How do I start building a personal brand on social media as a hairdresser?

Alana Dixon recommends starting by identifying who you want to be — looking at creators you admire, understanding what you like about them, and thinking about what version of yourself you're working toward. From there, the approach is to fake it till you make it: start creating content that moves toward that vision, learn and develop as you go, and keep pushing forward. Paralysis from not knowing exactly where to start is common, but the only way through it is to begin.

What does the Instagram algorithm favor and how can hairdressers use that to their advantage?

On Instagram, the algorithm currently favors shares and saves over likes and comments. Alana Dixon advises creating content that is genuinely shareable — something people would send to a friend or save to reference later. To learn what works, she recommends going into your niche on the For You or Explore page, studying what content is getting the most engagement among peers, noting the hashtags being used, and identifying what trends are performing well. Then start developing your own content with that lens in mind.

What are three actionable tips for hairdressers trying to build a brand on social media?

Alana Dixon's three tips are: First, ask your followers what they want to see — use Instagram Stories polls even if you only have 22 followers, because it generates engagement and tells you exactly what content to make. Second, identify who you want to be as a creator — look at who you follow, what you like about them, and visualize the future version of yourself you're building toward. Third, take it one day at a time — focus on what you can create today, tomorrow, and the next day through continuous test-and-learn cycles, rather than trying to have everything figured out upfront.

Should I appear on camera in my social media content or just post my work?

Alana Dixon strongly encourages hairdressers to appear on camera. When she reviews analytics with stylists who feel awkward on camera, their engagement almost always spikes every time their face is visible. People follow hairdressers not just for their work, but because they like them — the humor, the personality, the connection. That same connection translates through a screen. Appearing on camera doesn't mean talking about yourself; it can be as simple as walking through what you used on a client or sharing a technique tip directly to the viewer.

How can I grow my social media following if I already have an established client base but am new to posting?

Alana Dixon recommends a 'gorilla warfare' approach: make stickers with your handle and QR code and place them in local coffee shops and community spaces, ask your existing clients to mention and refer you on social when someone compliments their hair, and reach out to other stylists you admire for cross-collaboration. Your clients already know and love you — they're your first ambassadors and most likely to follow you and spread the word. Social media becomes an extension of the word-of-mouth referrals that built your business.

How do I find my niche as a hairdresser on social media?

Alana Dixon points out that your niche often lives at the intersection of what you genuinely love and a gap you've personally experienced. Specializing in a specific hair type, technique, or client need — and sharing that consistently — is how stylists build loyal followings. She notes that competition in any niche shouldn't be a deterrent: there may be thousands of curly hair specialists, but you might be the one closest to the person searching right now. Every stylist has a unique point of view, and sharing that authentically is what builds a following.

How do Instagram Stories polls help build a social media following?

Using polls in Instagram Stories serves two purposes: it generates audience engagement (which the algorithm rewards by showing your Stories to more people), and it gives you direct market research on what content your followers actually want. Alana Dixon suggests asking your audience directly — whether they want to see more styling tutorials, product application, before-and-afters, or other content — and using their answers to guide what you create next. This works even with a very small following.

FINDING YOUR BRAND

Name: Finding Your Brand
Uploaded: 2025-12-17
Channel: Hairstory
Description: Hairstory's VP of Integrated Strategy Alana Dixon sits down with host Wes Sharpton for a focused conversation on how hairdressers can start building a personal brand on social media — whether they're starting from zero or looking to grow an existing presence. Alana shares a frank, practical break...

In a world where everyone says "you're a brand" when running a business, it's easy to forget that at the heart of every business is a human connection and helping people. But how do you brand yourself without losing the essence of who you are? Join Alanah Dixon, VP of Interactive Marketing at Hairstory, for a powerful session that will guide you in crafting a brand that stays true to you. Learn how to build an authentic brand that resonates with clients while staying connected to your passion and purpose.

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Hairstory's VP of Integrated Strategy Alana Dixon sits down with host Wes Sharpton for a focused conversation on how hairdressers can start building a personal brand on social media — whether they're starting from zero or looking to grow an existing presence. Alana shares a frank, practical breakdown: how to identify who you want to be as a creator, how the Instagram and TikTok algorithms actually work (and what they favor), how to use polls and Stories to do your own market research, why appearing on camera consistently drives higher engagement, and how cross-collaboration with other stylists can accelerate audience growth. She also offers three concrete, actionable tips for anyone ready to start building today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start building a personal brand on social media as a hairdresser?

Alana Dixon recommends starting by identifying who you want to be — looking at creators you admire, understanding what you like about them, and thinking about what version of yourself you're working toward. From there, the approach is to fake it till you make it: start creating content that moves toward that vision, learn and develop as you go, and keep pushing forward. Paralysis from not knowing exactly where to start is common, but the only way through it is to begin.
What does the Instagram algorithm favor and how can hairdressers use that to their advantage?

On Instagram, the algorithm currently favors shares and saves over likes and comments. Alana Dixon advises creating content that is genuinely shareable — something people would send to a friend or save to reference later. To learn what works, she recommends going into your niche on the For You or Explore page, studying what content is getting the most engagement among peers, noting the hashtags being used, and identifying what trends are performing well. Then start developing your own content with that lens in mind.
What are three actionable tips for hairdressers trying to build a brand on social media?

Alana Dixon's three tips are: First, ask your followers what they want to see — use Instagram Stories polls even if you only have 22 followers, because it generates engagement and tells you exactly what content to make. Second, identify who you want to be as a creator — look at who you follow, what you like about them, and visualize the future version of yourself you're building toward. Third, take it one day at a time — focus on what you can create today, tomorrow, and the next day through continuous test-and-learn cycles, rather than trying to have everything figured out upfront.
Should I appear on camera in my social media content or just post my work?

Alana Dixon strongly encourages hairdressers to appear on camera. When she reviews analytics with stylists who feel awkward on camera, their engagement almost always spikes every time their face is visible. People follow hairdressers not just for their work, but because they like them — the humor, the personality, the connection. That same connection translates through a screen. Appearing on camera doesn't mean talking about yourself; it can be as simple as walking through what you used on a client or sharing a technique tip directly to the viewer.
How can I grow my social media following if I already have an established client base but am new to posting?

Alana Dixon recommends a 'gorilla warfare' approach: make stickers with your handle and QR code and place them in local coffee shops and community spaces, ask your existing clients to mention and refer you on social when someone compliments their hair, and reach out to other stylists you admire for cross-collaboration. Your clients already know and love you — they're your first ambassadors and most likely to follow you and spread the word. Social media becomes an extension of the word-of-mouth referrals that built your business.
How do I find my niche as a hairdresser on social media?

Alana Dixon points out that your niche often lives at the intersection of what you genuinely love and a gap you've personally experienced. Specializing in a specific hair type, technique, or client need — and sharing that consistently — is how stylists build loyal followings. She notes that competition in any niche shouldn't be a deterrent: there may be thousands of curly hair specialists, but you might be the one closest to the person searching right now. Every stylist has a unique point of view, and sharing that authentically is what builds a following.
How do Instagram Stories polls help build a social media following?

Using polls in Instagram Stories serves two purposes: it generates audience engagement (which the algorithm rewards by showing your Stories to more people), and it gives you direct market research on what content your followers actually want. Alana Dixon suggests asking your audience directly — whether they want to see more styling tutorials, product application, before-and-afters, or other content — and using their answers to guide what you create next. This works even with a very small following.