Charlie Cottrell, writer
It’s 2022, the world is opening back up, and people want to look good. It’s no surprise then that beauty salon franchises are booming, meaning it’s the perfect time to be opening up your very own beauty salon franchise.
The beauty industry is now worth over £4 billion in the UK, and with Brits more keen than ever to get made up, the market is there for the taking. There are so many advantages to running your own beauty salon franchise, but it’s absolutely crucial that you nail your marketing strategy if you want to succeed. While offering quality service to customers should always come first, there are plenty of ways to boost your revenue - and many of these lie in how to market a beauty salon business. Read on for some of our top tips.
What is the current shape of the beauty salon industry?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the beauty salon sector took a big hit. It was tough going for business owners everywhere, and those running their own beauty salon were no different. But with restrictions easing and the world beginning to come out the other side of a global pandemic, things are definitely looking up for the beauty salon sector.
Even this time last year, just 24 hours after the government outlined a Covid roadmap, beauty booking service Treatwell saw a 432% spike in bookings [Stylist]. That demand hasn’t shifted and has turned into a sustained period of growth across the sector. So, now is a perfect time for franchisors in the beauty salon industry to be marketing your business.
4 tips for marketing your beauty salon franchise
1. Website
Your website is often the first point-of-contact your prospective customers have with your business. Thus, it's the first chance to make a fantastic impression. And you know what they say; first impressions count! - Umbrella
Discovery of new businesses and services is continuing to migrate to the online world. While you should always be keeping your physical shop front as welcoming, unique and attractive as possible, the digital impression that you make is equally important in a world dominated by the internet.
Grabbing the attention of users and pulling them into your beauty salon with a great website interface is a great way of marketing your franchise. A combination of high quality images, an easy-to-use booking system and some online-only price cuts will be a great way of creating new business. If you can recreate the friendly and professional tone of your beauty salon through a great website, you’ll be well on your way to a booked-out schedule and plenty of new customers.
>> Read more:
- Top 5 Hair and Beauty Franchises in the UK
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- Start Your Own Beauty Shop with a Franchise
2. Social media
Using social media effectively is a great way of putting your beauty salon franchise in front of potential customers. Whether you’re using Instagram to show off the finished products for your clients, or getting down with the next generation and making use of TikTok with fun videos of your beauty salon, social media is a must in the modern world.
Investing in social media campaigns is also cost-efficient, since you can pay to target your content directly at your target audience, in your target location. Plus, the world of social media influencers and the beauty salon industry go hand in hand, with a whopping 62 percent of women saying they follow beauty influencers on social media [Forbes]. If you can get influencers on board with freebies or a payment, they will in turn endorse your brand to their followers and push keen customers straight to your door.
3. Loyalty programmes
Appealing to new customers is one thing. Keeping them is another. Once you’ve applied the marketing strategies to put your beauty salon business on the map, you’ll need to retain customers and keep them wanting more.
Rewarding loyalty with discounts and freebies is a great way of appealing to the human side of customers. A hand of friendship will help to maintain a positive view of your franchise, and as word gets around that your beauty franchise invests in looking after long-term customers, your business will reap the benefits. .
If you want your current customers to feel good about supporting your brand, a loyalty program can help. By rewarding them for their purchases, you're showing them you appreciate their business. Rewards can help customers feel like they're saving money, helping them feel more inclined to continue to support your brand. - Indeed
>> Read more:
- What is the Marketing Fee and Why is it Necessary?
- Developing an effective franchise marketing plan
- Try Out These 8 Outside-the-Box Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business and Engage Your Customers
- 10 Tips for Building Truly Effective Social Media Marketing Campaigns
- Franchising 101: 8 Essential Marketing Strategies for Promoting Your Business
- Franchising 101: 6 Tips for Building Customer Loyalty Through Marketing
4. Testimonials
It’s always good for potential customers to know when existing ones have had a good experience. Often customers will need that gentle nudge from those that have come before them, offering details about the positive experience they’ve had. This rings true across all industries, and it’s no different for the beauty salon industry.
Ensuring your website and other marketing materials have positive testimonials on full display will demonstrate why your beauty salon is a cut above the rest, and will encourage potential customers to take the plunge and become acquainted with your business.
Market your franchise and keep the customers coming
Wherever you are on your franchise journey, having a good idea about the best ways to market your business is key to success. Combining a range of marketing strategies will ensure you not only get new customers keen on your franchise, but that you also retain their loyalty once they’ve started booking in.
If you’re still considering getting into the beauty salon industry, it’s worth learning about how to start your own beauty salon franchise, as well as ensuring you’ve got what it takes to become a beauty salon franchisee.
If you think beauty salon franchising isn’t for you, then that’s okay too. There are so many options on the UK franchise directory, where you can find the perfect franchising opportunity for you.
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Charlie Cottrell, writer