The Salon Voices Crown Rating, similar to hotel and travel rating programs, is a proprietary evaluation system available only to salons using the Salon Survey software. The software, designed exclusively for salons, allows them to customize the client feedback form, listen more closely to their clients, and gain a better understanding of how they can improve their customers’ overall salon experience. Their results are reflected in the Crown Rating they earn.

Ultimately, the Crown Rating is an excellent tool for consumers evaluating salon services, and for business owners and managers who want to increase their salon marketing effectiveness. Through Salon Voices, consumers and salon owners alike have an opportunity to create their best salon experience.

Salon clients use the Salon Crown Rating to choose a salon that fits the type of services and overall environment and culture that matches your tastes. Because salons that reach a 94 percent satisfaction level among customers receive a rating, consumers are choosing from among top-notch salons. Salon Voices designed this rating so consumers can choose a salon with confidence.

Salons use the national Crown Rating to promote the level of excellence they provide. In addition to the extended brand awareness and reach they achieve through the national rating, they exercise bragging rights in all marketing media. This not only helps them attract new clients, but it helps them build customer loyalty and increase customer retention.

The ratings are the results of a confidential customer satisfaction survey given to all salon clients after salon services are completed.

Where does your salon stand? Find out what your clients think. 

One Crown Salon

Provides good, but modest service. There are basic quality furnishings. It is functional, emphasizing clean and comfortable surroundings. It targets the needs of budget-oriented patrons.

Two Crown Salon

This salon offers a degree of sophistication. Additional amenities and services are offered. There is a marked upgrade in services and comfort.

Three Crown Salon

Offers an added degree of sophistication. It displays a high level of service. Offers a wide variety of amenities and inside has upscale facilities.

Four Crown Salon

Offers a high degree of sophistication. It displays an excellent level of service. Offers a wide variety of amenities and inside and outside has upscale facilities

Five Crown Salon

Exhibits an exceptionally high level of service. It is luxurious with many amenities. Services are executed and presented in a flawless manner. The patrons are pampered by a very professional attentive staff. Its facility—inside and outside—and its operation help set the standard for salon and or spa services.

To learn more about what Salon Voices has to offer or to purchase a survey package click here.

Here are tips to make your salon shine as a bridal hot spot:

1. Partner

Partnering with a local dress shop, tanning salon, photography studio, etc. is a great way to get additional exposure to your targeted audience. It is a great way to be creative with each other and work to build a relationship that will help both businesses prosper. Exchange counter space for business cards, website ad space, and/or wall space for advertisements. In addition you could request/exchange inclusion in newsletters, dedicated emails, inclusion on business cards and/or advertisements, and company information and services inclusion on website.

2. Packages and Deals

Weddings can be expensive! Brides are always searching for quality deals, so why not combine hair services for brides and their parties? It is a great way to get additional business and build your clientele. For example: “Buy one bridal up-do, get a men’s cut and shave free,”  or “Book bridal party package get groomsmen’s package ½ off.”  Offer spontaneous deals or coupons for wedding parties on your social media outlets, too—it will help you build your social networking followers.  These types of bargains are often picked up by local “deal sites” and spread like wild fire from word of mouth.

3. Prepare and Organize

As it is crucial for brides to organize and prepare for every little detail of their wedding and events leading up to the big day, it is equally as important for the salon to be organized and prepared for the bride’s every need. Having hair accessories on hand such as tiaras, flowers, jewels or glitzy headbands will give you one-up on your competitors (and a possible additional revenue stream!).

4. Coordinate

Ask your staff to take a count of the needs and interest their clients discuss with them. Once you’ve identified who she is, and what her interest and needs are, give serious thought about businesses you know of that offer those services. Is it the gym that’s in your building or down the street, the vacation planner, kids summer camp programs? This idea is to think of businesses that are off the beaten path of those you would traditionally partner with,…….those who would value being introduced to your client base….

A good next step is to use an approach such as….”I think it would be interesting for our two organizations to work together. We have a great customer base who expresses interest in your product and I’m sure your client base would be interested in ours”…. Let us know how this works…

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management
focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

Clients are exposed to several chemicals while they get their hair done. As a salon owner, you understand the importance of maintain a safe and healthy salon environment. The Safety Smart Salon app was created to “develop a better safety culture among the salon’s staff – owner’s were finding it difficult to balance the demands of running a busy salon and provide accurate health and safety information to their employees.”   This app is beneficial to every salon because it provides the staff with useful, up-to-date information that ensures the safety of both your staff and clients. Safety Smart adds, “The app has enabled salons to manage their own health and safety without having to spend money on employing expensive consultants, buying costly internet-based software and printing leaflets and manuals.”

