The Christmas pinch

[jojo@tranquil]

Thank goodness it's not just us ! Things are definitely quieter than usual I have been in business for 12 years and its my slowest year yet, although I am almost fully booked, my other therapist is pretty quiet and has had lots of no shows or cancellations.
Last week I thought we would surely get a last minute rush but no, every time the phone rings it's someone selling something !
Oh well maybe there will be a rush next week....thank goodness we have sold lots of vouchers so at least money is in the bank.....and a heavy tax bill to be paid next month :-(
The sat before Christmas tomorrow and only 2 bookings that is very unusual...

I hope everyone has a good week next week.
X:hug:

 

[marion]

Yes same here in Ireland. Im busy next week, but that's to be expected.

I never charge a deposit. People won't put up with it.

With no shows... I take a deep breath and text them saying hi, you missed ur appointment earlier, would you like to 're book?
It usually works to bring them back. Instead of losing them altogether through pride

Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek

 

[Rinn]

I asked everyone for a deposit this year to secure their Christmas appointment and they ALL paid it no problem, I told them all that last year i was messed around and that I knew 'they' wouldn't not show but I had to be strict and take deposits off everyone..
I also had the last 2 appointments I had left on FB and they were booked within 15 minutes, now whether that's psychological or not I don't know but unless I go in at the crack of dawn everyday I cannot squeeze another sinner in.

 

[RachelLynch]

I'm slow, I've had loads of no shows and cancellations as well, god it's so frustrating I'm opening extra days next week but they aren't full at all x

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I had a quiet beginning to December but adding up what i should be taking pretty much puts me on par with last year. However, i put my prices up this year, so i must be doing less treatments.

I do get a lot of last minute bookings, so fingers crossed for those next week, but i am ticking along nicely. I have a busy morning tomorrow, but not so much in the afternoon so i can take some more appointments there too.

I was going to open on Dec 27th, 28th and 29th, but i've not had anyone book in for those yet, so i might just close it off and enjoy a nice, long christmas break. I usually do close then, but as we're going away Jan 10th i thought i'd keep it open...every penny counts.

I'm planning to start 2013 with a bit of a bang (after my holiday). I'm getting a logo done with Verve and then i'm going to get my pricelists designed and leaflets and then do a huge leaflet drop and generally make sure i'm on top of absolutely everything xx

 

[classixuk]

Sorry to hear you're feeling it everyone. Is it just beauty who is feeling it?

We are hair and make-up and this Sunday will be our last day off until 3pm Xmas Eve (team of 9) - I say our last day off because we are having to open the Sunday (23rd) and that too is now fully booked across all columns.

Our problem now begins in that clients are calling for appointments and we have NOWHERE to fit them in at all, so we are having to open earlier and close later. Tomorrow we are starting half an hour earlier and tonight we finished one hour later. I am exhausted!

Not only that, but we have found that people are spending more this year on appointments than ever before. Global application of colour with a cut and blow (£135) plus a £10 tip and retail on top.

Perhaps you need to focus on a different market? Not being nasty, but Mrs Smith who has been with you for 5 years and has a dwindling income won't be much good to you over the next 2 years if you want to increase profits - it's time to search for Mrs Jones!

Best of luck to everyone though!

 

[crystaltash]

We are also a lot quieter than last year. We won't take anywhere near last Decembers figures and it's really getting to me.

Reading all your posts, I feel I could have written them myself. No shows, cancellations, feeling like I don't even want to try cos it doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. It really is a big stress on our shoulders. But as lynne says, hopefully we will recover quick and next year will start to look better.
To all the really busy salons out there, well done! It's so great to see that the industry still has the interest in it somewhere.

Maybe we could all benefit from your success and ask you to post, say, your top five tips for surviving in business in a recession. I'm sure we could all use an inspiration boost and get some great ideas. What do ya think? xx

 

[classixuk]

We are also a lot quieter than last year. We won't take anywhere near last Decembers figures and it's really getting to me.

Reading all your posts, I feel I could have written them myself. No shows, cancellations, feeling like I don't even want to try cos it doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. It really is a big stress on our shoulders. But as lynne says, hopefully we will recover quick and next year will start to look better.
To all the really busy salons out there, well done! It's so great to see that the industry still has the interest in it somewhere.

Maybe we could all benefit from your success and ask you to post, say, your top five tips for surviving in business in a recession. I'm sure we could all use an inspiration boost and get some great ideas. What do ya think? xx

Not sure it is about surviving as the recession hasn't ended yet, but here's some of mine:

1) Rebook - Rebook every client before they leave and explain to them you get very busy so if they want a future appointment with you on a guaranteed day they should prebook.

