I agree Jill, writing for NAILS has been an amazing experience. It has been an honor and a dream come true to be a part of the Coaching Chronicles. Thank you NAILS Magazine for the opportunity and all of our loyal readers for tuning in to our posts each week. We love hearing from all of you. Your comments help to inspire us to write about the things that you are concerned about.

I really like the different twist on the referral cards that you implemented in your salon, Jill. Listening for clues to activities that the client is involved in and offering the referral card treat bags is an awesome idea. Many of my clients participate in activities like this regularly, and would love to have a little something to take to the other people. Including samples of products as well as a little treat is a great idea too. Not only do they get the information to come and have a service done with you at your salon, but they also get to sample products that your salon carries so you have the potential for a retail sale as well.

We also are focusing on referrals in our salon. We have cards printed up with our logo and the discount clearly stated on the card with room for the technician’s name and the client who is referring a friend. Once one of these cards come in, we note it in our computer system for the referring client to get her discount the next time she comes in. We also use an expiration date as a call to action and to give them some incentive to give the cards out as soon as the can, as well as for the referred person to use it as soon as she can. I think that we will get a huge response to this program if we were to add the little treat bags in as well. 

I also keep these cards with me wherever I go and whenever someone comments on my nails I hand them one of my referral cards. This way I am able to refer people to our salon wherever I am. I have had many clients come in to become regular guests just from this simple little action. Working on your referral skills is a must to keep your books full and to make the most of your time in the salon. 

— Sandy