6 Ways To Drastically Improve Your Professional Image
Having trouble keeping clients? It might be time give your image a “workover.” Without even realizing it, you could be sending the wrong signals to clients. Signals like, “I’m an amateur, I’m unorganized, and I don’t care about your needs.” Scary right?
As a salon owner, I have seen many stylists make these mistakes first hand and it can have a devastating effect on your clientele. I put together five of the simplest things you can do now to drastically improve your professional image.
Find your style.
In order to build your business, you need to build your brand.
- As an independent stylist, this is especially important. Your brand is what makes you stand out, it’s what makes clients remember you.
- Are you classic, trendy, rocker, or electric? Know who you are and embrace it!
- This is a visual signal to potential clients that you care about style and you have your act together.
- If you look like a mess and your style is all over the place, you won’t appear confident and you will seem unorganized.
Cleanse your closet.
- Don’t wait for that rainy day! Get in your closet and start ditching stuff. Does this outfit fit your brand? If not, get rid of it! Take inventory and get creative – come up with wardrobe options that support your image.
- Think of every celebrity stylist you know. Everyone has a distinct look, and although it might seem effortless, it’s not.
- Your style is like a business card you wear. Clients can take one look at you and know if you’re a good fit. Make sure that first look is a great one.
Cleanse your Facebook.
- If you don’t already have a Facebook business page, you better make one ASAP. Running your business from a personal Facebook page is unprofessional and it makes you look like an amateur. Learn how to set up your page here.
- If you already have a Facebook page set up, take a look at your posts and albums. If these don’t represent who you are or support your professional image, take them down.
Be Mature
DO’s
- Be polite and courteous to your clients, co-workers, and boss. This goes a long way.
- Be upfront about issues and be open to compromise.
- Keep a positive attitude at work. Some days are tough but you will never regret deciding to smile instead of scream. You can always take a kickboxing class after work if you need to : )
DONT’S
- Don’t gossip.
- Don’t burn bridges.
- Don’t take things personally.
- Remember who you are doing this for. At the end of the day, you are the one who suffers the consequences of a bad attitude. Who cares if you have a rude client or a bad coworker, they’ve decided to be immature – don’t let them bring you down with them.
Be consistent.
- Show up on time.
- Remember your clients’ first name.
- Deliver a great service every time.
Listen.
This is a skill that takes practice.
- Standing out from other stylists has a lot to do with how you make clients feel. Make them feel valued by listening to their needs.
- When you have a new client, always start with a consultation. Get to know how they feel about their hair, how they take care of it, and how they wish it looked. Without great listening skills, you could lose a client over a stupid miscommunication.
- After you listen to their service needs, listen to their conversation. If they share information about their life, take notes and be sure to bring it up at their next appointment.
- Clients who feel special are guaranteed to become loyal clients.
Have questions? Want me to cover certain topics? Email social@styleseat.com and I’ll answer your questions in a blog post!
XO
Pepper Pastor | Celebrity Stylis
Check out Pepper’s profile here: styleseat.com/pepperpastor
See how StyleSeat can improve the way you run your business here.
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