4 Ways to Make Your Salon Thrive Now!

We never stop thinking of more ways to make your salon thrive. So, this month, we are covering four more tested things you can do to drive revenue. These include a technology advantage, a client retention strategy, and showcasing your talent. And after all the improvements you’ve made to your business in the past month, we’ve included some much-needed rest and recharging. If you want more details, read on and discover 4 more ways to make your salon thrive.

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Pro Tip from Tim

The most successful salons at bello Salon Suites focus on Mastering Skills and the Customer Experience. The two go hand-in-glove because you’ve got to provide a great service AND make it an easy and luxe experience for your client. You can’t have a great business without both sides of the equation. While our team can’t help with your skills, we can help you with all the rest.

1. Invest in a Booking App

2024 may be the year to invest in a salon booking app. Booking apps can do more than schedule your appointments. For example, some salon booking apps manage appointments, send appointment reminders, track retail stock and margins, marketing, and invoice management.

There are several salon booking app options, and they are all slightly different. Some are free, but others charge one-time or monthly subscription fees. Here is a short list of booking apps we know of:

1. Square

2. Timely

3. Fresha

4. Phorest

5. Treatwell

Do your homework, research all the options, and find the best option for you and your business. The customer experience begins before your client arrives at your salon and ends well after they leave. That’s why it’s critical your booking app provides a reliable and positive customer experience every time.

2. Design Incentives to Retain Clients

Regular clients rarely switch salons or stylists, but don’t take this loyalty for granted. Ask yourself, am I providing the best customer experience to my clients every time they visit? Set the bar high for yourself. Always look professional, be on time, and provide great services. Continuing education and mastering new techniques are always good investments in your business. While your client is in your chair, offer them a tip to use at home, a new product sample, or some insight into hair or skincare trends. If you always deliver the best all-around experience, your clients will be loyal to you.

You can offer a loyalty program to ensure your clients keep coming back. Loyalty programs are a great way of rewarding your clients while encouraging them to choose your salon each time for their treatments. We recommend a points program. Your customers earn points for each dollar spent and can redeem their points for discounts or free services. 

Recommend-a-friend-based incentives are another way to build your business and reward current customers at the same time. All you need to do is give a discount to regular clients when they bring you a new client. It’s all about the recurring revenue from your current clients. The more regular clients in your book of business, the more you’ll earn!

3. Create Buzz by Hosting an Event

In-salon client events can showcase your talents to new clients. They can also re-engage your existing clients in a fun and relaxed setting. Make it all about the customer so they have a reason to attend your event. Offer demonstrations like achieving the perfect blowout at home. At the event, offer door prizes or discounts to get advance bookings.  The goal is to fill your appointment book.   

Some Salons and Salon Suites offer beautiful spaces for tenants to hold classes and events at no charge. Promote your event through your marketing channels to draw a crowd, and take plenty of pictures to post on your social media channels afterward. Many people will share your posts, especially if they appear in the pictures! That will help spread the word about your business even further and make your salon thrive.

4. Take some time for yourself

Once your improvements are in place and your book starts filling with new appointments, it’s time to rest and rejuvenate. You will return ready to tackle the year ahead and make this your best year ever.

Conclusion to 4 More Smart Ways to Make Your Salon Thrive

A great customer experience is a critical element to the success of any salon business. One way to improve your customer’s experience is through a booking app. A booking app is convenient for them to schedule appointments and get reminders. Current clients can be a goldmine of new customers, and a great incentive program can help. Hosting a private event can showcase your skills and great customer experience at the same time. By implementing any or all the tips we’ve given in the past couple of months, you will be on your way to a thriving business. bello Salon Suites can help by offering beautiful space for your private event. We’ve got spacious and well-appointed lounges for private events. And there is no better way to enjoy a little R&R than with our famous rent-free “bello week.” It’s a week on us, totally free. The more you get to know bello Salon Suites, the more you realize that nothing compares to bello. For more information, give us a call or send a text.

bello Salon Suites is a collection of 78 custom, private studios for cosmetology professionals in Sacramento, California. Privately owned and locally based, our facility features four stylish lounges and an outside garden for a truly zen-like experience. On top of that, we offer more amenities and support than any other salon suites company in town. Check out our gallery of suites and lounges and schedule a tour today and see for yourself. For income potential, perks, and value, nothing compares to bello.