Salon Price Increase Notice: Helpful Samples & Best Practices (+Templates)

If you’re reading this blog post, you’re likely considering raising your salon’s prices.

With inflation being at an all-time high, now might be the perfect time to consider your current pricing strategy.

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about doing so for some time but have held off for fear that it might hurt your business.

If this sounds like you, we understand. Raising your prices can be uncomfortable. But, with the right salon price increase notice and other best practices that you’ll find in this blog post, you’ll be able to navigate the change confidently. After all, you deserve it!

Here’s the thing: While a small percentage of your clients may leave initially, they’ll be replaced by better clients who will be willing to pay what you’re worth. So while it might be uncomfortable at first, never shy away from charging what you’re worth.

Read on to get everything you need to know about raising your prices with ease.

Step-By-Step Process for Raising Prices

Know the key actions to take at each phase—before, during and after instituting a price increase—to ensure smooth execution.

Pre-Increase Phase

• Research competitor rates and local economic factors
• Decide on new pricing structure
• Update online platforms and printed menus
• Notify staff for training
• Inform clients well ahead of increase
• Outline loyalty discounts and transition policy

Implementing the Increase

• Activate new prices in booking systems
• Equip front desk to address inquiries
• Track customer engagement response
• Iron out any execution issues

Post-Increase Phase

• Continue tracking KPIs on retention
• Fine-tune support processes based on feedback
• Communicate value being created from increase
• Identify additional optimization areas

Separating prior, during and post implementation actions provides clarity on executing systematic price rises rather than knee-jerk reactions. Evaluating effectiveness through metrics post-change is equally essential.

When to Raise Your Prices?

How do you know it’s time to raise your prices? Aside from a gut feeling, some clear signs will tell you if you’re on the right track.

1- You’re Charging Below Market Rate/You Offer Specialized Services

A good starting point is to see what your competitors are charging. If you’re charging below market rate, it’s a definite sign that it’s time to raise your rates.

Additionally, if you offer specialized services, you can also reasonably raise your prices.

2- You’re Not Charging for the Multiple Steps Required in Your Services

Today’s clients are looking for much more extravagant results than ever before. In the past, a client may have wanted a head of highlights that required two hours of your time whereas today’s clients also expect a root shadow or even multiple toners in addition to the highlights. This has the potential to add up to five hours to achieve the client’s desired results.

All of this is to say that it’s important to charge for the additional steps in between. These results require more time, product, and expertise and you should be charging for it!

3- You Haven’t Raised Your Prices in a While

Another sign that it’s time to raise your prices is that you haven’t raised them in a while. As a general rule, you should revisit your prices every 12 to 18 months.

4- Your Profit Margin Has Decreased Significantly

If your profit margin has decreased significantly, whether due to general inflation, rent increases, rising costs of products, shipping costs, or retaining staff, it’s a necessity that you raise your prices sooner rather than later.

5- You’re Busy (80% to 90% Booked)

If you’re busy – approximately 80% to 90% booked over a two to three-month period – or you’re working 10 to 12-hour days, this is a telltale sign that it’s time to raise your prices. This is all good news, though: it means that supply is greater than demand!

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6- Your Services Have Improved

Perhaps you’ve recently undertaken a new course or certificate. Maybe you’ve invested in high-quality products or you’ve hired new, highly qualified staff.

Whatever the case may be, it’s always time to raise your prices when you’ve made upgrades to your services.

How Often Should a Salon Raise Prices?

Exactly how often should salon owners raise their prices?

Salons should raise prices every 12 to 18 months to stay on par with inflation and/or salon upgrades.

How Much Should You Increase the Price List?

At this point, you might be convinced that you need to raise your prices, but exactly how much do you raise them?

Generally speaking, most salons will raise their prices by $5, $10, or $15 increments, but this is just a general rule, and there are always exceptions. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that a price increase should never be more than ten percent. This is considered a safe level.

When thinking about how much to increase prices, it’s important to consider the following:

• Your Competition: Consider what your competitors charge for the same services.
• Your Target Audience: If you cater to a more luxury-based clientele, make sure your services reflect your target audience.

