Creating a positive salon experience for clients—especially new clients—is always a top priority. You want your salon to stand out amongst the rest and for clients to rave about your services to their friends and coworkers, so that they’ll come in and see it for themselves! Don’t worry, you don’t need to break out the sledgehammer and knock down walls, we have seven tips that’ll help you build your reputation as the best salon in town.
1. Offering beverages when a client comes in
This may seem overly simplistic, but the gesture immediately creates a welcoming feeling. In the winter, herbal tea blends are always popular, and can be inexpensive to provide. Coffee is always a hit, and you can even make a DIY station in your lounge area. In the summer water-infusions with cucumber, mint and lemon are refreshing and incredibly easy!
Pinterest: Camille Styles
2. Product demos and tutorials
Make sure your clients are confident using their hair products and tools! After all, you gave them a great cut and colour, it would be a shame if they don’t take care of it! Besides their appointment times, consider hosting a mini class after business hours. You could provide light snacks and drinks, and do a few tutorials. Clients could bring friends, and if they understand how the products work and see how to use them properly, they’ll be much more inclined to buy them!
3. Snap a pic!
Your clients feel AMAZING with a fresh new look—take that opportunity to capture the moment! You can use the photo as a record of what treatments or cuts they tried. Next time they come in, you can pull out the images and use them as a reference for what they’d like to try next. With your client’s permission, you can also display some pictures in your salon (or online!) to show off your stylists’ skills. You could even enter the image in our “So You Think You Can Style?” contest for a chance to be featured in the magazine!
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4. Maximize downtime
For most colour services, there will be times when your client has some time to sit and wait during processing. Take advantage of the window of time to offer “mini” services, like a manicure or a neck and shoulder massage. Not only will the client get more services in their allotted time, but it’s also a great opportunity for junior staff or apprentices to hone their skills.
5. Tablets for browsing
Flipping through magazines (…and tabloids!) is great for some, but what if a client would rather catch up on emails? Consider investing in tablet or two for your waiting area or lounge space. Clients will appreciate the fact that they can keep themselves entertained while they wait, and it can also be a helpful tool for the client to show a stylist inspiration images for a cut or colour they want. If tablets aren’t in the budget, consider offering free wifi so clients can browse on their own devices.
6. What’s the bathroom situation?
Have you ever been to a restaurant, and then remembered it later for its stunning bathrooms? We don’t have to talk glitzy diamond encrusted mirrors, but a few nice touches go a long way. Rich hand soaps and hand creams are always appreciated, especially in the winter months. Post a sign saying that products are available to purchase at the front for an easy up-sell! Fresh flowers and cute, framed pictures can drastically brighten up what might otherwise be a drab space. It doesn’t have to be expensive, so get creative!
Pinterest: Cheri Lnenicka-Boudreaux
7. Offer some incentive
You’ve built a loyal client base—that’s great! Make sure to keep their interest with special incentives that remind them of why they like going to your salon. It can be as simple as a 10% discount during their birthday month, or a discount for referring a friend. Showing a client that you value them and their business will make them feel good and keep them singing your praises.
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