Should I close my appointment book for new clients?

I am feeling mixed emotions today. I am coming out of a 4-month lockdown in Sydney Australia and have been tempted to say no new clients due to overwhelming feelings of a loss of control and an ever-growing client list. So I totally get it. I understand why some hairdressers write on their Instagram bio they are booked out or books closed and stop welcoming new clients. In fact. It is not just hairdressers that do this. I see tattoo artists doing it too, but what concerns me about this as a business is there is no room for growth and you are never going to be able to scale your business.

That’s why I have made the decision to always keep my books open for new clients and I want to share the reason why you should too, in this podcast episode.

Show notes for podcast episode 79

Tempting as it might be to close the books – just don’t do it!

Closing your books to new clients prevents your business from growth and prevents your personal growth by not being able to meet more clients and try new things with their hair. There is only one of you and only so many hours in the day, so rather than closing your books to new clients,  could it be time to have a price rise and attract more clients that are willing to pay premium prices so you don’t have to work longer hours to make more money?

This podcast episode is not a black and white story or an exact roadmap for you to take and follow. I want this to be a conversation starter that leads you to your own destiny for growth. All of our business models include hair as a service, but we all have different business structures and what works for me might not work for you. Our regular clients stop coming eventually. It can happen for many different reasons. Could be cost, could be job loss or relocation, could be something totally different and unrelated to your business & they are still happy, but they simply need to make changes in their life (and this includes you and your salon). That’s why you want to be welcoming new clients and continuing to nurture client relationships regardless of whether they have visited your salon once or twice or 100 times. They are all important to your business.

I want you to ask yourself these questions before you close your books:

• When was the last time you reviewed your booking policies?
• Do you have a new client deposit and welcoming letter? 
• Are you currently offering a waitlist and an appointment option for new clients?
• Could you be charging for consultations to increase your service menu offerings?
• Could taking deposits be a feasible option for your biz to avoid no-shows?

Listen to episode 79 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast to learn how I navigate through these questions & why I have decided to never close my books to new clients.

STEAL MY EXACT DM MESSAGE I USE FOR ALL NEW CLIENTS:

I promised to share my exact template that I send to new client enquiries via Instagram DM with you so you can copy and paste it to use in your biz. Take what works and edit to adapt what doesn’t and let me know how you go.

Here it is for you to steal for yourself;

Hi there!

Thank you for your  enquiry about making a first visit haircolour appointment with me. Please send me an email with the subject line – NEW CLIENT REQUEST. Do this by clicking contact button in my bio.

 

Please include in email:

1. Name 
2. Mobile 
3. Email
4. Current hair photos (front/side/back)
5. Dream Hair photos
6. Hair colour written description

 

I will reply to all emails within business hours. I love to paint hair as my canvas! Thanks again for connecting here. 

 

Thanks, Kristina