Let’s be real: Asking for tips can feel awkward. In the United States, tipping is the norm when dining out. But a quick Google search for “should I tip my hairstylist?” reveals that many clients are either more hesitant to tip or simply do not understand tipping etiquette in the salon industry. Many clients who come into salons may genuinely forget to tip their hairstylist if not prompted.
While tips are often how many hairdressers make a living, knowing how to ask for a tip without coming across as entitled or rude is tricky to navigate. Just because it can feel awkward to ask for a tip does not mean you shouldn't. After all, you deserve to be properly compensated for your services. So, how can you set yourself up to get better tips and how can you ask for them without outright asking?
Establish Good Rapport
Invest time into building relationships with each client, from long-time regulars to first timers. Before a client walks into your salon, consider sending a pre-appointment reminder with a small, welcoming note. Business management platforms like Vagaro have automated notifications & reminders to help with this. To build a good rapport with a client, be warm and welcoming. Remember to be your authentic self. When clients feel a genuine connection and see you for who you are, they’ll feel closer to you and more compelled to tip at the end of their service.
Make an effort to get to know your client. Have some conversation starters in your back pocket to fall back on in case your client isn’t super chatty, but also know when to back off. If a client doesn’t seem like they want to have a conversation, respect their space while still being friendly. The most important thing is to make every client feel comfortable in your chair, be responsive to their needs as they arise and use your expertise as a hairdresser to make their hair goals a reality.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
Of course, as a hairstylist, the best way to entice clients to tip is by providing excellent customer service. That begins before the client walks through your salon doors. Start by making the booking process as easy as possible. Give clients all the necessary information they need to book a service with you, including information about the service & your location. Consider having a booking widget, like this one, on your website and social media pages to make booking a simple one-step process.
Send a pre-appointment form to get to know your client better and understand their preferences. This form should mainly focus on whether clients have product sensitivities or what they want to achieve with their hair. Add some more general questions to establish a relationship with your client, like asking them what type of music they like or if they’d like a quieter service rather than one full of conversation. This will begin to put your client at ease and build more trust in your ability as a hairdresser.
Most of the work that goes into providing excellent customer service happens while the client is in your chair. Offer small, complimentary gifts like snacks, tea or even a glass of wine, depending on where your salon is located. Be attentive during the service and check in with your client to ensure they’re comfortable. Ask questions, like whether they’d like you to do something differently or if they’re happy with how their hair is looking. Before they leave, remember to invite them back. Clients should feel welcome in your space. Getting good service and feeling at ease increases the likelihood that they’ll leave you a tip.
Personalize Each Service
When you send a new client form, pay attention to any notes or requests so you can personalize the service based on their needs. Be mindful of client requests to show you are thoughtful and genuinely care that they have a great experience in your chair. If you have a new client, this can be a great way to ease any nervousness they might have before seeing a new hairdresser. After each service, be sure to send a follow-up, thanking them for coming in. Send a feedback form so you can learn more about how you can better the client experience next time. These small details and gestures of care can go a long way and lead to better tips for hairstylists.
Hype Your Clients Up
Everyone wants to feel good about how they look. We all know compliments help us feel good about ourselves. They can increase our dopamine levels, which leads to a better mood. And if clients are happy, they’re more likely to tip after their service.
Avoid general compliments that seem self-serving—and don’t be fake. General, inauthentic compliments can come across as desperate or simply forced. Instead of saying, “Wow! Your hair looks good,” after finishing a cut, be more specific. Try something like, “I love how the curtain bangs accentuate the shape of your face now. It really helps your cheekbones pop!” Focus your compliment on how your work as a hairstylist enhances the client’s natural beauty instead of focusing only on your work. If you point something out to a client that they may not notice immediately, it’ll boost their confidence, mood and the likelihood they’ll add a gratuity to their bill before leaving.
Upsell Products or Services
When clients add extra services to an appointment or buy products, the total cost of their appointment increases. The majority of clients who tip do so based on the total cost of their bill. If a client adds on another service or purchases a product, they’ll likely leave a bigger tip based on their total cost.
Many hairstylists, however, struggle with selling a product to a client, especially if said client just had an expensive service done. After all, you’re a hairdresser, not a salesperson! Instead of thinking of product sales as something to avoid, think of them as a way to educate clients how to maintain their hair at home using the products from your salon. Your expertise as a hairdresser will help them better understand why a product is worth purchasing.
For example, if a client has just had a major color correction done, recommend a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. Educate them on the importance of using products specifically designed for color-treated hair and how they can extend the lifetime of their color. When they ask for recommendations on which products to use, suggest the products you have in your salon.
Customers may ask for suggestions for cheaper products to buy at the drugstore. If this happens, remain professional. Make recommendations that are more affordable but don’t be afraid to subtly inform them that professional-grade products yield better results than ones at the store. Of course, don’t push too much. No one likes to feel pressured into buying something.
Many clients may hesitate to buy salon-quality products because of the price tag. If you use Vagaro, inform your client about Vagaro Pay Later, which breaks up the cost of the product over four payments. In fact, 30% of people are more willing to buy from you if you offer quick & easy payment installments! As long as you are professional, friendly and focused on helping the client, instead of selling to them, you’re more likely to see product purchases or service add-ons, which then increases the likelihood of bigger tips.
Have Tipping Options on Checkout Screens
The best way to ask for tips without asking outright? Have a tipping option on your checkout screen! Prompt clients to tip without you having to go through the awkward task of asking them to do so. Consider having set percentages to choose from, such as 15%, 20% & 25%, and an option to add a custom tip to any credit card transaction.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a study conducted over eight years among New York City taxis showed that riders were more likely to leave a tip when given the option, up to a point. The non-verbal reminder, with the choice to customize the tip amount, could lead to an increase in gratuity.
Say Yes to Better Business with Vagaro
Working in the service industry often means relying on tips to bolster earnings. As a hairdresser, it can feel awkward to ask for tips, but there are ways to get better tips without asking. Providing good service, upselling products & services and having convenient tipping options are all great ways to increase gratuity.
While you can always leave out a tip jar, many clients would prefer to leave a tip using their credit card when checking out, especially since not a lot of people carry cash anymore. And when you use Vagaro for payment processing, you can accept tips without the extra hassle. Vagaro Merchant Services (VMS) makes checkout seamless. Instead of using multiple platforms to accept payments, you can do everything in one place. And with features like email & text marketing, an Online Shopping Cart and Forms, running your salon and thriving as a hairstylist has never been easier. Add VMS to your account today or sign up for a 30-day free trial of the salon software to discover what Vagaro can do for you!