Graduation Season: Salon Tracker software give three tips to salon owners for improving sales

It’s July, the month of graduation for many, and the dates are fast approaching. What better an opportunity for salons to capitalise on and bag themselves a few extra sales? Here were giving a few little tips on how beauty, hair and tanning businesses can make the most of graduation season.

Graduation Pamper Pack

Throughout the middle of July and early August, why not run a special treatment package that incorporates all of the standard treatments that typical graduating clients would come for.  This goes for all salon types; hair, tanning and beauty.  Tanning salons could offer a selection of free retail products with every 60 minute course purchased, for example something to pro-long a tan or replenish skin.  Hair salons may do a discounted deal on a cut and colour, maybe the client gets a blow-dry style of their choice for free with every colour treatment?  Beauty salons could link up a manicure with an eye brow wax and spray tan and maybe do the three as a multi-pack buy for a certain amount? Just a few ideas for you to think about.

Student Discount

This is the big one to capitalise on round graduation time, as obviously for those graduating, the time on their student card is limited and edging closer to expiry.  Many salons will promote student discount round fresher’s period, obviously, as towns and cities are crawling with new students exploring their new salon choices!  However, graduation season is just as big of an advantage, so maybe up the student discount percentage for a few weeks, and be sure to promote it across your salon on decals, window graphics and on your social media accounts.  You should see an increase in foot fall in no time!

Bring a Fellow Graduation Buddy

Clients always love their pamper days with friends so why not make it a bit of fun for the soon to be graduates?  Offer your current clients the chance to bring another graduating friend?   If you are a user of salon software, create an SMS campaign that filters out to all of your existing clients, ensuring that you get a quick response from any that are due to graduate.  The offer could include a selection of treatments for the pair at a third of the usual selling price, or a free mini treatment with every appointment?  The advantage of this for your salon is that it essentially could improve your customer database, should the ‘friends’ be impressed with your treatments, they may re-visit and become a loyal customer!

Hope these help to improve salon awareness and increase your profits over the coming weeks!

P.S...if you are interested in salon software, please visit our website at www.salontracker.co.uk and enquire for more info today!

Salon Tracker x

Salon Tracker software can improve your multi-site salon business!

If you are already a user of Salon Tracker software at the moment, or aren’t and are looking for a way to improve you’re multi-site salon business, then our HQ feature could be of great benefit to you.

Presumably, if you are the owner of multiple salons, you have a substantially large client database, with each separate salon having its own local clients.  However, you may have clients that flit between several of your salons.

With the HQ feature, it eliminates all clients from having to re-register at other salons among your chain and the database will recognise treatments that they have had in the past, including all previous skin tests.  So for example, say if a customer has visited your ‘London’ salon, the technicians in your ‘Manchester’ salon will be able to see their past treatments and retail purchases.  All client information will be stored at your companies HQ, so that skin disclaimers can be viewed at any salon, meaning that the safety tests don't have to be repeated.  Saving time in your salon and for your customers!

HQ also improves business organisation, by linking all of your salon businesses up so that overall salon activity can be seen from your salon headquarters.  This including end of day sales, KPI tracking and monthly cash flow. 

Salon Tracker are currently updating the online booking feature meaning that soon customers will be able to actually register for your salon chain online.  All online bookings will be fired straight over to the correct salon calendar, so technicians can see these bookings immediately and this way appointments won’t cross over.

So, if you are a multi-site salon and are looking for something to improve the customer management process for your business then why not call up our salon today?  Our telephone number is 0113 350 8230 and we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and give you a FREE demo of the software.

Also, not sure if you've heard already but we will be exclusively exhibiting at Professional Beauty North in Manchester this September, where live demos of each of our software features will be available.  We'll be at stand B35 so head on down for more info and selective special offers!

Hope to see you there!

Salon Tracker x

How Salons can use Father’s Day to their advantage

Father’s Day is fast approaching and here at Salon Tracker we have thought of a few last minute ideas that salons can use to promote retail products and increase treatment sales.

