Stop giving discounts: How to reward loyal customers

Create a Unique Experience

Make your salon more than just a place with a chair and scissors. Create an atmosphere that is unique to you and your clients. Maybe it radiates relaxation and pampering, something people look forward to visiting and want to tell their friends about? Offer free – or paid – drinks, soft waiting chairs, good music, mood lighting, and whatever else you want your personal brand to be. Remember, your brand is what people think about when doing business with you – not the color of your logo. When customers feel special, they come back. Plain and simple.

Personal Follow-Up

Show your clients that you appreciate them by following up on their treatments. Send a message or offer follow-up advice on caring for their new color or haircut. Maybe they need help using their new styling products that they bought during their last visit? Personal interest makes a big difference and doesn’t have to take many minutes out of your day.

Referral Discounts

Reward customers who bring new clients to your salon. For example, offer them 10% off their next treatment each time they refer a new client. It could also be that they get to choose a free styling product. Just something that doesn’t make them expect you to get a discount. They should understand that they receive it because they helped you get a new client. This creates a win-win situation where loyal customers become your best ambassadors – marketing you can’t put a price on! Remember, their new clients can also receive the same reward when they refer their friends.

Stamp Cards

Introduce a loyalty program where your clients earn points or stamps for each treatment. When they reach a certain number, they can redeem their points for free products or similar rewards. This creates an incentive for repeat visits. Remember to factor this into your prices so you don’t have to close the salon because your clients keep coming back.

Birthdays

Surprise your clients on their birthday with a small gift or a special treatment. For example, they could receive a free sample to take home if they book a treatment during their birthday month. This personal gesture shows that you remember and appreciate them, and you can also get them "hooked" on some great products that they hopefully will buy in the future.

Final Words

Giving discounts can be a short-term solution, but building a meaningful and personal relationship with your clients is the best way forward. When customers feel valued and special, they won’t just return but also recommend your salon to others. So ditch the discount trap and focus on offering valuable experiences that make your clients love you.