http://www.salongeek.com/ Buisness articles for the salon professionals en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:04:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.salongeek.com/images/element/misc/rss.jpg http://www.salongeek.com/ http://www.salongeek.com/business/103293-what-include-your-website-attract-new-clients.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:48:16 GMT Today I want to target the salon (http://www.salonblabbermouth.com/)website and give you a couple tips on how you can use it to capture new clients that are the ideal match for your salon (http://www.salonblabbermouth.com/). Now don’t get upset by what I say but try to see this from your... Today I want to target the salon website and give you a couple tips on how you can use it to capture new clients that are the ideal match for your salon.

Now don’t get upset by what I say but try to see this from your clients point of view. Most websites I see it looks as though we in the industry are trying to impress each other with our talent rather than appealing to the clients who we are wanting to do business with. They are usually contain photos of young pretty girls, thin girls, who have perfect hair and skin and are wearing suggestive clothing sporting hair no one would ever wear on the street. Being in the beauty industry I can truly appreciate and admire the artists talent but how does the client perceive this and will it capture their attention long enough to browse your site or intimidate them? I also see salons trying to sell to the client by telling them how wonderful they are rather than giving the client what they want.




If you have a lot of clients and your public profile is all your website is designed for then by all means put up the flashy pictures of hairstyles and impress people with the talent of your team. But if your primary purpose is to attract clients with your site then build it to work for you How do you do this?

1. Know who you are looking to attract by knowing the profile of the person who will see value in being a client of your salon…your ideal client.
2. Capture their attention by giving them something they will value.
3. Gain their trust that you are the expert to care for their needs.

What to include with your strategy:

1. Include a very brief “tip” of the week so visitors see value in returning to your site. I know a salon blog can serve this purpose as well but clients don’t always spend enough time roaming your site to get the good stuff, offer it right there on the home page.
2. This “tip” when promoted right is your golden opportunity to subtly introduce them to your salon brand while giving them a piece of valuable information. For example; if your salon is famous for doing corrective color, share with your visitors just how a proper color consultation should be done to ensure client satisfaction. Be careful not to say “this is how we do it here” but adapt the tone of “look for this is the salon you choose to care for your tresses”.
3. Have an opt in box where you can collect their name and email address. These days people are reluctant to give out this information for a simple newsletter so you must make the offer so appealing that they can’t wait to get what you are offering. Again, if you have done the work to know your ideal client and position the offer as something they WANT, not need they will be happy to provide this information in exchange for the gift.
4. Your gifts could include; hair and makeup photo shoots for company portfolios if you are attracting corporate clients. Couple massage lessons for the active dual income earners or a series of how to videos to keep the glow in aging skin if your ideal client is the mature generation.

*Remember when making your offer that it is purely a gift that you know will change their lives. Once you give them value they will be more inclined to buy from you and now that you have their name and email address you can follow up with salon specials, promotions and events that will bring them through the door.



Cheryl Roose
CEO, Salon Operating System
Contributor, SalonBlabbermouth ]]> Business SBM Staff http://www.salongeek.com/business/103293-what-include-your-website-attract-new-clients.html http://www.salongeek.com/business/103176-selling-retail-products-your-salon.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:24:57 GMT Selling retail products as well as your service can be very beneficial to your salon. This includes selling hair, skin and other beauty products, retailing these items can be a good business opportunity and can bring a number of benefits to your salon. It helps the team communicate a position of... Selling retail products as well as your service can be very beneficial to your salon. This includes selling hair, skin and other beauty products, retailing these items can be a good business opportunity and can bring a number of benefits to your salon. It helps the team communicate a position of expertise in haircare or beauty which reflects well to the customer, it can also improve loyalty as the advice also shows a stylists or beauticians concern for the clients’ welfare beyond that appointment. It allows clients to recreate their look at home which will improve the results and encourage repeat visits, and it is obviously useful for salon income and profitability.
Looking at the statistics of retailing beauty products in a recent survey of over 30,000 consumers market researchers Mintel found that: -.

· Of those who purchased their hair products from a salon, more than two thirds purchase either shampoo, conditioner, or styling products, indicating that those who purchase at a salon buy more than one product.

· Those purchasing skincare products at a salon also purchase more than one item—basics such as moisturizers and cleansers top the list.

· Over half of respondents who purchase products from a salon do so on the recommendation of a stylist, while nearly half perceive salon products as being of higher quality.

· Contrary to popular belief, recommendation of friends and to splurge are the least important reasons for purchasing salon products with only one in five indicating that either of these influenced their purchase.

On the basis of these findings, industry experts recommend you implement the following: -

In order to grow sales of skincare spas/salons need to get more consumers in for skincare services due to the high reliance on professional recommendation driving product purchases. Promotional activity to increase awareness of affordability of facials could lead additional consumers to try such services leading to future sales of skincare products. In addition, it is suggested loyalty programs could increase returning clients and the use of promotions such as buy one item; get 10% off second item or packaging as kits in smaller sizes could increase first time purchases.

As a result, these findings indicate that there is huge selling potential in both skincare and haircare, and it can be very valuable to your business to retail these products in your salon, furthermore you should always try up-sell and introduce complimentary products to maximise retail opportunities. A stylist or beautician recommendation is crucial to this which highlights the importance of introducing clients to new products when carrying out your service.
]]> Business StudioTracker http://www.salongeek.com/business/103176-selling-retail-products-your-salon.html http://www.salongeek.com/business/101982-take-advantage-fo-christmas-season.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:30:11 GMT Christmas is vast approaching and this can be an ideal promotional opportunity for your salon. Here are some concepts to consider in order to make the most out of the festive season! *Christmas = Presents* At Christmas generally people spend more on presents rather than their personal... Christmas is vast approaching and this can be an ideal promotional opportunity for your salon. Here are some concepts to consider in order to make the most out of the festive season!

Christmas = Presents

At Christmas generally people spend more on presents rather than their personal appearance. People are looking for ideas and help on what presents to buy, here is your chance to offer professional advice on beauty products emphasising their benefits as presents create the opportunity to increase your profits and sales. It can be effective to display special Christmas gift packs in your window, and start promoting gift vouchers with every sale as the best present ever!

Create awareness

It is important that within your salon you start now to emphasise that Christmas is approaching, whenever your clients or potential clients think of Christmas shopping you want them to think of you. You can create awareness through sending out a Christmas newsletter or Christmas cards highlighting your special Christmas packages and promotions and ensure your window display has a Christmas focus. It is important that all your team members are on board with this in order to obtain optimum results.

Promotional ideas

At Christmas, it is approaching the end of the year, customers are thinking to the New Year and during the holiday season consumers may want to treat themselves. Start Christmas promotional offers to entice those thinking of treating themselves. Your tag line could be ‘Look your best for the festive season’ and you could have promotions such as buy one treatment get another half price, and tailor treatments to the Christmas season!

Making this simple!

If you haven’t got a salon software system it might be worthwhile investing in one, many features offered alongside salon software make promotional campaigns such as Christmas offers as easy as a click of a button to organise as they store, track and record all client information enabling you to target your campaigns effectively! ]]> Business StudioTracker http://www.salongeek.com/business/101982-take-advantage-fo-christmas-season.html