{"id":181,"date":"2018-04-20T20:51:54","date_gmt":"2018-04-20T20:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seat.style\/?p=181"},"modified":"2018-04-20T20:51:54","modified_gmt":"2018-04-20T20:51:54","slug":"how-to-ask-better-consultation-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/how-to-ask-better-consultation-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Clients Coming Back: Ask Better Hair Consultation Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number one reason clients dump their hair stylists? They don\u2019t feel valued or understood — basically, they aren\u2019t being listened to. Consultations are an essential part of building client relationships and they’re the best way to keep clients coming back. Learning about your clients\u2019 needs, their insecurities, and their lifestyle will not only allow you to deliver a custom experience, it will also build trust and ultimately loyalty.<\/p>\n

You might be thinking, \u201cI give great client consultations!\u201d But get this: according to an article by Lockhartmeyer<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>97% of hairdressers say they give consultations but only 7% of clients think they\u2019ve had one! So, even if you think you\u2019ve got this strategy down, you might want to rethink the questions you\u2019re asking. Here are the top ten questions hairstylists should be asking.<\/p>\n

#1 Why did you leave your old beauty salon?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

If you’re giving a first-time client a consultation, find out why they were unhappy at their old beauty salon. You’ll be able to identify your client’s expectations right away from their experiences and know what it will take to gain their trust.<\/p>\n

#2 What made you book me?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s always good to know how a client discovered you — it tells you which marketing channels are working. But, it\u2019s also helpful to know what got clients to push that \u201cbook\u201d button. Was it your hairstyle, your experience, your personality? This will give you insight into what your client is interested in.<\/p>\n

#3 What do you like\/dislike about your hair?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Salon Today<\/a><\/strong><\/b>, in addition to understanding what your client likes about her hair, you also need to understand what she thinks her weaknesses are. \u201cIt provides you with an opportunity to improve not only your client\u2019s hair, but her confidence as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

#4\u00a0Are you a confident styler? Do you use products and tools?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

When you ask clients, \u201cWhat can I do for you today?\u201d most of them won\u2019t know how to explain what they want. In an ideal world, they\u2019d say something like, \u201cI need a professional haircut that only takes 15-20 min to style, I don\u2019t like using hot tools, I work out a lot so I need to be able to pull it back, and I\u2019m looking for some bold beachy highlights — let\u2019s do balayage.<\/p>\n

You know no one is going to say this, so here are the right hair construction questions to ask that will give you those answers you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n

#5\u00a0What type of job do you have?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

#6\u00a0Are there any celebrity hairstyles you love?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

#7\u00a0Do you have any allergies or products or scents you don\u2019t like?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

#8\u00a0Have you done any chemical treatments before?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

#9\u00a0When you walk into a room, do you like to turn heads and be noticed, or would you rather be subtle? –\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>This is great one we got from\u00a0American Salon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

#10\u00a0Do you have any important events coming up?\u00a0Doing anything fun after your appointment?<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

If your client has an important event coming up like a job interview, add this to your\u00a0client notes<\/a>. Asking valuable hair consultation questions paired with remembering important personal information is the key to relationship building. If you keep a record, you\u2019ll remember to bring it up at her next appointment. This also gives you an opportunity to educate her. Show her some simple styling techniques she can do before her interview. If she has something fun (like a date) after her appointment, put in a couple extra minutes at the end to make sure she looks great and feels confident — she won\u2019t forget it.<\/p>\n

Looking for tools to help you run your business? Try\u00a0StyleSeat<\/a>\u00a0here.<\/p>\n

For more business tips, check out these articles:<\/p>\n