4 Successful Marketing Tips For Your Salon Business

Salons are everywhere, and if you’re planning to get into the beauty business it’s important to stand out from the crowd. Arguably one of the most challenging aspects of running a successful salon is coming up with fresh ways to attract new clients. Here are some carefully crafted marketing ideas to promote your salon business.

Social media

Social Media is the perfect medium for two-way conversations with your customers. It not only represents a good place to share images but also give salon owners a free opportunity to get the word out about any specials or promotions going on at the salon not only through words but more importantly visually. Put time and effort into creating fun and enticing promotions to help drive clients. Post relevant content like pictures, news updates, videos and testimonials plus always make sure to respond to customers’ posts. Always keep track of your social media metrics to see how your pages have grown and how your customers are interacting with your brand. Here are some of the social media marketing tips you can adopt:

- Use Hashtags to Pitch Your Salons for Events.

-Create an Online Look-Book with Instagram.

-Engage customers through Facebook contests and giveaways.

-Use before and after pictures to showcase your stylists’ talent.

-Offer Flash Sales on Twitter.

-Set up a selfie station with your salon’s hashtag.

Referral discounts

Referral programs are great for encouraging new business. Start accessing your clients’ network of friends by implementing a referral program.  People usually recommend the services/place that they loved to their friends. Why not give your customers a little bonus for doing your advertising and sending new clients your way.  According to a recent survey report by The New York Times, business owners reported about 65% of their new clients were generated through referral programs. The key to a successful referral program is to push incentives that are both enticing, yet simple. For example, maybe you can try something such as Refer a friend and get 50% your next visit or you can offer a free service to anyone that brings in a friend. By this way you’ll make your existing customers happy campers, while growing your business. Your customers are a great source you should never underestimate.

Loyalty card

It’s always nice to recognize great clients. Customer loyalty is hugely important to any business, but salons can easily capitalize on it. Make customers feel special by offering them exclusive benefits and loyalty rewards. For Instance: For every 5 visits, give a discount on the 6th. Or, if they’ve been coming to you long enough for the prices of services to rise, consider giving them the original price.  You can send out promotions such as—a discounted blowout or makeup session, free product or service etc. By offering birthday/anniversary incentives, you’re letting the client know you value their business and are thinking of them on their special day. You can also give clients points for trying out a new service. The points can be converted to cash. It’ll keep the clients coming back! You can also consider running promotions during the holiday season for your loyal customers. Promotions during this period will drive the herd of heavy spenders your way and will also make your customers happy.

Give out Sample Gifts

The truth is that people love free stuff.  Staying with retail-focused mentality here, consider giving away a free sample gift with purchases or availing some particular services from time to time. This marketing idea works to benefit both you and your clients. Giving away samples is the perfect way for you to test out new products with your clients and also to make them happy. For example, before ordering a new product in bulk to sell or use, you just order a few to sample out. If your clients enjoy the new product, then you can move forward with stocking your shelves with it. This will help you be smarter with the money you spend on inventory. In addition, this will make your clients feel like you’re treating them to something special and will respond to your generosity with loyal re-bookings.