Published: June 16, 2017
Last updated: April 15, 2024
How to Talk to Clients in the Salon: Learn to TALK the TALK
How to build rapport and trust with clients?
It might sound obvious, but your 鈥渃lientele鈥� consists of clients. Don鈥檛 ever forget; the size and quality of your clientele will determine the size and quality of your paycheck, so learning how to keep your clients coming back is of the utmost importance. From a business standpoint, learning to talk to your customer is every bit as important as performing the artistry behind cosmetology. Today, we focus on building rapport; stay tuned for serving clients through improved communication!
Greetings!
Don鈥檛 overlook this. It鈥檚 so simple, but can鈥檛 be emphasized enough. Next time you walk in a room, take note of how you are received. Does everyone stop what they鈥檙e doing, smile and shout your name? Or do they barely look your way? How does each reaction make you feel? It鈥檚 the same with clients. If you are genuinely happy to see them, they鈥檒l be happy to see you. And if you鈥檙e happy to see each other, then it鈥檚 much more likely the two of you will see each other again and again.
*** (Don鈥檛 be afraid to practice greeting people in the mirror! Yes. It鈥檚 that important.) ***
Be my guest.
The first key to fun conversation, as well as productive conversation, is ensuring your guest is comfortable.
No one is listening when they鈥檙e too cold, or too hot, or if they鈥檙e hungry or tired. Have a plan making sure the guest in your chair isn鈥檛 hampered with some easily remedied physical hardship. Always remember: This is your guest!
As soon as someone sits in your chair, they are relying on you to make them comfortable. Have you ever been served a meal in a restaurant, but the server didn鈥檛 bring you a fork? You鈥檇 likely be happy to get the fork yourself, but it鈥檚 not your place. You don鈥檛 know were anything is. You are dependent on the server.
It鈥檚 the same with the guest in your chair. Their comfort is dependent on you. Simply asking a client how you can help them be more comfortable can mean the difference between your customer becoming a longtime client, or only a one-timer.
Focus.
Be attentive to your client. Don鈥檛 be distracted. Your client should have your undivided attention.
Listen.
Along with focusing, comes listening. Make certain you hear what they鈥檙e saying, but also that you understand what they mean. Resist the temptation to talk about you, most people鈥檚 favorite topic is themselves. HOWEVER, be aware that there is a minority of people that do not enjoy the focus of conversation on them. Distinguishing which type of personality is sitting in your chair is critical to good conversation.
Smile.
Nothing makes another person feel more warm, comfortable and trusting than a genuine smile. Don鈥檛 miss out on this incredibly easy, important and learnable skill. A warm smile will go further towards developing conversation then nearly anything else. When was the last time you did a little smiling practice in the mirror at home?
Easy topics.
Have a few easy, non-invasive topics of conversation ready. Does the person like sports? Be aware of the time of year so you can ask if they鈥檙e up on the current sporting event. What reality TV shows are getting down to the final cuts? You don鈥檛 have to watch every show, but being aware of what鈥檚 going on in the world can help you navigate conversations with people that like those hot topics.
Above all else, be genuine and authentic and give every client your best effort.
At La’ James International College, a beauty school in Iowa, you can learn all these necessary aspects of managing a beauty salon and mastering the art of conversation with clients. For inquiries, feel free to get in touch with us.
Other career tips:
Client and Stylist Relationships: Conversations & Building Trust
The benefits of scheduling in advance
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