Guarantee Me!

Ever have a guest call you 2 weeks after a haircut stating that it is too long, uneven, doesn't like the cut...etc...or they call 6 weeks later and you want to let them know it's time for their next apppointment-not a free cut fix.

Or how about a highlight guest who always calls the next week complaining about one strand of hair she wants blonde that didn't get highlighted?

I'm sure we all have the guests who sometimes take advantage...but we also have guests who have a genuine and legit aggravation or guests who never speak up when they are unhappy and then never return. Personally I would like to hear it when my guest is unhappy-otherwise how can I ever learn from my mistakes?

One solution we use in my salon is having a guarantee policy in place for the guests to be aware of. Each new guest fills out a contact information sheet that states both our cancellation and guarantee policy. Our policy basically explains that our guests have 48 hours to inform us of any challenges they are having with their services for a no charge correction. Any time after 48 hours there may be either a slight fee to cover the cost of products- or if it has been a while since their service it may be the actual cost of the service.

You want to be as accommodating as possible- after all they are your business and you don't want them to leave you over something silly. But at the same time you want to be smart about your business and have something in place that protects you as well from being taken advantage of. I also think it's nice for guests to know that they have the opportunity to inform you of anything they don't like about their hair after they leave. The general public seem to just leave a salon if they are not happy with their visit- this gives them a chance to come back and get what they want and then be satisfied.

Always analyze each situation. You don't always have to enforce your policy if you know and understand a certain situation- you don't have to be the policy nazi.

The Importance of Niche Hairstyling & How to Find Yours.

The key word to this post will absolutely be "Specialist!"

We all have an idea or an understanding of exactly what that means. In fact it's more than likely that we all have experienced one!

But the question here is, have you ever thought of yourself as one?
Well guess what? YOU ARE!

Not buying that yet? Well think about this.... We all get the question: what do you love to do the most? or what are you best at? yada yada yada... you get the idea.

Well if you can answer that question in any shape or form then you are on the right track to reaching your niche market and that is exactly what we are after; your specialty and how to place your self within that Niche market.

So do you have the answer to that question?? Great! Let's go with that.
Maybe you've said Colorist, Cutter, Up-do's, Etc...

At this point it's not enough to be a broad or a "general" specialist. We need to dig deeper. What do I mean? Well the more niche you go with your market the easier it is to build a stronger presence within this market.

In other words it's always going to be your goal to be a BIG FISH in a SMALL POND.

So how do we dig deeper? Well that's easy too!

The next question we need to ask is, within that category of what you love to do or what your are great at doing, what specifically do you love to do?

For instance, if you are great at color, what type of color are you great at? Blondes? Reds? Highlights? Brunettes? Are you a Cutter? Maybe specifically long hair? short hair? bob haircuts?

I think you get the idea!?

So, now that you are heading in the right direction, lets discuss why this is important and what it means to your business.

Lets start by personalizing it. When we are need for something for our home, specifically a new toilet, where do we go? The Home Depot maybe? They are home specialists, however that's not enough right? When we get to The Home Depot we naturally go to see a specialist who understands exactly what we are looking for, in this case the toilet section of The Home Depot!

Why do we do this? The million dollar question and answer! We want our needs met! Bingo that's it!

Now does this mean that if we were just a "Hair Specialist" that we would not be able to meet the needs of lets say a Blonde looking to have her Blonde color look the best it has ever looked? Well of course not, we know our skill level! But that's our ego talking if that's what we are telling ourselves!

The reality is that if you are that Blonde client looking to have your hair done, you are going to seek out the stylist that positions themselves as the Blonde Specialist. The only thing that Blonde client knows is what she is told by the stylist who positions themselves as a Hair Stylist or a Blonde Hair Specialist. Naturally they will go to whom best suits their needs the Blonde Hair Specialist.

You tell me... what would you do?

The same reason when you are looking for a new toilet, you go and see the Toilet Specialist!

OK, so we can all agree the importance of a niche market!

[Looking For Some Great Reading Material? Check out Riches in Niches. A great book to increase your specialty awareness and the importance of growing in a niche market.]

