Top 5 Business Tips To Grow Your Salon

Whether you are starting your journey as a hairdresser or are a seasoned veteran running your own salon, becoming a self-motivated entrepreneur is key in accelerating your career at each step and growing your business.

Here are 5 of the best business and marketing strategies that can help you maximize your earnings, brand yourself better, network effectively, and build or continue to build a successful career in the hair industry.

1. Build a Strong Personal Brand

Your brand is more than just your skills, it’s the experience and value you provide. Develop a signature style or niche in certain styles, create a strong online presence, and establish yourself as an expert with a portfolio to back it up. Whether you specialize in balayage, curly hair, or bridal styling, showcasing your expertise will attract the right clients. 

The adage of the riches are in the niches is true, up to the point where you can scale; however, from a business perspective, taking on all clients that want to work with you is effective, especially in the early stages, to gain word-of-mouth momentum. 

If you are already an established presence, a brand refresh can inspire new clients who align with the new brand’s aesthetic and vibe to take a chance on you! As trends change, you should be aware of how your own brand reflects these changes.

2. Utilize Social Media to Market Yourself

Having an engaging, informative, educational, or entertaining social media platform is a necessity in the digital age. In fact, Instagram is the top channel for product discovery, with 61% using it to find their next purchase. 

Because YOU are YOUR brand, that means marketing yourself in a friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, and interactive way that engages followers (who can turn into clients!) Highlighting your best work, products you use, insightful tips, and even infusing your personality helps build a loyal following that can increase your sphere of influence.

Platforms like TikTok and Facebook are also powerful tools for showcasing your work. Regularly posting before-and-after transformations, behind-the-scenes content, and client testimonials helps diversify your content and ensures you are engaging with followers on time. Collaborating with other influencers and cross-pollinating your audiences is also an effective strategy, and you don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers to get started.

3. Offer Package Deals, Memberships, Products, and Additional Services

Encourage repeat business by offering discounted package deals or a membership model. For example, clients can pay a monthly fee for special perks or get a discounted rate when they have booked a certain number of appointments in advance. 

Incentivize people to try you out and win them over with your unique skills and enthusiastic demeanor. This creates consistent revenue, increases client retention, and demonstrates that you are someone they can trust with their hair.

Maximize each appointment by recommending additional services or retail products. If a client comes in for a cut, suggest a deep conditioning treatment or a styling tool to keep the “fresh-out-of-the-salon” look for longer.

Many salons have shelves of products but neglect to upsell their clients with shampoos, conditioners, brushes, and other hair-care essentials that can give them better results. If sales aren’t your strong suit, you can also feature additional products or services more discreetly on your business cards or your website (you do plan on having these, right? 😉).

It can also be valuable to partner with photographers, makeup artists, and bridal boutiques to help you reach new clients. Consider cross-promotions, where you refer clients to each other and offer joint packages for weddings, photoshoots, and special events, and watch your DMs and emails begin to fill up!

4. Keep Learning and Expanding Your Skills

Stay updated with the latest hair trends, techniques, and business strategies by attending workshops and industry events. Offering trendy services, like hair extensions or scalp treatments, can give you a competitive edge, but don’t forget your niche. You may have to explore all your options before you refine what you are good at and balance that with customer desire and demand.

It’s also key to brush up on your admin skills. Use an online scheduling tool to streamline your appointments, where automated reminders can reduce no-shows. Explore easy-to-use booking platforms that allow clients to book at their convenience. Simple is usually better!

Stay updated with the latest hair trends, techniques, and business strategies by attending workshops and industry events. 

Understanding how to conduct a consultation ensures clients get exactly what they want, leading to higher satisfaction and return visits. Ask detailed questions, manage expectations, and recommend services that align with their hair type and lifestyle.

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5. Deliver Exceptional Customer Service

If you’ve made it till this point, you’d know that we’ve stressed exceptional customer service throughout each of our tips, and that’s because it permeates into everything else and is your strongest asset. Happy clients are your best marketers and will help spread word-of-mouth, give you flattering reviews, and refer their family and friends. 

Going the extra mile leaves a lasting impression and is what leads to lifelong customers!

Success as a salon entrepreneur isn’t just about skill, it’s also about strategy. 

Follow the above tips and watch your income grow along with your reputation in the industry.

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