50 Salon Marketing Ideas to Elevate Your Business

April 04, 2023

Here are 50 Salon Marketing Ideas to Help Your Beauty Business Shine:

1. Create a profitable front desk

Train your front desk staff how to effectively rebook, upsell, and cross-sell to clients. 80% of business comes from rebooking, so every point-of-sale interaction is another potential opportunity. Add product samples, local gifts or gift card options to entice customers and land the sale.

2. Set up a selfie station with your salon’s hashtag

A selfie station is unique salon marketing idea that you need to try. Create an area in your business with great lighting so clients can take selfies to post on their social media. Don’t forget to promote your hashtag and ask them to tag your account.

3. Create a memorable client experience

People come to salons for more than just great hair- they want the experience of luxury and pampering that comes with that. Build a strong experience from the moment a client steps inside to the moment they leave, and beyond. Offer complimentary beverages, provide exceptional customer service and listen to your client’s needs to make them feel taken care of.

4. Carry exclusive products

A great way to differentiate yourself from the competition is to carry and promote exclusive products other salons don’t. This unique salon marketing idea increases revenue and keeps clients coming back to your business.

5. Cultivate high-quality relationships

Developing a long-term relationship with a client will undeniably help make a connection and win you a ‘lifetime’ guest who will also recommend your services, leave reviews, and engage with your business both on and offline.

6. Simplify your pricing

Simplify your pricing structure and menu to let your services speak for themselves. Offering too many options can leave clients feeling overwhelmed whereas a simple menu can lead to higher spending.

7. Branding at its best

Your employees are representing your business at all times, so make sure their appearance and behavior are always on-brand for your salon. Host monthly team trainings to keep their customer service skills fresh and be sure to implement team-building activities to keep morale high.

8. Host a contest

Contests and competitions are fun salon marketing ideas that are sure to get your clients excited. Host a contest where you award the client who brings in the most referrals with a great prize! Whether that’s a free blowout or facial or percent off of their next service, the choice is yours!

9. Offer add-on services

Coach your staff on how to naturally and effectively offer up-sells during their services for add-ons or retail.

10. Run irresistible sales

Promote a special sale around the holidays or other seasonal events, where you let clients buy products and services at a reduced rate. Consider offers like 20% specific retail collections, a friends and family sale, BOGO gift card incentives—the list goes on! Running promotions like these can prove to be one of the most effective salon marketing ideas to draw the crowds and boost retail sales.

11. Boost online reviews

Referrals will always be your key source of attracting new clients, so make sure you’re asking your clients to leave an online review of your business at the end of each service.

12. Offer express services

Offer express or mini services for clients on-the-go. You’ll be able to market them as both an add-on to their original service as well as a quick lunch break treatment.

Online Salon Marketing Ideas to Boost Visibility & Engagement

13. Get social savvy

Coach your stylists on how to capture the best photos of their work on social media as well as how to share to draw new clients with their effort. You’ll help boost their personal profiles as well as your business.

14. Manage your reputation

How is your critical business information such as store hours, address, and phone number listed across the internet? Use our Business Listing Scan to instantly check the health of your salon or spa’s online info across dozens of search engines, maps, and directories!

15. Give Google ads a shot to reach more clients

When potential clients search for salons in your area, make sure you’re coming up first in Google! It’s easy to set up campaigns and it’ll help you bring brand new clients into your business.

16. Try Facebook ads to boost services

Facebook advertising allows you to reach new clients through their social media feeds! Customize your target demographic and bring in new quality clients in no time!

17. Update your website

Put your best foot forward with a simple and easy to navigate website that conveys your brand’s personality and attracts your ideal client archetype.

18. Publish your salon’s own blog

Write and publish original material that will not only help your clients but establish your business as a thought leader in the beauty and wellness industry. Share popular industry trends, product reviews, at-home styling or care tutorials, and anything else you think your clientele would engage with. Check out other beauty industry publications for blog inspiration and more salon marketing ideas.

19. Contribute to top salon blogs

Submit guest posts on popular salon publications to offer your expertise and expand your network. Should they accept your content piece, you’ll enjoy free traffic to your website and coverage for your brand.

20. Run a contest

Host a contest that incentives guests to engage with your social media, online presence, and services in a way that they normally wouldn’t. Select a winner at random or enter them in a raffle for a chance to win a prize.

21. Update your third-party pages

Make sure your business information is up-to-date on third party websites such as Google, Yelp, and more to ensure you’re not missing out on potential opportunities.

22. Promote visually engaging content

People love to see and share beauty and creativity, so whether it’s through your social media platforms, your blog, or your website, make sure you’re utilizing beautiful images that showcase the talent of your team.

23. Create a video to reach your target audience

Videos are the new salon marketing idea that top salon owners are using to reach their audience. Create engaging videos that tell your brand’s story, or shoot mini videos during and after your services to show off new styling and color techniques.

24. Define your brand

No salon marketing idea is successful without a brand story. Have a strong understanding of your brand identity and make sure it carries through the client experience both in person and through online interactions.

25. Tag your clients on social media

Don’t forget to tag your clients in your posts so they can re-share your posts! Clients will love to see their new look on your feed.