Here is a quick list of some different ways that you can position yourself as a specialist within your Niche. I don't want to babble on anymore :) so I am going to do this in a list form to make it easy and accurate. Before I do this though I want to leave you with one last, very important point!!

JUST BECAUSE YOU BECOME A SPECIALIST IN A PARTICULAR AREA DOES NOT MEAN YOU STOP PROMOTING YOURSELF AS AN ALL AROUND AMAZING HAIRSTYLIST!!

This will never change. This is about growth and how to position yourself as an amazing talent to a particular type of person.



So...... Here you go:

1. You need to build credentials, it's not enough to just call your self a specialist. So here are a few options:
a. Attend any advanced courses that you can get your hands on and document everything.
b. Use the documentation to promote the skills you have earned to classify yourself as a specialist.
c. Practice and create as much as you can to build documentation for credentials, using things such as mannequins and models. Make sure to take lots of pictures!

2. Make your new found niche seem as if it is a promotion. Your current clientele needs to know about this! Anything you can do to put your name in their mouth in conversation to their friends is the greatest thing you can do for your business.
a. Use your social media sources to promote your promotion.
b. Use your email marketing to promote your promotion.

3. Offer incentives to your current clients to send you a specific type of client. For instance, (lets use our blonde hair guest as an example again) tell your guests that if they send you a blonde hair client you will give them a 20 dollar credit towards their next service.
a. You can do this by using a client referring card.
b. A gift certificate that is made out to a specific person, if they bring it back their name will be on the back so you know who gets the credit.

and lastly

4. Promote yourself as a specialist on your business cards. Make sure all of your business cards state that you are in fact a "[Blonde Hair] Specialist."


...... Thanks for reading :)

Looking to grow your client base? Try This!

Hello all! I often get messages from many people asking for new and innovative ways to growing your clientele.

Here is a great idea!

Offer astronomically ridiculous specials that even your cheap skate best friend wouldn't turn down.

But here is the trick! Make it exclusive, impactfull and most importantly be very strategic about the way you work the process.

What do I mean by this? Well it's simple really....

Find a network of people in your local area. A network such as the bartenders at a popular bar or a waitstaff at a popular restaurant. Create your special, such as $35-$50 for a Color & Cut. Design a promotional flyer,card,etc. stating that this offer is exclusive to the particular place to which you are marketing this special (make sure to place a disclosure stating that this offer is only available to new guests).

The goal is that you will build a "flash" clientele (even if they only visit you once) in a localized social environment that will "wear your work" and will create open opportunities to refer more clients to your chair!

The key here is to make it exclusive and to target social environments!

Salon Business Monday!: Content On My Website's Links

Hey Everyone! it's Monday and it's time to talk salon business. If you are just joining us then make sure you go back to the past and check out the Salon Business Monday posts for the last 2 weeks. We have been breaking down your salon websites. From how to start one, to what should be on your home page, to today: What content should be on your website's links!

If you need to check out the last 2 posts, you can do so HERE.

Lets get started shall we? Also if you are rushed for time that is OK! Today's post is short and sweet!

So Lets Break down what these links should have on them.

Services:

This is where we "sell" what we do. Any time there is a purchase to be made "we" are purchasing based on perceived value. It is not enough to just list your serv ices. Break your services down by category, for instance color, cutting, etc. Within each category make sure you talk about why each service that you give is worth what you are charging, without directly saying why. Also discuss the added value within each service make sure to talk about the added value that comes with that service, whether it be a blow dry, a hand treatment, a foot massage, etc. It is not enough to sell a service, it is imperative that well sell an experience and offer a welcoming and comfortable environment no matter what the market.

Make sure to list the products that you have available in your salon in this section. This is a great place to make it simple for people to find everything related to services within your salon. In my opinion, you want to make it as easily accessible to your visitors to navigate through your site. Maximum information in least amount of spaces. By combining your products and services into one location this allows that. Also talk about your products, talk about why you use them and what makes them so special.

About Us:

This is the fun part! This is where we get to talk about the salon. Tell your guests and future guests what makes your salon so great. Make sure that your literature is consistent with what your are selling and your message is consistent with your brand. A lot of what is listed on this about us section should be a more extensive version of what we talked about on the homepage from last week.

