Safe - Positive - Prep - COVID19
Stay Safe, Remain Positive, Plan and Prep
We’re all taking the current global situation around COVID-19 extremely seriously and as well as staying safe, we’re sure you’ll agree trying to remain positive is equally as important. How long will this last? what lies ahead? are amongst the many important questions being posed, and whilst plans are being put in place to get us through these testing times, what does my business or career look like at the end of the tunnel? is undoubtedly a question at the forefront of our minds.
We are part of a multi-billion pound industry and our contribution to the UK economy should not be overlooked or underestimated. A 2019 article in the Telegraph highlighted that “Beauty is a force for good both in the UK and globally”. The article talked through a report which found that “the beauty industry supported a total of 590,500 jobs in 2018, equating to one in every 60 jobs in the UK economy.” Furthermore the author of the report argued the “contribution of the industry has had a significant effect on the health of the high street through the presence of beauty salons, hairdressers and nail parlours.” So, just to bring the message home, it’s easy to see how incredibly important our business and careers actually are, in what can often be an undervalued area of industry.
Enough of the stats, we just wanted to highlight how fabulous you and the work you carry out is. We need to make sure this continues at the other end of the current epidemic. Here are three top tips we’re sharing to get those cogs turning and some planning and prep for our businesses when we get to the other side.
Stay in touch: Your clients love you and the services you offer. Show them you love them too by staying in touch. Send emailers, text, personalised letters or call them to touch base, wish them the best and hope they are staying safe. Let them know you’ll be back in touch as soon as your services resume, and in the meantime they can purchase vouchers or gift cards. Offer them tips on their services - eg; how to remove their gel polish safely, or maintenance tips to tide them over until their next appointment, see if they have any beauty concerns they need answering. Any advice or support you can offer your clients will be helpful and appreciated, and potentially a welcome distraction for them.
Social Media: Keep showcasing the amazing work you carry out for your clients on social media. Engage with them and entice them, so when your services resume your appointments start booking up again quickly. Share inspirational messages across your social media channels - amongst some of the negativity your clients are seeing online at this stage, positive and reassuring messages will be very welcomed. Share top maintenance tips and advice, run competitions, promote gift cards, vouchers and any special offers, introduce/profile members of your team and highlight the services you offer, cross promote your services and show the personality of your business.
Plan: Put a plan of action in place for when business resumes. Plan the posts you will upload on social media in the lead up to opening and what you’ll upload when you’re back in the salon = team photo, video, etc. What updates will you make to your website. Will you send an email? Text? Or call your clients to update them and start booking some appointments?
Do you have all of the stock you need to be ready to go when the doors open? Contact your suppliers and see if pre-orders are (cash flow permitting) or reserving products is available. Set targets for your first couple of weeks/months back in business and plan marketing activity and/or promotions which will help you reach your targets.
It’s important to keep remembering you, your business, your career, staff, services, passion, drive and determination are all important. Not only do your clients rely on you, but so too does the economy. Stay safe and look after one another as best you can, in these difficult and unprecedented times.