Of all the marketing channels available to salons, SMS might just be the most valuable. When used correctly, it can help to increase loyalty, boost bookings, spread the word and skyrocket your salon profits.
A simple text message can be the difference between a customer who shows up and one who doesn't. And when you can reduce no-shows, you can increase your earning potential. Here's how salon professionals are using SMS to communicate with their clients, and why you should too!
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SMS is a tool that is best used for brand loyalty and to increase repeat bookings. It's also the perfect way to reach out to your clients and remind them of their upcoming appointments. A quick text can jog their memory and ensure they show up on time, preventing last-minute cancellations.
You can also use SMS to let your clients know about any changes or updates to their appointments, such as if you need to reschedule. And finally, you can automate follow-up texts to request things like reviews, or to remind customers that it has been a while since their last appointment.
Automation is the best way to use SMS in your business. Rather than creating mass campaigns, think about how you can use automation to improve the lives of your customers. What would be valuable to them? And what would make their experience with your salon even better?
Once you've decided on the customer journey you want to take them on, setting up automated SMS messages is easy. Salon Iris makes it simple to set up automated journeys based on actions that customers take.
For example, you could request a review a few days after their last appointment and then suggest a fringe trim one month later, if appropriate. You could then follow up after 6-10 weeks to ask if they would like to re-book. And if they haven't been active for a while, you can reach out and offer a discount to encourage them back.
There are many benefits of using SMS in your salon business. Here are just a few:
There are some disadvantages of using SMS in your business, such as:
SMS is a great tool for salon professionals to use in their business, but it's important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages here. While it is certainly a useful tool, it can't be your only marketing channel. It should be used to engage existing customers and make their lives easier.
It's also vital to appreciate the trust that a customer places in you when they hand over their phone number. They expect you to be respectful of their time and make sure that the messages you send them are beneficial. If you send too many promotional messages, you can expect them to opt-out. And once they have opted out, you may no longer be able to contact them with vital booking information. They could even go as far as blocking your messages.
So, make sure you use SMS sensibly and sparingly to avoid any negative consequences.
If you're planning to introduce SMS in your salon, you need to have a plan for automating this so that it doesn't become a drain on your resources. You also need to strike a balance between helping customers while also keeping them in the loop about salon promotions. If you can strike this balance, you'll be able to help customers while also helping your salon.
