How events can help you build your salon brand…

Events have always been a popular way to market a business, product or service and there is no better way to encourage a build-up than with the affordable channels of social media and text/ email marketing. In fact, many businesses now base their entire functionality and presence on social media and an online nature.  We do get it! Why spend money on hiring out a venue when you could send out an SMS marketing campaign for 10% of the cost?

As a salon software company we push the use of social media and SMS marketing because it really is a great way to engage with current and prospective clients and grow your business.  However, nothing quite beats a firm handshake and chit chat with someone who you may or currently do business with.  Salon Tracker are making their debut at Professional Beauty North in September 2015, here’s why we’re taking part in the event and why you should attend too, or even look at holding your own mini event to boost your brand awareness!

A successful event has the ability to create a great reputation for your business, if it is done right!  It’s a great way to give your customers a good personable experience and set a foundation of trust for any future business opportunities, but unfortunately it doesn’t happen overnight- even if you do fancy yourself as a bit of a socialite.  If you’re attending Professional Beauty with us or holding your own event, a strategic marketing plan is absolutely essential.

You will literally need to plan everything from the theme, invites, venue and guest list to delegation tasks and idealistic outcomes from the event.  After the initial planning you need to look at the promotion of the event.  What exactly sets it apart from your competitors?  Is it expert advice, retail opportunities, demonstrations or amazing little-big touches, like goodie bags, or try it now treatments or products?  This is where the fun part comes in- marketing and promotions!  There are loads of ways to promote an event in a cost effective manner.  Some popular methods you can choose from range from SMS marketing, Facebook Ads and social media to invitations, emails, letters, raffles and reception desk print.  All of the above should not only be heavily implemented but also enthusiastically engaged upon.  Generosity holds huge importance at launch or exhibition events because nothing quite beats making a decision with your senses.  It’s fine to explain the benefits of treatments, products or services but if you can SHOW the outcome, you will create a more transparent view of your business, so let potential clients look, taste, touch, feel and smell your product to make a consecutive decision. Add value to your products too by throwing in a little freebie, which is better than discounting your product, since you still maintain a highly qualified customer.

Make sure you measure if you get out what you put in.  In other words, your return on investment.  When it comes to the event, if your business plan and team is well prepared then you should have success.  Targeted professional advice is much more appreciated than being in sales mode.  That’s why events have a huge connotation with the word “networking” because they are all about getting to know each other’s products!

If you’re thinking of visiting Professional Beauty on Sunday and Monday 20th and 21st of September, we would love to meet you so come visit us on Stand B35! 

Salon Tracker x

Salon Tracker Software: A Step by Step guide of how to up-sell your retail products

Add on sales are a fantastic way of bringing extra revenue in to a business and essentially improving profits for a company. But, there are many additional benefits to add on sales aside from just the money-making exercise.  The more add-on sales and services a business can offer, the more you are giving to a customer in terms of ‘extra’s’ to enhance the core product that they have purchased from you.

This year, Salon Tracker Software are making their debut at Professional Beauty North. Add on sales are something we know quite a lot about since we offer three different software packages with leaps and bounds of “add-on” options such as a fingerprint reader and signature pad, which help to enhance the benefits of our software.  Up-selling retail products is also imperative for those in the hair, beauty and tanning industry to allow your customers to fulfill and continue their treatment results.  Here are our 4 simple steps to succeed in up-selling those products to benefit your salon and increase product trade…

Listen, don’t speak

If you have a range of similar products, there should still be a distinctive unique selling point of each.  Think about what your customer has expressed with regards to their needs and what would be most beneficial to them?  If you listen to their problems, you can usually find them a solution due to your education of the products or services you have.

Product Display

The way in which a product is displayed can sometimes do half of the sale for you. Interesting decor can encourage a purchase since it adds to the aesthetic value of your product.  Make sure that your products stand out, are easily view-able and not too hard to shop.  Also, do your research on products!  There is nothing worse than being stuck with products that you are struggling to sell, make sure that they are in high demand before you make the big buy.

A reason to purchase

Don’t sell to your clients, prescribe to them.  Listen to their problems or symptoms and use your skills to recommend what you know will work for them.  There is a huge difference in being a salesman and a consultant.  Not every team member will be a natural salesperson but everyone should be an expert, which is why regular training exercises on product and sales are imperative for longstanding success.  Another option is a limited offer, but it must be strictly limited, since you don’t want to devalue your product or make your clients accustomed to this.

Networking

Whether this is via social media, on a personal level or by distributing business cards to local businesses, make sure that you advertise your add-on products so that clients know about them.  The more information a client has about a product, the higher inclined they will be to enquire about it.  Showcase the benefits in order to prompt engagement.

Give these little steps a try and you should be up-selling in no time!  Oh and don’t forget to pop to our stand B35 at Professional Beauty North, to see how we up-sell our fabulous products!  Hope to see you there!

Salon Tracker x

Staff being able to browse the internet during work time is one of salon owners main concerns, according to research by Salon software company, Salon Tracker.

