How to attract new customers to your salon

You’ve opened up a hair or nail salon you’re proud of. Your customers are happy with the services you’re providing. Now, you’d like to get the word out about your salon, and bring in more customers that could become salon regulars. To broaden your reach, be sure to read the ideas we’ve compiled to help. 

1. Expand your social media marketing strategy 

To attract new clients to your salon, be sure to ramp up any social marketing activities you may have included in your marketing plan. Assuming you’ve already set up a website and social media accounts, you’re ready to launch even more social activity–whether that be posting more often, running social promos, or hosting online events. The goal here is to build a community for your business–both online and locally. If you haven’t already set up a website, be sure to learn what mistakes you should avoid and how.

READ: How and why your small business needs great photos

Here are tips for using two of the most popular social media channels and for ramping up your social media marketing. 

Marketing tips for TikTok 

TikTok draws a crowd that loves trends and being entertained. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your beauty salon and your expertise in a fun, engaging way. Share how-to videos about makeup or quick hairstyles tips. TikTok could also be a great platform for sharing your favorite things about being a salon business owner. Authenticity and a sense of humor go a long way on TikTok and are crucial in attracting views–and potential customers.

Marketing tips for Instagram

The salon business is visual, so Instagram is the perfect social channel for showcasing your hair designs, your salon, or even yourself. Share pics of new equipment or salon decor. Post creative and aesthetic photos of product displays. And be sure to share images of the hair or nail designs that can entice viewers to visit your salon. Instagram is also a great channel for launching new products and services.

READ: How to interact with customers on social media

2. Invest in the services and products your customers love

Understanding what services and products your customers and followers like is the first step in investing in and offering more of the services or products that keep existing customers coming back and attract new customers. A Clover POS offers tracking and reporting that can help you determine the most popular products and services–and can help you update and manage your inventory. Whether your business is a nail salon, barber shop, or a hair salon and spa, Clover has a POS system, designed especially for your business, that can enable you to manage appointments, accept payments, manage employees, and even build a salon loyalty program.

3. Offer beauty salon gift cards and other specials

A client that tries, and likes, your salon’s services is likely to share the experience–like giving a self-care day to a friend or loved one. Offering a range of gift cards is a great way to empower your clients to spread the word. Gift cards can also appeal to shoppers looking for gifts for an anniversary, holiday, or other special occasion. So, let your customers know about your gift cards and make them available online and in your salon. To jump start your gift card program, Clover Gift Cards offers easy-setup digital and physical gift cards that can be custom branded to reflect your salon’s brand.  

And, consider offering a new client special. Designed to get more people through the salon door, a new client special could include a freebee, like a quick makeup service with every first time haircut customer, a gift card with the purchase of a service of a set value, or an invitation to an exclusive in-salon event. 

READ: Best practices for gift cards

4. Host events at the salon

Now that the salon is open, consider how the space can be used in different ways to bring even more people through your doors. This could mean holding beauty- or wellness-themed events in your salon. Think of fun themes to draw in a crowd. 

Host events and raffles

Host an event–a cocktails, mocktails, and manicure event, for instance. Or, maybe you host a silent auction to benefit a local charity and toss in a raffle that offers attendees a chance to win a small gift bag, service, or gift card. You can use analytics from your POS system to figure out which services and products are your most popular and use these as incentives or giveaways.

Partner with nearby businesses

Host a night where nearby residents get to meet the salon workers and learn more about the newly opened business. Partnering with a bakery, bar, or restaurant to offer small bites and drinks is a great way to cross-pollinate ideas with a business that already has loyal clientele. 

READ: Event marketing strategies for your small business

No matter what approach you choose to attract new customers to your salon, Clover has a POS system designed to help your salon grow. And, if you have questions, a Clover Consultant is ready to answer your questions. 

Editorial Team

Insights, Marketing, Personal services, Social media

Related Posts

Staffing

How small businesses can use employee discounts to retain staff

Offering personal, relevant employee perks and discounts can strengthen staff loyalty, boost workplace morale, and incentivize team effort–all without sacrificing your business... Read more

Insights

Business scenario: Negotiating a lease renewal

Rent is one of the largest expenditures for business and can make a huge difference in terms of profitability. Here are 10... Read more