Are you looking for a fun and effective way to attract new clients to your salon while also strengthening relationships with your existing customers? Hosting an open house event could be the perfect solution!

An open house allows potential clients to get a firsthand look at your beautiful space, meet your talented team, and experience a taste of the amazing services you offer. 

But pulling off a successful open house requires more than just opening your doors and hoping people show up. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with tons of tips and ideas to make your salon open house a smashing success! 

Why Host a Salon Open House?

An open house is a smart way to get new clients in the door. When you invite people to come check out your salon for free, they can see your space, meet your team, and learn about your services. It’s a low-key way to show them what sets you apart.

Plus, an open house gives you a chance to show off any new services or products you’re offering. If you’ve just added a new stylist or started carrying a hot new product line, an open house is the perfect way to spread the word.

Create a Sense of Community

Hosting an open house can also help you build ties with your local community. Invite other small businesses, like nearby shops or cafes, to join in the fun. You could even team up with a local charity and donate a portion of your proceeds. This shows you care about more than just making money.

An open house is also a great way to connect with other beauty pros in your area. Invite them to come check out your space and meet your team. You never know when those connections might lead to referrals or collaborations down the road.

Show Off a New Space

If you’ve just opened a new salon or given your space a makeover, an open house is the perfect way to show it off. Invite people to come see your fresh look and learn about any new services you’re offering. It’s a great way to create excitement and get people talking.

Even if your salon isn’t brand new, an open house can help you showcase any updates or improvements you’ve made. Whether you’ve added new equipment, refreshed your decor, or expanded your service menu, an open house lets you show off your hard work.

How to Plan and Run a Salon Open House

Select a Time

Choose a date and time that works well for both your staff and your clients. Avoid major holidays or events that might compete for people’s attention. Consider hosting your open house on a weekday evening or a weekend afternoon when people are more likely to be free.

Think about your target audience when picking a time, too. If you cater to busy professionals, an after-work event might be best. If you’re targeting stay-at-home moms, a mid-morning or early afternoon open house could work well.

Make Your Space Shine

Before your open house, give your salon a deep clean and make sure everything looks its best. Add some fresh flowers or decorations to make your space feel inviting. Set up stations where guests can try out mini services like quick massages or makeup touch-ups.

Pay extra attention to your entrance area and reception desk, since that’s the first thing guests will see when they arrive. Make sure it’s tidy, well-lit, and welcoming. Add some signage or balloons outside to make it clear where your event is happening.

Offer Tasty Treats

No party is complete without food and drinks! Offer some light snacks and refreshments for your guests to enjoy as they mingle. You could even partner with a local bakery or catering company to provide some delicious treats.

Keep your menu simple and easy to eat while standing up and chatting. Think finger foods like mini quiches, fruit skewers, or bite-sized desserts. For drinks, offer a selection of coffee, tea, water, and maybe some bubbly cocktails or mocktails.

Keep Guests Engaged

To make your open house extra fun and memorable, plan some activities or entertainment for your guests. You could offer mini tutorials on the latest hair or makeup trends or do live demos of some of your most popular services.

Games and giveaways are always a hit, too. Set up a raffle or door prize drawing, with the chance to win free products or services. Or create a scavenger hunt or photo booth to get guests exploring your space and interacting with your team.

Capture Contact Info

While the main goal of your open house is to create a fun experience for your guests, don’t forget to think about how you’ll stay in touch with them after the event. Set up a sign-in sheet or iPad where guests can leave their name and email address.

You could even offer a small gift or discount code for anyone who signs up for your email list or follows you on social media. That way, you can keep the relationship going and encourage them to book a future appointment.

The excitement from your open house will likely translate into a surge of new bookings. Keeping track of these appointments and managing your client interactions efficiently will be key to maintaining this momentum and ensuring your spa’s success.

StyleSeat is the all-in-one salon software that makes it easy to book appointments, process payments, and keep your clients coming back for more. StyleSeat provides the perfect solution to streamline your operations, making it easier to accommodate the influx of clients and secure their loyalty. 

Follow Up Items to Think About

1. Offer Promos or Discounts

To encourage guests to book future appointments, offer some special promos or discounts that are only valid for open house attendees. You could offer a percentage off their first service or a free add-on with any booking. Make sure to set expiration dates so people are motivated to act fast.

You could also create package deals or bundles to encourage guests to try out multiple services. For example, offer a discounted price on a haircut and color combo, or a mani-pedi plus facial package.

2. Keep in Touch with Guests

Don’t let your open house be a one-and-done event. Collect contact info from your guests so you can keep in touch and invite them back. Send a thank-you email with photos from the event and info on how to book their next appointment.

You could even add them to your email list (with their permission, of course) so they can stay in the loop on future promos and events. Consider sending a special offer or reminder a few weeks after the open house to nudge them to schedule a visit.

3. Get Social

Make sure to document your open house with lots of photos and videos. Share them on your social media channels to create buzz and show off the fun vibe of your event. Encourage guests to post their own photos and tag your salon for added exposure.

You can even create a custom hashtag for your event to make it easy for people to find and share related posts. Respond to any comments or messages to keep the conversation going and build relationships with potential clients.

4. Gather Feedback

After your open house, take some time to reflect on what worked well and what you might do differently next time. Send a quick survey to guests to get their feedback on the event. Find out what they enjoyed most and what could be improved.

Use this feedback to help you plan future events and make them even better. Maybe you’ll learn that people loved the mini massages and want more pampering services, or that they wished there were more vegan food options. Take note of these insights and use them to tailor your offerings.

Make It a Regular Thing

If your open house is a hit, consider making it a regular event. You could host one every quarter or even once a month to keep the momentum going. Vary the theme or focus each time to keep things fresh and interesting.

For example, you could do a “New Year, New You” event in January with tips on resetting your beauty routine. Or a “Summer Glow Up” open house in June with info on protecting your skin and hair from the sun. The possibilities are endless!

By hosting regular events, you create more opportunities to connect with your community and show off your salon’s unique personality. Plus, it gives you a built-in reason to reach out to your email list and social media followers on a consistent basis.

Partner Up

Consider teaming up with other local businesses to cross-promote your open house. You could partner with a nearby boutique or wellness studio to offer a joint discount or giveaway. Or invite a local artist or musician to showcase their work at your event.

Collaborating with other businesses can help you reach a wider audience and tap into new networks. Plus, it’s a great way to support other small businesses in your community and create a sense of camaraderie. Just make sure to choose partners that align with your brand and target audience. Look for businesses that share your values and aesthetics, and that offer complementary products or services.

Hosting a salon open house takes some planning and effort, but it’s a powerful way to grow your business and create a buzz in your community. By creating a fun, engaging experience for your guests, you can showcase your salon’s unique personality and services while building relationships with potential clients. 

Use these tips to plan and execute a successful open house that wows your guests and leaves them eager to book their next appointment. And don’t forget to follow up after the event to keep the momentum going and turn those new connections into loyal clients.With a little creativity and hustle, your salon open house can be the talk of the town – and the key to taking your business to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your own fab event today!