In the about us this is where you put your bios. This is where the visitors get to know the staff. List the staff in order from levels. The owner first of course and then the most experienced to the newest. This gives some structure to the navigation to the bios.

The bios should be as personalized as possible. Talk about what they offer and what services they love to do, but also talk about what they love to do outside of work. Make this fun and personalized. Let their personalities come out. Let your visitors find the staff member that makes them relate-able to them and have fun with it!

Specials:

Keep your specials visibly clean. Do not overwhelm this page with all sorts of giveaways and specials. Offer what you are offering but make is seem special. Do not make it seem like something that you give away every week. As the weeks go on we will get into more of what to offer, why, how and when. But for now my message is simple. Keep it clean and remember perceived value!

Media (videos, pictures, etc.): We are going to skip this section today as we will get into this next week! We are going to talk about social media and how to make it work for your website.

Calendar:

Your calendar should be simple and personalized. Have a staff birthday? Post it. Having a special event coming up? Post it. Anything and everything that is solidified by a date should be posted through the calender. This will keep your guests in the know!

My recommendation would be to use Google calendars. Want to know more about it? Check that out here. It is so simple to use and can be updated from anywhere!

Contact Us:

In the contact section make sure to have access to any form of communication to your salon available. Phone, email, maybe even AIM, etc. You want to give your visitors multiple possibilities to communicate with you, because everyone prefers a different method.

It is also imperative to have a map of your location, driving instructions and if at all possible a link to do a customized driving directions to your location. Also make sure to add links to your social media.


So.....

This concludes today. Remember Next week we will be going over social media. One of the most benifical peices in our segment. SO YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS IT! : )

Salon Business Monday!: What Should Be On My Salon's Homepage?

Over the next few weeks we are going to be discussing ways to incorporate your salon's brand/name into the world wide wine and how to make it effective.

Last week we discussed Step 1, Creating a website and the different options to do so. If you happened to missed last weeks article and you don't already have a website make sure you go back and read last weeks article to make sure you are all caught up. You can view that article here.

Today we are going to discuses your design element. Some of the things you can not live without on your website. Some of these suggestions can be be optional depending on the type of salon or limiting depending on the means to which your website is

maintained.

For those of you doing this on your own, depending on how structured and limiting your "do it your self" website company has made it, will depend on your limitations to the suggested content and ideas.

For those of you working with a web master, make sure to take notes, because you are going to want to give them insight to how you want your site designed and the content within the site.

We are going to break this up into two sections because it is a lot. So today we are going to start with the overall design and layout of the site, the home page and the menu bar of the site.

So before we begin, keep in mind today's theme: Consistency. When establishing the message and image of who and what you are, without consistency, you loose your integrity.

Lets start with the home page & website layout.

Here is a list of things you want to be aware of when creating & designing a website. Also certain things you want to have written on the homepage.

1. There needs to be a consistency to your brand: This stems from the color scheme, the logo and the energy that is captivated through the imagery posted on the site (for example: A fashion forward salon might have shots of a really avant-garde hair shots or a spa like salon should have soft elegant imagery.)

2. The literature listed on the site should be consistent with the message of your brand. There should also be a message that is personal to future and present guests. For instance explain where your salon falls into your local market. Once again if your salon is fashion forward, position your self that way, but do so in a personalized way. Do not write in generic terms. Create your verbiage in a way that speaks to people like a conversation as apposed to talking at someone. Tell your guests what it means to be fashion forward and express to them why your salon helps them to express their style. Do not be generic, be original and be inspiring to your guests. This will require some originality and some creativity from your part. But do not get discouraged. Take this very slow and think about it. This is very important so take your time and really position yourself with integrity. We are hairstylists, being creative is what we do!

3. The site should be very easy, user friendly and clean. Do not clutter with an over abundance of information. Keep the pictures clear and consistent. Tell a story with the imagery. Having a site with lots of literature and imagery can confuse and distort your salon's image, not to mention make it difficult for visitors to map their way through your site. When building your site think about yourself as a future guest. Sometimes as salon owners we like the idea of captivating all markets so we saturate our site with an overwhelming amount of information about the services we offer. What actually happens is when your site has multiple themes or messages the true message, your brand, has a tendency to be lost.

