Fill January Books with December Magic
In the beauty biz, December is a season of sparkle and hustle—but what about January? Don’t let the winter chill cool off your client flow. With the right December strategy, you can fill January books while the holiday magic is still in the air.
This post will walk you through a full strategy to help your salon stay fully booked into the new year—while giving your clients a reason to come back once the glitter settles.
Create a Bounce-Back Offer to Fill January Books
Incentivize clients who visit in December to book again in January. Think of it as a salon version of a “New Year, New You” nudge. Offer a discount, free add-on service, or retail gift when they prebook a January appointment. This not only gives clients a reason to return, it also locks in future revenue before the ball even drops.
A few ideas that work: a complimentary deep conditioning treatment, a travel-size product from a featured line, or even $10 off a future service. Make sure to emphasize that this is a limited-time offer only available to December guests.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive Into January
January can feel a little dull after the holidays. Keep the festive feelings going with a winter-themed salon atmosphere and marketing. Think cozy vibes, warm cocoa, fairy lights, and self-care messaging. Run a “Winter Renewal” campaign and tie it into your January services—like hydration hair treatments, skin refresh facials, or scalp scrubs.
Add handwritten notes to thank your December clients and remind them of their upcoming January appointment. This extra layer of service helps build loyalty and keeps the connection warm.
Promote Self-Care in the New Year to Fill January Books
Position January as the perfect time to refocus on self-care. Use your salon’s platforms—Instagram, email, signage—to remind clients that they deserve to start the year feeling and looking their best. Highlight services that promote relaxation, restoration, and confidence.
Consider offering curated New Year self-care bundles with product recommendations and a discount on services booked together. This helps clients see the salon as a place for total well-being, not just glam.
Run a December Contest to Book January Appointments
Create a little buzz around January bookings by running a holiday contest. Example: “Book your January appointment before December 24 and be entered to win a luxe beauty gift basket!” This adds urgency, encourages pre-booking, and creates excitement among your client base.
You can also incentivize social engagement with a “tag your bestie” bonus entry or feature the contest on your Stories with a countdown sticker to build momentum.
Showcase January Appointments on Social to Fill January Books
Let your followers know that your January books are filling fast. Create a few fun posts like “Don’t let winter dull your sparkle—January openings are limited!” or “You’ve made everyone else beautiful this holiday season, now it’s your turn.” Include a booking link in your bio and Stories.
Use behind-the-scenes content of your stylists prepping for the New Year, sneak peeks of winter looks, and carousel posts highlighting service packages tailored to January goals.
Email Clients With an Exclusive January Offer to Fill January Books
Send out a short and sweet email campaign to your loyal clients with an exclusive January promotion just for them. Make it feel like a VIP treat, and encourage them to claim it by a certain deadline. This makes your clients feel seen and appreciated, and helps you avoid that dreaded post-holiday dip.
Use a warm, festive subject line like “Just for You: Your January Beauty Boost” and include a direct call to action linking to your online booking.
Lean Into New Year Energy to Fill January Books
Market your January appointments as part of a fresh start. Highlight transformational services—new color, big chop, lash lifts, bold brows, glowing skin. Position your salon as the perfect place to step into the new year with confidence.
Use messaging like “New Year, Fresh Look” or “This Year, Put Yourself First.” You can also run a series of mini client transformations on social to inspire bookings.
Don’t Forget to Promote Gift Cards
Encourage clients to treat themselves in January using holiday gift cards. Promote gift card purchases in December, but also remind recipients to redeem them soon after the holidays. Use copy like “Still holding onto your gift card? Come in for a January pick-me-up!”
You can even sweeten the deal by offering a bonus perk for gift card redemptions booked in January—like a free brow wax or a travel-sized product.
Partner with Local Businesses to Cross-Promote January Services
Team up with a local boutique, fitness studio, or wellness center to cross-promote each other’s services. You could create a “New Year, New Routine” package that includes a January facial, a yoga class, and a styled outfit. Tag each other on social and share audiences.
Print postcards or flyers to hand out during December appointments, and make sure all partners feature each other on their websites and socials.
Make Booking Fast and Easy to Fill January Books
Clients are more likely to book ahead when it’s fast and simple. Make sure your online booking system is running smoothly, and share the link frequently. Add a January-specific banner or pop-up on your website, and remind clients in-person to rebook before they leave.
Consider placing QR codes at your front desk that link directly to your January booking page, or embedding your scheduler in your Instagram Link in Bio.
Offer a January Loyalty Boost
Reward your most loyal clients with a special offer when they book again in January. This could be part of your larger loyalty program or a one-time reward. Something like “5% off for our January VIPs” or “Free gift with your January visit” adds extra incentive to come back quickly.
If you don’t already have a loyalty program, this is a great time to pilot one. It shows your appreciation and gives clients a reason to stay consistent with their appointments.
Ready to Fill Your January Books?
Don’t let your salon’s January momentum fizzle. With a little pre-holiday planning, you can keep the beauty vibes going straight into the new year.
If you’d like help creating an irresistible December-to-January promo campaign, schedule a free consultation or visit our salon marketing services page for more ideas.
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