Sometimes, due to circumstances outside your control, you may need to raise your salon prices to keep your doors open. If you’re a salon owner, or small business, looking to find a way to communicate your price increase to clients, this article is for you.

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We understand that raising prices can be a delicate topic, and one that should be thought through. So, in this article, we’ll give you a salon price increase notice template that will give you valuable tips on how to communicate your salon price increase to your clients. We’ll also go over a few ways you can justify your price increase to your salon clients so you can maintain your reputation.

Why It Might Make Sense to Increase Your Salon Prices

Creating new pricing for your salon business can seem like a daunting task. On one end, you may need to increase prices to create a more sustainable business for yourself. But on the other end, you may fear that it turns away clients or makes them upset.

A wise person once said, put your mask on before helping others. So if you’re in a spot where you need to increase your prices to keep providing your salon services, view the whole situation as you doing your clients a favor by keeping shop open. Your loyal clients will understand and will still want to support you if they’ve had a great client experience with you so far.

When it comes to justifying your price increase, here are a few things you can use:

1. Increased Operating Costs: Over time, the costs of running a salon business can fluctuate. Rent could go up and inflation can cause cost of utilities and supplies to go up. The rise in these costs can eat into your profits and make your overall cost of living to go up. Because of this, it’s justified why you may need to increase your salon prices to keep your doors open.
2. Growing Your Staff: If you’re going from independent to hiring employees for your salon, you will need a price adjustment. Scaling your salon allows you to bring added value to your clients, and in order to do that you need to justify charging higher prices.
3. Upgrading Your Equipment: Salons may need to upgrade old equipment or adopt new technologies that help them keep a competitive advantage. If your clients value the quality of your equipment, and how it affects their experience at your salon, it’s justified to bring up the price point. Quality products leads to quality services.

Ultimately, a salon price increase letter should be carefully crafted and give an honest reason for its occurrence. As long as your prices are justified (in relation to competitors), and you focus on providing the best client experience out of any location in your space, you shouldn’t have a problem attracting high quality clients.

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10 Steps to Writing a Salon Price Increase Notice

Here are 10 steps to help you write a salon price increase notice:

1. Assess your current pricing and costs
2. Determine your new pricing strategy
3. Draft a clear and honest message
4. Emphasize the value and quality of your services
5. Choose the right communication channels
6. Offer a pre-increasing booking option
7. Provide adequate notice
8. Be prepared for feedback
9. Implement the new pricing
10. Monitor the impact

Let's quickly go over each one, then go over three different examples.

1. Assess Your Current Pricing and Costs

Begin by thoroughly evaluating your existing pricing structure and compare it with your current operational costs. Consider factors like rent, utility bills, product costs, staff wages, and equipment maintenance. This assessment will provide a clear rationale for the price increase.

2. Determine Your New Pricing Strategy

Once you understand your costs, decide on the new pricing. Make sure the increase is reasonable and aligns with industry standards. Avoid drastic hikes that could alienate your clientele but ensure the new prices sustain your salon’s profitability.

3. Draft a Clear and Honest Message

When writing your notice, be transparent and straightforward. Explain the reasons for the price increase, focusing on how it will help maintain the quality of services your clients expect. Whether it's upgrading equipment, using higher-quality products, or covering increased operational costs, be honest about your reasons.

4. Emphasize the Value and Quality of Your Services

Highlight the value that your salon provides. Remind clients about the unique experiences, the expertise of your stylists, the quality of products used, and any additional services that set your salon apart.

5. Choose the Right Communication Channels

Decide on the most effective channels to communicate the price increase. This could include email, social media, your salon’s website, and in-salon notices. Consider direct communication methods like personalized emails or letters for your regular clients.

6. Offer a Pre-Increase Booking Option

As a gesture of goodwill, allow your existing clients to book services at the current rate before the increase takes effect. This approach shows consideration for your loyal customers and can ease the transition to the new pricing.

7. Provide Adequate Notice

Give clients sufficient time to adjust to the new prices. A standard practice is to announce the increase at least one to two months in advance. This transparency helps in maintaining trust and prevents any surprises.