An example of this might be a website that has some really great images of sexy simple hair, then a message talking about how they do progressive hairstyles and then also having imagery of a super smooth keratin treatment model and talking about A keratin treatment special. Another solution to this would be to create a consistent imagery to the types of styles you create and a separate section for the monthly specials which would take the visitor to an alternate section of the website. This helps to not only make it easier to monitor your traffics interests, but also to keep a much more clear message of your brand.

4. It is imperative to give your guests an insight into what is going on in "your world." The best way to give your guests a view of what's going on in your salon is to keep them connected to your social media networks. Here is a list of things to make sure to incorporate into your website and some ways to get started.

a. Flicker or Photo Bucket: Using either of these or an alternate photo sharing site, incorporate a slide show of pictures of your salon. This gives people a little preview of your salon and captivates a visual energy of the vibe of your salon. ** Make sure your pictures are professional looking. It is not enough to just "do" pictures. It is imperative that they are consistent to the brand.

b. Twitter: Allow your guests to have access to your latest twitter feeds. This gets three things done at once. It keeps your guests in the know, it allows you easy access to keep your guests in the know & most importantly it gives a way to keep your guests interactive.

c. Facebook: Link your Facebook site via your website. You can do this in multiple ways. By incorporating it into the menu bar of your website or incorporate Facebook via a Facebook logo displayed on your site. Personally I have my Facebook linked through the menu bar on my site. I feel Facebook is a must have for salon's and the most interactive outlet between you and your guests. It needs to be a spotlight of your internet strategy. We will absolutely be getting to Facebook later on in our series. At this point you just need to link it up!:

d. Blog: Link your blog via your site. You can do this in the same manner as your Facebook. We will learn more about blogging and why it's important for you to have a blog in your world in later postings.

e. You tube: If you have videos, which you should. give your guests access to these videos, do so in the same manner as the blog and Facebook. Also if your having your site created by a web designer have them incorporate the latest videos onto your homepage or even better an introduction video to exactly what your salon is about, think about it like a commercial!

Now lets take a look at the menu bar, next week we will break down the content of each of these pages:

This is a list (in order) of what I recommend you put on the top of your site in the menu bar & of course why.

Home: This is a pretty much given. You want easy access back to the home page, the point to which the visitors came.

Services: This is very important to list this second. This is what we "sell." When people are visiting your site they are going to want to know what you charge and what you offer. Make this easy access. By listing second you are doing that.

About Us: Visitors want to know who you are. Give them easy access to bios, facts and fun information about your salon.

Specials: You do not want to put the specials right in front. Make sure you give your visitors easy access to what they are looking for right away, i.e; services and bios. It is imperative to have the services and about us prior to the specials. I think you can also have the specials all the way to the right of the menu bar and to incorporate a specials spot some where strategic on the home page.

Media (videos, pictures, etc.): This is where you will post everything media related. It is nice to give access to your social media on the homepage, however you will also need a place to hub it all.

Calendar: Give your guests access to what is going on at your salon. Hosting an event, having special promos? Let them know!

Optional: Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Etc.: If you choose to place these on the menu bar this is the spot you would do it. Basically after all the key information.

Contact Us: I prefer to place this last. Make sure your visitors have learned about your site prior to giving them the opportunity to contact you. It is ideal to have your guests know who you are before getting to know you. What a great way to make an impression!

So.....

This concludes today. Remember Next week we will be breaking down the pages, so stay tuned!!!

l

Tara's Front End Tidbits and Tips: RECEPTIONIST = GATEKEEPER

Being the front desk queen/salon manager I have daily hectic occurrences and issues that arise out of the blue quite often. From calming down stressed out techs to making sure things run as smoothly as possible, I know I have to morph into "actress extraordinaire" as soon as i walk into my salon. The key is to stay in control of yourself and just keep smiling. Here is a little tip for all of you front desk diva's out there:

Lesson #1:

RECEPTIONIST = GATEKEEPER

My best advise? You are the gatekeeper. You are most prospective guests deciding factor on if they are going to bring their business to you or not. You are not just a receptionist. From the way you answer the phone to the way your greet your guest, YOU ARE THE FIRST IMPRESSION, and as we all know...you only get one first impression.