2) Go visit other salons - See what level of service your competition are offering and be honest with yourself about what they are doing better than you.

3) Don't try selling to poor people - As much as poor people might want your services they probably can't afford them. Forget them. Forget your 'deals' and stuff like 'every 4th appointment free' - just post your leaflets through posh people's doors instead of poor people's.

4) Specialize - Don't try and compete against your local salons, just find something you're incredible at and specialize in that one thing. McDonalds don't make steaks and pizzas but they are incredibly profitable.

5) Don't use the same products as everybody else - It's a race to the bottom when you use the same products as everybody else. Find something a bit different and a bit quirky with a story behind it and push it, push it, push it. Make sure it's amazing, performs well and is REALLY expensive so you can dazzle your clients and reassure them you are the best around!

 

[Lynne Baker]

I couldn't agree more with classix!
When I first started I spent ages looking for a "different" skincare range. I didn't want to have to same as every other salon.
I decided I was too old and knackered to go for volume so I went for margin instead. I would rather do 3 facials a day and make money on the retail sales than do 20 half leg waxes.
I advertise in posh places. I deliberately price myself out of the cheap end of the market.

My número uno tip for staying in business is this.
You don't know everything; learn from the greats. This week alone I rang one of the industry stars and asked for advice which she freely gave.
Watch, listen and learn.

 

[WaxGirl]

I've been really busy, things are going well and I'm delighted

top tips...

1. keep overheads down - don't have all your money sitting in stock on shelves/ in supplies, use good common sense and business acumen, if changes need to be made them make them

2. use free promotion/advertising to the max - facebook the life out of it

3. do something different eg for the first time in ages last/this week I put up before/after of lash extensions - bam straight away bookings and people directly quote seeing the pictures, I don't really go down nail art route but likewise this week did Christmas gelicure design and have new bookings out of this

4. don't sell yourself cheaply - have a clear understanding of your pricing and what you need to charge to make a respectable profit

5. don't be ashamed of selling or getting people to spend more, a lesson for me, this week I was at the dentist in 2o minutes he had sold me x rays, check ups etc etc and never once mentioned the price! bang bang bang, sell sell sell, so I took his attitude into salon and on lash extensions each customer I made sure to sell them a lash tint and didn't talk about price/money just focused on the benefits, if you have someone in your salon - you're half way there - use the opportunity to make as much money as possible

6. don't assume - don't label - one of my biggest free-est spenders is not posh, doesn't work, and never asks price but very happily spends and is always delighted and easy to work with - everyone wants to be made to look / feel better and we're just helping them achieve that

7. believe in yourself and what you do, make the customer feel amazing and special and valued, treat them so well that they want to tell their friends about you

 

[Redduck]

I'm a home clinic and don't have any free appointments until mid-January. My top tips are:

1) Know the actual cost of every treatment you do down to the last cotton wool pad - it's amazing how much knowing the figures concentrates the mind!

2) Question every purchase - Will having that latest product/gadget/etc actually make the treatment better for client?

3) Make the experience the best it can be for your client from the minute they walk in the door to when they leave

4) Question your pricing strategy - are you actually charging anyone full price? I am one of the more expensive in my area but am busy. Some of the 'bargain' salons are often empty

5) do everything you do to the best of your ability, with integrity and with respect for other therapists and your client.

 

[Petit Basque]

Not sure it is about surviving as the recession hasn't ended yet, but here's some of mine:

1) Rebook - Rebook every client before they leave and explain to them you get very busy so if they want a future appointment with you on a guaranteed day they should prebook.

2) Go visit other salons - See what level of service your competition are offering and be honest with yourself about what they are doing better than you.

3) Don't try selling to poor people - As much as poor people might want your services they probably can't afford them. Forget them. Forget your 'deals' and stuff like 'every 4th appointment free' - just post your leaflets through posh people's doors instead of poor people's.

4) Specialize - Don't try and compete against your local salons, just find something you're incredible at and specialize in that one thing. McDonalds don't make steaks and pizzas but they are incredibly profitable.

5) Don't use the same products as everybody else - It's a race to the bottom when you use the same products as everybody else. Find something a bit different and a bit quirky with a story behind it and push it, push it, push it. Make sure it's amazing, performs well and is REALLY expensive so you can dazzle your clients and reassure them you are the best around!

Blimey Classix, you have literally posted what I was going to post, word for word! It's uncanny, it really is!!!

