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Everyone’s on social media these days. Well, most people are, and probably a sizable proportion of your target audience too. It’s a great way to extend your reach and grow your customer base, but it’s not just about regularly posting engaging content – there are features letting your clients book directly with you through the different platforms.
Instagram booking in particular, is a high growth area in 2022 and definitely worth investing in, whether you’re a beauty salon, mobile hairdresser or online personal trainer.
Why should I use social media buttons?
We’re awash with social media options, but you don’t have to be across every single site to see an uptick in bookings. Whilst there is Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat and LinkedIn, the dominant platforms for easy online booking are still Facebook and Instagram. In fact, 13.5 million Aussies use Instagram, with 55.8% of them women and 44.2% men, with more people chatting with their stylist or buying retail products related to beauty and personal care through the platform.
Increase your appointments with social media buttons
It’s easy to get started and doesn’t require hours of effort or technical know-how. Chances are you already have Facebook and Instagram accounts, and all it takes is a few simple tweaks to add booking buttons.
You can integrate Square Appointments with Instagram and use a call to action (CTA) button so clients book directly without ever having to leave the app – it creates a more seamless and user-friendly experience. Square also integrates with Linktree which is a useful app to create a separate page on Instagram with your products and services on display in an easy-to-use, at-a-glance format.
While Instagram’s strong visual appeal makes it the platform where you’re most likely to pick up customers, it’s worth adding a CTA to Facebook too. Square links with a Facebook business profile, and you can also add buttons to your business page – these can take the user to your site. You can also include a button so they can connect with you through Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. In addition, Facebook allows you to sell directly through its platform by creating a shop.
Ten ways to leverage social media and get more bookings
1. Get your staff to promote your business
No doubt your staff have their own social media accounts. Encourage them to promote your business on their own platforms with buttons and links back to your profiles.
You can even set team permissions in Square so staff can link their own buttons with your account – a more seamless way for a client to book their favourite beautician or stylist when they’re available.
2. Offer a promotion or special deal
Who doesn’t like money off or a freebie? A promotion is a great way to draw in a new client who is still thinking about booking. A 20% discount on their first treatment might be just what is needed to seal the deal and turn them from hesitator into loyal customer.
3. Partner with the right influencers
Influencers in the right sphere and with a decent following can boost those bookings like nothing else. Of course, you have to make sure you pick the right person who aligns with your ethos as well, as someone who has a lot of engagement, not merely a lot of followers.
For some of the most famous influencers you can expect to pay a hefty fee, but there are plenty of mid-level ones who won’t cost the earth. You could also offer services or treatment for free in exchange for a post and a link to your website.
4. Cross-promote with accounts you like
You can partner with similar accounts, promoting their goods and services if they sit well alongside yours, and they can do the same for you.
5. Get selling through social media
Adding your products to platforms like Instagram and Facebook gives a client another way to buy from you. It increases their opportunity to buy, plus it opens up your salon favourites to a wider audience.
6. Promote it to existing clients
As part of your customer journey, let them know they can book through social media next time. You could even offer them an incentive to do so, such as money off their next treatment.
7. Give a behind-the-scenes look
Social media is a wonderful way to draw back the curtain and give clients an authentic look at what you do. Using reels and stories, you can show them what your popular treatments involve, introduce your staff and add value to your work. It creates a deeper human connection and helps build trust and loyalty with your brand.
8. Use a direct link on Insta
Add a link to your profile on Instagram that takes people straight to your site. If you have an Instagram Business Account (which we highly recommend you do if you run a salon!), you can share links directly in your stories.
9. Get social proof
People talk, especially on social media, and there’s no greater currency than having other users big up your products and services. In all your marketing material, promote your social media and encourage customers to leave a review. If you have a satisfied customer, see if they’ll do a video review you can post online.
10. Level up your customer service
If you want great reviews, you need to offer great service. Whilst social media is awash with positive feedback, there are also plenty of negative reviews too – trouble is, they can be seen by millions of other users. Make sure your service is first-class to limit any negativity, and if you do find yourself on the receiving end of something less than shining, respond positively.
Social media is an extremely valuable tool in today’s marketing mix – it’s a cost-effective and easy way to extend your brand influence as well as reach your customers directly through the platforms they spend most time on.
