As the saying goes: “If nothing changes, nothing changes”. If you want to grow your salon in 2012 now is the time – new year, new you!
Change your approach to your salon marketing
It may be difficult to accept but sometimes the only thing stopping you, is you. Take a long, hard look at your salon, your systems and yourself. Now, make your list of say 5 key areas and resolve to focus on them over the next 12 months. Don’t look for quick fixes. To change your habits and your mindset takes a new approach – one that must be embraced every day, month after month.
The most successful salon owners we work with are those who realise that short-term fixes are not the answer: commitment and consistency are. Walk your talk in 2012.
Motivate yourself
Running a salon can be a lonely business. Positive self-talk is a powerful motivational tool. Remind yourself how good you’ll feel when you’ve dealt with an issue that has been festering or lying forgotten. Remember to give yourself positive messages with no ‘ifs and buts’.
Treat yourself. There is nothing wrong with a bribe, be it a chocolate bar or that weekend away with someone special. Reward and motivate yourself to change.
‘Stop’ doing things
Create a list of the things you will stop doing. This can be even more powerful than the list of things you are going to do.
As blogger Jonathan Mead* explains, “we often spend lots of time creating lists for the things we need to do, but rarely do we reflect on the things that aren’t working. So create a list of all the things that are sucking away your energy and are wasting your time. Figure out which of those things is having the biggest negative impact on you doing the stuff you really want to do. Tackle that thing head on each day.”
Organise your salon marketing
January is an ideal time to plan your marketing year. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Break it down into bite sized chunks. Plan the first 6 months in detail and the second part of the year in outline at this stage.
A little later this month I’ll be looking at ‘how to write a salon marketing plan’ in more depth so keep an eye out for this.
Block time out for marketing activities each week and month in your diary. Marketing is vital to increasing salon turnover and profit so give it the importance it deserves.
Delegate
We all have the same 24 hours in the day. So why do some salon owners have time for marketing, one to ones with their team or going on training courses whilst others don’t?
The answer may be that you’re spending too much time in your business and not enough on it. Are you the main earner in your salon – tied behind a chair whilst your senior stylists stand around with no clients?
Start by blocking out one morning a week to focus on growing your salon. Resolve to stick with this, no matter how persuasive your clients are. Then spend this time working on attracting new clients, improving your retention rates, ensuring your website is fresh and up to date and increasing retail spend.
Invest in your salon’s biggest asset
That’s you, in case you overlooked it!
To change your mindset and broaden your horizons step outside your comfort zone from time to time. Resolve to read more about marketing, business and customer service or join a local business network.
Try enrolling on salon specific business and marketing courses. Not only will you learn new ways to help you grow your salon, they’re also a great opportunity to learn from other owners and keep your business ideas fresh.
Remember “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”