Another important aspect of the salon industry is accepting payments from clients. Most people don’t carry large amounts of cash on them, so it would be beneficial for your salon to provide alternative forms of payment such as credit or debit cards. You can take advantage of Salon Swipe’s app as long as you own a smartphone. Salon Swipe’s app states, “Funds will deposit directly into your existing checking account. No printer is required – email your customers their receipt. Plus, you can easily accept tips from your customers with a tip line.” Even though there are several payment services out, this app is unique because you don’t have to sign a contract or pay a monthly fee for the service.

Keeping your salon fully stocked requires you to maintain good relationships with your vendors. More companies are developing apps to make it easier for salons to contact them regarding orders for more products. Redken 5^th Avenue NYC has created an app to make them more accessible to salon owners. Rimma Kats of Mobilemarketer.com explains, “The application helps stylists find featured hair color formulas and keep clients on schedule with a timer to prevent over-processing.” Even if your salon doesn’t use Redken products the app is still useful because of the timer that assist you with client’s hair coloring.

These are just a few apps that we found useful. For information on other salon apps, visit salontoday.com.

In the meantime, let us know what apps you’re using!

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with
confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

Salon Voices’ mission is to inform our viewers about the latest ways to take your salon to the next level. Building a mobile campaign is crucial to your salon marketing. MYAPPTOGO specializes in making your business mobile. Their website states, “Mobile technology and social media will soon replace desktop communication in todays marketplace as a source of customer engagement.” You’re putting your salon at a disservice by not tapping into the digital market. Now’s the time to engage your clientele 24/7 and expand your reach to potential clients. MYAPPTOGO adds, “Making your website mobile on tablets and smartphones is a value to your clients, but our built-in text message features allows your salon to totally engage your clients 24/7.”

Every business needs a website to compete in today’s market. In order to make your salon stand out your website needs to look professional, polished and it also needs to be interactive. We provide website creation services for those of you in the beginning stages of bringing your salon to the information age. Our partnership with Webmuim.com allows you to create your own website and personalize it to fit your specific needs. Their website adds, “Webmium’s guided design process ensures a great looking site to help you attract new customers.”

Another aspect of the salon industry we can assist you with is scheduling. Keeping your appointment book full is the goal of every salon owner. Salon Voices is excited to work with Pencil You In to help salon’s achieve this goal. Pencil You In takes the busy work out of salon scheduling by providing you with an app that schedules appointments online. Their website explains, “With Pencil You In, you can accept appointments online and manage your appointment book 24/7/365. Pencil You In keeps you accessible to your clients, your appointment book full, your day organized, and most importantly, your clients thrilled!”

We understand how difficult managing a salon can be and we look forward to helping you spend more time engaging clients and enriching your salon’s brand.

For more information about our partnerships and salon services visit salonvoices.com or contact Norma Anderson at norma@salonvoices.com or 301.384.2500.

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with
confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

The main monetary difference between Groupon and Signpost is how your salon receives the profit from the deal. For salon owners that are trying daily deal promotions for the first time then choosing Groupon would be more beneficial. Tom Cheredar of venturebeat.com explains the distinction between the two sites. He states, “Signpost’s model works for all parties involved because it charges its local business clients a $99 monthly fee rather than taking half of every deal transaction the way Groupon or LivingSocial do.” There is more risk involved when using Signpost because they receive $99 regardless of whether the deal is a success with clients.

However, when your deal generates popularity within the community, then switching to Signpost is better because you keep all the profits. Cheredar adds, “A growing number of critics have branded Groupon as bad for small businesses, because Groupon employees are paid on commission — meaning better deals are more lucrative to the employee, regardless of whether that deal is good for the small business.” Therefore if you have a previously proven successful promotion, then adopting the Signpost approach gives your salon the maximum revenue since you’ll receive 100% of the profits.

No one wants to waste money, but creating a Groupon deal has the potential to adversely affect your salon’s reputation. Recent studies have shown the downsides of small businesses using Groupon deals. Spaboomblog.com urges salon owners to think twice before using Groupon. They explain, “Maintaining healthy consumer reviews has never been more important. Groupon can reduce your Yelp rating and have a negative impact on your business.” There are potential risks with each site, but it appears that Signpost is the lesser of two evils.

For more information on another business investing in Signpost, visit techcrunch.com.

If you’ve used any daily deal sites, how did it/they work out for you? Tell us the good, bad and ugly!

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with
confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

Every salon owner envisions a successful salon with loyal clientele. Sometimes your salon can get caught in a rut and subscribing to daily deals can revitalize your business. If your purpose is to temporarily create a buzz around your salon and a surge of new clients, then Groupon is the better choice. A recent study proves that Groupon deals are not effective in building customer loyalty. According to Utpal Dholakia, the study’s author and professor of marketing at Rice University, “Because the Groupon customer base is made up of deal-seekers and bargain shoppers, they might not tip as well as an average customer or be willing to purchase beyond the deal. So employees need to be prepared for this type of customer and the sheer volume of customers that might come through.” Therefore, this site is ideal for a quick boost in revenue such as a reopening or special event.

