How to Get More Clients in a Salon: 10 Easy Marketing Tips For You

An essential part of running a salon is keeping your chairs filled. If you’ve ever stared at an empty booking calendar or watched clients walk past your door to a competitor, you know how frustrating that silence can be.

And you’re not alone actually. Even the most talented stylists and salon owners sometimes struggle to get a steady stream of clients, especially when relying solely on walk-ins or word of mouth. And that challenge hits harder when there’s so much competition, rising costs and an increasingly online customer base.

However, a few simple marketing tweaks can make all the difference and turn strangers into clients, and one-time clients into repeat clients.

You don’t need to become a marketing guru to grow your salon business and you don’t need to struggle either. You just need smart, doable strategies that actually attract more salon clients and keep them coming back.

In this article, we’ll break down 10 of these proven salon marketing tips that can increase your salon bookings, retain clients and grow your salon business starting today.

10 Marketing Tips For Your Salon

1. Know Your Ideal Client (So You Can Market Smarter)

You can’t attract the right people if you don’t know who they are.

Before spending a dime on ads or promotions, ask yourself: Who is my perfect client?

Are they busy professionals who need quick blowouts? Bridal parties looking for glam styling? Teenagers wanting trendy colors? Know who they are.

This is important because knowing your perfect client is the first step to getting more of that type of client and scaling your business.

According to Cropink, 80% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that offer personalized experiences.

So create a client avatar. Give them a name, age, lifestyle and preferences. Then, build your promotions, social media posts and even decor to appeal to them, not just the general public.

2. Offer First-Time Client Discounts

Everyone loves a great deal, especially when trying a new salon or any place really.

Offering a 10–20% discount for first-time bookings can be the little nudge someone needs to walk through your doors, as it removes hesitation for new clients. But the key is positioning it as a limited-time welcome gift rather than a desperate discount.

So, instead of just saying “10% off everything,” phrase it like this: First visit? Get a luxury scalp massage FREE with any service! Or Get 15% off your first appointment as just our way of saying welcome.

Make sure to set an expiry date for it, for example, Valid for bookings this month only and promote it on your website, Google Business profile and Instagram bio. This makes the offer feel exclusive and exciting.

With a small offer, you can increase salon bookings without hurting your long-term profits.

3. Collect and Showcase Reviews

Online reviews are your salon’s social proof. And they matter a lot.

According to BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, and 79% trust them as much as personal recommendations.

So, how do you get more reviews for your salon?

Try sending follow-up texts or emails after appointments. Something quick and easy, like Love your new look? Leave us a quick review!

Also, make it easy for them to say yes to leaving feedback by texting them a direct review link or offering a small bonus for reviews, like a free sample or entry into a giveaway.

Then, feature those glowing reviews on your website, Instagram stories and even on your salon mirror. Make them part of your brand story and let your happy clients do the marketing for you.

4. Run Geo-Targeted Ads on Instagram or Facebook

Instead of hoping locals find you, put your salon in front of them. Facebook and Instagram ads are a great way to market your business.

And if you're spending money on ads but not getting results, chances are you're either targeting too broadly or not targeting at all. Try geo-targeting.

Geo-targeting allows you to show your salon ads only to people in your area, increasing relevance and conversions.

Most platforms let you target people within 1-5 miles of your salon, perfect for attracting nearby clients.

And if you need ideas, here are some ad ideas that work and convert:

• “5 minutes from [Landmark]? Get 20% off your first visit!”
• Before/after posts of your best work.
• Promos for seasonal services

Even a tiny budget can attract more salon clients when your ads are seen by the right local audience.

5. Allow Clients to Book Online

You might be losing bookings simply because clients can’t find a fast, easy way to book you.

Today’s beauty clients expect 24/7 convenience. They don’t want to call or DM and wait, they want to click and book instantly.

If clients have to call, wait for a callback or scroll through endless options, they’ll book elsewhere.

So simplify the booking process with an online booking platform so clients can book in a few taps whether that’s late at night or during a coffee break getting you more clients.

6. Partner with Other Local Businesses

Imagine this: You run a hair salon. Down the street, there’s a coffee shop, a yoga studio and a boutique. Instead of seeing them as separate businesses, think: collaboration opportunities.

Cross-promotions expand your reach without extra ad spend or even spending a dime, at times.

You can team up with a boutique and make an offer like Spend $50 next door, get 10% off your next pedicure or offer wedding vendors, like photographers or florists, a discount for referring bridal clients.

These partnerships not only expand your reach but they build community trust. And people love supporting salons that support other local gems.

