12 Things All Salons should be doing in 2011

Ok, we’re fast approaching the end of 2010, and many of you are now thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2011.  So, I’ve decided to come up with a list of 12 possible New Year’s resolutions for your salon business. 

Look, every year you need to do business BETTER than the previous year – otherwise your business will go in the opposite direction.  It’s a constant battle, I know, but I’m hoping this list gives you some ideas about things that you may not have thought about in 2010. 

Take one resolution a month and implement it.  Your business will be transformed before you know it.  The things mentioned in this list are in no particular order of importance because they’re all important.  Print off this email and post it in your office and check off each one as you move throughout the year. 

Resolution #1: Get an on-line backup solution for your data  (about $5 a month) 

I can’t tell you how many salons in 2010 lost important salon data because of crashed computers.  It’s a complete nightmare because you don’t know who’s coming in for the next 2 months.  This is a total no-brainer!  For about $5.00 a month you can sign up for Mozy Pro and they will have all your important data backed up onto their secured website (archived) for the last 30 days.  If your computer crashes – the most you will lose is a day.  Is that worth $5 a month?   I think so.  Get this done and sleep better at night. 

Here is a link for it  

Resolution #2: Clean up your Client List

Ok, so I sometimes sound like a broken record.  But, here’s the thing.  If your client list is full of duplicate clients and misspelled names – it does two things that you really can’t afford.  One, it skews all your reports (particularly your client retention numbers) and two it makes your receptionists way more inefficient.  Clean it up!  Start with the clients with the last name of A and work your way thru the alphabet. 

Resolution #3: Build a Great Email List

Salons in 2010 that started marketing to their clients thru email found that it increased their sales (sometimes pretty dramatically).  If you don’t know how to build a great client email list – you need to learn.  Otherwise, you’re losing sales every month.  Check out my video on “Building a Great Client Email List” at this link. 

 http://www.hairmaxsalonsoftware.com/hairmax-update/

I had one salon that implemented this recently and they increased their list from 75 email addresses to 950 in less than 8 weeks!  If you’re not doing this – you’re missing out – big time.

Resolution #4: Sign-up for Constant Contact

If you’re going to use email to market to your clients in 2011 – you’re crazy not to take advantage of this product.  Constant Contact is the best product out there for creating high-quality email messages.  It has great pre-designed templates for you to choose from and it also verifies that the email addresses are still valid.  Another thing it does is it tells you how many of your clients are actually opening your emails.  If you want to sign up for this product you can use this link and get your first month free and a $30 credit.  I highly recommend it.

Resolution #5: Create a Free Facebook Fan Page for your salon

Look, social media is not going away.  And if you’re not communicating with your clients thru Facebook yet – you’re missing out on free advertising.  It’s really that simple.  Now, I know you may not understand how this all works yet – and it may seem very complicated.  But it’s not.  It just takes some basic knowledge and you can get started.  By the way, Constant contact will also interface with Facebook. 

Resolution #6: Track your Back-Bar (professional) inventory better

This is the biggest expense for salons next to payroll and rent.  And salons generally have no idea what they’re spending (or wasting) on professional products.  Go into HairMax and code all your professional products, do an inventory, and start depleting inventory thru the “Back Bar” option in HairMax.  Measure your usage versus your service sales.  Then give your staff a lesson on how NOT to pour color down the drain.  This will directly affect your salon’s bottom line.

Resolution #7: Introduce one new high-priced service to your clients this year

Every year, there is a new HOT service.  Last year, it was Brazilian Blowouts, the year prior it was Keratin smoothing (straightening), the year before that Hair Extensions.  What’s it going to be this year?  Who knows?  But, you should always be trying to increase the average amount spent per client and this is a great way to do just that.  Learn something new this year and teach your staff how to become experts at it.  Remember, most of your clients have never even heard of the service that is 2 years past it’s HOT point.

Resolution #8: Attend at least one business seminar this year

When most salon owners think of education they often think of “technical” training.  But, making a few small changes in how you hire people, run your business, and market to your clients can have a much greater impact on your sales and profits.  Attend at least one “business” seminar this year and implement at least 2-3 of the things that you learn.

Resolution #9: Join a salon mastermind group or hire one mentor.

Too many of us learn everything we know by trial and error.  Wouldn’t it be easier to learn the mistakes BEFORE you make them (so that you can avoid them)?  Well, nobody said that you had to be an “island” out there in the ocean.  Find a group of salon owners that you can meet with every few months or someone that you can bounce ideas off of.  Be accountable to someone.  All business owners need coaches.  Yes, that means salon owners too.

Resolution #10: Start building a relationship with ALL of your salon’s clients.

I talked about the importance of this in a video I created called “Creating a “Wow” Factor for your salon.  You can check it out on the upgrade page using this link.

http://www.hairmaxsalonsoftware.com/hairmax-update/

But, here’s the thing – if you (as the salon owner) do not build a relationship with your stylist’s clients – they will leave the salon when the stylist leaves.  Do you really want that?

Resolution #11: Find out where your clients are coming from and cancel your yellow pages account immediately.

Look, the yellow pages are history.  If you’re spending a dime on them – you’re wasting your money.  Start tracking HOW your new clients are getting to your salon today.  Then   improve your website, your client referral system, and your relationships with businesses in your area that cater to your ideal clients.

Resolution #12: Develop a great feedback system for your salon. 

Did you ever see the picture of the salon owner that’s walking around the salon with their hands covering their eyes?  Do you do that?  If you don’t have a way for your clients to tell you what’s wrong or a way for your staff to tell you what’s wrong – you’re doomed to make some very pricey mistakes in 2011.  Get feedback as much as possible and you won’t be blindsided as much.  Don’t guess – ask.

Oh, one last resolution.  Be on the look out for MY emails.  I will be attacking each one of these in detail throughout the year.  If you stay close – I will give you easy ways to accomplish all of these.  And if I can help you with anything else – please drop me a note.

Have a great and profitable 2011!

Best Regards, Steve Sampson

HairMax Salon Software is a product designed to be the best investment your salon has ever made.  It is not only the easiest and most powerful salon software on the market.  It is from a company dedicated to becoming the ultimate VALUE source to the industry.