We're finishing our discussion on marketing your salon and the three essentials to building a great salon business, and getting to the very rewarding aspect of making your customers into a solid loyal client. We've already discussed getting new customers (part 1) and then treating them with respect and good customer service, (part 2) so now the final step.
3. Conversions to clients - this is where the little things make a difference in marketing your salon and where you begin to build a business.
You've already given them a number of class (really good)sessions no matter what the services were that you did, and you do things a little differently. You have sent your clients a thank you card each time they come in. Wow, what's that all about? Well, it's about building a customer into a loyal client.
A connection with a customer is what you're building by exceeding their expectations. And by simply giving really good customer service and providing some other small but important acts of care and kindness to them.
Listening is the place to begin, do you know how to listen ... really listen to what your client is trying to tell you? Did you know that listening is a skill and has to be learned because most all of us would rather talk and tell others what big things we have done, (it promotes our egos you know) rather than ask some interesting questions and actually pay attention to the response.
How's your telephone skills? Do you know how to answer the phone and begin a conversation that persuades your customers to come in?
Heck, some of the stylists that I've talked to over the phone were so cold on the phone they would have to pay me if I came in. Man, that was really exciting talking to them; (yea right!)and I can assure you that I wasn't going to become a 'client'.
You have the skill to take your customers to client status if, you will work for them to show your honesty and character and that you respect them.
And that doesn't mean that you'll allow people to slam you or take advantage of you, I mean some of the best moments in business is when you fire a client that has no respect for you. And it does happen, from time to time that you have to just be too busy to schedule them again. Ha.
Although, building a loyal client is definitely the best thing you can do to grow your business, giving you the capacity to grow to the size that you're comfortable with.
You can certainly be a success when you market your salon in small incremental steps, utilizing these skills to be personable with your clients.
These days of economic uncertainty don't have to be the end of your business if ... you're be proactive in caring for your customers and use smart ways to attract new ones. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, as a matter of fact there's an awful lot that you can do for very little investment. But understand this ... you will have to work for your customers, that much has changed. And they are in the drivers seat and the hairdressers that are diligent with this will win in the end.
Want to dazzle your customers further? You can with some simple
strategies that will build them into loyal clients. Just try it and see for yourself.