Starting a Hair Salon - Planning For Customer Loyalty

Customer loyalty will probably be the lifeblood ofeven automated emails.
your hair salon. Not only will creating loyal customersConsistency is Key
ensure increased revenue from each customer, but itAt the same time as these strong connections
will drive their referrals to other customers andbetween stylists and clients are encouraged, you
perhaps the rest of their families.must avoid the pitfall of having a few superstar
The Stylist Connectionstylists who can't handle all of their appointment
Creating strong relationships between stylists andrequests. Not only will they be able to demand higher
customers may be the best route to lastingand higher salaries and credibly threaten to break out
customer loyalty. To allow for this, customers muston their own, but you will lose sales when other
be relatively assured that they can get the samestylist stations go unused.
stylist when they return. Keeping low employeeMake sure all staff are consistently trained and have
turnover is a first step and this can be done bythe skills and support they need to become customer
keeping your employees happy over the long-term.favorites. Although some may still rise to the top of
Offer a comfortable work environment, competitivethe pack, if customers see that they get consistently
salary, and bonuses based on performance to makehigh quality service no matter who they work with,
your best staff feel appreciated. An appointmentthey will learn to value the salon even when they
system that allows for customers to reliably reservecannot get their favorite.
the stylists they want is the second step.Other Direct Loyalty Incentives
Stylists might often remember regulars and theirLoyalty programs that encourage repeat visits
desired styles on their own, but encouraging them tothrough a bonus program can be useful. However, be
document their clients to offer better service ascareful to maintain the premium brand image of the
they return can systematize these efforts. With afirm. Customers who think the main reason to keep
CRM (customer relationship management) databasecoming back is to get the tenth haircut free, may
system, the salon can use computers to support thisalso be customers who would easily try the
work, making client information available to all staff.promotions from a cheaper salon. Making the service
The CRM system can be used to schedule customermore valuable and proving why it is worth its price is
appointments proactively, by reminding customerspreferable to encouraging customers to return
when it is time to return through calls, postcards, orbecause of cash savings.