8. Be Prepared for Feedback

Be ready to handle client feedback, both positive and negative. Train your staff on how to address concerns empathetically and professionally. Remember, some initial resistance is normal, but many clients will understand the need for the increase.

9. Implement the New Pricing

Once the notice period is over, implement the new pricing. Make sure that all staff members are aware of the changes and that all your pricing displays (both online and in-salon) are updated.

10. Monitor the Impact

After the new pricing is in effect, monitor the impact on your business. Keep an eye on client feedback, appointment bookings, and overall business profitability. This will help you understand if the pricing strategy is working as intended.

By following these steps, salon owners can craft a thoughtful and effective price increase notice, maintaining transparency with clients while ensuring the financial health of their business.

3 Examples of Hair Salon Price Increase Templates

Here are three different examples of salon price increase notices you can gain inspiration from:

1. Simple and Direct Approach

Subject: Important Update: Adjusting Our Salon Prices

Dear [Client's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to strive for excellence in providing you with the highest quality of salon services, we find ourselves facing increased costs in products and operational expenses.

To maintain the standard of service you have come to expect and love, we will be implementing a slight adjustment to our prices, effective [Date]. This increase will allow us to continue using premium products and uphold the level of service you deserve.

We value your trust and loyalty and want to thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

[Salon Name]

2. Detailed and Empathetic Approach

Subject: A Necessary Step for Continued Quality: Price Update at [Salon Name]

Dear Valued Client,

First and foremost, thank you for being a part of our [Salon Name] family. Your support and trust mean the world to us. We are writing to inform you of an upcoming change to our pricing structure, effective from [Date].

Over the past year, our industry has faced rising costs in various areas, from salon essentials to the premium products we use. In order to continue providing you with exceptional service and high-quality products, we find it necessary to adjust our prices slightly.

Please rest assured, this decision was made after careful consideration, and our commitment to providing you with an unparalleled salon experience remains unwavering.

We understand that price changes can be concerning, which is why we are more than happy to discuss how this will affect your future appointments. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you once again for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to serving you with the same passion and dedication as always.

Warmest Regards,

[Your Name]

[Salon Name]

3. Friendly and Reassuring Approach

Subject: Exciting Developments and a Small Price Update at [Salon Name]

Hey [Client's Name],

We hope you're doing great! We have some exciting news and a small update to share with you. As you know, at [Salon Name], we are always looking for ways to enhance your experience and provide top-notch services.

To keep up with the rising costs of the premium products we use and ensure our salon environment remains as welcoming and luxurious as ever, we will be implementing a small price increase on our services, effective [Date].

This change is essential for us to continue offering the quality and care you expect from us. We appreciate your understanding and are incredibly grateful for your continued patronage.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, we're all ears! Feel free to drop us a message or chat with us during your next visit.

Thanks a million for your understanding and support. We can't wait to see you soon!

Best,

[Your Name]

[Salon Name]

Each of these examples maintains a tone of professionalism, empathy, and appreciation for the clients, ensuring the message is received positively.

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How to Announce Your Hair Salon Price Increase Notice to Clients

There’s just one more thing that you have to plan before you go and raise your prices. What hasn’t the GlossGenius app team talked about yet? You guessed it... announcing your increase! A script will not be as useful as what we have to provide, which is knowledge taken from the best in the business, as well as a personalizable letter template that’ll be sure to win clients and make money. It’ll be super smooth as long as you post the information early and everywhere. This means that you should:

1. Inform your clients about 2 months before the price raise goes into effect.
2. Send an email letter and reminder text message to your regular clients.
3. Post the letter in a beautiful way on social media.
4. Update your website and other places where pricing is shared when the day finally arrives.
5. Breathe a sigh of relief because it really was easy!

Let’s take a look at each of these topics a little closer.

1. Announce Early

You never want to be in that awkward position at checkout where a client is shocked and frustrated at a price they didn’t expect. It’s so avoidable, too! All you have to do is plan ahead. If you’re planning on raising your prices right before the winter holidays (like we recommended in “How Much Should I Raise My Prices? A Step-by-Step Guide”), then listen to what trusted BTC community member Nicholas Gavin-Rocheleau thinks: “January is the worst time to raise your prices. December is better when they are already spending for the holidays, but let clients know at least two months in advance that you will be raising prices.” Keep everyone happy in a season of joy!