I ALWAYS rebook my clients before they leave and achieve 100% rebooking rate this way.
I have had 3 treatments at local salons in the last month (and in general have found them disappointing but have picked up a trick or two).
I'm a beauty therapist who specialises in skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing treatments
My client base are pretty much all "well-heeled" and that's who I focus on (the only client who didn't rebook recently is a single mum with 3 kids and came in on a gift voucher and can't afford beauty treatments).
The skincare and products I use are professional use only and not available to the general public.

As a marketing strategy to generate more business for my high end skin rejuvenation treatments, I have decided to offer clients a special price on a course of treatments. However, these will be a cut-down version of the fuller treatment and will just allow the client to experience the "technology" rather than having to pay full whack for a full on results & relaxation treatment. They will have to pay up in advance and in full to get the special price. Hopefully, they will love the results so much they will get hooked and pay full whack for a monthly maintenance!!

I am also now offering monthly maintenance treatments as express treatments and charging slightly more than the special course price. The course/express treatments will take roughly half the time of the full treatment.

I believe that although I am charging less for each treatment, there are products that I won't be using therefore saving on cost and there will be absolutely no massage therefore saving on time and as we all know, time is money. If I get plenty of takers for express treatments then there will be more time available in my diary for more clients.

I'm a bit nervous about this as I always been a "put in as much as possible" sort of therapist but I recognise that not everybody has the time or inclination to lay down for an hour and may actually want "lunchtime" or express treatments as these fit their life-style and pocket better.

Wish me luck

PB
x

 

[MrsHBeauty]

First step email Carl and get m price list updated, get some leaflets on order and get my walking shoes on and get them delivered to the area where people may have a bit more disposable income than others. Our prices aren't expensive but they aren't cheap either. They are inline with the competition.

I am going to be focused about getting the clients that will spend more per visit. I'd know what I'd like my average client spend to be per visit. We don't live in a great area but there are lots of people very well off in surrounding villages, and just out of the immediate town. These areas don't have a beauty salon as they are too small but I'm sure they want their waxing, nails etc done.

Another thing I was thinking of, where I love is full of tourists in the summer absolutely full of them (it drives me potty most of the time extra traffic etc) but when they come into our salon they have a high average spend. I am thinking of contacting all the holiday parks around and ask them if they would give leaflets out in their welcome packs, or at least put some of our leaflets in the reception. I need to man up and grow some selling shoes and get out there.

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[nailzoo]

I hate this time of the year .... I'm busy and everyone books in advance .... BUT, then something comes up and the nails are moved and put on the back-burner, then they expect you to fit them in somewhere else (as if they are your only client), then you can't fit them in, so you add an extra hour or 2 (only to have 2 appointments cancel/want to move in normal working hours .... then that person cancels or wants to move, then you are left with a few appointments spare during the day, but you are still working back late to accommodate the "shufflers" ...... technically I'm booked out, then it all turns into shyte (and I've already got the money spent).

I get so confused, don't clients realise it's Xmas for me too .... I get very disappointed in clients I normally luv this time of the year.

 

[laurakate]

I think you can do lots and lots and lots regarding marketing and still be quiet.

My opinion is that with the pleasure of working in this industry comes the uncertainty of how much you'll earn on a month to month basis and in this respect, I think saving money throughout the year is a good way to look after yourself. That way, being quiet still isn't ideal but at least you can embrace the time off without worrying about money as much.

Here's hoping it picks up for everyone though!

 

[Dream Nails]

After posting that I still have spaces this morning had a run of last minute bookings so I'm a happy bunny
Vicki x

 

[sukic]

I have to say it makes me feel a bit better that I'm not the only quiet one. To those that are rushed off your feet, well done...drinks are on you

 

[souz]

am loving some of these ideas.

charge what you are worth, all extras are also chargeable, glitter, gems, additives i charge extra then retail and bam ive doubled my money. when i was quieter i started making up gifts, some beauty some simple bracelets and wine glass charms. everyone has been loving them. each client has spent a minimum of £8 extra...it all adds up!!

i would much rather do several sets of nails with added extras than lots of eyebrow waxes...

i am out tonight and from 4 clients yesterday i have earnt enough to buy my £160 dress........xx

 

[jojo@tranquil]

I just sorted the takings from this week and actually they were just slightly up from last year, around £300 more so maybe I am not as quiet as I think !
I think actually its just that I personally am less stressed now I have an employee to take the over flow from me and keep on top of cleaning, stock takes etc etc , this time last year I was alone and very busy, because I was doing everything....
:lol: