19 Tips How to Get Hair Clients Fast - From an Experienced Hairstylist

How to successfully get hair clients fast and build a clientele in the salon… and keep them forever.

19 Tips to Get Hair Clients Fast and Keep Them

Here are 19 tips that I have learned and used to build and retain a full schedule clientele in 6 months! And I have used and refined these techniques over the past 10 years of my career and narrowed down these techniques in to two categories that works for both independent stylists and salons as a whole.

These two categories are – For the Business, and For the Stylist.

First we’ll briefly discuss what you can do to get hair clients fast by exposing yourself and your salon, and the right way to do that. And then we’ll talk about what you can do personally to get hair clients fast in the salon to retain clients and help your stylists retain their clients.

Building a clientele as a hairstylist- how to get hair clients fast

How to Get Hair Clients Fast – For the Business

Is storefront visible from the street?

You won’t get many new clients if they can’t find you. Be sure to have an accurate address listed and that your salon will be easy to find.

Curb appeal is also important, if the salon looks good on the outside, it absolutely needs to look even better on the inside. The esthetic of the business will communicate at-a-glance what type of establishment it is and who might work there.

Is the business listed on Google?

Being listed on Google with an accurate and up to date address is so important for new clients to find you. Also being listed so that your business pops up in search results will play a big role on new clients looking for a new salon.

This is an easy process by simply using your Google Business Profile through your email address.

Also, having clients leave reviews is particularly important and helpful. Especially if they are current, not just from 3 years ago.

Reviews

New clients will come in and specifically ask for the stylist that has the best reviews, have your clients write reviews!

Offering a reward discount or having a reward program for those that write a review for both the salon as a whole, and for the stylist by name, before they even check out will help increase specific appointment requests from new clients.

Offer a limited-time-for-you-only promotion

For new clients a limited time promotion, or even an occasional or seasonal for-you-only promotion will help you gain new clients by word of mouth. If they love the service and the price (because of the discount) they will tell their friends about it.

I have seen success with these promotions for both new clients and existing clients, especially if they include the promotion in their review or write a social media post about it.

Cross Promotion

By partnering with other local businesses such as the massage studio across the street, the nail salon, or the spa, this will help expose your business to fill in the service gaps that those businesses offer and your clients know where you (their trusted salon) recommends they receive other services as well.

Either by sharing business cards, or even by trading services for free and promoting each other by name you are tapping into their already established clientele, and they are tapping into yours. It’s a great way to use cross promotion to build your clientele fast.

For You as an Independent Stylist – Building a Clientele as a Hairstylist

Be present on Social Media

Posting your work often, and staying relevant by not reposting old work or irrelevant material will help new clients see what you are currently doing, and your specialties.

Being present on social media is also important for the clients that follow you so that your name continues to be in their feed and they remember to book their next appointments with you.

Have clients sign up for emails

This keeps your business on the front of your client’s minds by being seen in their inbox. Even if it’s a newsletter or monthly promotion.

Some salons even offer reminder emails that it’s been X number of weeks since their last haircut and it might be time to schedule again.

Sign up for HARO

Help A Reporter Out is a free program that can help you be Featured in well known blogs or magazines.

HARO is where journalists submit their requests to speak with experts on whatever subject they are writing about and if you are able to answer and they like what you have to say, you might get featured on a radio station, on TV, in a blog or magazine.

This builds your authority on the subject and let’s face it, if others call you an ‘expert’ you don’t have to prove you are an expert because they already established that you are. And it’s free!

*for an example of how to use ‘featured in’ to help boost your website, please see The Exquisite Find’s About Me page to the ‘Featured In’ section.

Offer Discounts that Clients Can’t Refuse

The strategy behind this tactic is that they love the service and the price and tell their friends about the wonderful deals you always have going on.

For example –

Bring-a-friend discount
Leave a new review discounts
Every 5th service is X% off

How to Get Hair Clients Fast that Work Every Time

These tricks anyone can use anywhere at anytime to get hair clients fast.

Be Friendly

Smiling at your guests and showing interest in them is a sure way to communicate that you want them to come back.

Being friendly is different than flirting. You don’t necessarily have to flirt with your guest for them to think that you are being kind. And you don’t have to become emotionally involved with your client’s life either.

Just showing that you are interested in them as a person and you want to help them look as lovely as they can be is a big deal to retaining clients.

Dress the Part

When you work in the beauty industry, you have to look like you work in the beauty industry.

Do your hair and makeup! This is the first thing that someone should see, that it’s important to you (which is why you are in this industry) and that you are capable of handling it yourself so whatever style you give them they can handle too.

Wear appropriate clothing as well. The last thing your client wants to see is one of the 4 B’s (back, butt, boobs, belly) or like you barely made it to work on time because you barely rolled out of bed.

Look the part, be professional. Communicate to your clients that you take your job seriously.

Know What You’re Doing

It’s okay to not know what you’re doing and continue learning until you do. But if you don’t know what you are doing, please ask for a second opinion.

For example, if you have a color correction and feel uncomfortable, ask a mentor for guidance so that you can build your own knowledge and be able to handle the next situation on your own.

Push yourself until you know exactly what you are doing.

Be Confident

Confidence is contagious. If you radiate confidence that you know what you’re doing, that you are fully capable of giving your client what they want and can establish a beautiful style on them consistently, you will keep this client forever.

Consistency is key. If you can confidently perform a service and be able to repeat it next time, your clients will always come back to you.

Stand Out in your Services, Challenge Yourself

Just because you aren’t 100% confident in one area or a specific style or cut, don’t stop that from learning and practicing.

Think to yourself, what do I do that no one else does? Do you include a shoulder massage after a haircut? Or a hot towel in the shampoo bowl?

