By now, you’re well on your way to having a productive, successful, and hopefully fun holiday season. Whether you’ve been preparing for months or have compressed your pre-holiday activities into the last several weeks, you’ve still got the next two days to make holiday crunch time as profitable as possible! Here are some holiday helpers to get the last minute shoppers spending in your salon.

Reward late shoppers. Not everyone can get their shopping done early, target the procrastinators by offering different deals to shoppers nearer to the holidays. Run a gift card “sale”, right before Christmas. Offer two gift cards for the price of one for one day only.

The key? Make it clear that these particular gift cards can only be redeemed for services in the months of January and February. This will help you fill the quieter months at the start of the New Year.

Reward current clients with a $25 gift card toward their next color service when they pre-book an appointment in January or February.

To safeguard the return, makes sure the promotion clearly states that it is not valid without a pre-book. The benefits are twofold— rewards clients and ensures steady business during the post-holiday slowdown months.

Send an email the last few days before Christmas to remind guests that the clock is ticking! Answer their gift-dilemmas with simple solutions. Special promotions, gift cards and even the chance to take a break from holiday stress—are just a click or phone call away.

Are you cashing in on the New Year’s Eve crowd? Start discussing the occasion with every client and offer party-goers a great NYE package. After all, who wouldn’t love to head out with a professional blowout and makeup application to ring in the New Year? Countdown to midnight becomes countdown to cash.

Give your guests something fun to look forward to!

To guarantee continued business, talk about your January and February salon activities during the month of December. Be sure to mention your NYE promotions. Invite guests to pre-book their NYE-Day appointment so they’re party ready!

Think ahead. In January, email Valentine’s Day promotions to clients to remind them that the best way to show the love is with a gift of beauty.

Don’t limit your holiday promotions to only your salon “retail area” or space. There are plenty of additional places in the salon to promote products and services:

Salon windows.

Your holiday merchandising should be prominently showcased in the display window that faces the street. This is where you can catch the attention of passersby, who many not be clients, and entice them to purchase that last minute gift card or product for a friend. Don’t underestimate the power of talking to the street.

The front desk.

It’s your guest’s first and last stop for your guests. Be sure to place colorful product display trios and gift card holders in this important spot.

Stylist stations.

When a client sits in the stylist’s chair, you have at least a half hour to capture her attention. Create mirror talkers that “start the conversation” of your current and upcoming salon promotions.

Shampoo bowls.

It’s a client favorite spot (they love that scalp massage) so use it for merchandising or marketing too. Create a “display vignette” – a place to show off a gift-wrapped promotional item or sign.

Salon rest rooms.

Many salon owners don’t realize the value of this area. Here you have guests’ undivided attention, so create displays reminding them that your salon is the one-stop shop for holiday gift giving. 

Have a sparkling holiday! Xo, BeautyMark