Are you actually taking full advantage of seasonal promotions in your salon?
I’d wager the vast majority of salon owners would say they are – and they’d be wrong.
In this article, I’ll show you the strategies top salons use to stay booked year-round. You’ll discover how to turn quiet months into profit boosters, create buzz-worthy promotions that clients can’t resist, and build a marketing calendar that practically runs itself.
Watch the short…
…and play episode 21 of Marketing 100 with salon marketing experts John and Kayle.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of these strategies and more insider tips to elevate your salon’s seasonal marketing game.
Why Seasonal Promotions Drive Salon Success
Running a salon is hard work. Who has time to reinvent the marketing wheel every few months between juggling appointments, managing staff, and keeping up with the latest hair trends? So what happens? We get lazy. We rehash the same promotions year after year and we become – say it with me now – predictable.
Seasonal hair salon promotions are a classic, but they need a little TLC to keep them fresh every year:
- They’re expected, but shouldn’t be predictable.
- You can update and improve them year after year (changing the timing and offers up makes a big difference)
- They keep your salon relevant and top-of-mind, but they need to surprise and delight your clients
But we’re not just talking about slapping a discount on your services for Christmas and calling it a day. Oh no, we’re going to get creative.
Creative Seasonal Promotion Ideas for Salons
Sure, Black Friday and Valentine’s Day are great, but let’s be more creative. What makes your salon unique? Is there a local event or festival that aligns perfectly with your brand?
Some great examples of ideas that have worked for beauty businesses:
- Are you a tattoo shop? Partner with that cool summer art festival happening downtown
- Skincare specialist? Create a winter package to combat dry skin blues
- Hair salon near a college? Launch a “Back to Campus” promo for students
The key is to find promotions that reinforce your brand story. It’s not just about discounts; it’s about creating experiences that resonate with your clients and showcase what makes you special. Why not organize some exciting salon event ideas to keep your clients engaged year-round?
Implementing Your Seasonal Promotion Strategy
Here’s where the magic happens. By planning your promotions in advance, you can:
- Create a cohesive marketing strategy across all channels (email, social, website, ads)
- Develop eye-catching assets (hello, scroll-stopping social media content)
- Train your staff to talk up upcoming events
- Learn from past successes (and, let’s be honest, failures)
Pro tip: Use a salon management platform like Mangomint to streamline your email marketing personalization. Their drag-and-drop templates are extremely helpful for those of us who break out in hives at the thought of HTML coding.
Increasing Salon Bookings with Early Promotions
Your clients are planning ahead too. By keeping them informed about upcoming busy seasons, you’re doing them (and yourself) a huge favor. No one likes the last-minute “Do you have any appointments left before Christmas?” rush.
Use your promotions to:
- Encourage early bookings
- Highlight your most popular seasonal services
- Offer package deals for clients who plan ahead
- Offer express services to help fit more clients in
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Streamlining Your Seasonal Marketing Efforts
Look, you’re hairstylists and beauty experts, not graphic designers or email marketing experts. And that’s okay. The secret is to use tools that make your life easier.
- Use salon software that has pre-made email templates to kickstart your creativity
- Use scheduling software that can track your marketing goals
- Outsource design work to a freelancer or agency for major marketing campaigns
Remember, a polished, professional-looking promotion doesn’t have to take hours of your time. Consider outsourcing your salon marketing to save time and ensure excellent results if you don’t have the time or resources to do it otherwise.
Launching Your Year-Round Promotion Calendar
By embracing seasonal promotions, you’re setting your salon up for consistent success throughout the year. Remember these key points:
- Plan ahead for recurring events and busy seasons
- Think beyond obvious holidays to find unique promotions that align with your brand
- Choose user-friendly salon software to create professional-looking marketing materials easily
- Reuse and improve your promotions year after year, learning from previous experiences
- Communicate upcoming busy periods to help clients plan ahead
Start planning your seasonal promotions today, and watch your salon prosper throughout the year.
For more inspiration on effective promotions, check out our guide on salon promotions that work.
P.S. For more proven strategies to improve your salon marketing, don’t forget to check out the rest of our Marketing 100 series.