If you’re looking at a more long-term approach to building a consistent clientele, then Signpost will be a better option. Stuart Wall, CEO of Signpost, explains why his site provides more benefits for the merchant as opposed to the customer. He states, “We believe it’s a deal marketplace where users are encouraged to post the great finds they discover in their neighborhoods while merchants are encouraged to experiment with offers that work on their terms.” Not only does your salon have more control over the discounts you offer, but also you receive validation from the Signpost community proving your deal is good to potential clients.

As a salon owner, it’s your responsibility to investigate all of your marketing options and strategically determine which is the most beneficial. Heather Lemere of salonsuccessstories.com summarizes what you should consider before adopting these daily deal tactics. She advises, “The determining factor of whether your campaign is successful or not lies within your offer, your internal marketing strategy, and your ultimate goal for your new clients. The biggest benefit with using mediums such as Groupon and Living Social is their ability to reach mass numbers of people in your area at no cost to you.”

We’ve just scratched the surface of this debate. Tune in next week to see the financial pros and cons of both Groupon and Signpost!

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current
and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with
confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

Several clients aim to change their appearance in 2012 by experimenting with color. One way to ease their apprehension about using harsh chemicals in their hair is to use organic color products. Organiccolorsystems.com explains what color trends salon owners should expect in 2012, “If there were only three guiding fundamental principles that you should keep in mind when considering hair color trends in 2012 it should be healthy, natural, and bold. Combining the proper shades and tones for the client will allow you to determine bold colors that are rich in tone and substance but still empower your client to make the statement that suits her personality.” People are becoming more environmentally conscious so promoting your organic services and products can make your salon stand out from the competition. In addition, you can post flyers in eco-friendly stores near your salon.

Another way to provide clients with personalized service is to revamp your existing ones. 2011 began the influx of speedy services to capitalize on clients on the go such as blow dry bars. Shine Fashion and Beauty Editor, Joanna Douglas, believes “Fast and affordable treatments will be even more glitzy with Swarovski manicures, intricate braiding, colorful extensions, and lash tints on the rise.” You can also take this example and apply it towards another demographic such as families. Douglas adds, “With young girls longing for mani-pedis and more family trips to spas, it only makes sense that they’d start offering more treatments for kids. ‘Ice cream pedicures’ and baby massage classes for new parents are just some of the new items on the menu.” Both examples will increase your client retention and revenue because they address the needs of different demographics and encourage the client to be creative.

Being able to expound on the successes of 2011 will give your salon a template for transforming services and products that accommodate the trends of 2012. Let us know how you plan to create exclusive services for your clients!

For more information on consumer trends that will help enhance your salon services, visit gramercyone.com.

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management
focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.

Some of the gift card recipients will be first time visitors, so as a salon owner you want to make sure your entire staff leaves a lasting impression on the client. Creating a comfortable and clean atmosphere will put the client at ease and lessen any apprehension about coming into a new environment. Paula Malloy, Salon Marketing and Product Development Director of JCPenney Salons, adds, “It costs nothing to clean your salon and it should be spotless. Look at every corner through your clients’ eyes. A pristine salon will really elevate your business.” In addition, be mindful about creating clutter such as piles of product or old magazines that are often over looked and stay in one place. You may not notice them, but many of your clients do.

Another thing that will attract clients is focusing on your specialty services. Every salon has their signature service. Whether it’s color, cuts, braids, or weaves, you need to make sure that clients know they’re being styled by the best in the business. John Paul DeJoria,
Chairman of John Paul Mitchell Systems, suggests, “Look at each client as the potential for three services, whether it’s cuts, color, tools, take-home, relaxing, etc. Before each appointment, ask yourself, “What is this client here for and what else can I offer?”

Reinvention is a reoccurring theme at the beginning of every year. Instinctively people might assume that it’d be cheaper to change their overall look and hair at home. Prevent clients from “doing it themselves” by creating a 2012 makeover package. Ehow.com Contributor Laura Acevedo offers great ideas for creating distinct makeover packages. She states, “You can include all your beauty services as well as clothing consultations, makeup lessons and jewelry advice. Create multiple packages by age demographics or life events. These packages will draw in customers and keep them coming back to maintain their  new  look.”  Creating unique packages based on each client enables your salon to increase revenue and customer retention.

Salon Voices’ wishes your salon a busy and successful New Year! Let us know what techniques you’ve found successful in keeping your salon’s business afloat at the beginning of the year!

For more tips on bringing in a successful New Year, visit http://hcds4you.com.

Salon Voices is the leader in Social Networking Operations and Reputation Management
focused on salons. The challenge of promoting your salon’s accurate images rests in your hands. Salon Voices delivers the true face of your hard earned reputation to your current and potential customers. Salon Voices combines social networking reviews with confidential insight from your regular and consistent customers to give you a concise analysis of your business. For more information visit http://salonvoices.com.