It is hard enough being the manager of a salon business, without having to manage the time of your staff as well.  Many salon business owners are tired of their technicians browsing the web for leisure purposes in work time.  Although, it could be worse than you think.  Staff may potentially have access to more than just the internet if your salon computer isn’t secure.

Salon Tracker Software have one of the most secure salon systems on the market for both the salon and the customer. We deal with clients who are constantly looking for new ways to protect their business and sustain privacy.  With the ‘secure-shell’ Salon Tracker system, you can be assured that all client data and financial records are safe, staff are correctly doing their jobs and clients are reassured of safely stored data.

Two of the main security features the system has are the secure shell PC lock down where staff can only access the essential system and password protected security levels, so salon owners can dictate the areas of privacy among all employees.  Client cards and employee’s personal information will also be safely stored, alongside any financial business reports so it is easily accessible to the salon owner.  The secure shell also saves on paper client cards and registers and reports, as absolutely everything can be stored within the Salon Tracker system.  There will be no more need for paper documents and time-management will improve at your welcoming process as salon owners no longer have to search through realms of files.

So if you want to improve the security of your salon and find out some more info, come and meet the team at Professional Beauty this September at Stand B35!  We will be showcasing plenty of these features and giving you information on ways that we can help privatise your business making it run securely and efficiently in your absence.

Salon Tracker x

Salon Tracker software on how ‘Digital Marketing’ can improve your salon business!

This September, Salon Tracker are making their debut at Professional Beauty North. To spread the word, we have used our digital marketing platforms to increase our brand awareness because it’s one of the most affordable and accessible ways to reach our audience.  Here we will delve into the platforms we use to engage with potential clients and how they can help you to build your business brand…

SMS messaging is a great way to entice clients because it is personal and instant. One of the main benefits of our SMS feature is that it discourages no shows with appointment reminders sent out a day or two prior to their appointment.  Another advantage of SMS and email marketing is that it is an instant opportunity to gain last minute business.  One of our clients from Ultra Tan in Hull currently uses our SMS marketing feature and has had great success. 

"We had a 33% response in under 8 hours…an extra £1000 sales for a cost of under £20. It's great because the cost is low and it’s easy.”
In today’s society, everyone is constantly checking their phones like never before, so businesses are more likely to achieve instant responses by using digital marketing methods.  Alongside SMS and email marketing, Salon Tracker also provide users with the ability to book online or through Facebook.  This is a great opportunity for salons to gain extra custom, as clients can book appointments simply from their mobile phone. As it stands, “54% of the UK population is regularly active on social media”, (Social Media London, 2015) therefore it is a great low cost method to take advantage of.

So, if you are a salon business and would like a bit more information on how digital marketing could benefit you, then why not visit us at Professional Beauty?  You’ll find us at stand B35!  There will be loads going on with live demos, special events, offers and a great support team who will be able to give you all the advice you need!  Until then, if your business isn’t currently live on social media, step to it!  It takes ten minutes to get set up and could be the biggest marketing tool yet for your business! It’s all about engaging…

Salon Tracker x

Sun-bed safety: How tanning salons can improve the safety of their business by switching to salon software…

Sunbeds continue to be a topic of focus with health executives and the media, especially with the rise in skin-cancer and melanoma diagnosis.

The increased health risks linked with sunbeds have encouraged Trading Standards to tighten their approach on laws and businesses in recent years. Salon Tracker is a salon software provider specialising in the tanning industry as well as hair, beauty and spa businesses.  Our software was created with the regulation laws taken into strong consideration.  Considering this, Salon Tracker’s business aims involve the attempt to get every salon in the UK and Ireland abiding by these laws which is why we are debuting our software this year at Professional Beauty North.  Our software has rapidly grown to become one of the tanning industry’s leading software providers due to the features implemented within the software to protect salon businesses.

The initial obstacle is making the switch to salon software.  From there onward, our software offers an array of benefits.  Some of the features include T-Max Integration, essential in the monitoring of minute usage.  We also provide a fingerprint reader, enabling a smooth welcoming process and signature pad, allowing salon owners to attach a disclaimer confirming legal requirements for sunbed use, such as age and general health.

An area which does prove popular is the ‘client notes’ section where staff can add and track conversations and small details to enhance the V.I.P service.  The system prompts for pre-tan health checks, age identifications and allows the ability to forbid clients to book another tanning treatment within a 24 hour time period.  The system will also prompt for the technician to set a client skin type, so they can suitably advise creams and give professional advice.

So if you are a the owner of a tanning salon and feel that Salon Tracker software could improve your tanning business, then visit the company at this year’s Professional Beauty North held in Manchester!  The software ensures you are abiding by all the regulations, and we even offer it at subscription price, saving you from a nasty fine for a small amount per month!  Head to stand B35 this September for more information.  Hope to see you there!

Salon Tracker

Back to School Prep!