26. Sell products online

Make your products available for purchase online through an online shop and be sure to announce any sales or new product drops via social media and email. Don’t forget to showcase your eGift offering on your website as well. When you need salon marketing ideas to help boost sales around the holiday season, gift card campaigns will be your best friend!

Offline Salon Marketing Ideas to Build Brand Awareness

27. Build joint ventures

Team-up with another local business in your area that can cross-promote and co-host events with you. You’ll build meaningful relationships with your community and make your brand more well-known at the same time.

28. Get involved in national events

Attend national educational events and trade shows to network with other business owners and learn from the best as to how to improve your business practices.

29. Create professional business cards

Paper advertising is still a profitable salon marketing idea. Ensure that every member of your staff has professionally made business cards they can hand to clients and partners, with a way to contact you and where they can find you online.

30. Team up with local schools

Whether they’re universities or big-name high schools, establish strong relationships with local schools to bring in students and teachers alike.

31. Birthday Bash rewards get clients in the door

Offer small birthday rewards to your regular clients, as well as offering them a group discount for them and their closest friends to get pampered before their big birthday celebration.

32. Show your clients you care

Send out special cards during important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, or other accomplishments. A little goes a long way and it’s easy to add these specialty notes under client preferences within your Meevo salon software.

33. Attend networking events to expand your network

It’s all about who you know, so make sure to stay well connected. Focus on building relationships with other professionals and businesses to always stay on top of the market.

34. Become an educator to reach entrepreneurs in your community

You have valuable expertise that could inspire the next generation of salon owners. Share educational content or host classes that clients can attend to show them how to maintain their services at home.

35. Check out Meevo Inspo Hub for salon marketing ideas

Looking for business strategies and inspiration for your salon? Check out our Inspo Hub for quick-read resources including marketing tips, industry trends, and insights from leading educators.

36. Host a client appreciation event

Host a large event once a year where you bring your VIP clients together for a day of fun, relaxation, mini services, giveaways, and more. Client appreciation can go a long way for establishing strong relationships.

37. Retarget clients that have left

Did a past client stop coming in? If a clients hasn’t visited your salon for at least 6 months, send them an email, text, or phone call sharing that you miss them and provide an incentive to schedule a new appointment. Check out our client retention guide to discover the best practices that will help you retain more guests.

38. Learn from the best

Follow successful industry leaders and try to procure their skills, accomplishments and successful salon marketing ideas. Between their sales and styling techniques, there are so many opportunities for you and your team to grow!

39. Give away freebies

Never underestimate the power of freebies. Create small promotional items like shirts, retail, and other salon branded items to send your clients home with. Your name will always be around wherever they take your gift.

40. Redo your retail to increase sales

Re-evaluate your retail strategy and utilize your salon software to establish how you could be most effectively stocking your shelves to encourage sales.

41. Offer senior discounts to diversify your clientele

Older clients tend to have more brand loyalty, so make it easier on them to choose your salon by offering senior discounts to your regulars.

42. Be direct in your communication

Ensure that any communication you send out to your clients is direct in it’s messaging, concise, and helpful. Nobody wants junk mail clouding their inbox.

Salon Marketing Ideas Using Salon Software

43. Send appointment confirmations to avoid last-minute cancellations

Sending a confirmation message to your client as a reminder can prevent several missed appointments. Try utilizing Meevo’s integration to text clients live from your salon’s landline.

44. Send thank you e-mails to show your appreciation

Set up your salon software to send out a thank you e-mail at the end of the day or the end of the week, or even immediately following a client’s visit to the salon, through Meevo’s Email Marketing Platform.

45. Strengthen client relationships with event-based emails

Is it someone’s birthday? Maybe an anniversary? Use your salon software to automatically send a specialized communication to let them know you’re thinking of them.

46. Offer last-minute appointments to keep your books full

Is your Appointment Book not completely full? Companies like Reach by Octopi fill in the gaps by sending out e-mails for discounted appointments.

47. Save time and energy with automated scheduling reminders

Is your client due back in to book their next color treatment after 5 weeks? Send them a reminder. What about clients who haven’t been in to your salons in 3 months? Send them a ‘we miss you’ incentive.

48. Offer online booking for convenient scheduling

Set up simple and accessible Online Booking options for clients to book services even when the business itself is closed, otherwise you’re losing out on scheduling appointments!

49. Create a valuable loyalty program

Positive reinforcement is a classic salon marketing idea that works. Reward clients for repeatedly coming in as well as for referring new clients. It incentivizes them to continue doing business with your salon.

50. Expand your clientele with gift certificate promotions

Send your clients a reminder about your latest gift card incentive…something as simple as; buy a $100 gift card for a friend or family member, get a $20 gift card for yourself!

At Last…

You have now taken the first step towards your journey to salon marketing. Put these powerful salon marketing ideas into action, and watch your hard work turn into solid relationships, paying (and happy) clients, and increased revenue!

Want to learn more about how Meevo can support your salon or spa business? Watch this 6-minute demo!

You May Also Like:

Education at your fingertips

Subscribe to our monthly Meevo Inspo newsletter and be the first to know when our latest content has been added.