Typically, according to Mintel, the percentage of women salon users is 72% whilst for males it is 52% and this figure includes all salon types including spa and tanning. Therefore generally for hair and beauty salons, it tends to be predominantly a female client base.

However, it is the ladies that will be buying the presents for their Dads, Grandads and other halves!  So great opportunity for you to highlight treatment packages and your best male cosmetics to your female clients whilst they’re having their treatments.

With male grooming on the increase, you could advertise product hampers, a discounted treatment or even a gift voucher (if you’re a salon that has them).   For those unorganised panic buyers who really don’t know what to get Dad, what better way than to be able to purchase it whilst having their weekly manicure or blow-dry!

Think of the best ways you can market, for example, use Father’s day graphics in front of the products that you have on offer, have hanging cards displayed around the Salon promoting the father’s day treatment packages or, if you’re a Salon that already uses salon software, filter out an SMS or email campaign to your customers for immediate advertising.  The email can be generic, as obviously the majority of your male as well as female clients will still have a father around, but not everyone.  So just keep it simple and to the point.  Something like ‘Father’s Day Deals’ then go on to explain your salons offers.

For new to the scene dads, whose wife’s and girlfriends will be buying on behalf of their little bambinos, why not offer a joint treatment package?  A great gift for the couple to spend together!

Hope this helps you to achieve a few extra sales this Father Day!

P.S

…for you salon owners who are a little bit ‘last minute Annie’ with your presents, here are Salon Tracker’s five ‘play-safe’ gifts for Dad that you just can’t go wrong with!


1. The Dad and Son/Daughter photo frame

Some silly childhood photos are always good!







2. Shaving Set

Something Dad’s always need! Nivea and Ted Baker do a range of packages & usually have offers on!

3. Good old pair of wacky socks 

Next, M&S, House of Fraser & BHS always have novelty Dad socks!









4. Aftershave

 

You can’t go wrong with a good Hugo Boss cologne! 

The Fragrance shop and The Perfume Shop always have 

discounts this time of year!









5. Chocolate selection 

A good Thorntons classic box or Hotel 

chocolat selection is a fail safe every time!

Salon Tracker x 

How Salon Software can provide a solution to everyday problems in your Salon

Do you ever struggle to manage the time in your salon and find you are constantly staying late to get things done?  Are you fed up of having to trawl through hundreds of client record cards each time a customer comes to pay, not to mention those disclaimers that magically disappear and you have to re-do them!

Next question, have you ever thought about getting Salon Software?

Our program, Salon Tracker, is a salon software system that supports in the management of your salon.  Everything you could possibly need (aside from the creativity of your technicians to carry out salon treatments) will be on our software system!  The appointment book will be no more, not to mention you can scrap customer record cards and the mounds of paperwork to go with them!  Our software features an advanced calendar, where all bookings will appear on the system and at the click of a button you can see your whole appointment list for the rest of the day on one screen.  The calendar splits this up into itineraries for each of your technicians, so you can clearly see who an appointment is with and at what time, for all staff members!  Customer records will also all be stored on the system via an online client card.  You will simply be able to enter the clients name into the search box and it will bring up their online file.  This will store information of their personal details, past treatments, upcoming appointments, past retail product purchases and skin tests.  There is a tick box on the file that highlights whether or not a client has had a skin test with you and if so, the file will be saved on the system, in which a client can sign via our signature pad that links up to the software programme.

Similarly, if you are a tanning salon, disclaimers to ensure clients are over 18 can too be saved on the system!  Salon Tracker also links up with Tmax timers, so that your sunbeds can run from the software, hassle free.  No more tokens or timer cards!   The system will track how many minutes a client has purchased and used, so you don’t have to worry.   Miscellaneous minutes will be no more, as the software will track every minute accurately and will produce an end of day report for you, so you can identify exactly when a sunbed was used and by whom.

There are many KPI reports that the software will produce, including your daily takings for end of day cashing up, weekly profits, bestselling treatments and so on.  All making your salon life much easier, and with our Site view feature, you can even access these reports from a mobile device when on the move, or at home!  Salon Tracker will keep an eye on your salon even in your absence, so there is no need for concerns when you’re on a holiday or a day-off.

