The key to running a successful tanning salon is to spread brand awareness far and wide. An iron-clad marketing strategy is essential for enticing new customers through your doors – and encouraging them to re-book.
If you’re wondering “how can I promote my tanning business?” there are many effective ways to go about it. To get the best results, experiment with various online and offline strategies, and keep track of each campaign’s performance. Software such as ActiveSalon can help with this.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through seven tanning salon marketing ideas designed to help boost your profits. Let’s get started!
1. Create an Email Newsletter
An email newsletter is one of the most effective tanning salon advertising ideas there is. After all, who doesn’t check their inbox every day? Newsletters are designed to remind past clients about your salon, keeping your business in the forefront of their minds. You can also use them to:
- Spread the word about special offers and promotions
- Promote new treatments, courses and retail products
- Send out exclusive discount codes
- Share your social media handles and encourage clients to follow you
Good tanning salon software can help you set up an effective email marketing campaign. With ActiveSalon, you can even send customised offers to clients who haven’t visited your salon in a while.
2. Set Up Google Ads
Google Ads can help you reach new customers who are searching for tanning salons in their area. You can use them to target anyone who searches for keywords such as “tanning salons near me”. The best part? You only pay when someone clicks on your ad.
When creating your Google Ads campaign, create separate advertisements for each course and promotion on offer. That way, you can attract potential customers with laser-focused ads that are more likely to result in a booking.
Set up a dedicated landing page for each keyword with your contact details clearly visible. This will improve your conversion rate, as it gives readers exactly what they’re looking for.
3. Implement a Client Referral Scheme
A well-thought-out client referral scheme works in two distinct ways. Not only does it draw in new customers, but it also helps to build brand loyalty. It’s also one of the only completely free salon marketing ideas, making it well worth the effort.
The premise is simple: offer your clients free tanning minutes for each friend they refer to your salon. With tanning software such as ActiveSalon, it couldn’t be easier to set up. All you need to do is specify the number of reward minutes earned for each referral (e.g. 10). When a new customer signs up, simply select the referrer from your client database. The reward minutes will automatically be applied to their account.
4. Run Monthly Specials
Tanning salon monthly specials are a great way to tempt clients through your doors. Limited-time deals create a sense of urgency, as people will want to book an appointment before the offer expires.
There are no rules when it comes to choosing your monthly specials. For example:
- Buy-one-get-one-free offers on the “product of the month”
- Free gifts with each tanning course booked this month (e.g. a bottle of lotion)
- Discounted tanning courses centred around an upcoming event – this could work well if you’re looking for tanning salon marketing ideas for Christmas or Valentine’s Day
Don’t forget to advertise your special offers through social media and Google Ads, as well as in your salon.
5. Boost Your Social Media Presence
When it comes to the best tanning salon marketing ideas, social media is hard to beat. If you’re not advertising your business on Instagram and Facebook at the very least, you’re missing out.
You can use social media to share everything from limited-time promotions to before-and-after pictures (with your clients’ consent). Social media is also a great way to build relationships with your clients, allowing you to respond to their queries personally.
You can even host a contest – perfect if you’re looking for tanning salon marketing ideas for summer. For example, encourage followers to post a photo of their holiday tan and tag you for a chance to win.
6. Invest in Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) means optimising your website so that your tanning salon appears at the top of web searches. It includes strategies such as link building, keyword research and creating high-quality content.
According to Forbes, over 67% of people will click on one of the first five search engine results. So, SEO can give your tanning salon a powerful edge over your competitors. It’s a lengthy process, but the results are well worth the effort. You can always hire a digital marketing agency to take care of it while you focus on running your tanning salon.
7. Organise a PR Campaign
If you want to raise brand awareness, a well-executed PR (public relations) campaign can work wonders. This involves generating positive press coverage for your tanning salon in newspapers, magazines and online.
You can put together press releases and approach local journalists directly. However, another great way to create interest is to organise an event. For example, invite local editors to your tanning salon for a free session and a goody bag to take home. Take plenty of pictures for social media – this will help create a buzz around your business.
Discover ActiveSalon: The UK’s Leading Tanning Salon Software
ActiveSalon is the UK’s leading cloud-based digital software created specifically for tanning salons. It comes with a wide range of features designed to help streamline every aspect of running your business. Manage your client records, view sales reports and control T-max manager with the touch of a button – from any device, anytime.
ActiveSalon can help you set up a referral rewards program or an email marketing campaign in a matter of minutes. You can even create custom discount codes and target specific clients with personalised emails.
To experience everything that ActiveSalon has to offer, start your free trial today. Enjoy the full software at no cost for 3 months!
Loukas has been a part of the tanning industry since 2013; what he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing! As a Director of SolarTrack Systems, his responsibilities don’t just include ActiveSalon, but a variety of different tools and packages.
