Network your way to success with salon software..

One of the most important skills to possess as a salon owner is the ability to network. (Don’t worry, we’re not about to go all Kevin Bacon/EE on you here.) It’s great to keep loyal customers sweet but you need to appeal to new audiences too which is why it’s so important to keep evolving your business. You aren’t on your own with this. Think about how competitive Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and Morrison’s are with each other. They all want to be number 1 in the FMCG market and we don’t just mean by price matching (although we do appreciate 4 hefty muffins for £1 at our local Sainsbury’s).

Have you noticed that most big businesses use an “associate” to link themselves with? We’ve already mentioned one who we’ve probably all sighed at in the cinema. This is a common theme throughout the advertisement world because in doing so a brand simply, extends its networks. Assumptive, but by “sharing” networks, most to like Jamie Oliver will want to shop at Sainsbury’s, most of us to drool over Gerard Butler in P.S I love you will now buy their significant others Hugo Boss aftershave. It doesn’t always work but you get the idea.

What can salon owners take from this and how can salon software help?
Every business owner is in the same situation, big or small! Do you wanna be number 1? of course you do! You can use this information to your advantage by networking with businesses that aren’t your competitors and engaging with each other’s loyal customer base. Networking is done through anything, chit chatting through treatments, nipping in to your local shop. All it takes is one person to come in and say they have a bridal shop, and that’s a great opportunity to input information into your salon tracker software system so you have them as a contact for anyone who might mention a wedding.

You need to remember ladies who get a manicure every 4 weeks at the same salon aren’t always ladies of leisure. You need to think of the lifestyle of your stereotypical customer, their home life, work life and day to day localities. What else can you give your customer to help them out? Listen to their needs! My point is, if you scratch your neighbours back, they will usually scratch yours and spread the word for you too. After all there is only so much your salon software can do! Word of mouth is great advertisement. Some other great ways to provide your new business friends’ customers with your updates are to share each other’s Facebook/ Twitter posts, provide the other business with leaflets for potential clients, allow poster advertising in each other’s base. You could even club together for national holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Easter or Christmas for some lucky dips or surprise gifts to suit absolutely everyone. Your salon software will measure the exact KPI’s of the campaign too so you know the popularity of the offer! That’s all for now, oh and remember… Every Little Helps ;)