Salon Tracker has a colour coded stock management feature, keeping track of all your stock levels each time a purchase is made, and the system also notifies you when a certain product is running low.  You’ll save on unnecessary ordering and the space for storing excess overstock, as levels will be managed efficiently to prevent this.

If online booking is something you already have or are interested in, Salon Tracker also links up to your Facebook page and website so clients can book treatments on the web. The great thing is, the online bookings are linked up with your salon calendar on the system, so double bookings won’t be made and your online bookings won’t need to be managed separately as they previously may have done before!

So, if you haven’t made the technical switch-over yet then Salon Tracker software could be the system that helps you!  Enquire on our website www.salontracker.co.uk for more information. We also offer a demo and FREE 2 week trial for you to sample our software before making any bold decisions.   So get in touch!



Salon Tracker x

Twenty-one signs you’ve found your soul mate, aka BESTIE!

In light of Nation Best Friends Day, here at Salon Tracker we have done a bit of research into the top signs of how you know someone is your best friend!


1. Unflattering pictures are no more since you have your own walking mirror who is totally honest and wants you to look your best at all times of course!


2. Your childhood memories together get funnier each time you speak and share stories.


3. You have your own language, faces and words that nobody else understands. If you know, you know.


4. You always have each other’s backs and if you need cover- you know the exact person to go to.


5. You share the same guilty pleasures of reality TV and celeb on goings!


6. Snap chats to each other are always inevitably the most unflattering things ever. Standard!


7. Your 2 hour chats each day never get boring and you still always have so much to chat about!


8. You mutually like all each other’s social media posts, to show your support for one another!


9. Each other’s wardrobes might as well be your own, and you know every item of clothing that the other has.


10. A full conversation and emotional state can be fully understood over text via emoji’s.


11. Embarrassment in front of one another is a foreign language.


12. You turn to them for advice first, requiring their signal of approval before going ahead and acting upon ideas.


13. Your romantic histories are each memorised for one another by date, occasion, villain, hero, an act of courage…the list goes on.


14. The hilarious inside jokes that you share…things that others wouldn’t find even remotely funny!


15. You have the same enemies.


16. You know where everything is in each other’s kitchens, bedrooms and feel very comfortable helping yourself to whatever you might need.

17. No topic is an off limits topic, you are comfortable discussing all genres, no matter how vulgar or crude.

18. The moments where one of you can say ‘I told you so’ to the other and you can both laugh about it are the best times.

19. You have ‘your’ songs and no matter where you are when they come on, you have to stop and dance.

20. It is perfectly ok to call each other at ridiculous o’clock regarding the biggest drama’s, that just couldn’t wait until the morning.


21. You trust each other 100% and can always rely on one another no matter what!

Salon Tracker x

Salon Tracker Software's Park Life Beauty Essentials!

As the famous event in Heaton Park approaches, here at Salon Tracker software we have come up with the top 12 best products to add to your festival survival kit!






1. Sun Lotion

The main one. Whilst raving the day away in the sunshine will be perfect for that summer glow, don’t forget that you must protect your skin from UVA damage, as shelter is often limited at these events. Why not pick up a Piz Buin all-day, so you can apply it on a morning and be care-free the rest of the day.

2. Hand Sanitizer

We all know that wash facilities are limited and overcrowded when it comes to festivals, so investing in the perfect portable anti-bac liquid is always a shout. Try Carex or Merci for a range of flavours!



3. Dry Shampoo

Being at the centre of crowds and if we’re lucky enough to have a sizzling summer weekend, your hair might just need a helping hand with a quick cleanse and a volume re-boost. Salon Tracker faves’ are Batiste and Aussie, and they even come in travel size!



4. Lip Balm

Chapped lips…not what you want when you’re when posing for your selfies but with the amount of time spent outdoors means that festival go-ers are prone to it! Try the E.O.S range for rejuvenating lip care!




5. Hand Cream

Just as with lips, hands also get extremely chapped when extensive time is spent outdoors, especially when mixed with the overuse of hand sanitizers! Try Nivea ‘age defying’ hand cream, Boots and Superdrug even do it as a ‘holiday-mini’...perfect for your pocket!

