Whether you’re a salon owner or a beauty professional, chances are you’ve experienced the challenges of growing your client base.
While bringing in new clients is a crucial part of building a successful beauty business, for many beauty professionals, the problem isn’t finding clients, it’s keeping them.
Lead generation can be a time-consuming process, and if you’re also paying for ads, it can quickly drain your financial resources.
By directing more of your efforts toward client retention, you can focus on nurturing your current client-base, rather than spending a disproportionate amount of time, energy, and resources on leads who may or may not be qualified.
So, if you’re looking to increase client retention, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re sharing five simple ways to boost client loyalty in your beauty business!
Get a notebook and a pen, or open a new note on your phone.
Next, think about the brands you love, and the businesses you frequent.
What is it about those brands and businesses that keeps you coming back for more?
Is it the great customer service, or the fact that they send you a card every year on your birthday?
Write down whatever comes to mind, and think about how you can use that information in your own business!
Okay, let’s jump into the tips!
Tip 1: Create a Client Loyalty Program
If you’re looking to increase client retention in your beauty business, implementing a client loyalty program can be a simple, cost-effective way to start.
With a client loyalty program, clients can opt in to earn rewards for hitting milestones like booking a certain number of appointments, or spending a given dollar amount.
You can track your clients’ rewards with a loyalty card, spreadsheet, or online loyalty program.
Clients can earn discounts, service enhancements, and other goodies for doing business with you!
For a beginner’s guide to creating a customer loyalty program, check out this article from HubSpot!
Tip 2: Offer a Referral Program
While a loyalty program rewards your clients for doing business with you, a referral program rewards your clients for bringing in new business.
As with loyalty programs, there are several services online that can help you create and run a successful client referral program.
Need help getting started? This post from HubSpot is a great place to start!
Tip 3: Celebrate Your Clients’ Birthdays
Celebrating your clients’ birthdays is a great way to nurture client relationships, and build client loyalty.
On your clients’ birthdays, send them a thoughtful text, email, or birthday card, along with an offer they can redeem on their next visit.
If you really want to stand out, create a prize wheel that clients can spin on their birthdays for a chance to win discounts and goodies!
Tip 4: Host a Client Appreciation Day
Letting your clients know how much you appreciate them is a tried and true way to boost client loyalty. Just think about it: when was the last time you felt pulled back to a business where you felt ignored or neglected?
As the saying goes, “what you appreciate, appreciates.” No one wants to feel ignored, insignificant, or taken for granted. Hosting an annual or semi-annual event to show your clients you care can be a fantastic way to boost client loyalty!
Your event can include goody bags with samples of your favorite products, complimentary service enhancements and promotions, and snacks and refreshments from local businesses.
To start planning your event, check out this post from Linkedin!
Tip 5: Send Holiday Cards
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your clients, and send them warm holiday wishes!
Most of us are used to being bombarded with messages about sales, discounts, and promotions around the holidays, so a heartfelt, no-strings-attached holiday message can be the perfect way to stand out from the crowd, and increase client loyalty.
Send a thoughtful card, text, or email, and include an offer that your clients can redeem in the next three to six months, once the holiday rush is over.
Finding new clients for your beauty business can be hard work, but by focusing on client retention, and putting these tips into practice, you can ensure your hard work pays off!
For more tips to help you grow your beauty business, follow the Salon Renter blog, instagram, or facebook page!
-Lauren D.