To be frank, it is very simple and easy and takes no extra time out of your day to be courteous and nice. Laziness is the only reason for not giving out a warm smile and a sincere "Hello."

Be aware...are you the reason business is not beating down your doors?

Take the time, Gatekeeper. You are the key to a successful business!

Salon Business Monday! How To Get Connected Online

Time for another addition of Salon Business Monday!

Over the next few weeks we are going to give you a few ideas on how to connect with your guests via the internet.

This is not an option this is a necessity so Salon Owners if you have not incorporated new media into your salon's business strategy, we highly recommend you start today!

We will start today with the virtual business card a.k.a. your website.

Salon owners, do you have a website? If yes, well you will just have to wait until next week when we discuss what content is necessary for your website.

During this installment you will learn a few great ways to get a site and the means to which it is operated.

So, for those of you who do not have a website for your salon and feel like it is either WAY

to expensive or you are completely website making illiterate, do we have news for you! It can and is sooooo simple.

Making a website can be fun and simple and the best part is you don't need to know how to make a website. It can be as easy as doing a Facebook page! and I know we all know how to do that.

Our first step then of this week is going to require you to do a little research to find what method best suites your needs, however we will put you in the right direction.

There are many options to ways that you can create a site for your business and still keep the expense in the minimum.

First lets look at the do it yourself option:

There are tons of wonderful do it your self website based companies on the web that ma

ke it so simple to create your site, it's like updating a Facebook page. We recommend you check out

Salon Builder!

Salon Builder will give you all the necessary tools to get started, make it simple and the cost is on a monthly basis that includes everything you need.

You absolutely need to look into all options of companies in this method. We just happen to like salon builder because it is industry specific.

Now of course there are a few down sides to doing this method as a opposed to using a web design based company, for instance the simplicity and uniqueness of the site. However, I think it is important to over look these things and take control of them. By maintaing your sense of brand through the "structured" site building system, you are still able to portray your message and have a site that you can manage and showcase to current and future business.

Make sure everything that you load into this site that is both visual and verbal properly

portrays your image and message of what your salon is all about!

Verdict: This is a great option. If you are looking for no hassle and ease I would go with this option. You will find as we continue on with this topic in the monday's to come you will be limited to some of the options with a website platform such as this. But, if time and effort are not something you have a lot of this is a great way to go and a wonderful way to get started!

Now lets look at the "let them do it" option:

I am not going to lie. If you have the money, time and lets say patience to work with a design company, I highly recommend it.

There are hundreds and thousands of graphical design based companies which can be sc

ary! So we are going to give you a list of 3, that are all great and all different.

1. Lucky Stone Media - A small bases website/graphical design based company with a strong knowledge in almost anything web design related.

Thoughts on this: Well this one is obvious because they designed The Hair Stylist Blog. It is a wonderful web/graphic design based company. Due to the fact of their size they have less clients and more opportunity to spend working one on one with you. Another great thing about Lucky Stone Media is the cost factor would be likely under average due to it being a smaller based company. Also the visual arts they create are very modern and relevant to your brand!

Verdict: Great Buy! If you have time to spend and not tons of money to blow, consider lucky stone. Biggest down side would be the time issue. You will have to work very much one on one for updates to the site, which often times can cost additional depending on the plan you have set up

2. Salon Templete - This is kind of like a hybrid in a sense it allows you to create a template so half the work is done and you can work with their graphic arts team to create a more customized site based on your needs and the template that was chosen.

Thoughts on this: It's great because you have a clear vision of what your site is going to look like before its finished, which keeps the guessing game to a minimum. This method can get rather expensive and very hard for you to up date once it is finished.

Verdict: Hold out on this unless you have a good understanding of general web design.

3. Studio AKT - A medium to large based web/graphic design company. AKT specializes more

in alternative based musical acts. This can be a big bonus depending on the image of the salon. If your are looking to bring an edge to your salon, their design team might be just what your looking for. A very plus side of AKT is the updating is just like updating Facebook or a do it your self site. The only difference is the lay out will be completely customizable. Being that they are larger, there will be less intimacy with a company like this and more than likely much more expensive.

Verdict: Very Expensive but if you can afford it GO FOR IT! Why? 2 reasons, it is completely customizable (if you can dream it you can probably get it) and 2 its as easy to update as it is a Facebook page.

