21 Communication Tips for Stylists

Good communication is necessary in just about every profession, but it’s especially important for stylists. Every day, you are working hands-on with your clients, aiming to give them a look they will absolutely love. And while giving your clients a great look is what the job is about on the surface, in reality, it’s all about building relationships. 

While every client is different, here are a few tips to help you win over your clients:

1. Smile!
2. Ask clients to bring pictures of styles they like. Ask what elements they like about each style.
3. Greet your clients by name as they enter the salon.
4. Make eye contact! This will help you better gauge how your client is feeling and shows you are engaged.
5. Overcommunicate what you are going to do.
6. If you are behind schedule, give an estimate of how long the wait will be.
7. Speak with confidence when recommending styles and products to boost your credibility.
8. Avoid industry jargon—speak your client’s language.
9. Gently suggest similar but more flattering alternatives if a client requests a cut or color that would not work well with his or her features.
10. Share new styles and trends.
11. Listen actively, asking follow-up questions and repeating key points back to your client for clarification.
12. Sit at eye-level during consultations.
13. Teach your clients how to recreate salon looks at home.
14. Don’t just ask what style your client wants—ask what he or she wants to achieve with the look—to give you a better idea of what the underlying goal is for the new style and to help you make recommendations.
15. Talk less, listen more. 
16. Be aware of your tone. Avoid sarcasm or snarkiness.
17. Same as at the Thanksgiving dinner table, avoid the topics of religion and politics (unless your client brings these topics up first).
18. Take the time to consider how a message sent over email or a messaging program may be read. How would you react if you received the message?
19. Get to know your client personally—job, morning routines, styling ability, products and tools used—to help you make better style and product recommendations.
20. Avoid slouching during sit-down consultations.
21. Offer the customer service you would expect from others to your clients.

Communication and building relationships isn’t always easy, but seeing your clients happy and coming back makes it worth the effort!

Sources

• http://www.refinery29.com/hair-stylist-communication-tips#slide-2
• https://www.samvilla.com/pro/blog/client-consultation-master-communication-master-the-biz/
• https://www.samvilla.com/pro/blog/great-questions-to-ask-your-guest-during-the-client-consultation-in-the-salon/
• https://www.modernsalon.com/article/77135/13-ways-to-better-connect-with-your-clients
• http://bookyourchairsolid.com/blog/5-tips-communicate-salon-clients-salon/
• http://salonmagazine.ca/en/whats-new/features/799-4-tips-for-effective-communication-in-the-salon
• https://www.thebalance.com/communication-skills-list-2063779
• http://www.schwarzkopf-professionalusa.com/skp/us/en/home/education/ask/consultation/0614/your-salon-guide-to-an-effective-consultation.html