7. Encourage and Promote Referrals

Happy clients will refer others…if you remind them.

A good way to market your salon business is to set up a referral program that rewards clients for spreading the word. For example: Refer a friend, and you BOTH get $10 off your next service! or VIP cards for clients who bring in 3+ new bookings.

Then promote it. Mention it at checkout, add it to appointment reminder texts or even feature it on your salon mirror or waiting area.

Make it fun and feel like a gift, not a sales tactic.

To take it a step further, you can feature loyal clients on social media or run a Client of the Month shoutout on Instagram or other social platforms.

8. Use Social Media to Promote Your Salon

Social media is one of the most common yet powerful ways to market your salon business.

Get on one or two social media platforms, post short videos of quick styling tips, polls, before/after pics, client spotlights and behind the scenes. These will help you get discovered and build trust.

According to Search Engine Watch, social media influences 71% consumer buying decisions and shortens the customer journey making it a great tool for marketing your salon business.

Don’t just promote your services, engage too. Reply to DMs, comment on posts and build relationships online like you would in the salon.

You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible to the people who are looking.

9. Claim Your Online Presence (Google Business & Website)

If someone searches “best salon near me” will you show up?

These days, your salon’s first impression often happens online, long before a client ever walks through your door. According to PR Newswire, 76% of consumers look at online presence before physically visiting a business

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful (and free) tools to help you get discovered. A fully updated profile with fresh photos, accurate hours, great reviews and a direct booking link can significantly improve your chances of being chosen over competitors.

In fact, Growtha reports that 88% of searches for local businesses on a smartphone will result in a call or visit within 24 hours.

But don’t stop at Google. Even a simple, one-page website or a Shearify profile adds credibility and gives clients a reliable place to learn more about your services, see your work and book appointments.

When your online presence is clean, consistent and client-friendly, it becomes one of your hardest-working marketing tools, bringing in clients even while you’re off the clock.

10. Offer Unique Salon Packages

Sometimes, the difference between a client booking one service and booking three is simply how you package it.

Clients love bundles, especially if it saves them time or money. So, instead of listing everything a la carte, turn your services into themed packages that make it easy and exciting to say yes.

These packages increase your average booking value while also encouraging clients to try services they may not have considered on their own.

Best of all, packages are highly promotable. They work well in social media posts, stories and even word-of-mouth referrals. You can create seasonal ones to drive urgency or offer group-friendly versions to encourage referrals. You can even name them fun things to stand out and be on brand.

Then get eyes on them by promoting them through email, social media and your booking platform.

Boost Client Experience with Shearify

If you're looking for a single solution that handles online booking, scheduling, payments, subscription packages, and client communication for your salon, try Shearify. It’s built specifically for beauty and wellness professionals, including stylists, barbers, nail techs, and makeup artists. Using a tool like Shearify lets you centralize booking, customer data, and client communication in one place so you can spend more time serving and less time managing tech.

Final Takeaway: The Clients Are There, Just Make It Easy for Them to Find You

Marketing your salon doesn’t mean being everywhere or doing everything. It means showing up strategically, where your ideal clients already are.

The clients are out there. They’re scrolling Instagram. They’re Googling “salon near me.” They’re checking reviews before booking. By making your salon easy to find, easy to book and hard to forget, you’ll keep clients coming back and sending their friends too.

So start today. Pick 2-3 tips from this list, set a deadline and track results. And don’t forget to set up your Shearify account to help you.

FAQ

1. What’s the best way to attract new clients to my salon?

Start by defining your ideal client and offering a first-time discount to encourage them to try your services. Promote this on your website, social media, and Google Business profile to increase visibility and urgency.

2. How can I get more repeat clients and referrals?

Focus on excellent service, then set up a referral program where clients get rewarded for bringing in friends. Consider offering loyalty perks and showcasing happy clients on your social media for added engagement

3. Do I need to be on social media to get more salon clients?

Yes! Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are powerful tools. Post before/after photos, styling tips, and client testimonials. Engaging consistently builds trust and keeps your salon top-of-mind.

4. What if my salon is in a competitive area, how do I stand out?

Create unique salon packages or name your services creatively. Focus on what makes your experience different (e.g., luxury scalp massage, eco-friendly products, fast blowouts for professionals) and showcase it online.

5. How do I make my salon easier to book for busy clients?

Use an online booking system that works 24/7. Clients love being able to book quickly without phone calls or DMs. Keep it simple, mobile-friendly, and linked across all your platforms.