How much value do you put on your salon aesthetic? With social media becoming not only a bigger part of our lives, but also an excellent marketing tool, it’s likely you have been thinking about it more and more.
One aspect you’ve probably heard a lot of is whether something is ‘Instagrammable’. Whether it’s restaurants, cafes or travel destinations, these days a lot of consumers are looking for the number one spot to share snaps online.
So, what does this mean for your beauty salon or barbershop? Are there any benefits to making your business Instagram-ready? And how do you go about doing it?
Read on for some tips and advice…
What does Instagrammable mean?
‘Instagrammability’ is a term that is thrown around a lot lately. But what exactly does it mean?
The word was actually introduced to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 2018. It is often used to describe something that lends itself well to being photographed specifically for social media.
This usually means an experience that is highly visual, eye-catching and unique enough to make users want to show it off.
What are the benefits?
When it comes to your salon, this concept has great potential. Your clients are naturally going to want to show off their new hair styling, nails or other beauty treatment. Giving them an Instagrammable backdrop encourages them do so while still in your salon.
What does this mean? Well, all of their followers will see exactly where they got their amazing new look. It’s a great way to get your name out there, create some buzz and give yourself a social media presence that can turn into bookings.
The beauty industry is, by its nature, very visual. Social media has had a huge impact on how stylists and beauticians can share their work with the world, so why not make the most of it!
What makes a salon ‘Instagrammable’? How to go about making your salon Instaworthy…
Are you thinking about upping the Instagrammability of your salon, but not sure where to start? There are a few things to bear in mind first…
Who is your client base?
Before you throw yourself into things, stop and consider who your client base is. Would they appreciate the changes you are going to make?
Remember, the Instagram trend isn’t for everyone. It tends to be younger clients and millennials who are most engaged with it. If your clients are generally older, make sure you don’t lose them or make them feel uncomfortable with any changes you want to make.
The best thing to do before deciding on any changes is to chat to your clients. Ask them if they ever use social media to get an idea of how important it is to them.
Think about your salon’s brand
You still want your salon to feel authentic, so don’t throw your salon branding out the window in the pursuit of an Instagram following!
Try to avoid anything too gimmicky that will leave your clients wondering what happened to their favourite salon. If you’re unsure, start with small changes and get feedback from your clients before trying anything bigger.
Stay true to who you are and what your salon stands for. Remember, it’s most important for your clients to feel welcome, relaxed and receive the best service before anything else.
Related: How to Refresh Your Salon Interior on a Tight Budget
Find Inspiration
There are so many salons out there with fabulous interiors to inspire you – many of whom have huge social media presences. Do some research and find the ones that resonate with you.
Think about what makes these salons successful and take note of any aspects you think you could incorporate into yours. Some could be as simple as bringing some new furnishings, plants or decor in.
Our Salon Design of the Month series has plenty of stunning interiors to help you on your way.
Create a mood board
Keep track of everything that inspires you with a mood board – using Pinterest is a good way to go. After creating an overview of all the styles you like, you can go back and pick out the ones that work best for your salon. If your salon has a strong brand colour, try and keep it running through – this could be with bright cushions, wall art, some flowers or even a lick of paint.
Get the whole team involved!
The best way to make sure your salon feels authentic? Make it a team activity!
Ask all of your salon staff what they think would work well – after all, they are likely to know their clients better than anyone. Your staff are probably in the salon all day every day, and know how it works inside out. Make sure they are happy with any changes and that they can still do their best work.
Do you need a professional?
Are you thinking of making large scale changes to your salon decor or layout? It might be best to consult with a professional. While this does require a higher budget, a professionally designed salon is a wise investment if you want to take your salon interiors seriously.
At Salons Direct, we offer a professional design and fitting service to all of our salon furniture customers. With expert advice, this ensures your salon runs smoothly and looks ready for the ‘gram!
Don’t forget your own social media accounts
Finally, make sure you don’t neglect your own salon’s social media. Keep it updated with your location so that clients can easily find you and tag you. Post regularly with snaps from inside your salon and ask clients if you can post pictures of their new treatment on your salon account.
Take a look at our Social Media Marketing for Salons guide for more advice.
Some Ideas for making your salon Instagrammable…
Need some ideas to get you going? We’ve taken a look at some of our favourite salons to get some inspiration for you…
Lighting
Of course, you will already know that your salon lighting needs to be both flattering and allow your stylists to see what they are doing. But, a few stylish lamp shades and fittings can really give your salon style a lift.
Furnishings
Furnishings are often key to giving your salon some personality. Why not create an ‘Instagrammable’ waiting area for your clients? Invest in some plush armchairs or sofas and go all out in showing off your creativity!
Photo-op area
An idea we’ve seen lots of salons do well is creating one area of the salon where clients can go to take their selfies. Make this area instantly recognisable so you can build some buzz around your salon and encourage photo shares – if you can, try and incorporate your salon name or logo in the area.
Some smaller touches…
As we have already said, you don’t need to make huge changes to make your salon Instaworthy. Something as simple as serving your clients a beautifully presented cappuccino or juice can go far. Make sure your salon is always clean and tidy too, and you have big and bright mirrors for those who do want to do some showing off! Don’t forget, little things can go for, whether its flowers, plants or some local artwork that makes your salon stand out.
Remember, your salon results will speak for themselves – if your clients love the treatments and service they receive, most of the work is already done! Instagram is a great marketing platform but can take some time to conquer, so don’t be put out if your salon isn’t a sensation overnight.
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Time for more? Visit our hair and beauty blog…
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