For many startups, reputation management is never in the cards during the pre-launch. You can sell and sell, but the moment a dissatisfied client shows up, when that first negative review pops up, that's when many salon owners start damage control.

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The harsh truth about reputation management is that, no matter how small the number of negative reviews is, the damage can still be nightmarish. Another bitter truth is, no matter how good your work is, there will always be that one unhappy client. 

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Now, since we all know 90% of buyers read reviews before making a purchase, what is your plan in ensuring your business image online is not tainted? This article is going to take a deep dive into a few proven ways to effectively manage the reputation of your business. Keep reading.

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Proven Salon Reputation Management Techniques

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1. Plant your flag online by claiming a listing

Listing your business online is one of the easiest ways to market your business. It has amazing SEO power that puts your salon on top of others in the "local pack".

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Claim your listings on Yelp, Google, and other social media sites with a huge number of users. And don't just list your salon. Add Instagram-worthy images of your work, your contacts, and any other useful information that gives you a leg up.

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2. Time to manage online reviews

Now that you have set a base online, bad reviews will crop up soon-oh, and valuable piece of advice, don't be afraid of them. It's part of running a business. 

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However, you need to respond positively to bad feedback. It will show perspectives that you value every client. Should things go wrong, they will hear from you.

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3. Offer special occasion services

One reliable way to counter negative feedback is by seeking out many positive ones. You can do that by hunting for clients on special occasions. Since everything on such days is memorable, you will be sure of a 5-star rating with a glowing review.

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There's something you need to know here. Special occasions usually demand a higher level of perfection. As such, your staff must strive to offer the absolute maximum. The best part is, this is one of the most powerful mediums with the highest chances of your business getting recommended.

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Related Read: Stay informed with salon industry statistics

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4. Leverage social media

Salon services are works of art worth posting on social media. But to grow, you'll need to post good content regularly. What's this got to do with reputation management?

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Well, once you have a good base of followers, note those who comment frequently, and follow up with them to solicit positive reviews. On the plus side, social media is where potential clients spend their free time and therefore a good channel for business growth.

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Recommended Read: Unlock the power of social media marketing for salons

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5. Study your client's satisfaction level early 

Why let a customer leave disgruntled when you can assess them early on? This can be done through customer satisfaction surveys that reveal issues that need fixing to avert bad feedback. Here's a tip - explore and use eco-friendly beauty products for your salon. Customers sure love environmentally conscious brands.

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6. Post your greatest reviews on your website

Some customers will want to book you via your salon's website. Reviews are a way to assure a prospect that you have done good jobs before and that you are worth a shot at. There are widgets and salon management software that can allow you seamlessly upload reviews straight to your business website.

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7. Share before and after images of the client

Another effective reputation management trick is to share before and after captions of happy clients online. But before taking this path, make sure to obtain consent from your customer as some prefer private lives.

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Recommended Read: Discover proven techniques to attract more customers

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Closing remarks

Negative reviews are a business killer. And like we said earlier, 90%+ of prospects check online reviews as a guide to making purchase decisions. Employ a few techniques we have highlighted above to give your salon a fighting chance.

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Note that a few bad reviews ( which you have attempted to address professionally) are actually a good thing. Having all positive feedback can make you look suspicious. 

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FAQs on Salon Reputation Management

1. What is salon reputation management?

It is the practice of observing public conversations about your salon, addressing bad reviews, and capitalizing on both positive and negative feedback your business receives.

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2. What are the three phases of reputation management?

The process begins by setting up your online presence, building your reputation, and then defending it by coming up with a plan to deal with negative feedback.

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3. What is an example of a good reputation management strategy?

A good strategy monitors conversations about a business and where possible try to remove defaming articles and reviews. Next, a business can adopt influencer marketing to create a positive vibe to itself.

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