6. Heat Protection Spray

All day outside in the sun can dry your hair out massively, especially if you have colour treated locks! Try the Lee Stafford miracle heat defence spray, made with Moroccan Argan oil it is perfect for keeping your hair hydrated.

7. Instant waterproof tan

As much as there is limited shelter from the sun, this also applies to rain…and judging by the indecisive UK climates, you’ve got to be prepared for a shower! Try St Tropez waterproof instant tan, seems to be the best for a no-streak glow when it comes into contact with water.



8. Moisturiser

Hydration is key at a festival, try the Dove beauty body moisturiser in mini from Boots & Superdrug, perfect for your handbag to apply when your skin feels a bit flaky!








9. Waterproof liner

‘May the wings of your eye-liner be even’…this may not be the case if it’s melting off in the warm sunshine or after a good giggle! For the perfect waterproof liner, try the Smash Box limitless liquid pen.



10. Waterproof mascara

In link with your eyeliner, you need a faultless waterproof mascara to go with it, especially if you’re like me and a hay fever sufferer, the outdoors isn’t on your side when you want it to be. Try the Clinique waterproof high impact range to escape the dreaded panda eyes.

11. Finishing powder 

Nothing like a shiny forehead at a festival, especially in all your snaps where you’ve got the sparkling ‘too much heat’ face! For something light to lower that dewy look, try the Mac prep-prime transparent finishing powder…fabulous with or without make-up!



12. After Sun

To rejuvenate your skin after its exposure to the outdoors, a good after sun is essential. Try the Piz-Buin ‘tan-prolong’ range, perfect for holding out your glow!








Salon Tracker x

My First Month!

Hi there!

Some of our social media followers or current clients might have noticed a new member joining the Salon Tracker team, but in case you haven’t... Hello! I’m Nicki and I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more from me in the up and coming months.

I joined the Salon Tracker team mid-April and have loved every minute since I arrived. Why did I want to work for Salon Tracker?  I have a passion for media, communication and of course, all things tanning, hair and beauty so a role within the sales and marketing team here was perfect for me!

In my first couple of weeks, I just got used to the role and my day to day responsibilities, of course.  This was a great time for me to engage in our company history, current clients, and locality in the market.  Starting a new job is so exciting but can be pretty daunting at the same time due to being ‘the-newbie’.  That being said, my manager, Rachel has been great at ensuring I settle in to the company well and get up to speed with the day-to-day routines of the business.

My role changes on a daily basis, which is what makes it so exciting. The days here are hustle and bustle, we are all very busy with networking, speaking to clients and negotiating sales.  As a people person, I love an environment like this and I am really enjoying getting to know new people and building relationships with you all.  Typically when you work for such a busy company weekly meetings are an absolute must. Here at Salon Tracker, Monday mornings are for exactly that and it’s definitely something I would recommend to any fellow business to get your week off to a successful and robust start.   It’s a great time to look at last week’s progress and envision the upcoming weeks plans and execution.  Being in a heavily technical focused environment is something I was once apprehensive about because I love a good pen and paper list, but I have definitely noticed it is much more time efficient for all involved!  And surprisingly, I’ve become accustomed to it very quickly!

May was a great starter month for me because I really was thrown into the deep end of things with the initial stage planning for PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY NORTH!  We are so excited to be attending this year.  It will be my first exhibition show and the first for Salon Tracker so I, along with everyone else, cannot wait (Make sure you come and visit us!).  Another huge area of concentration has been our ‘May= Tanning Month’ campaign. Tanning is such an important part of our industry with regards to all of the surrounding laws & regulations.  It is quite a big sector within our company too so the campaign push stems from this (so if you’ve noticed an increased amount of bronzed skin and sandy beaches on our page- this is why!) Anyway, I best get back to work - I hope you have enjoyed my first month blog and indeed May Tanning Month.  June is time for all things hair, nails and beauty and we also have a few tips for father’s day, best friend’s day and festival favourites with Park Life and Wireless coming up - so keep checking our news feed!

Speak to you soon!

Nicki@salontracker x