Salons are everywhere, and in an over-saturated market, it’s more important than ever to find ways to build salon clientele and stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re launching a new location or looking to keep your appointment book full, these 15 salon marketing ideas will help you attract new clients, inspire repeat visits, and create lasting relationships that fuel your business success.
Want to boost sales and increase productivity by more than 40%? Embrace online booking to automatically fill your open appointments and make it easy for clients to schedule anytime. Connect your booking system with social media so guests can book appointments directly from Facebook or Instagram. Plus, send custom email and text reminders to reduce no-shows.
Pro Tip: Many salon owners rave about Phorest for seamless online booking and marketing tools.
Appearance is personal, and clients want to know exactly who they’ll be trusting with their hair and beauty. A short, professionally produced video on your website helps you connect with potential guests before they ever step inside. Use video to introduce your team, highlight your services, and share your passion for what you do.
You can easily create a high-quality video with your phone or partner with a videographer for a polished result.
Instagram will always be your best friend when you’re working to build salon clientele. With nearly 60% of Instagram users identifying as women—and almost every salon using the platform—you can’t afford to fall behind.
Use professional photos to showcase your work, experiment with captions, and research hashtags that help you reach your dream clients.
Most of your future clients are already scrolling Facebook every day. This built-in audience makes it a powerful platform for salon marketing. Leverage Facebook Ads to target users by location, age, or interests and get your promotions in front of the right people.
Pinterest has exploded in popularity, with millions of users searching for beauty inspiration. Create a presence by pinning beautiful photos of your work, seasonal promotions, and styling tutorials.
Start with five boards that align with your salon’s specialties, and be sure to repin user-generated content to build trust and visibility. Share looks featuring your retail brands—like Wella, Davines, or Oribe—to drive product sales, too.
Make your salon marketing budget work harder by partnering with professionals who specialize in beauty businesses. BeautyMark Marketing offers social media management, paid ad campaigns, and expert guidance to help you build salon clientele faster.
Clients love showing off fresh hair on social media, so make it easy for them! Set up a selfie station with good lighting and your logo in the background. Encourage guests to snap a photo and tag your salon when they share it. This is a fun, low-cost way to get organic referrals and boost your online presence.
Monthly promotions help create urgency and give clients a reason to rebook sooner. Instead of discounting your services, offer a value-added treatment—like a complimentary glossing service or deep conditioning mask. These little luxuries often lead to new full-price services in the future.
Think beyond traditional sales and build salon clientele with promotions tied to fun “hair” holidays or seasonal events. Run specials for wedding season, holiday parties, or prom, and showcase services like smoothing treatments, event styling, and makeup applications.
Pro Tip: The fourth quarter is packed with celebrations, making it the perfect time to launch festive promotions.
Email is one of the best tools for staying connected with loyal clients and encouraging repeat visits. When a guest signs up for your emails, you gain a direct line to share promotions, team news, referral programs, and retail features.
Consider highlighting a “product of the month” from brands like Aveda, R+Co, or Oribe to drive add-on sales.
Your happiest clients can be your best marketers. Reward them for referring friends and family with generous incentives that reflect the value of new business. A simple referral card works wonders.
Example Referral Card Message:
“Thanks for referring us to your friend! Here’s $15 off your next visit.”
Clients enrolled in loyalty programs return twice as often. Be generous with your rewards—10% off isn’t always enough to motivate repeat visits. Instead, offer a free service or exclusive experience after a set number of appointments.
Sometimes, your best influencers are already in your client chair. Choose clients who are highly connected in your community and have the perfect hair to showcase your work. Offer them special perks or complimentary services in exchange for referrals and social media shares.
Mobile apps aren’t just for big brands anymore. Affordable salon app platforms now let you create an app with booking, loyalty programs, and even geofenced promotions. When a potential client walks near your salon, they can receive a push notification with a special offer—perfect for attracting foot traffic.
Hold a monthly giveaway for clients who rebook their next appointment before leaving. Announce winners on social media to increase engagement and build excitement. You’ll fill your schedule faster and make clients feel appreciated.
When you commit to consistent, creative marketing, you’ll build salon clientele that loves your services and keeps coming back. Start by choosing a few of these ideas to implement this month, and watch your client base grow.
Make sure to follow BeautyMark’s Blog for weekly salon marketing tips HERE
NEED A SALON MARKETING PLAN?Plan And Align Your Marketing Campaigns & Activities With Our Beauty Business Marketing Calendar
Get our Free Beauty Business Calendar HERE
Plan and align your marketing campaigns & activities with our Beauty Business Marketing Calendar
– Ready-to-use editable 12-month calendar
– Dates and events to promote throughout the year
If you are looking for a brand makeover or new brand creation, set up a chat via Calendly for a FREE 30-minute consultation call with me Set up a chat with me here
