5 Tips to Boost Your Business During the Summer Slowdown

Summer is a long-awaited respite for many, but for business owners, it presents the infamous summer slowdown. With many customers taking trips or spending time outside, salon foot traffic tends to suffer. Rather than resigning to less-than-hot revenues, savvy salon owners can use these fresh ideas to boost business this summer.

Don’t automatically cut prices. Instead of selling items for less than their value, try to increase the perceived value of your salon services. For example, sell your blowouts at full price but add in a free sample of a styling product.

Sell more memberships to encourage repeat customers. A membership deal gives your clients a good price on bulk services and helps strengthen stylist-client relationships. Try offering four haircuts for the price of three or weekly blowouts for a set monthly price.

Learn the art of upselling to increase sales. Encourage your hair stylists to explain the benefits of each product they use so customers want to take a bottle home. You can also offer product bundles so customers buy more than one related product.

Hold a social media contest to improve customer engagement and loyalty. For example, offer a discount to the customer who shares a photo of their new hairdo at Fourth of July festivities. Customers tagging your salon in their photos will help you reach a wider audience.

Partner with a new business to boost traffic for both parties. Team up with the café next door to offer a half-off lunch with the purchase of a haircut. These offers incentivize buyers to visit both shops and introduce each business to a new audience.  

About the Author: Jeff Dickerson is CEO of DaySmart Software, the makers of Salon Iris, a leading salon business management software for appointment booking, staff management, payment processing, marketing and customer communications for salon professionals worldwide. He has 25+ years of experience building software companies and developing technology that empowers and drives real business results for customers.