Don’t you know what to do as a hairdresser during the COVID-19 Lock-down? Well there are plenty of tasks waiting for you to make the most effective and efficient use of this period.
I have written your TO-DO-LIST! Please have a look at the ideas mentioned below and use this as inspiration to keep working on your salon and brand even during lock-down. Good luck!
1. Administration and Taxes
Not the most inspiring job, but this is a great time to get your finances in order and finish the books of last year.
2. Overdue maintenance in the salon
There are certainly jobs that have been waiting for your “disinfected clean hands” for a long time. Are your work materials in order or are your furniture items in need of replacement? Invest in the future and replace it where necessary so you can start with a clean and functioning salon!
3. Check your inventory
For example, clean up your color kitchen. Make a list of the old stock items and put them together so you will use them first when reopening.
Do this regularly – once every six months – to have a controlled efflux of items. You can also apply this per season. Adjust your color range to the season and avoid unnecessary stock.
4. Price list
Is your price list still up to date? Check your price list and remove irrelevant items. The lock-down period is a great moment to recalibrate your prices. Be critical on your communication of the prices, is your price list clear and easy to communicate to your consumer?
5. Cash register system update
Are all your treatments and products labelled in the right way, are all prices correct or are all your treatments on your online booking system? This is one of those jobs that remains forgotten in busy periods.
6. Clean it all
Clean all nooks and crannies, the work trolleys, wheels, etcetera. Make sure you will have a fresh start and after the corona crisis.
7. Product sales
Put your sales products in the spotlight. Make a newsletter, make nice posts for social media. Perhaps you can send the products to your customers, during this period or have your employees deliver the products to the customers’ homes (if allowed).
Think about sharing the costs with your customer to make it extra attractive to use this service. From a hygienic point of view, it is wise to deliver / collect the packages without contact.
8. Training calendar
Set up a training calendar for your employees, this way the education program for your employees is ready for the coming year(s).
9. Check employee contracts and services
Sort, note and assess whether there is still something to change or update. This includes pension funds, provisions, vacation schedule overview, insurance policies and agreements made in the past.
10. Check contracts and discount rates of your suppliers
Are these still up to date? You may be able to contact your supplier by phone or Skype to discuss your contract and conditions and adjust or change them where necessary. Think carefully about what you want to discuss and how to negotiate. Write it down on paper beforehand. Take a strong but real negotiating position. Remember suppliers need you as a much as a client as you need them.
11. Social media
Create a strategic plan for the coming period to keep your customers fully involved with your company / organization. Make posts, share fun promotions. Keep yourself visible in these uncertain times. Also clean your social channels, remove what is no longer relevant. Before you post something on social media, think carefully about what goal you want to achieve with it, what should it yield and what do you show. This can contribute to a more successful action / reaction from your audience.
12. Google Business page
This is an important marketing tool to make your company visible to your customers and potential new customers. Make sure this company page is up to date and with the latest information, photos and the correct opening hours of your company.
(Check your google business page regularly to see if it is still up to date)
13. Review check
Ask your customer to write Google reviews. Preferably honest, sincere and one with constructive criticism. You can really get a step ahead with this by becoming more visible and trustworthy.
14. E-learning
Your supplier will undoubtedly have a YouTube channel or e-learning platform where you can find all technical and creative know-how. Encourage yourself and your employees to view and study them. Also watch videos of other hairdressers to get the necessary inspiration.
15. Performance appraisal with employees
Now the ideal time to schedule these and really sit down (virtually) with your employees for a while. Discuss the current state of affairs, discuss the needs of both parties and future development plan. “Growing together is growing towards the future.” And please pay some attention to the employees’ personal situation during lock-down.
16. Check contracts
Perhaps there is still profit, by saving, to be made by taking a critical look at your current contracts. Think of your Gas and electrics bill, telephone, internet, window cleaner, cleaning service, etcetera. Take a strong negotiating position and compare your current agreements with other competing parties.
17. Promotions
Think of a nice promotion that you can use this period to generate more turnover. Think of product promotions or promotions with treatments, for example “book your appointment in July and you get …”
18. Gift voucher
Do you want your customer to have an extra session in the salon after the lock-down period? Actively promote your gift cards. Give the customer an extra discount on this product, which makes it extra attractive to use this service. Communicate clearly to your customer what benefit he / she gets with this. This creates a realistic expectation and prevents disappointment.
19. Branding
Is your identity still visible – online and in the salon? Do all your customers know what you stand for? It might be an idea to write this out or to share it again with your customers.
For example, your employees are specialized in color and have all the know-how to be a true color specialist. Does your customer know this as well? This is essential if you want to distinguish yourself from all other hairdressers.
20. Offline visibility
Offline visibility is also very important. Make sure your logo of the salon / organization is clearly visible. Place your logo on carpets, coffee mugs, posters etcetera. Think carefully about what suits your salon. Every salon is different, and every salon therefore needs a different approach. Be aware of the exterior of the salon, even during lock down. Keep your windows clean and sweep the street, be proud of your company and show this at all times!
Good luck and best regards,
Dominic Vleer, Atelier DMNC