Cash In On Christmas: Proven Strategies to Boost Your Salon’s Holiday Bookings

Christmas is fast approaching, and for salon owners, the holiday season can bring both excitement and stress. Ensuring a steady flow of bookings throughout December is key to balancing the rush and avoiding last-minute chaos.

Recently, I hosted a workshop specifically for this purpose, and the insights shared were all about planning ahead, optimising client engagement, and using marketing strategies tailored to this festive time of year. Here’s a summary of the key strategies covered, designed to help you cash in on the Christmas season and maximise your salon’s holiday bookings.

1. Start with a Clear Baseline: Know Your Numbers

Before running holiday marketing campaigns, it’s essential to understand your current capacity and performance. Start by reviewing your booking data, client numbers, and overall productivity. This baseline data will help you gauge the effectiveness of your holiday marketing and track revenue increases resulting from your Christmas campaigns.

Ask yourself:

• How many clients have booked in for the weeks prior to Christmas?
• What’s your current productivity rate?
• Is there capacity to take on more bookings or make the schedule more efficient?

This clarity will not only show you where your business currently stands but also highlight where you can take action to balance demand through targeted marketing.

2. Prioritise Your VIP Clients

To kickstart your Christmas bookings, reach out to your VIP clients first. These are the loyal clients who have visited you at least three times and have a high likelihood of returning. A personalised message for these clients can make them feel valued and appreciated, while also giving them the opportunity to book before the holiday rush.

In the workshop, I shared easy-to-use templates for emails and texts designed specifically for this purpose. The language is warm and welcoming, with a clear call-to-action. Whether you encourage clients to book online or call your salon directly, the key is to make these messages feel personal, not generic. This early contact makes a huge difference, as VIP clients who book now are less likely to need last-minute appointments closer to Christmas.

3. Expand Your Reach to Regular Clients

Once you’ve contacted your VIP clients, turn your attention to regular clients. This group includes anyone who’s visited within the last six months. For them, a friendly, inviting message encouraging them to secure their spot for the holidays can be highly effective.

The messaging here is crucial. Remind these clients about the value of their appointment, the convenience of booking in advance, and perhaps even the peace of mind they’ll feel knowing they won’t miss out during the busiest time of year. Keeping the message friendly but with a gentle sense of urgency helps motivate clients to book early, so they don’t miss out on their ideal appointment time.

4. Get Creative with Ongoing Holiday Campaigns

With your core client base in mind, consider additional campaigns to keep the Christmas season front-of-mind. Here are some ideas:

• Holiday-Themed Receipts and Appointment Reminders: Adding a festive reminder on client receipts or including a holiday message in appointment confirmation emails or texts is an easy, passive way to encourage bookings.
• Social Media Posts: Share fun, festive content across Facebook, Instagram, and other social channels. This might include gift ideas, special holiday packages, or just a reminder to book early. Social media can be a powerful tool to showcase your salon’s seasonal spirit and inspire clients to make an appointment.
• In-Salon Signage: Subtle signs in your salon can gently nudge clients to book their next appointment while they’re already thinking about their holiday plans. Placing reminders by the reception desk or at each station can increase awareness and encourage clients to act now rather than waiting.

5. The Proof Is in the Numbers: Case Studies and Results

The results of these campaigns speak volumes. Salons that implement early and ongoing Christmas marketing strategies see impressive increases in pre-booked revenue. In fact, some salons have achieved revenue boosts of 24%, 28%, and even 48% just by putting these strategies into action. By leveling out demand and spreading bookings more evenly throughout December, these salons not only bring in more revenue but also avoid the all-too-common stress of last-minute scheduling.

6. Take Action Now and Enjoy a Smoother Holiday Season

The key takeaway from the workshop? Don’t wait until December to think about your holiday bookings. Start planning your Christmas marketing campaigns now. With a structured approach to engaging clients early and maintaining awareness throughout the season, you’ll set your salon up for a profitable and manageable December.

If you missed the live workshop, don’t worry! The full recording is available, packed with templates, tips, and insights tailored to help you make the most of the holiday rush. It’s a great resource for any salon owner looking to maximize their bookings, boost client engagement, and enjoy a more balanced schedule this Christmas season.

To access the full Cash In On Christmas workshop recording and get your hands on all the templates and marketing ideas shared, click here to watch now! 🎄 Make this Christmas your best yet with a proactive, client-focused approach that keeps your salon thriving right through to the New Year.