Hairdressers have an incredibly important job. With the nation’s hair in their hands (literally!), they’re responsible for making us look our best even on our worst days.
Therefore, a successful hairdressing business is one that has all the right attributes for giving you a great experience as well as a fabulous new ‘do!
Here are four steps we’ve compiled to help you become the greatest hairdresser in your area.
1. Decide Your Market and Stick to It
Every hairdresser has a market, and you may find that your area of speciality and training might affect who your clientele is.
You might want to focus on finding your niche in the local market – assess which areas other salons around you specialise in, and aim for something different, or go one step further.
For example, if you specialise in colour treatments, offer evidence of any awards you have won for your work, and then offer competitively priced work compared to any other colour specialists in the area.
If you want to give your knowledge a boost, or take part in something to add to your professional resumé, you can enrol in a course like L’Oréal Professionnel’s online Access course.
2. Get the Word Out
People can be fussy about their hair and who styles it, so make sure you get clients on your side. Communication is important, but people are much more inclined to listen to a bad review than a good one.
Encourage online reviews as much as possible – respond to bad ones, if there are any, with dignity and offer to fix the problem free of charge. Keep an eye on Facebook, Google, and TripAdvisor, as most people leave reviews here.
3. Decorate Your Salon
Don’t forget that you’re offering an experience as well as a change in hairstyle! Every client will love stepping into a pampering experience, and the better the environment, the more they will feel as though they are getting value for their money.
You can use furniture to spruce up your salon. If you decide to go for a funky jungle theme, you can decorate with animal side tables like the Antique Gold Leopard Side Table with Glass Top from Rockett St George.
These statement pieces are guaranteed to spark some interesting conversations with clients!
4. Get Your Marketing Strategy Right
Getting your social media marketing spot on is key for a successful business. Most people will be inclined to snap a photo of their new hair for social media, especially if they’ve had a radical restyle or crisp new colour.
Make your business visible on social media channels by choosing usernames that are easy to find, and you can run giveaways for a free cut and style by encouraging shares, comments, likes, and hashtag uses to boost your visibility and following.
You could even get an influencer involved to help the algorithms work in your favour. You can use websites like Upfluence to search for the best influencer who fits your client demographic.
Do you have any tips for setting up a stellar hairdressing salon? Leave your answer in the comments below!