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​Competition can be tough, especially when there are a bazillion salons in one square mile all vying for the attention of the same customer base. To ensure your salon blossoms and grows, you have to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to ideas to increase your revenue. We’ve got some tips that will help your salon not only stand out but increase your profits, as well.
 
Gift cards and certificates: About 100 billion dollars are spent every year on gift cards. It is one of the most popular types of gift to give. It’s easy, and the recipient can choose what they want instead of the giver having to take a guess. Offering gift certificates at your salon should be a no-brainer. Not only should you carry them at the salon but you should be offering them for purchase off of your website to make it even more convenient.

Referral program: Your clients love your salon, and they keep coming back for services. Well, offer them a reward for referring clients. The more friends they send to your salon, the deeper discount they can earn. Or perhaps a free service from a limited ‘menu.' The sky’s the limit. Also, consider offering a first visit discount to those new referrals.

Call old clients: Ms. Smith hasn’t made an appointment in over six months? Well, it’s time to call her and see how she’s doing. While you have her on the phone, schedule her for a cut, color, and highlights!

Expand your offerings: Yes, you already offer a broad range of services available to your clients. But, what if you could bring in an esthetician, or someone who specializes in waxing? Paraffin treatments. Brow shaping. Consider what you already have on board and look into what you don’t. Those extra services could bring in a lot of additional revenue.

Create a niche for yourself: Specialize in bridal. Go green. Offer on-trend bright, neon or pastel hair color. Analyze what your competition is doing, and find a way to set yourself apart from them completely.

Increase visit frequency: When your clients come to check out after their appointment, pre-book their next appointment. Instead of scheduling them for four or six weeks out, do it a week sooner. Don’t ask, tell. Do not give the client an opening to say ‘no.' Instead, gently tell them what they need.

Upsell: This is a sales tactic used in virtually every business, from retail to restaurants. Upselling means offering your client additional, and perhaps more costly services, to add onto what they’ve already come to the salon to have done.

Be social: Social media, Instagram and Facebook, in particular, are great places to entice and engage new clients actively. Host contests and giveaways on your social media channels and see how many appointments you can book! Don’t be afraid to boost your posts, your salon’s ad will get seen by more eyeballs.

Retail products: Turn your salon into a one-stop beauty shop. In addition to hair care products, there are many items of value to your clients that complement your services. Section off a corner of your salon and transform it into a small boutique, showcasing electricals like dryers, curling irons and flat irons. Limited on space? There are a variety of salon retail displays that easily fit on the counter. Nail Polish. Brushes. Or maybe a selection of lashes and brow pencils/shadows. These can all be purchased at wholesale prices and resold at a healthy profit margin.

Increase your prices: Even if you raise your prices by a couple of dollars, that’s a couple of dollars extra per customer that will benefit your bottom line. Yes, it may be a difficult step to take, but it doesn’t have to be drastic. And, as long as you’re transparent with your customers, it shouldn’t backfire.

REAP THE REWARDS

Owning a salon can be a financially rewarding endeavor. If you have a marketing strategy in place, combined with following some of these tips, you’ll watch your profits grow, and you’ll find a greater financial independence.