-influencers who have a strong following in Birmingham or within the HBCU community. Offer free haircuts or grooming services in exchange for shoutouts on their social media platforms. Influencers often have highly engaged followers, and their recommendations can lead to a surge in new clients for your shop.
Also, encourage your event clients to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or your social media pages. Positive reviews can greatly enhance your shop’s online reputation and attract even more clients. After all, people attending the Magic City Classic may be from out of town and will rely on online reviews when deciding which barber to visit.
Make Your Shop an Event Destination
During the Magic City Classic weekend, make your barbershop more than just a place for haircuts—turn it into an event destination. You can capitalize on the festive atmosphere by hosting special events or offering a unique in-shop experience. Consider organizing a game day watch party in your shop where clients can get a haircut while enjoying food, drinks, and a live stream of the football game.
You can also offer services that go beyond a standard cut. Highlight any unique services such as intricate hair designs, custom beard trims, or facials. You might even offer themed designs, like incorporating the school colors or logos of Alabama A&M or Alabama State into a client’s haircut. These small touches will leave a lasting impression on your clients and make your shop a memorable part of their Classic weekend experience.
Use Digital Marketing to Stay Visible
Digital marketing plays a key role in helping attendees find your barbershop during the Magic City Classic weekend. Ensure that your shop’s online presence is optimized and up to date. First and foremost, update your Google My Business listing with accurate hours, services, and any special promotions you’re offering during the event. Make sure you’re easy to find on search engines, as out-of-town visitors will likely be searching for “barbers near me” or “barber shops in Birmingham” when they arrive.
Additionally, you can run location-based digital ads targeted at people attending the Classic. Use Facebook and Instagram ads with geo-targeting options to reach people who are in Birmingham for the weekend. Highlight your shop’s proximity to key event locations, such as the stadium, hotels, or popular tailgating spots.
Follow Up and Build Long-Term Loyalty
Once the Magic City Classic is over, the real work begins in terms of building long-term client relationships. After the event, follow up with clients who visited your shop or used your services during the weekend. Send them a personalized message thanking them for their business and offering a discount for their next visit. If you have an email list, use it to send post-event promotions that encourage repeat business.
Additionally, you can incentivize clients to leave reviews or refer friends to your shop. A loyalty program, where clients earn points for each visit or referral, can help ensure that the influx of clients you gained during the Magic City Classic doesn’t fade away after the event ends.
Conclusion
The Magic City Classic presents an unparalleled opportunity for barbers to grow their business, increase visibility, and establish lasting client relationships. By understanding the audience, promoting your services in advance, forming strategic partnerships, and utilizing digital and word-of-mouth marketing, you can position your barbershop as a go-to destination during the event. Whether through mobile services, event-specific promotions, or offering an exceptional in-shop experience, you can capitalize on the excitement surrounding the Magic City Classic and turn event-goers into loyal, long-term clients.
