Mastering Salon Client Conversation

Do you think that your clients come to you solely for your talent as a hairdresser? They do expect to look and feel great when they leave your salon; however, the truth is that what motivates them to come back time and again is, well, YOU! Yes, your witty banter, knack for listening, and overall impressive people skills can make you a valuable commodity in this industry. So, if you’re feeling a bit awkward about getting the conversation started or keeping it going, try some of these tips:

Take a Genuine Interest

Ask clients about their day, their family, how their work is going, special projects they are working on, plans for the weekend, upcoming trips or special occasions, what sports they are into, etc. Basically, anything that will get them talking about themselves short of a quick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. It’s essential, however, to avoid talking about yourself, unless the client asks.

Know Your Topics

Keep up on current events, pop culture, sports, and what’s trending – that way you have a topic at hand for different clients based on their interests. When it comes to talking about politics, religion, or money, tread lightly! It’s so easy to end up in a heated conversation that may make you or someone else nearby uncomfortable.

Stay Focused, Positive & Neutral

No matter the subject of conversation, always keep the banter light and on the positive side. Even if you have Debbie Downer in your chair, try to remain upbeat, although empathetic to those who are in need. Also, your clients are not there for you to gossip, vent about your personal life, or to push your own perspective or beliefs. Keep the focus on the client and stay as neutral as possible on all subject matters.

Truly Listen

Once you get your client talking, pay attention to what they are saying, how they say it, and what their body language reveals. Intently listen to their answers to your questions and try reciprocating the best you can. Don’t work too hard to advance to the next question; instead, roll with the direction that they take the conversation.

Know When to Zip It

Some clients simply don’t want to talk and prefer to be pampered in peace. They usually give short answers to your questions and choose to dive into a magazine or are more enthralled with their phones than your conversation. Learn to read the signals and opt to close your trap when the timing feels right.

Noteworthy Notions

Try to keep brief notes about your conversations and each client’s interests. Most salon management software has a place for notes in your clients’ files. Take a moment to add a few topics of interest and document any relevant conversation details for future referral. That way their 30 to 90-minute salon service flows along nicely, just like the conversation!

50+ Questions to Consider

To help you learn more about your clients, and hopefully spur on an interesting conversation, here are 50+ simple questions to consider. These salon conversation topics are starting points to help build a better relationship with your customers and to give you a chance to rebook them in the future and turn them into a loyal client.

Hair, Skin & Beauty Questions

• What issues are you having with your hair?
• How much time do you spend on it each day?
• What one thing would you change about your hair if you could?
• What is your ultimate goal with your hair?
• What issues are you having with your skin?
• What is your daily beauty routine?
• What is your favorite scent?
• Where do you get your hair/beauty information about products, techniques, and trends?
• Where do you purchase your beauty products and tools?
• Do you shop online at all?

General Questions

• What’s been the best part of your day/week so far?
• What would make your day/week better?
• Any special plans coming up?
• What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
• How did you get into your line of work?
• What led you to your field or topic of study?
• Have you been working on anything exciting lately?

Relationship Questions

• How did you meet your other half?
• Tell me about your family. How old are your kids? How are they doing in school? What sort of interests do they have?
• Do your parents live nearby? Do you get to see them often?

Sports & Activities Questions

• How do you blow off steam? What sort of stress relief works for you?
• Do you play any sports? If so, which ones? How often do you participate?
• Are you into any sports? What teams are your favorites? Have you been to any recent games?
• What do you do in your spare time?
• Do you have any hobbies?
• Any favorite restaurants?
• What types of food do you like?
• Have you tried (insert restaurant name)?

Movies/TV/Music Questions

• Have you binge-watched anything interesting lately?
• What movies have you seen lately? What did you think of it/them?
• What’s your all-time favorite film?
• Do you like documentaries? What’s the last one you watched?
• Are you an avid reader? If so, what was the last book you read? Who’s your favorite author?
• Have you seen any concerts lately? If so, which one(s)? How was it?
• What type of music do you like?
• What song makes you happy?
• Do you play any instruments yourself?

Travel Questions

• (If from out of town) Where are you from originally?
• Do you travel much?
• Where is the most interesting place you’ve visited?
• What did you like best about it?
• Any vacation plans this year?
• What countries/cities are on your bucket list?

The Ultimate Goal

The whole idea with conversation is to get your clients to open up about themselves so that you can provide the best possible service. Find the right topics for each client and customize the conversation to suit their needs, and you’ll likely have a loyal customer for life.

ur highlights. There you will find conversations about client feedback, taking care of skin in the sun, and social media integration to kick it all off. You won’t want to miss these amazing Instagram stories that were specially curated just for you, our clients. Follow us now on Instagram.