You Meet A Client For The First Time

VOLUME 1

What are they thinking? What do you say?

It's probably on your top-10 list of most terrible moments - the time when you're working in a salon and you meet new clients for the first time. What do you say? What are they thinking? Do they hate your hair, your clothes? Do they want to run out the door? Do you?

And it's no good telling you not to worry about it, because it is an important moment. In the first 10 seconds, that new client will be making decisions about who you are. More importantly, will they trust you with their hair?

Here are some things you can do to help make that first meeting a good one:

1. Make sure you look your best, including your clothes, hairstyle, haircolor, and makeup. Stand up straight. Make sure you have fresh breathe and clean hands and nails. Don't smoke or chew gum.
2. Before greeting the client, make sure you know his or her full name and the service they are scheduled for.
3. Introduce yourself with a smile and a handshake. "Good Morning, Mrs. Jones. It's so nice to meet you. My name is Sue Thomas. Why don't we go back to my styling area and talk about what you would like?"
4. Apologize if your client had to wait, but don't make excuses. This client doesn't care that your last client was 10 minutes late.
5. Be friendly and polite. Offer to do nice things for clients, like hanging up their jackets or getting them something to drink.
6. The way your styling area looks makes a first impression on clients, too. It should be neat and clean, with no hair on the floor from your last cut, no damp towels, no used combs. The mirror should be clean and product containers closed. You should have up-to-date hairstyle pictures and haircolor swatches available to show clients.