How to Run a Successful Salon Event

Who doesn't love a get together enjoying nibbles and drinks, chit chat and lots of educational tips and tricks they can use as soon as they get home!

Not only are in salon events really fun and social but they can generate revenue to your business in the form of retail sales and treatments.

However, this does not "just happen", it requires a lot of planning and execution.

Most business owners run this type of event in partnership with one of the brands they stock.

This makes it less daunting as the Sales Rep will usually run the event whilst you are hosting.

Here are my planning strategies

1. Create a theme based event as the more specific it is the more likely you are to attract your clients that are interested and will purchase at the event. This makes it easy to get your education print outs specific as well.

2. Work out what type of event you are hosting; 1.an information session where all are sitting, 2. a hands on workshop, 3. a walk around meet and greet mingle not seated which is more casual.

3. Start planning at least one month prior to the event.

4. Create your VIP client list and send them a personal invitation and follow up phone call before event is live.

5. Always charge a cover amount, this of course is redeemable on product at the event. By doing this your client is more inclined to show up. This also gives you an idea on numbers attending and how much stock you need to order in advance to be prepared.

There's nothing worse than making the effort to go out to an event and the salon isn't stocked, sometimes this means the excitement is gone and the momentum of purchasing more than the client normally would is lost.

6. Now you have your attendee numbers locked in and set (usually 1-2 week prior to event), this is the time that you would liaise with your Sales Rep to discuss retail you need to order in and have on hand ready to sell.

7. Create any event specials; treatment packages/GWP ect to promote at the event to encourage more spending, but always amazing value to the client.

8. One week out from event organise all platters and disposable items for the event.

9. Ensure you make contact with guests leading up as to create the excitement.

the event is going to be, even creating a wait list if there is a cancellation.

Once the event date has arrived, be prepared and leave yourself enough time to freshen up and set up properly. Your client's will be excited to arrive and as long as you have set the expectations your event should be a fabulous success!!

By Shannon Turner