Stop giving discounts: How to reward loyal customers

Create a unique experience

Make your salon more than just a chair and a pair of scissors. Create an atmosphere that is unique to you and your clients. Maybe it radiates relaxation and pampering, something people look forward to visiting and want to tell their friends about? Offer complimentary – or paid – drinks, soft waiting chairs, good music, mood lighting and whatever else you want your personal brand to be. Remember that your brand is what people think about doing business with you – not the color of your logo.When customers feel special, they come back. Plain and simple.

Personal follow-up

Show your clients you appreciate them by following up on their treatments. Send a message or offer follow-up advice on caring for their new color or haircut. Maybe they need help using the new styling products they bought the last time they visited? Personal interest makes a big difference and doesn’t have to take many minutes out of your day.

Referral discounts

Reward customers who bring new clients to your salon. Offer them, for example, 10% off their next treatment each time they refer a new client. It could also be that they get to choose a free styling product. Just something that doesn’t train them to expect a discount. They should understand they’re getting it because they helped you gain a new customer. It creates a win-win situation where loyal customers become your best ambassadors – marketing you can’t put a price on! Remember that their new customers can also receive the same reward when they refer their friends.

Stamp cards

Introduce a loyalty program where your customers earn points or stamps for each treatment. When they reach a certain number, they can redeem their points for free products or similar. This creates an incentive for repeat visits. Remember to factor it into your prices so you don’t have to close the salon because customers keep coming back.

Birthdays

Surprise your clients on their birthday with a small gift or a special treatment. For example, they could get a free sample to take home if they book a treatment in the month of their birthday. This personal gesture shows that you remember and appreciate them and you can at the same time get them "hooked" on some lovely products that hopefully they will buy in the future.

Closing words

Offering discounts can be a short-term fix, but building a meaningful and personal relationship with your customers is the best way forward. When customers feel appreciated and special, they won’t just return, they’ll also recommend your salon to others. So ditch the discount trap and focus on offering valuable experiences that make your customers love you.