For most of us, our parents instilled an invaluable work ethic within us: work hard. Hard work is how we’ve gotten to where we are in our careers, but what if we’ve been in the game for a long time? What do we do if we feel run down? To stay on top of our game, it’s not always a matter of pushing harder; it’s time for us to start working smarter. These five tips will prevent mind and body fatigue, help drive more traffic to your social media and help you generate more income without wearing yourself out.
Arrive 15- 20 minutes before your first client. Arriving early to your studio to tear foils, prepare your color cart, fold laundry and return messages will set your day up for success. Being prepared for your day allows you to focus on your clients and not stress about studio housekeeping tasks. We’ve all torn foils in a tizzy and put ourselves behind. It’s time to bring your A-game.
Use Scheduling Software. There are so many apps out there that not only do appointment confirmations for you, but they also allow clients to schedule at their convenience (try out SolaGenius). With personalized settings, these apps keep you in control while freeing up precious minutes in your day. Think about how much time you can save with 24/7 online booking: no more phone tag, no more listening to voicemails, and you’ll even wake up in the morning to see new appointments. On top of that, when clients receive confirmations and appointment reminders, stylists receive fewer last minute cancellations and no-shows. With this type of system in place, you can spend more time focusing on the guest in your chair.
Invest in a Saddle Stool. An adjustable stool can be used during cutting and color services to relieve pressure on your feet, knees and lower back. The saddle shaped stools are especially helpful because they slightly shift the pelvis to support a healthy spinal curve during long work days. Now, thats smart!
Sell Retail. Selling retail products is the fastest way to increase your income by 10% to 200%. I know it sounds daunting, but a few simple tricks, such as handing the product to your guest after using it on them to allow them to feel it and smell it, will invite them to want to know more. It’s all about education—your guests want to be shown how to recreate their look at home. Send them home with the products they need, and throw in a few samples if you want to introduce them to something new you’re carrying. We literally have extra income sitting on our shelves, its time to take that money to the bank.
Schedule Your Social Media Posts. Social Media is the most effective way to connect with existing clients and build our clientele. However, posting to social media platforms can get pushed to the back burner on a busy salon day. Using apps like Buffer and Hootsuite to schedule your social media posts keeps you and your salon visible even when you're in the middle of a busy salon day. By setting aside a few moments early in the week to schedule your posts with one of these free services, you'll gain more followers and create more traffic to your salon’s social media platforms.