Why good communication in a hair salon is so important

Working in a hair salon means being in constant communication with clients. You need to know that your clients are satisfied each time they leave your salon chair so that you can hopefully maintain your client base.

Some good skills to acquire to have good communication are:

Pay attention

Salons can be a very busy and fast paced environment which can make it hard to concentrate on what a client is saying. As a hairstylist, you need to stay focused and present when interacting with your clients. It only takes one small miscommunication from having a satisfied client to having a disgruntled client leaving the salon with a hairstyle that they did not ask for or like.

Good body language 
Body language is one of the first things that a potential new client will notice when coming into your salon for the first time. Folding arms, fidgeting, and slouching may make the client feel a little uneasy. A client wants to have confidence in you carrying out treatments on them so you should try to have a confident and relaxed body language by standing straight with your shoulders back and that should allow the client to feel a lot more at ease.

Be professional

One of the best forms of customer service is to simply be professional. As a professional, you should always be up to date on the latest styles and trends. This would also mean that you are not having inappropriate conversations with your client, other clients, or fellow stylists. A hair salon can be full of gossip, but you should be making sure your environment is not a stressful or toxic place to be in as some clients may see their salon visits as a time to relax and as a form of self-care.

Ask the Right Questions
As many hairdressers will know, it’s not just a case of applying some colour to achieve a desired look for your client. You need to be asking about the history of their hair and how it’s been coloured before, how they like to style their hair, texture of their hair, the shampoos that they use, their lifestyle and job. Asking these questions helps you to build a bond with your client and you will know what is best for them as the professional. For example, knowing which shampoos they use will allow you to know whether that particular one is suitable for maintaining the colour in their hair or not.
 

Listen and be patient
Listen to your client to make sure you have clarification about the cut, style, or treatment the customer wants. If the client doesn’t bring a picture of the hairstyle they want, you can show them a picture from a styling book or even a social media page. Sometimes it may be the client that does not have great communication skills which means you’ll have to work a little harder at finding out their hair desires.

Continue the interaction
After your client leaves, you should try to maintain interaction. Setting up a social media page, following your clients and posting videos/pictures of your client’s hair transformations can attract more attention. In your videos/pictures on social media, you can also offer discounts and promotions which will motivate your existing clients to continue to use your services as well as attracting new clients. Ensure to follow up with your clients after their treatment and issue some aftercare advice and offer them to rebook with you if they haven’t already.

1st July 2021