Struggling to produce enticing salon copy? Worried about grammar and spelling? You’re not alone. Even professional copywriters have to think twice when faced with certain words.
If you have a content managed salon website you’re probably trying your hand at producing offer and news web pages for your salon.
In which case, you’ll know writing content can be both time consuming and full of traps for the unwary.
Commonly misused words in salon marketing copywriting
Here are 7 commonly used words in the hair and beauty business which can cause confusion. Look out for them on your price list, social media and your salon or spa website.
It’s easy to dismiss poor spelling and grammar as trivial and not important for your hair or beauty business. Yet it does affect how people perceive your salon.
After all, your website is your salon’s showcase to the world. If your marketing materials are littered with ‘sillies’ then it can imply your salon lacks an eye for detail.
It smacks of slapdash. Sloppy even.
And that’s not the impression you want give to potential new salon clients.
Watch out for these hair and beauty copywriting traps
If you’re writing a regular salon blog for your clients or just updating your salon price list keep your eyes peeled for:
Drier OR Dryer
Dryer = a machine/tool for drying hair or clothes. A hair salon uses a hairdryer.
Drier = less wet
Principal OR Principle
Principal = head of a school, leading person in an orchestra or salon. Hence in a salon you may have a Principal Stylist or Therapist.
Principle = moral or ethical rule.
A lot OR Allot
A lot = many. As in, “a lot of our spa clients visit every few weeks.”
Allot = means to distribute something.
Every day OR Everyday
Every day = occurring every day or each day. So you would write, “our beauty salon is open every day of the week.”
Everyday = dull, average, boring, mundane. “I wear my everyday shoes to walk to work because I don’t care if they get ruined.”
Pallet, Palate OR Palette
Palette = a thin board for mixing paints. This is the spelling you’ll need in salon when talking about your make-up colour palette or hair colours in any blog or web page you write.
Pallet = is a wooden platform for moving goods around or a straw mattress placed on the floor. So unlikely to be found in your salon.
Palate = the roof of your mouth.
Two more sneaky words which can catch salon entrepreneurs out
These final two are particularly tricky as you’ll probably find yourself using both versions on your salon website or marketing materials. Here’s how to avoid the grammar police.
You’re OR Your
You’re = a shortening of the words “you are”. As in, “if you’re a student we offer a 10% discount on Mondays.”
Your = the possessive form of “you”. For example, “to receive your promotional discount please call now.”
Complementary OR Complimentary
Complimentary = something given without charge/payment, often in addition to a product or service that has been purchased. Hence, “a complimentary skin test” or “a complimentary drinks’ menu.”
NOTE: Confusingly, it also describes praise given to someone or something.
Complementary = things or people that go together well. “This eye shadow complements your eye colour.”
NOTE: You can even find yourself using both versions in the same sentence as in, “Claire is complimentary about the new make-up collection which she says complements her skin tones and colouring.”
Getting your salon marketing copy spot on is as important (perhaps more so) than the design work. So it’s worth spending some time and care over it. And if copywriting isn’t your thing or you want a regular salon blog done for you do get in touch.