The advent of digital couponing is changing the way advertisers and consumers engage with one another. Linkup Marketing's Valorie Reavis explores this trend's impact on today's salons.
Valorie Reavis, social media marketing specialist and founder of LinkUp Marketing
3 min to read
Last year more than half the adult online population in America redeemed a digital coupon. That’s 100 million-plus people all ‘clipping’ those little virtual ads to get cash off their purchase or value added to their services. What we are witnessing is revolutionary. There is a seismic shift in the way consumers engage with advertisers and the way advertisers engage with consumers.
Digital marketing means traditional advertising is becoming inseparable from direct marketing. Soon, when a client clicks your online ad, instead of a single, generic offer, it will take her to one personalised just for her. As she walks past your salon, ads will pop up on her mobile device offering her a special coupon for a last minute appointment. After visiting your website, she’ll see offers from your company in her social media dashboards.
Ad Loading...
Technology is opening up opportunities to market coupons and targeted offers to clients on a much more personal level. What is the typical take-up of a ‘Time for your next appointment’ campaign? Twenty per cent? Maybe a bit more? How about setting up a campaign so whenever a lost client is near your salon, she gets a digital coupon rewarding her for returning to you? How about upselling to a loyal colour client with a follow-up email offering a coupon for an express service or money off a manicure at her next appointment?
You can carry this through to your monthly email campaigns and newsletters. New technology allows you to include coupons that differ from client to client, based on client data, without causing you or your team extra work. The program will recognise the recipient and tailor the offer accordingly.
But digital coupons are so much more than the technological equivalent of cutting discount ads out of the paper. Yes, they actively drive sales, but they can have another value – they collect data. If the redeemer wants to access your offer, she will willingly give up more information. A 360-degree view of your client is finally possible. You can also use them to create ‘shareable’ offers your clients can pass on to their friends, helping create new clients for you. And lastly, but not least, because this is very important, this new client data will help you create advertising campaigns that your clients and their friends actually want to see.
The advent of point-of-sale salon software, online booking and more secure ways to pay online is helping drive couponing, but it is client enthusiasm and the easy, low-cost, hassle-free couponing systems now available that have turned a rather jaded behaviour, once associated with old ladies holding up the checkout queue, into a powerful driver of consumer engagement.
Are one of your traditional, handed-down salon management practices actually breaking the law. The pros from Paragon HR Consulting walk you through seven common Human Resources mistakes that could land you in hot water.
All beauty professionals should know how to identify when a client may need some health guidance. Tracy Rado discusses some common questions that clients ask in the chair, how to advise them, and when to refer them to a specialist.
From managing air traffic on busy days to handling frustrated guests' complaints, your front desk team often serves as the salon's emotional shock absorber. From a customer service lesson from the DMV to a list of strategies for caring for your front line, our experts offer ideas for alleviating stress, celebrating wins, and setting goals.
According to the KIM Report, top-line salon revenue appears steady or slightly up, but that growth is driven primarily by service price increases. Beneath the surface, retail performance and client visit frequency (appointment drift) are under real pressure. In his latest blog, Alain Audet offers strategies for keeping your salon's retail sales strong.
Putting your family to work in the salon offers some real tax benefits, but you have you have to play by the rules of the tax code to claim them. Azarvand Tax Law's Leticia Skrabut, Esq., shows you how.
Discover how to create a true “WOW experience” for every client by first building a culture where your team feels engaged, empowered, and inspired. Drawing on Calvin Stovall’s Iconic Framework, this blog explores how salon, spa, and clinic leaders can strengthen culture, elevate customer experience, and build a business that stands out for the long term.
The wellness industry is growing fast, and salons and barbershops already are an important part of it. In her first blog, Tracy Rado shares where the wellness dollars are heading, and how salons can grow with this movement.
While salon sales are increasing, owners often feel they're working harder for the same or less profit. Leverage Q2 data from The KIM Report, Alain Audet reveals some of the structural changes that are dampening your growth and why your region and your salon size matters.
Weaknesses in your business are amplified during the Holiday Season. Spark Pro Global's Lucy Randall shows you five things to do now to have the strongest holiday season yet.
In Kati Whitledge's latest blog, she shares how salons have moved away from dress codes and embraced appearance standards. But by removing strict dress codes, some businesses may have unintentionally lowered their appearance standards. Whitledge helps you explain to your team why an appearance standard is important and how to smoothly implement a new appearance policy.
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit for for-profit businesses that provides a financial incentive for eligible employers who offer health insurance coverage to their employees. Leticia Skrabut, Esq., walks you through how to claim that credit.
Developing strong work habits early in one's career supports long-term success in the salon industry. Jesse Linares offers new stylists his top five tips.
Most salon owners have no idea what these numbers are.
You can hit record sales and still have a profit problem. The difference comes down to four numbers almost nobody was taught to track.