Have you ever noticed the first thing you scroll to see before trying any new hair stylist, nail salon, or spa service? Of course, me too... I instantly scan the reviews. Well guess what, all your perfect-fit clients research you exactly the same way. So, let’s discuss how to leverage more five-star cheers to boost conversions and fame.

By the end of this article, you’ll have actionable techniques around getting honest testimonials at higher frequency, moderating them with software, amplifying them online, and even gracefully resolving issues uncovered along the journey.

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Alright, let’s start spreading your reputation on the voices of real experience. When orchestrated smoothly, reviews become remarkable levers for fueling your salon’s success!

Why Salon Customer Reviews Are Important for Your Business

Customer reviews have a huge influence on whether or not someone decides to visit your business over a competitor – especially when it comes to the beauty industry. What you need to realize first is that online public words about local places carry huge weight. Surveys show 97 percent of people read reviews for local businesses before they visit them… just as you would too before trying anywhere new!

It's the same for your own salon. When past happy clients praise your artists by name, that social proof makes the next client super confident to then also trust you with their vision. Dozens more bookings come through just by seeing how you wowed others already. Even better when they rave specifics like "Gorgeous balayage!" or "Nail goddess!". Those detailed testimonials attract others hunting for the same amazing results.

Beyond direct conversions though, glowing online reputations across review sites like Facebook, Google, and Yelp signal to their algorithms your salon must provide consistent five star service. So you start ranking higher when people search "best hair color experts near me" or "top local stylists in Oakland". The credibility lifts public visibility which feeds your pipeline of more bookings.

And if issues ever sneak in, reviews give earlier warning than clients who may just quietly switch places. Public feedback allows fast insight so owners can coach staff gently. Over time as teams grow, honest reviews help guide your highest level of care.

So lavish love back on those reviewers soon and always! Their words hold that much marketing power for your empire when done right. Now, let’s get into how you can get more reviews to build your brand's reputation in your area.

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How to Ask for Reviews From Your Clients

While reviews are gold, getting happy guests to take those few minutes and actually write them out ain't easy! So listen up on proven tactics to earn more online kudos and have 5-star cheerleaders attract newcomers faster cause more result praise flows.

First, I understand. Stylists chat folks' ears off daily. So asking directly for reviews feels funny. But pro tip: they don't review without being asked! Build courage by explaining nicely when a client gets up to leave: "We're aiming to delight more people with our hair magic. You liking my work matters. Would you kindly review us online so others glance and come?" People get it!

Make request gestures meaningful too. Have nice review invite cards at checkout desks. Give occasional survey links via text or email so sharing thoughtful feedback stays top of mind as life gets hectic. You could also offer a slight discount on their next visit in return for a review. I know – you feel salesy. But reviews are marketing fuel for all staff to keep shining bright! Clients want you to succeed.

When posting publicly just isn't their jam, that's cool. Ask if they'd provide even an anonymous testimonial you can showcase on your booking website. Any positivity passed along builds momentum. And snapping an approval selfie together letting them boast your big reveal makes for cherished memories. Hashtag it so they spread joy far and wide!

Getting More 5-Star Ratings on Google, Facebook, or Yelp

For Google, claiming your free Business Profile means ratings populate maps and searches. Check clients actually found and reviewed the correct location, and encourage staff or visitors to help generate volume fast if just starting out.

Facebook makes leaving reviews for favorite stylists, spas and shops seamless when logged on. So softly remind happy appointments as you send them off with framing like "I'd truly appreciate it if you could take a quick moment to review us on Facebook so others can enjoy our caring experience too!".

Yelp draws in millions of shoppers with photos and lengthy descriptions so be sure to claim free ownership of your page. Then monitor feedback streams to promptly address any minor mishaps noted that you can fix, turning frustrations into delights. Frequency and transparency matters most.

Rome wasn't built in a day but line by line these platforms accumulate social proof. Prioritize consistently amazing service and genuine outreach to spark reviewers. The ratings will grow over time!

Using Software for Review Management

Rather than leaving a collection of reviews and testimonials up to random chance and scrambling to respond to issues, purpose-built salon software platforms like GlossGenius enable automated review generation capabilities alongside moderation tools.

With GlossGenius's client review feature, clients are seamlessly prompted to leave ratings across Google, Facebook, and more after appointments directly from confirmation texts or emails. Managers gain data-driven oversight into sentiment trends and staff performance comparisons.

Many users of this feature have reported a +40% increase in the number of client reviews they receive.

You can also contact any unsatisfied or even neutral reviewers with service recovery initiatives to try transforming negative reviews into happy advocates. Moderation settings then allow response drafts or temporary removal of inflammatory remarks as needed to balance openness with protecting staff dignity.

Other customer retention automation triggers nurturing email or retargeting offers to rebook for special discounts or promotional services if someone leaves actionable feedback for improvement.

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Handling Reviews: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Successful modern salon owners develop strategies to encourage raving supporters while gracefully managing any negative critique that emerges online in constructive ways. Let’s go over some ways how to handle the types of reviews you’ll inevitably end up receiving.

Celebrate the Good

When glowing 5-star reviews come in praising your welcoming staff, skilled colorists or blissful massage technique – shine spotlights! Repost excerpts with permission on social channels, splash quotes on your website, and even highlight through email newsletters or printed lobby signage if appropriate.

Enthusiastically celebrating review champions not only encourages the positive behavior to continue, but it publicly advertises exceptional service experiences as bait to attract other buyers weighing options. Flaunted kudos acts as relatable peer endorsements for what you provide. So ensure applause gets heard far and wide digitally!

Look at Bad Reviews as an Opportunity

Despite best intentions, less than positive reviews will inevitably sporadically appear ranging from moderate complaints to deeply rude attacks. While an owner's instinct may be to vent anger or fully ignore the remarks, crafted service recovery responses focused on resolving matters for dissatisfied clients tend to earn greater respect publicly.

Even if the frustration seems unreasonable initially, offer sympathetic listening followed by customized consolation gestures via private outreach. Maybe someone felt rushed so you extend bonus treatments at their convenience. Misinterpretations lead to clarifying policy explanations. For more serious allegations, investigations help right wrongs through accountability, coaching, and updated protocols when reasonable.

Service recovery refocuses upsetting interactions on the positive with customer care – rather than petty point-by-point debate which diminishes brands faster.

How to Promote Your Salon Customer Reviews

Your goal is to put heart and soul into beautifying others while nurturing their self-confidence, right? So when some hunny sings your praises publicly, you gotta let that adoration shine bright as your studio lights!

Social proof is everything when it comes to service businesses. I'm talking going beyond the quick Facebook tag and share when you feel the review love. Let those heavy hitting testimonials work hard to attract more of your perfect-fit tribes.

You want to show the public that you have a ton of happy clients and they all love your work. One strategy you can use is to rotate excerpts in monthly email newsletters or printed signs near your most booked services. Add context of who wrote it and their smiling faces if possible for authentic peer impact. Reviews in your specialty areas hold extra weight to pull in similar demographics. "Brow guru gave me my dream arches" or "Best highlights I’ve ever received!" speaks volumes.

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And don't just set and forget! Continually update Google and Yelp profiles with latest experiences captured. Reviews are living assets. Fresher the better to beat out the crosstown competition. Don't leave opportunities on the table!

When you provide consistently stellar experiences, reviewers will keep blessing your salon. So harness those social voices to fuel your empire and change more lives one raving fan at a time!

If you’re ready to take your marketing efforts up a notch, be sure to start a free trial of GlossGenius and its built-in review generation tools to turn happy clients into megaphones. No credit card needed!