“Attracting new clients can be easy – if you know how. If you don’t, though – don’t panic. We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to know.”
Expanding your customer base and getting new clients through the door is fundamental in growing your salon business. However, knowing how to do this – or even where to start – isn’t always obvious.
Don’t worry though, we’ve got your back. From customer experience and salon atmosphere to marketing techniques and social media – we’re sharing some of our top tips and ideas to get the new clients rolling in. Let’s get started, shall we?
Stand out from the crowd
One of the main things to remember when thinking about attracting new clients is that, in order for potential customers to choose you above your competitors, you’ve got to stand out from them. In the long run, this will make all the difference.
Your salon needs to spark curiosity and get noticed – on social media, online, and by those who pass by. So, how do we make this happen?
Provide something unique
Offering something truly unique in your salon can really set you apart from the competition.
Whether it’s a new cutting-edge treatment, an up-and-coming trend, or a luxury product – offering something that can’t be found elsewhere is a sure-fire way to give you a leg up against the competition.
The importance of customer experience in attracting clients
At the end of the day, the customer experience really is king. The better an impression you make on your clients, the more likely they are to return when it’s time for their next tune-up. And (more importantly here), they’ll be more likely to spread the word to all their friends and family about just how great you are.
Providing your clients with a memorable experience goes way beyond an amazing haircut, a fabulous mani, or even a massage that leaves them floating on air. And yes, whilst your clients will definitely appreciate your skills and expertise – it’s the extra little things that’ll really set you apart.
As Seth Godin (big-time marketing expert) puts it: “People don’t buy products and services, they buy relations, stories, and magic.”
So, here’s a few things you can keep in mind to make your clients’ experience that little bit special:
- Offer a warm welcome and a friendly greeting
- Try not to leave your client alone, either at reception or anywhere in the salon, during their visit
- Pay attention to your body language – try to remain open yet confident
- Give free and personalised advice to your client
- Offer your clients something to eat or drink (a cup of tea is never a bad thing)
- Offer a small complimentary service as a bonus (a shoulder massage during a facial, for example)
- Give your clients a small gift, such as a sample product
- Have magazines or reading materials available for clients to read whilst they wait or during their treatment
- Put effort into your space – create an environment where customers feel welcome and relaxed
Style and branding
Whether we like it or not, we’re all prone to judging a book by its cover, so to speak. And, the same goes when it comes to choosing a salon. Your salon image – your decor, branding (both online and offline), and your general *vibe* can say a lot about what your business is all about.
Whether your style is all about serenity and well-being, glam and bougie, or whether you’re more on the cool, edgy side of things – the most important thing is to keep it consistent.
So, from your salon decor and products, to your social media, online presence, and marketing communications – make sure that your unique style is felt throughout. A great personal style will not only make your salon infinitely more appealing to new customers, but it’ll also give them something to associate your brand with. Essentially, this means clients are much more likely to remember you when it comes to making that booking.
The importance of the web in attracting clients
These days, using the internet to get your name out there is one of the most important tactics when it comes to finding and attracting new clients to your salon.
An online presence not only makes it easy to find your company online – but it also helps to create what’s known as social proof. Essentially, this just means that clients can verify your salon’s credibility online, through information, reviews, and images.
Social media channels, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, are great places to get your salon in front of a whole new audience. And whilst a ‘like’ or ‘follow’ doesn’t always equate to a new client, providing engaging and curated content can definitely help sway a customer’s decision to choose your salon over anyone else.
Treatwell allows you to add a booking widget directly to your Instagram, Facebook, and even your Google My Business page. This means clients can make an online booking directly through these channels, without even having to leave the page they’re on. From inspo to booking, just like that. Oh, and the best part? Any bookings made through your widget are commission free. What’s not to love?
An online storefront can also be a crucial tool to help in attracting clients, and improve the customer experience for both existing and potential clients. Through this, customers can easily find your salon’s opening hours, price list, address, and contact details.
With Treatwell, your salon will be showcased on our marketplace, both on the web, and via our app, with your own personalised and curated shop front. Here, clients can browse your services, opening hours, your work, and your live availability – boosting your online visibility to a whole host of potential new clients.
Partnerships and collaborations
Collaborating with other brands and businesses is a great way to get new clients through the door.
Consider the businesses in your area: gyms, cafes, even other non-competitor salons (a massage parlour if you’re a hairdresser, for example). These are all great places to partner with.
Offer a discount exchange, where their clients can get a percentage of treatments with you, and vice versa. Then, you can each promote this deal to your respective customers, both online and offline.
Creating a client list
Although we’re focusing on attracting new clients, it’s important to remember that retaining these clients should be a priority too. Once you’ve got a loyal client – they’ll essentially become a spokesperson for your brand – in turn, attracting more new clients.
Treatwell allows you to keep your clients’ details all in one place. From your client list, you can easily access client history and data – meaning you’re better equipped to give them what they really want. Whilst client data from online bookings is stored automatically – it’s important to input your direct customer data into your client list too. It’s easy to do, and means you can store their data safely, and that it’s always on hand to check. Plus, it means that you can stay in touch easily, which brings us on to our next point.
Keeping in touch
Keeping in touch and staying in the minds of these clients is key to building their support.
Emails, SMS, or Whatsapp messages – sending a cute birthday message or letting them know the latest discounts and deals – are all great ways of doing this.
Even something as simple as an email confirmation or SMS reminder of their booking ensures you stay at the forefront of your clients’ minds. With Treatwell, appointment reminders via email, and push notifications are free, unlimited, and automatic – meaning you can keep in touch with your clients without lifting a finger.
Plus, Treatwell lets you send specific, personalised, and targeted marketing campaigns to your clients and monitor their progress. So, whether you’d like to shout out about a new service in your salon, offer a special promotion to a customer you haven’t seen in ages, or send a happy birthday deal – Treatwell can help support all your marketing needs.
Treatwell’s management software is designed to make life easier for salon owners, and help with every aspect of salon life (we’ll leave the treatments up to you, though). Keep track and manage your business, without giving up time, so that you can focus on creating amazing experiences for your clients. Choosing Treatwell means becoming part of a community of visionary hair and beauty stylists – are you ready to join us? Book your free demo here.
