If you’re in the service industry, you know how crazy the holiday season can get. Take your business to new heights in 2019. In this episode I walk you through the steps I’ve taken throughout the years as a stylist to double my business during busy seasons and make the most of the holidays.
Maybe you’re getting a lot of referrals, families, and walk-ins. October thru January is absolutely a busy season, and I go over some amazing tips for how to see this season as an opportunity to get more regular clients and prepare for the new year. Although this season is chaotic and you may be running around like a crazy person, look at this time of year as an opportunity to prime yourself for future business.
Focus on Customer Service
You may be so busy and stressed, but the holiday season is not the time to cut corners on customer service. Make sure you are still providing your clients a great experience. Don’t skip on the massages, making eye contact, or making your client feel beautiful. It’s an opportunity to butter up your dream clients and show them what you’re worth. Go the extra mile just like how you normally would. And if you’re someone who doesn’t go the extra mile, now is a great time to start.
Capture That Content
Take the extra time to take B&As for Instagram. Whether it is making sure your assistant is doing them, or arranging to have clients come in 15 minutes early, you need to take the time to take really good photos and make great content. Even if you don’t have time to post it throughout the day, grabbing the content while you’re creating it is the way to go. This is all about building a better Instagram and portfolio, and attracting more dream clients to your chair.
Grab Client Contact Info
How are you going to get in touch with all the clients coming through your chair after they leave? Make sure that you get their contact information like email, phone number, and even Instagram to use for later. Whether you’re using a program like MailChimp or just your Gmail, collecting email is vital. In the podcast we go over how to create an email opt-in on MailChimp and how to use it during your clients appointment to make sure you stay in contact with them later. We will definitely have more episodes coming out soon about how to work with an email list.
“But how is this going to double my business?”
Make It Personal
Take note of the dream clients that come in for a service, and write them a handwritten, personal thank you note. Let them know how much you value them, and that you look forward to seeing them again. Add any personal things in there that you take note of during their appointment. Taking the excellent customer service the extra mile that extends past just their appointment will help you stand out in their memory as someone they want to visit again.
I recommend even just keeping a stack of cards in the salon and while their color is processing, write a personalized noted and give it to them as they leave.
Preparing for a Price Raise
I remember being so busy one year that it was hard getting new clients in within a month, and the changes I made to my business to deal with the demand. And, as any business coach will tell you – if there is a high demand, it is OK to raise your prices. If you can’t get a client in within four weeks, adjustments need to be made and that is OK! Sometimes in our industry we worship this concept that being so busy you can’t book new clients is great. However, this makes it hard for you to practice self-care, take days off, or reschedule appointments for your favorite clients. There’s nothing good about that!
So, if you’re at a point where you can’t book new clients within 3-4 weeks, you need to do one (or more) of the following:
-adjust your business hours
-hire an assistant
-raise your prices
My first suggestion is to raise prices. This really weeds out those who are bargain shoppers and those who actually value your time and talents. Raising prices will not only make your schedule less hectic, but you’ll actually be making the same amount – and usually, you’ll make more.
After I did this for a couple years in a row, I was ready to hire an assistant I could train to have incredible customer service and accommodate all of my dream clients.
These steps ultimately helped me go from being a busy, busy stylist only making $2,500 a month to only working 3-4 days a week and making $4,000 to $5,000 a month, and ultimately becoming a six-figure stylist because of just a couple changes I made during the holiday season.
Instagram is such a valuable tool, especially during the holiday season when you’re more likely to get new clients in your chair. We will have more podcast episodes talking about using Instagram for your business. I also have an AMAZING 12-month coaching program with a big section dedicated to diving deep into getting more clients through Instagram. The program is called Workshop In A Box, and you can learn more about it (and enroll if you are ready) here.
Amazing customer service, incredible content, growing your customer email list, and going the extra mile for your dream clients will prepare you and make it easy to double your income and prepare for the next year! As you’re navigating through this busy season, keep in mind to do what is best for you and what is best for your business.
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