Preparing Staff for a Price Increase

Implementing a price increase can be a sensitive matter. Giving salon staff ample warning and equipping them to address client concerns is key to smooth execution.

Communicate Early On

Make pricing changes official internally weeks before notifying clients. Provide staffers the rationale, new rates and effective dates well beforehand. This gives them time to process changes, ask questions, and prepare responsive scripts.

Train Front Desk Staff on Messaging

Arm front desk employees with FAQs, polished replies and referral information to handle price increase queries. Roleplay conversations for building confidence. Emphasize tactful language around “better serving valued customers” or “operating sustainably.”

Address Employee Concerns

Expect some team resistance or worries about client attrition. Maintain open communication channels for feedback. Show how higher rates let you boost stylist commissions, retain top talent, and invest in salon growth – benefitting all. Reassure staff of your long-term commitment.

Getting staff onboard early and providing appropriate messaging tools are critical for advancing price rise communications. Invest time in training teams on framing, handling objections, and projecting confidence despite internal doubts. With genuine support, they will become trusted advocates.

Different Ways to Increase Your Salon Prices

Keep in mind that there are other ways you can think about increasing your salon prices:

• Offer Tier Services: One approach to raising your prices is to offer tier pricing depending on the stylist’s credentials and experience. For instance, your more experienced stylists can charge more than recent graduates.
• Upsell: In addition to their hair service, you can also see if the client is interested in a particular hair product or another add-on service.
• Increase Retail Prices: Another way to increase your salon prices is by increasing the price of your products.

Best Practices for Raising Prices

While you should definitely get comfortable with the idea of raising your prices (as you will want to raise them every year or so!), there are some definite do’s and don’ts:

• Make Reasonable Price Increases: Consider reviewing your price list every year. If you’ve never raised your prices before, or it has been several years since you’ve increased them, don’t try to make up for lost time. Stick to the standard ten percent increase.
• Consider Honoring Your Previous Price List for Previously Booked Services: This is up to you, but you may encounter disgruntled clients if you raise your prices after clients have booked their services at a previously agreed-upon price (i.e. if clients have booked through an online booking platform).

How Do You Inform Clients of a Price Increase in a Beauty Salon?

If you are thinking about raising your prices, one of the most important things you can do is actually inform clients that you’re making the change.

You can do this by sending out a salon price increase notice to customers by email, posting an alert on your website or even posting it on social media. You can also put up a sign in your reception area.

In fact, it’s typically a good idea to do all of these things so that all of your clients have a greater chance of noticing that you’ve increased your price list.

For some clients, like long-time clients, you might go so far as to write a personal letter.

If you use a salon online booking and scheduling software like Yocale, you’ll also have the option to add a message to the online booking widget. When clients go to book an appointment online, they’ll see the salon price increase notice right then and there.

Here is a suggested write-up covering updating your online presence for a salon price increase:

Updating Your Online Presence

Don’t let outdated online rates and listings derail an otherwise well-executed pricing update. Align digital presences with new prices before notifications go out.

Revise Website, Social Media, Online Listings

Triple check that prices on your website, social media pages, and directory listings like Yelp accurately reflect increases. For speed, create a price change announcement page detailing new rates by service then link prominently throughout.

Update Booking Sites with New Rates

If you use online booking tools like Setmore or StyleSeat, refresh service menus with revised pricing. Add a notification bar or popup alerting clients to higher rates when making appointments. Turn off prepaid bookings in the interim to enable custom quotes.

Getting all customer-facing digital platforms – your own and third-party – syncing new rates avoids backtracking and confusion later. Adjustments signal professionalism behind the increase, not just covering overheads. Present unity across channels.

Here are some tips when it comes to informing clients of a price increase:

• Inform Clients in Advance: Ideally, you’ll give clients between one and three months of notice that you’re raising your prices.
• Consider Raising Prices Around the Holidays: The beginning of November is a  recommended time for raising prices because most people are typically in the mindset of spending money. Additionally, because they have more events to attend around this time, they’re not likely to leave.
• Avoid Raising Prices in January: Most people’s budget has already been spent, so January is typically the worst time for raising your prices.
• Provide a Specific Date: Mention the specific date that your price increase will take effect.
• Mention It in As Many Places as Possible: It’s important to mention your price increase in as many places as possible so you can be sure the message gets heard.
• Consider Asking for Feedback: If you’re truly worried about raising your prices, one approach is to ask for feedback when you raise your prices.
• Consider a Small, Complimentary Add-On: For a short period of time, you could consider adding a small, complementary add-on to services to help with the transition.

