Valerie Delforge, CEO and Founder of The Delforge Group and global business advisor, shares five ways you can increase client loyalty in your barbershop...
Loyalty Cards
These are one of the most commonly used methods to help boost client loyalty, as it helps the customer feel they are getting value for money. As they are investing in your business, it is a way for you to give back as a thank you for their custom. There are various ways to create a loyalty card; some systems give you the options of points attached to the customer profile. It is important to remember one thing: keep it simple. The easier it is to understand and redeem, the better the engagement. It is equally as important that everyone leaves your barbershop with one. If a customer finds out that someone else has one but they were not offered it, you take the risk of them losing their trust in your business. Ensure that that process is created within your customer journey.
Competitions
Running competitions are a good way to engage with your existing clientele. As an example, think about the 'everyone wins' scenario. You could create a social media post that says: “The best comment to describe the barbershop wins a hamper of products worth £200.” Decide on the winner and send a message to everyone else saying: “Dear… I am sorry that on this occasion you didn’t win, however, since we value your custom and want to thank you for entering, we are sending you a voucher/invitation to our next event. We look forward to seeing you soon!”
Rethink your 'Recommend a Friend' Campaign
Recommend a friend schemes are always a good way to ensure that you grow your clientele from within and in some ways, it's the cheapest form of advertising. It not only gives your existing clientele an incentive to stay with you but it brings new clients to your barbershop.
Follow up Messages
Sometimes a simple message is as effective as a loyalty card. Ensuring that your clients know you value their custom. This message can be a phone call or an email and is not to promote anything, just a simple acknowledgment of their visit.
VIP Lists
Create a VIP list and decide what they'll get, for example, a new product, invites to events or exclusive discount. You can set your own criteria to decide who will be on your VIP list, for example:
- Anyone who has spent a certain amount of money in your barbershop
- Anyone who has had a certain number of appointments in your barbershop
- Your top 100 clients