So, you’ve probably all already been soaring this summer with sales and are getting ready for a busy upcoming couple of weeks trimming kids’ hair before they go 'Back to School', but is your salon capitalising on this busy month as much as it could be?  Here at Salon Tracker we’ve come up with a couple of preparations that you can consider in the weeks running up.

Mums are always on the lookout for deals around the Back to School period, it’s a hectic time, not to mention expensive replacing all the uniforms, stationary, lunch bags, sports kits...you name it!  Therefore the better your offer and the more advertised it is, the higher the chance of you receiving that clients custom.  However, you have to be careful not to jeopardise your salon sales also.  Like we always say, you don’t want to be renowned as the salon that always does the ‘cheap deals’ as clients become accustomed to that and are then reluctant to revisit when prices return to their normal increased range.

Competitor research is therefore a good tip to help you here, have a look round at local businesses and see what kind of selected offers and events they are hosting around Back to School to help you to get a base of the prices and what is already out there. This also enables your salon to differentiate against this and bring something unique to the table.

Little things to take in to account when planning for Back to School are the styles that kids may want...and also their mind frames!   Let’s face it, the average 6 to 7 year old boy isn’t going to be too hot on going to the salon with his mum for a hair trim when the rest of his mates are on the street playing footy!  So, make sure you have sweets in, you maybe have a little freebie kids product for while they are waiting and some books or magazines!

Another great idea would be to get photographs of all the trendiest haircuts & styles for youngsters this summer, both boys & girls, and create a flip book of those so that the kids have some inspiration before they have their treatment.  A great idea is to look at celebrity role models for youths, as media figures tend to massively influence younger children & teen styles, so you need to make sure that you are fully in the know of the latest young fashion icons!  Read up on a couple of 'on trend' beauty treatments that celebs are adopting at the moment, i.e. the manicures that they are having or popular eyebrow shapes and again you could equally create a look book of these for further client inspo!

In terms of offers, 9 times out of 10, unless a client is in their late teens, most kids will come to the salon with their parents and therefore you could come up with some family deals for those!  For example ‘all under 16’s treatments are half price when a parent has a treatment.’ Or you could do 25% off with siblings, where parents of 2 or more children can get 25% off of each child’s treatment.   It depends what would work best for you in the salon, they are just a few ideas for you to think about.

So, be open to a bit of change and have a think about the possibilities that we have mentioned, take in to account which ones would work best for you in maximising your salon to its full potential this Back to School season. 

Salon Tracker x

Whether you have our Salon Software or not, here are reasons why you should always re-boot your Salon Marketing!

Typically, summer time is a great time of the year for salons in terms of business so reflection isn’t always necessary- or so you may think. Salon owners tend to see a lot of consistency with clients in this season due to holidays and events, which is great, but as we all know a successful entrepreneur is ALWAYS one step ahead of the game! This is where we step in….

Back in January almost every business had some sort of New Year resolution, most likely including the will to build and expand their business, usually via some form of marketing calendar for social, blogging and general business activity. Even though the summer holidays tend to be refreshingly active, there is still a huge requirement to continue your business plan for the quieter months. It also gives you a great chance to update your calendar with a more current viewpoint surrounding popular retail products and treatments.

When business is in full swing, we are all prone to neglecting marketing a little bit but you need to remember the typical buying cycle is a lot longer than 1 month. You might win a like on social media- it’s what you do with it from here that counts. Are your social accounts engaging enough? Do you receive high ROI from them? If not, you may need to reflect because social media is a great way to win new customers and also retain them. A great way to do this is use your Salon Software for reviews. Salon Tracker allows salons to send a text to a recent client to request a review to post on Facebook. What’s great about this is that salon owners can share this review and use it for a great example of social outreach.

Another thing to think about is your team. Are they promoting themselves in order to win their own clients? A great way to build your salon business is to have the best of the best and most desirable stylists. However, the only way this can be done successfully is if your staff have incentive and have reason to recommend your salon to people. Business is all about give and take. Have you thought about delegating staff members some time on your social accounts? This is a great way to offer some personality to the business and ensure your clients are connected and engaging with your team.

You may think fitting in as many clients as possible is the best way to do things, but actually sacrificing one client per week to invest time into marketing may be a great way to build your business in the long term. Make sure all of your staff know how you run and report campaigns. Would a training schedule fit into your week and be beneficial? Teach your employees that marketing begins before they may even realise. Every single thing is noted and will count towards whether you can retain that client i.e. your reception desk, salon aesthetics, website, Facebook page and so on. You need to give every single client a VVVVVVVVVIP experience.

This leads us swiftly on to your salon brand, which should be continuously established as a high priority by yourself and your staff. You need to know if your clients are happy with what they are purchasing from you, so a great way to answer all of the questions above is to strip everything down and get analytical about your salon. This might be your salon name and logo, its uniqueness and consistency. If you have a really general name you may find it difficult to rank higher in terms of the search engine rankings.

Remember- marketing is so important in the long run and it needs to be maintained throughout the year to be successful. Grab the bull by the horns and let’s reboot…here’s to the rest of 2015…

Salon Tracker x