How to Use Social Media to Promote Your Salon

Nowadays, if your business isn’t on social media, you are doing yourself a huge disadvantage. But just being on the platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) isn’t enough. That’s why we created this list of tips to promote your salon on social media.

Social media, especially Instagram, can be used as your online digital portfolio. Sharing the best images of your work is a great way to show clients what you are capable of. Before and after pictures show your audience how you can transform someone how people look. Be careful when it comes to editing. Over editing photos can be easy to do, but can quickly ruin photos and distract the viewer from what is most important in the image. Stick with unedited and high-quality photos. The better the content you post; the more followers you will have.

Engagement is one of the most important factors on social media. Algorithms share your content to users based on the frequency of engagement. The more that people engage with your posts, the more posts they will see of yours in the future. Simply asking people to engage with your post is a great way to go about it. Ask questions in your captions to prompt comments or say things like “double tap” if you agree to encourage likes.

Gaining exposure on social media can be challenging, especially when you are first starting out. Using hashtags and geotags puts your posts in feeds that people are searching in. When it comes to hashtags, make sure they are relevant to the post. Use between 11-20 different hashtags – some very broad and others more specific. For example, #hairsalon or #makeupartist are broad and work for increasing followers on your page. Use more specific hashtags like #michiganhairsalon or #michiganmakeupartist to appeal to people in your area. Tagging each of your photos on Instagram with your salon’s location will create a feed of images that people will see when they search for your location. Clients will be able to use the geotag when they get their haircut or share their experience.

Another way to reach more people and grow your following on social media is through contests and giveaways. Giveaway a free haircut or manicure for the winner of the contest. To enter, each contestant must follow you on all of your social media channels and tag a friend in the comments of the photo. Not only are you gaining new followers, but you will likely get a new client out of it!

While it’s completely possible to grow your social media following organically, paying for ads and promoted posts can help to expedite the process. Running paid ads on Facebook and Instagram can be relatively inexpensive and can reach many people. If you aren’t familiar with running ads on Facebook, a simple way to get started is to boost the posts. This will get your post out to a targeted group for a select time and budget.