Last but not least Barter!!:

Find a local web based designer via advertisements, craig s list, etc. and work with them on a bartering based system.

We are in one of the few industries that can take advantage of bartering so do it. This would by far be my #1 suggestion. However, only get involved with someone you feel comfortable with and that you know does a great job. In what we do, time is money and it doesn't make sense to have a bogus site and just because you bartered it "isn't a big deal." The time you spend doing their hair could be used doing something productive!

So that concludes today but we are far from done.

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

But get a site!!! It is beyond important, it is your new business card!

Next week we explore what to put on your website or better known as the CONTENT!

Until next time...........

Free Live Web Education Seminar!

Make sure to registar today! for the Sam Villa Web Show from BTC.

Visit Here now! to sign up.

How to properly apply hair color.

Recently I attended an amazing color class and I thought I would share a little bit about my new application discovery's with you.

Now possibly this might not be news for some of you? But for me and those of you who do find this as news, I think you will enjoy.

So we are taught when applying hair color to saturate the hair and apply to both sides of the section, especially on the gray, yes? Well in my case yes and as a colorist its something I have been doing for years.

Next time do 2 things different.

1. Take 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch sections, depending on density and porosity of the hair and apply your hair color to just the back of each section. By doing this the small sections and the compression will keep your color properly saturated and safe from the possibility of overlapping of color.

and...

2. When working around the hair line, especially grays, try using a brow brush to apply the color, to keep the color from smearing on to the scalp and prevent color from staining the skin.
These new hot tips have worked wonders for me, not only in time, but results. I urge you all to give it a go!

Formula of the week!

Want to give your guest the perfect brown on brown?

Starting level: 3 or 4

Desired: Neutral to Subtle Warm Brown Level 5

Formula: 5A(ash)G(Green) - Choose your developer according to density and starting level.

Why?
Well of course the color wheel. Starting with a Natural level 3 or 4 we are dealing with an undertone of a Violet or Red-Violet. As we use our pro-oxide additive to our formula, the pro-oxide will begin to remove natural melanin and leave us with an undertone of RED. Using the AG series will help to neutralize the red leaving us with a beautiful neutral to subtle warm brown.

Want to spice this up?
When applying the color to the ends take = parts of 6AG and 6AB and apply in super fine sections this formula to your ends with 20 vol.
This will create a beautiful soft dimension.

QUESTIONS??
JUST COMMENT OR WRITE TO US.
info@thehairstylistblog.com

Hairstylists: Get more clients in your chair and make them happy!

One of the best and greatest tips I can give a fellow stylist looking to grow their clientele is to create a referral program for their existing clients. Now I am sure a lot of your already know this or heard this 10000 times, but are you doing it? Are you making sure that every guest that visits you, is putting your name in their mouth?

Well here are 3 great tips to make sure that happens and every guest is helping you grow and feeling happy to do it with out any effort.

1. Use referral cards, this is not a business card, however you can use your business card if necessary. The key is to design a card that rewards your guests for referring their family and friends. For example at my salon we have created a $15 dollar referral card, so for every guest that my current guest refers they both get $15 dollars towards any service. Here is an example of the card we created for our skin care department.

2. Explain to your guest's how and when to use the refer cards. In essence explain to them how to refer guests to you with these cards, so they know exactly how, when and why they have these referral cards. This way the cards are with them all the time and they know that by having them, its like cash in their pockets. It even helps to explain to them that the value of this card is actually $30 and you get to share that with someone special to them.

3. This is very important. Make sure your guest's hair is looking great outside of the salon, not just when you style it. ALWAYS recommend the proper products to your guests so they know how to replicate their style at home. Also make sure your giving them the proper styling tools and techniques to use to achieve the look they want. Product is such a must! So make sure they have the essentials and then teach them the skills.

Later on down the line I will be sharing more great! techniques on how to build and grow your business behind the chair!

Like always please contact us via email: info@thehairstylistblog.com FOR ANYTHING!

Leave comments and suggestions or other great ideas you might have on growing your business and for those of you non professionals taking the time to read this, we would LOVE to hear your ideas as well. ALWAYS.