It may be a bit of a commitment setting one up. But if done correctly, after a few months, you should start to see your fan-base (and in-turn your client base) grow and it will have a real impact on your salon’s growth.
However, if you are still on the fence about whether or not a salon blog is right for your business, here are a few points that might just help you make that final decision.
PRESS THE FAST-FORWARD BUTTON: I will be giving a seminar this Sunday, October 19th at Pro Beauty North in Manchester on this very topic. Click the link here to book your tickets now:Â Starting a Salon Blog: How, What, Why, Where and WhenÂ
7 Reasons To Begin Your Very Own Salon Blog
1. Grow your list of new clients while engaging existing ones
It is fantastic when you can get new clients to come through your door. But the big question is how do you attract them? Well, setting up a salon blog would be a great way of engaging current clients when they are not in your salon, while at the same time, getting your brand name out there for prospective clients to hear about you.
Also, you know those regular questions clients ask when they’re in the chair or treatment room? A blog is a great way to get those insightful answers to dozens more clients.
2. Interact with your client by starting discussions and inviting their comments
Having your own salon blog will help you do just that. With salon blogging you now have a reason to contact your clients on a number of topics and more importantly, ask them for their feedback on a product, service or just general salon advice. This will in turn keep your brand fresh in their mind and show clients that the salon values their opinion.
3. Promote your latest salon products
Now this isn’t to say that you can’t or shouldn’t use your salon blog to upsell and promote your services and products. In fact, you could even sell some of your latest retail items straight from the blog site itself. I would recommend not being too blatant about it. Remember that this particular audience came here mainly for engagement, information or entertainment. Not a sales pitch.
But there are always ways around that. One idea could be to do product reviews. This way you are informing current and prospective clients about new retail items, without the hard sell.
One salon I talked to recently had a really successful blog post on helping to reduce bad odours sometimes associated with spray-tans. At the very end they simply put down a number for the salon with a note saying ‘call us for further advice.’ From these calls they were able to advise clients and potential clients on products and sell loads just by giving expert advice. Good job guys!
4. Drive more traffic to your website than ever before
Want lots of potential clients to find your website on Google? Blogging is a great way to do this. For example, if you write a post on pedicures and mention your area plus a specific service then when people type it into Google your website will pop up in the results. For example ‘mini-pedi Sussex’.
Put this term in your title, throughout the post and lo-and-behold, when people search for that service in that area you should be found. This can take a few posts to get traction but visitors will flow to your site when it’s done right.
5. Salon blogs provide more content to share on your social media pages as well
Stuck for things to put up on your Facebook and Twitter accounts? When salons are producing engaging and interesting material for your audience on their blog, they are in a position to gather even more followers on Facebook & Twitter. A great blog will build a brand seeking to engage with like-minded individuals. That is what will separate you from your competitors.
6. Become a ‘Thought-Leader’ in your area of expertise
Soon enough, after a few months of blogging, you will find yourself turning into a ‘thought-leader’ in your very own niche. A thought-leader is someone who is recognised as an authority/expert in their specific industry. And people will come to you for advice and suggestions. Pretty cool, right?
7. Learn lots of new things about your industry as well!
One of the amazing side effects of blogging (which we have discovered in Phorest), is just how much more people learn about their own industry. This is because every time you set out to write a new article, you are constantly challenging yourself to learn more. This is particularly helpful when it comes to keeping up-to-date with the latest news and advancements in your own market arena. It really will help keep you ahead of the curve.
Where do I start?
If you are interested in kick-starting your very own salon blog and you’re looking for more info, why not come check out my seminar at the Pro Beauty Manchester Show this weekend:Â Starting a Salon Blog: How, What, Why, Where and When
Here, we will be going through the journey of setting up a salon blog that helps retain clients; gets your social media rocking and drives new clients through your door at virtually no cost.
Connor Keppel is Phorest Salon Software’s marketing manager. If you have a question for Connor, email him right here  – marketing@phorest.com