For example – I always braid little girl’s hair after their haircut for free. There are some families (entire families!) that have come to me for years just because I braid their daughter’s hair. It takes me less than 10 minutes.

Be creative, you are in the world of creativity! What do you do that helps you stand out? Be confident in that!

There’s Power in Just Listening

Most clients come to get their hair done to make themselves feel better, to feel like they look better. Most clients don’t come in asking about your life story.

Now, there are those clients that only want to hear about your story. And that’s okay! But know that if the client feels heard and feels fully welcome and accepted (say you remembered a birthday or vacation and asked about it) they will continue coming back to you.

Let them talk, vent, or even, if they just want to relax and be quiet, it’s okay to maybe be the only place they get to hear silence.

The First 15 Seconds…

We learn it in Beauty School- the first 15 seconds after the client walks in the door determines whether they lean towards a positive view of the salon or a negative first impression.

Even if it’s just a “Hello! Someone will be with you in a moment!” is all it takes for a client to know that they are welcome.

The shop should be clean as well. The first 15 seconds is when they will notice everything at a glance. Is the floor a mess? Is the retail products lined up or scattered like a random box at the thrift store? This matters!

Also, think of the last time you went to a restaurant and no one greeted you or came to sit you down at a table for the first few minutes. How did that make you feel? Probably a little unsure about how the service would go? It’s the same in the hair salon.

The Last 2 Minutes

The last 2 minutes is when your client will decide whether to A- Buy retail, and B- Whether they want to return or not.

Be sure to give your finishing touches and educate the client about what you are doing, how they can achieve the look they want at home without your help.

Once at the front desk for their check-out, show them the product you used on the shelf without pressuring them to take any home.

Repeat your name, and hand them your business card saying that it would help you out if they would take a minute to leave a review for you and if they would like to schedule their next haircut in 4 weeks?

That can be a lot to blurt out at the end but every single part is important for client retention! Soon you’ll get in your groove and be able to ask all of these things smoothly without any struggle.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is the fastest way to gain a reputation in the hair world. Or any industry really.

People love to talk!

Start by telling your clients about your referral program (for example, you offer a 10% discount if anyone comes in saying they were referred to you from this client), and hand them an extra business card.

How I have done it in the past is by saying, “This is my business card, and here’s an extra if you want to give them away I’ll get you some more next time you come in. It was good to see you! I’ll see you in 4 weeks!”

And that’s it!

Another way to get clients by word of mouth is through joining local facebook groups. At the top of the group page is a search bar and you can fill in ‘haircut’ and you will be able to see every and all posts of moms asking for recommendations for new hair salons for themselves, husbands, and their kids. Simply leave a comment with a photo of your work and a link to your business page and say “I have openings and would love to be considered!”

Ask For Reviews

The KEY to gaining a clientele without ever meeting the person beforehand.

If a client leaves you a review, offer them a reward discount as incentive to leave a good review that includes your name.

This is part of word-of-mouth except in a broader sense. I can’t even tell you how many new clients I have had request me in the salon over the years where I couldn’t for the life of me remember anything about them but lo and behold they read my name in some good reviews and wanted to try out the salon to come see me just because of the reviews.

It’s so simple to ask for reviews. Don’t hesitate and be confident in your work that your clients will have excellent things to say about you!

Make Time for Your Clients

When clients understand that they are a priority to you – you are on time, you will push your lunch break a few minutes for them, come in a little early, or stay late – the clients that understand that you are going out of your way for them (and they aren’t entitled for you to do that) will do anything for you.

You know how it goes, a sudden work trip comes up and they have to leave tomorrow, they’re in a bind but you can squeeze them in. This shows them that you are loyal to them, care about their life, and they will be loyal to you in return.

In the 10 years I have been in the industry, those clients that I have made exceptions for and came in early or stayed late for, have offered to bring me lunch, or give me a break when I didn’t get one before, and gift me with larger tips and big referrals.

Make time for your clients and they will take the time to come see you even if you move to a salon that is out of their way, you earned their loyalty.

Offer Convenient Payment Options

If you have a cash-only business, that’s fine, but you will only have a following of cash-carrying clients. Which are few.

Look into what payment systems are available that would best suit your businesses’s needs.

Also, if you know your clients well and know that they are spending a pretty penny on you that perhaps they don’t have, consider offering a trade of some kind. Or an alternative payment option for them.

For example – if you know they don’t get paid until next week, or their car just broke down, ask if they’ll buy you a coffee and you’ll offer a one-time 50% discount next time. Or, trade if they are in the trades, such as oil changes, massages, baked goods, plumbing work. This way it helps both of you out.

FAQs How to Get Hair Clients Fast

How long does it take for a hairstylist to build a clientele?

It can take anywhere between 6 months and 5 years to build a clientele. But it depends on how much effort is applied and the limit to how many clients you can handle.

By using these tried and true tested tips it takes less time, but consistency is key. Even after you have reached your goal.

How to build a clientele in a new city?

By applying these tips, you can build a clientele in a new city easily. These tips are applicable for anyone, anyplace, at anytime of their career.

How long does it take to build a salon clientele?

It can take anytime between 6 months and 5 years to build an established and loyal salon clientele depending on the location, and services offered.

How to get more beauty clients

Establishing and building a clientele as a hairstylist or any beauty professional can be intimidating but it shouldn’t be crippling.

First, introduce yourself to other local businesses and pass out your business cards to the staff, or even offer to trade services with them. This is called cross-promotion.

Next, utilize social media in local groups to let the community know that you are open for business, and even offer a promotion that the client can’t refuse to get them in the door.

And by following the steps and tips in this article, it will take a little time, but will snowball quickly and you will be shocked at how well you can get hair clients fast!

19 Tips How to Get Hair Clients Fast – From an Experienced Hairstylist