How Do You Word a Price Increase in a Salon? What to Say When Raising Prices

It can be tricky to know exactly what to say when explaining to clients that you’ll be raising your prices, but here are some tips. You’ll also find a template you can use below!

• Include the Essentials: A salon price increase notice should always contain the following: your logo, a headline announcing the price increase, the new and old pricing as well as your contact information.
• Focus on the Positive First: Do you know the expression, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it?” If your salon is changing for the better, say it! This way, you’ll frame the message as a positive one. Clients will be much more likely to support you this way.
• Be Transparent (Provide Reasons): While it’s not necessary to explain why you’re raising your prices, it’s still considered best practice to provide reasoning for why your prices are increasing. This can help clients understand and put them in a better position to support the move.
• Express Gratitude: Thanking your current clients and showing your appreciation is critical.
• Be Brief: Keep your note to the point while still keeping a sympathetic tone.
• Welcome Questions: Always end your note by giving clients the option to ask questions. While you’ll want to remain firm in the event you do get questions, it’s important to open a line of communication.
• Consider Having a Team Meeting: Have a team meeting to get everyone on the same page if clients do start to ask stylists questions. For example, you might want to explain that suppliers have raised their prices or how your salon has improved its services. Whatever the case may be, get everyone on the same page!

Handling Customer Pushback

Despite sensitive messaging, prepare for some clients to react negatively to price hikes. Respond professionally to make the best of these interactions.

FAQs and Common Concerns

Anticipate frequently asked questions and concerns around higher rates to shape empathetic responses. These may cover:

• Why increases are necessary
• How new prices compare competitively
• Added value being introduced
• Transition options and grandfathered rates

Arm staff to address these and other common objections or complaints.

Responding to Complaints

Accept negative reactions don’t reflect personal ill-intent. Hear out client frustrations fully without getting defensive. Offer sincere apologies for any inconvenience as you reiterate reasons for increases. Have front desk staffers prepared to escalate extremely disgruntled customers to managers for additional conciliation and personalized solutions if required.

The goal is retaining clients through upgrades demonstrating your renewed investment in their experience, despite bumps in rates.

Salon Price Increase Notice Template

Here are some salon price increase notice templates to use as a guide when raising your prices.

Salon Price Increase Notice sample

This is a generic notice that can be used across your website to social media channels.
 
Dear Valued Clients,
We greatly appreciate your love and support for the past [x] years. This year, we have decided to upgrade our services and provide an even better client experience than before.
To accomplish this goal, we have hired five new employees who bring a wealth of experience and top-level certifications. With all these changes, we have decided to increase the prices of our services by 10%, effective from November 1, 2022.
We thank you for your understanding and support. As always, we are committed to delivering the highest quality services possible.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at any point.
Everyone at [Salon name]
123-456-789

Hair Salon Price Increase Letter

For some clients – especially long-time clients or VIPs – you might want to consider going a step beyond to send these clients an actual letter – or even to call them! It’s more personal and can help strengthen your relationship.

Dear [client name],
The team at [name of salon] would like to express a sincere thank you for your support. We’re committed to providing you with the highest level of service possible, which is why we made the decision to hire ten new staff members who will bring a wealth of experience to our salon. 
On that note, there will be a small increase of ten percent to cover these costs. This will take effect November 1, 2022.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your opinion is important to us.
Thank you for your understanding – we couldn’t do it without you. 
[Name of Salon Owner] 

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, you deserve to be paid for your talent – you’ve worked so hard!

While it can be uncomfortable to think about raising your prices, it’s a means to an end to work with more premium clients who are more than happy to pay you what you’re worth.

With the right salon price increase notice and all of the other best practices in this blog post, you’ll be on your way to finally getting paid what you deserve!

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Interested in learning more about salon online booking and scheduling software? Book a demo with a Yocale product specialist today.

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