Have you noticed that every beauty salon experiences certain weeks or even months when the flow of clients seems to stall? Sometimes it feels like all your clients are either on vacation or have completely forgotten about treating themselves. But in reality, every season—even the quiet ones—holds opportunity! That’s where promotions come in: they motivate both new and returning clients to get moving again and bring more footsteps through your salon doors.

When is the best time to run promotions?

Promotions aren’t just for big discount seasons like Black Friday. Take a look at your calendar — when does your salon have more open slots? Are there months when bookings tend to slow down, for example, around holiday weekends or in early spring after the busy winter rush? That’s your perfect timing! Short, well-timed promotions can work wonders.

An exciting offer gives clients a reason to visit now. For instance, “Radiant Skin Weeks” in spring, “Autumn Hair Refresh” in fall, or “Winter Spa Packages” when it’s cold outside — just a little seasonal focus makes clients feel special. Even better: promotions are a great way to introduce new services, fill empty appointments, and draw attention back to less popular treatments.

Additionally, many people want to try new treatments risk-free or at a lower price before committing. A well-crafted promotion can attract those who were just thinking about stepping through your door. For even more creative ideas, check out 17 Brilliant Salon Promotion Ideas on the SalonLife Blog.

How to plan your promotion?

Let’s start with a simple question — what is your goal? Do you want to attract new clients? Fill empty slots? Or encourage current clients to try something new? Once you have a clear goal, your promotion’s focus becomes much clearer.

Next, think about what kind of offer would truly delight your clients:

  • A discount on a specific service (for example, 20% off facials)
  • “Buy one, get a free gift” (e.g., a complimentary hand scrub with a manicure)
  • A bundle deal (haircut plus eyebrow shaping at a reduced price)
  • Double loyalty points or an attractive bonus with gift cards

Be honest — a good promotion provides clear extra value to the client while keeping your salon profitable. Don’t let service prices drop too low — your work should always feel worth every penny. A great tip is to include a new or rarely used treatment in your offer, as this can help expand your loyal client base.

If you want more inspiration on boosting your salon’s visibility with promotions or the marketing “P’s” you should definitely master, read The 7 Ps of Marketing Every Beauty Salon Should Know.

How will people hear about your promotion?

Let’s be honest: even the best promotion won’t increase your revenue if no one knows about it. How will people learn about your amazing offer?

  • Use your client database! Modern salon software (like SalonLife client management and notifications) lets you personalize messages: “Hey, Sarah! We haven’t seen you in a while — come try our new treatment with a special offer!” A targeted promotion sent directly via email or text to the right person!
  • Post on social media with eye-catching graphics and a short, clear message. A good photo and a couple of sentences can be much more effective than long paragraphs. Also check out 5 Effective Social Media Post Ideas for Beauty Professionals to find the perfect creative outlet for your promotion!
  • Quick automated reminders work wonders: “Last chance this week! Book now before the offer runs out!” Most people respond when they sense urgency or exclusivity.

Another tip: use online booking so clients can immediately secure their spot after seeing your offer. The fewer steps to booking, the more likely they are to come.

How do you know if it’s actually working?

Here comes the most exciting part: measuring results. When running a promotion, always track what actually changes. Compare revenue, number of clients, and bookings during the promotion period to the previous month or the same period last year. If you use salon software, this is especially easy — you’ll see exactly how many bookings came from your emails and which services were most popular.

If a promotion doesn’t work, don’t get discouraged. Did the message reach the right people? Was the offer too ordinary? Or was the timing off? Analyze, adjust, and try again with confidence. And if something works really well, save that “secret recipe” and share it with your team to build on your great ideas together.

In summary: create promotions you’d want to experience yourself

An effective and creative promotion brings your salon more bookings, new connections, and delighted regular clients. The goal isn’t just discounts — it’s sparking interest, offering new experiences, and creating emotions that bring clients back again and again.

If you’ve just thought of a promotion idea, don’t leave it as just a thought — try out one tip today! What’s next? Next, we’ll talk about how to grow your salon’s profit by optimizing expenses — which costs can be cut without compromising quality. Stay tuned for plenty of excitement!