How to Retain Clients During the Busy Holiday Season

Top Three Ways to Retain Clients During the Holiday Season

Retaining customers during the holiday season may seem challenging, but the right tactics can ensure your schedule book remains full. Here are our top three proven methods for client retention during the holidays:

Create Loyalty Programs

• Holiday-Themed Punch Cards: A punch card geared for the holiday season is an excellent way to keep customers comin’ back all season long. For this festive punch card, your clients will receive a stamp for every service they receive during the holiday season. If they get enough stamps, such as three or four, they can receive a special discount or holiday gift.
• Festive Rewards for Money Spent: You can also offer tiered rewards for money spent during the holiday season. For example, if a customer spends $100, they can receive a small discount. If they spend $200, they will be given a unique holiday gift, such as an exclusive product from your shelves. 
• Holiday Referral Bonus: Referrals are a great way to not only increase retention but also find new clients along the way! Focus on turning your regular referral program into a holiday-themed bonanza. Offer rewards for each client booked through a referral. Consider adding a grand prize, such as an invitation to an exclusive holiday party, for the top three individuals who provided the most referrals.
• Limited-Time Memberships: You can create exclusive “winter-only” memberships to entice customers to come back. Limited time creates a sense of urgency, which is always beneficial when trying to sell. This “winter-only” membership can provide access to certain perks, packages, and services customers want and need during winter.

These options are great whether you’re new to the world of loyalty programs or want to upgrade your loyalty programs for the holidays.

Exceptional Customer Service

Yes, it’s true that you should offer exceptional customer service year-round. But let’s face it, it’s even more important during the holiday season. Focus on providing out-of-this-world customer service that leaves customers begging for more.

Here are some simple tips to ensure you’re offering the best customer service possible:

• Consistently Provide a Personalized Approach: No two clients are alike, and you need to show this through your customer service and work. Take the time to learn your customer’s preferences, wants, and needs, and give them a personalized service they will surely be thrilled about.
• Be Friendly and Communicate: A smile can go a long way in the salon business. Make sure you treat each customer with a friendly and positive attitude paired with a smile. Focus on communicating before, during, and after the appointment to make them feel special. 
• Offer Comfort and Amenities: Simple things like a comfy chair with a pillow and some yummy treats or beverages can make all the difference between a “good” visit and an “exceptional” one. You can insert the holiday spirit into your comfort and amenities by offering holiday-themed pillows and treats, like Christmas tree cookies and apple cider.
• Provide Impeccable Work: As a beauty professional, it’s your job to give the customer exactly what they’re looking for. Set aside ample time in your schedule to ensure each client receives impeccable work they can brag about.
• Add the Holiday Cheer to Your Workspace: Now, this isn’t mandatory. It’s more of a suggestion. However, there’s no denying that customers won’t enjoy walking into a holiday-themed salon that gives them that warm, tingly feeling on the inside. With that in mind, don’t hesitate to decorate and bust out the holiday music!
• Be Streamlined: A streamlined salon is a happy salon, right? Not just for the stylists, but the customers, too. Make sure your salon is running as streamlined as possible with easy bookings, check-ins, and payments, and ensure you are well-stocked and not overbooked.

Follow-Up and Engagement

If you haven’t noticed already, there’s a running theme here: clients want to feel special, and when they feel special, they’re more likely to become repeat customers—even during the busy holiday season.

This brings us to our final tip for client retention during the busy holiday season: follow-up and engagement.

There are a few easy ways to follow up and engage with your customers through the holiday season:

• Send personalized follow-up messages: Don’t overthink this. Sending a customized “thank you” note after a service is all it takes. This is also a great time to request feedback to see where you need to improve and find out how satisfied your customer is.
• Send holiday-themed messages: Every customer will enjoy an extra special holiday message from their stylist! Whether it’s a “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or something more clever like “Wishing you nothing but shear happiness this holiday season,” customers are bound to feel special and loved, which can improve retention. Add a cute holiday-themed gif or image to spread even more holiday cheer.
• Remind customers of holiday specials: There’s no point in offering holiday specials if no one knows about them. That said, make sure the message is getting out about all of your great holiday-themed specials, such as your holiday-exclusive loyalty programs!
• Stay active on social media: Being active on social media is critical for any salon suite owner and beauty professional. After all, an estimated 5.22 billion social media users are out there - that’s quite a reach! Keep your profiles active with holiday-themed posts, especially ones that show off your holiday-exclusive promotions and packages. Don’t forget to comment and like your own posts and other’s posts, too.

Keeping Clients Engaged and Loyal Through the Holiday Rush