In the tanning salon and beauty industry, businesses can often experience peaks and valleys. During slower periods, amplifying your social media presence becomes a critical strategy to attract new clientele. Maintaining engagement throughout various platforms and keeping your current customers excited about your services is key this time of year. Engaging your staff – especially since they are likely members of the younger generation (Gen Z) and naturally proficient at using various social media platforms – can transform your salon’s online presence. Here’s a step-by-step guide for effectively using social media during slow times and getting your staff involved in content creation.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest are visual-centric and perfect for showcasing tanning, as well as the spa services on your menu. These platforms allow salons to highlight their services, promote your special offers, share customer testimonials and give a behind-the-scenes look at your daily operations. Utilizing social media can drive traffic to your salon, increase brand awareness and ultimately, boost your clientele.
Involving your staff in content creation for your social media platforms can be a game-changer for your salon during slow periods.
When it comes to creating engaging and most importantly authentic content, your staff is your best asset. Here are steps and strategies for involving them:
- Recognize staff who have a knack for photography, videography or social media management. Assign them roles that align with their interests and skills. If Kelly is exceptional at making a Tik Tok and very knowledgeable about the products you carry, she would be a huge asset to help run your TikTok account.
- Developing a monthly content calendar outlining what type of content should be posted and when will help ensure that you and your team are organized and will have a steady flow of content for the month. Explain the analytics and why it makes sense to post at certain time frames rather than others.
- There are various types of content that can be created and shared.
- “Before & After” transformations showcasing the results of your services are highly effective content as they demonstrate the quality offered at your facility. This is one of the most popular demonstrations as followers can see firsthand how effective a product and service can go together to obtain results.
- Staff can create short videos on how to achieve certain looks, tanning tips or skincare routines using your favorite products. These educational posts can establish your salon and spread brand awareness in the tanning industry.
- Providing “behind-the-scenes” (BTS) footage gives followers a peek into daily life at the salon. Showcase the process of setting up new clientele, staff interactions, or preparing for a special event. Some customers may have no idea just what it takes to operate a successful tanning salon. This can also lead to more brand awareness for your business.
- What sets your salon apart from others? Showcase your loyalty programs, the special services on your menu, and the special discounts you offer at certain membership levels. Eye-catching graphics and clear calls-to-action to drive engagement would be the most effective way to promote your salon. You can create various artwork for these posts in Canva.
To ensure that the content your staff creates reaches and engages your target audience, consider the following tips:
- Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
- Research and use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts.
- Respond promptly to comments and messages. Encourage staff to interact with followers to build a sense of community.
- Encourage guests to tag your salon in their posts and share their content on your platforms.
- Use social media analytics to track the performance of posts. This data can help give a better understanding as to how well you are reaching your demographic.
Creating staff spotlights and introducing your team to followers will help build a personal connection with your audience. You can broadcast this through posts that highlight their skills, personalities and interests. Have fun with it!
To keep your staff motivated and enthusiastic about contributing to your social media efforts, consider the following incentives:
- Organize fun team-building events or outings. This not only serves as a reward, but also creates a positive work environment and generates great content ideas.
- Provide opportunities for staff to attend social media marketing workshops or courses.
- Implement a Social Media Award that recognizes the employee whose content performs the best each month. This can come with a small prize or even a certificate.
Involving your staff in content creation for your social media platforms can be a game-changer for your salon during slow periods. By identifying their strengths and offering attractive incentives, you can cultivate an engaging and captivating online presence. The authentic and creative content produced by your team can not only keep your current clientele engaged but also bring in new customers, ensuring a steady flow of business throughout the year.