2. Send a Letter & Reminder Text

A letter to clients is a super personal thing, so write it up in your voice and include details. Some people, like Face of Sola Antonio Heath, skip it altogether. He says, “I raise my prices once a year, and I never explain why I am making the increase. All of my existing clients get a three-month notice, and new clients are charged the price increase coming in.” However, if you’ve been worried about this whole process, want to be super nice, and give answers up front rather than just in person, then a letter is a great idea!

Sue Scott, a Face of Sola turned salon-owning success, agrees: “Every two years, I raise my prices. My existing customers understand rising costs and I always make sure they know that I invest in my education to stay current with the industry and continue setting the bar high. When I am about three months out from raising my prices, I type up a letter and put it in a nice frame where my guests can see it. I also send an email out so they know what to expect at their upcoming visit.” As you know, people skills in the beauty industry really matter.

Let’s get writing! Download GlossGenius’s exclusive free letter template for salon owners and independent stylists at Free Workbook: Salon Price-Raising Letter Template! You’ll be on your way to wowing clients in no time!

3. Post on Your Site, Socials, & at Work

You’re always on top of your social media game when it comes to the day-to-day and showing off all your incredible looks, so don’t forget to use it to inform your clients of your price increase. Post it all over Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even Snapchat!

“I like to use email newsletters and text marketing on Sola Genius [an app powered by GlossGenius] to keep my customers informed about new services, amenities and changes in my pricing. The more you share, the more your clients know about your studio – I leave no room for surprises!” - Face of Sola and successful hairstylist Fernie Adame

4. Update Your Booking Website

Being thorough and making sure any place where you had your former prices are updated is key to a smooth transition. Consistent communication avoids uncomfortable questions! If you have a super easy-to-use app like GlossGenius, you can also do it all in the palm of your hand. Kim Bennett Horvath, a Paul Mitchell Pro Senior National Educator, has excellent business sense and client satisfaction rates. She explains: “I use Sola Genius to track all of my pricing and always advertise my newest price list so that the advanced clients feel like they are getting a discount!”

5. Breathe & Relax

You’ve been so successful that you have to raise your prices! Now, own it. We’ve helped walk you through everything you need to succeed, so once you get those announcements out, just breathe and relax. There’s nothing to worry about, and if a customer reaches out to discuss the increase, then listen warmly and address any concerns calmly and with professionalism.

If you need any reminders about how to go about this process, you can always take a look at our other resources for raising your prices:

• How to Raise Your Prices
• Telltale Signs that It’s Time to Raise Your Prices
  

Good luck!

How Much Notice Should You Give Clients of a Rate Increase?

Making the decision to increase service prices in your hair or nail salon is a significant step in your business plan. It's not just about the monetary aspect but also about ensuring that the trust and relationship built over time with your clients remain intact. So, how much time should you allocate between the announcement of the price change and its implementation?

For many beauty salons, a standard practice is to notify clients about a price change well in advance. This heads-up gives them ample time to adjust to the new rate, ensuring there are no surprises when they come in for their next appointment. If your current price has been in effect for a considerable time, it's even more crucial to provide this grace period. It makes the transition from the old price to the new one smoother and less jarring.

Given the competitive nature of the beauty industry, the manner in which you introduce a rate hike can influence client loyalty. For instance, a sudden increase without notice could leave a client pondering if they should explore other hair or nail salons that might offer more competitive rates.

But what is the ideal notice period? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, a general rule of thumb is to inform clients about two months in advance. This gives them enough time to process the information, ask questions, and even budget for their future appointments.

Using salon software can be incredibly beneficial during this process. Not only can you easily update the new rates on your booking platform, but many modern systems also allow for automated notifications to clients, keeping them in the loop without the extra hassle.

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Remember, raising salon prices is a natural progression in the lifespan of a successful business. However, clear communication, combined with a well-thought-out notice period, ensures that your clients feel valued and respected, even amidst changes.