caring for hair, skin and nails as we age

As a stylist, you want to see the same customers coming back again, but you also want them to refer you to others to give you new clientele to help build your business. But how do you keep your clients coming back again and again? See below for some tips to hold onto old clients and gain new ones.

Take Note

When you cut a clients hair, you usually talk to them about everyday things or sometimes things that are a little more personal such as family, upcoming vacations, or even relationship issues. Be sure to take note of these things and even write them down onto a note card, along with other information such as the type of haircut or color they had on their last visit. Keeping track of as many things as you can will be helpful to remind you of these things for your client's next appointment. It helps make your clients visit feel more personal.

Give Discounts

For long term clients, or clients that have made referrals to you, offer them a discount every once in awhile. It doesn't have to be a huge discount, but a 15% discount would make them feel as though their return visits are appreciated. You can even offer them a discount that they can give out to a family member or a friend. You can give the discount in the form of a coupon, or use a loyalty card that can be punched each time they visit. After so many visits, they get their discount.

Schedule Appointments

Schedule your client's next appointment when they are paying for their hair cut/color; don't leave it open ended. If your client has a time to come back, they most likely will, but if they don't have an appointment set already, chances are they may not call in to make one later, especially if they are a new client. Be sure to schedule appointment times that same day, but don't be too pushy about it.

Give Helpful Tips

If you style your client's hair and they love it, show them how to style it themselves at home to get the same type of look. Even offer suggestions on products they can use to help achieve that same look. You want your client to love their hair not just at the hair salon but every day after that as well.

Sure it's nice to have one-time visitors come to your salon, but it's those return clients that you want. They're going to be the ones that refer your services to their friends and family members, which can give you even more clientele.