6 Tips for Salon Suite Professionals to Keep Clients in Their Chair

With thousands of beauty professionals competing in Texas alone, client retention is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Here are six proven strategies from the community at Salon D'Elegance in Richardson.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employed more than 25,540 hairdressers, stylists, and cosmetologists in 2023. That’s a lot of local competition for stylists to contend with. At Salon D’Elegance, we provide salon suites to some of the top beauty professionals in Richardson. Working with so many amazing stylists, we know a thing or two about what it takes to keep clients coming back to your chair. Here, we’ll share some of our leading advice on keeping your clients coming back for repeat appointments.

1. Give Product Recommendations and Offer at Home How-Tos

  Your salon is your bread and butter, but offering your clients ways to better their hair off the clock goes a long way. Product recommendations not only improve your bottom line (if you sell the product) but prove authority in your field. Like product recommendations, at-home how-tos are an act of faith in your customer. By giving them a way to maintain their look on their own, you hope they’ll return in the future. Common at-home how-tos include ways to maintain color treatments, the best methods to avoid heat damage, and top treatments for rejuvenating damaged hair.

2. Follow Up on Services You Provide

  Sometimes, a client isn’t ready to tell you how they really feel about a new beauty service fresh out of the chair. Following up shows clients you really care about the way they feel, and whether your service felt as good after washing and styling at home. Following up on services might offer negative feedback a time or two, but this is constructive. It helps to know what clients are thinking so you don’t make the same mistake twice.

3. Reach Out When it's Time for an Appointment

  An appointment reminder card is a great way to get your business card into a client’s wallet. Sometimes, however, appointment reminders get lost or forgotten. To keep your clients coming back to your salon suite, it helps to remind them of upcoming appointment dates. Be careful not to overwhelm clients with too many check-ins. A simple call a day or two before to confirm the appointment date ensures they get the information and allows them to modify the appointment if necessary.

4. Go Above and Beyond for Services

  Customer service is the lifeblood of the salon industry. The way you treat your client in your salon suite will be remembered, shared with friends and family, and build your brand legacy. Research suggests that 93% of consumers will return to a service provider following top-notch customer service. Don’t just finish the job and take the tip. Finish the job, and then some, to ensure your customer leaves with a smile on their face.

5. Understand your Clients’ Lifestyle

  Market research is a big part of running a successful business. There are many ways to get to know your target demographic, including:

• Ask questions: Chat with clients in your chair and jot down notes after the appointment so you remember to ask how their kid’s softball game went or whether they got that big promotion at work.
• Follow social media: When clients follow you on social media, follow back and see what kind of things they post and share. Understanding your client’s interests will help you develop good rapport next time they’re in the chair.
• Check past services: Look at other services your client has booked with you in the past. Often, these records provide clues to the life your client leads and the style they like to maintain. It might also offer insight into something new they might like to try.

Getting to know your clients is one of the biggest and best ways to encourage repeat service.

6. Stay on Top of Trends

  Consumers don’t always know what they want, but they know you’re an expert and can offer helpful advice. Being up to date on the latest beauty trends ensures you remain an authority in your salon Some ways to maintain your hold on current trends are to:

• Attend local meetups and networking events with other stylists
• Continue your stylist education and upgrades
• Monitor social media
• Refer to other salon websites and social media profiles to see what their customers are requesting
• Monitor the media for trends among celebrities and models

Clients are more likely to return or refer friends and family to you if they trust your recommendations.

Contact Salon D’Elegance to Lease Your Salon Suite

If you’re a hairstylist or beauty professional in Richardson, Texas, consider D’Elegance for your salon suite. Our suites include:

• Wi-Fi
• Access to a salon merchant machine
• Ongoing after-hours security
• On-Site full-time management
• Laundry rooms
• Large restrooms
• Customer waiting area
• Breakroom

To learn more about salon suites through Salon D’Elegance, visit us online or call us at 1-972-480-8600.