April 27, 2013

How Salons in Richmond VA Keep Chairs Full With Mobile Marketing!

If your salon is not as busy as you’d like, don’t wait and hope – use Mobile Marketing to keep your chair full.

richmond va hair salon text message

This post is Part 3 in a 4 Part Series – How to use the Internet to attract more clients without breaking the bank:

Be Searchable on the Web

Build Your Reputation

Use Mobile Marketing

Leverage Your Reputation

Attention Booth Renters and Salon Owners: We are dedicated to our Salon Owner Member’s success. To find out more about running your salon out of a Salon Plaza Studio, call 1-800-877-3689 or Inquire Now

Text Messaging for Salons is IN!

Now that just about everyone carries a cell phone, it’s worth your while to use mobile text messaging to keep you chair consistently full.

Use automatic text messaging to gain these 4 benefits:

1. Stay Top of Mind:

People tend to keep their mobile phone, smartphone or tablet “ON” all the time. That makes it easy to use automatic mobile messages to stay “Top of Mind” with your prospects and clients. When they need your services, you will be the salon professional they think of first.

2. Motivate Prospects and Clients to Make Appointments:

Another way to use mobile marketing is to make suggestions and offers that will motivate your contacts to schedule an appointment with you.

3. Encourage Reviews:

Use text messaging to send them a link to give you a review at a site like Yelp. Their comments will help build your online reputation.

4. Ask for Referrals:

Who do they know that might want what you do? Invite them to forward the text to someone who might want your services – it’s so easy!

What you’ll need to get started:

  • A text messaging service called SMS (Short Messaging Service)
  • The mobile phone numbers of clients and prospects
  • A series of pre-written text messages to be sent out automatically 

Carefully planned, pre-written messages provide the basis for your salon’s text marketing campaign. An automated SMS service turns text messaging into a “personal secretary” to automatically deliver valuable offers and tips to your clients and prospects.

Richmond VA Salons Use Text MessagingWhat Should Your Text Messages Say?

Create a series of text messages for prospects, new clients, and your established client-base.

New Prospects:

Every time you get a prospect’s mobile phone number, add it to your SMS service.

With all the competition out there for salon services, it’s easy to be forgotten when a service is needed. To keep them thinking of you when the time is right for them, keep offering them something of value.

Craft a series of 5 automated text messages to send out as soon as a new prospect gets added to your SMS list of contacts. 

  1. Immediately: Thank them for sharing their phone number with you. Include your NAME and SALON NAME.  Invite them to check out your “new customer discount” at your website or Facebook page.
  2. 6 days later: Text them an offer for a freebee, give-away or special, such as “$10 OFF on services of $50 or more” or “Free deep conditioner”. Include a phone number to call or a link to your website.
  3. 8 days after that: Text them a link to something that will help them take care of their hair, nails or skin better (whatever is your specialty.) This could be a video, a blog post on your website, or some great looking photos that showcase your work. This will give them ideas about what they may want for themselves and show them your expertise.
  4. 12 days later: Text them a link to customer reviews or your website.
  5. 10 days later: Send another coupon offer – you could invite them to become part of your “short notice specials” list. More about that later.

Your Existing Clients:

  1. Right after they come in for a service: Text them a “good to see you, thanks for coming in” message using your SMS system.
  2. Two weeks later: Write something like… “thinking about you – did you see my new (video, photos, story… etc.)?” Include a link to the viewing site.
  3. Next week: Invite them to join your “short notice specials” list. Offer to send them a text when you have a cancelation (or a slow spell) for a discounted price – such as 10% OFF.  They get a deal – and you keep your chair full.
  4. Two weeks later: Mention a special you are running for new customers – and a bonus for them if they refer someone to you.

Richmond VA Salons Use Text Messaging miss youSomeone You Haven’t Seen For Awhile:

  1. Text them something like: “Miss you – did you know…” and mention something new or helpful.
  2. A few weeks later: Send them a special offer for “clients who have been lost at sea” or something witty or funny to catch their attention.

The Game Plan:

Automatically text message your prospects and clients tips and offers such as how to info, samples, videos and photos of your work, coupons, and product or service specials… the only limit is your imagination!

Each message should link to your webpage, a video on youtube, your Facebook page, a photo on Pinterest… anywhere you show up on the Web.  Occasionally link to your online appointment site if you have one, or give your phone number.

These pre-written text messages gently keep you Top of Mind with your clientele,  encourage them to book appointments, write a review, and refer their friends.

How Often Should You Text?

Don’t overdo it – you don’t want to become a pest.

Vary your content between giving tips, promoting your work, and asking for appointments or referrals. Send a text message no more than 3 or 4 times a month, which reflects the guidelines of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA).

How ready are you to become super successful running your own salon? Take our Salon Owner Success Quiz – And Find Out! 

It’s Quick, Easy & FREE! 

Beauty Salon Owner Success Quiz


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