12 Tips to Boost Your Hair Salon’s Instagram

1. Post Regularly and Consistently

The first rule of Instagram is that regular, consistent updates are a must. This improves your reach (so your posts get spotted by more people) and shows followers that you’re a busy, bustling business with plenty of trusting clients. However, consistency is more important than frequency, so find a schedule that works for you – whether that’s three times per week or once a day – and stick to it if you want those ‘likes’ to start stacking up.

We know it’s tricky to create new content right now, but this is a great time to go digging through your photo library to pull out some inspiring creations from the archives. It’s rare you get the perfect pic in just one shot, so you could even share varying angles on previously-posted looks – particularly the colors, cuts and styles that performed well in the past.

2. Try Posting ‘Before and Afters’

Who doesn’t love a ‘before and after’ shot? If you really want to flaunt your transformation technique, make use of Instagram’s gallery feature to show your client’s hair pre-cut, -color and -styling. This allows users to swipe across to see both your artistry and the mane you were working with. Just make sure the ‘after’ shot comes first, so your grid looks ultra-striking.

3. Work with a Color Theme

Achieve #GridGoals by planning your posts by color or theme to ensure they complement each other. For example, show a row of three balayage shots or a block of rainbow hair looks to get those follows going up. You could also try arranging posts by topic, like kicking off summer with a series of sun-kissed hair ‘dos or flaunting a deluge of braided masterpieces through the start of festival season. Struggling to visualise your feed? Head to your phone’s app store to download a grid planning app. Then you’ll be able to see which posts fit together.

4. Take a Break from Filters

Everyone loves a filter, but when it comes to showing your hair creations’ truest hues, it’s best to avoid tapping Clarendon or Gingham – such filters tend to alter the colors. Typically, less editing is the way to go, as it makes your content appear more authentic and it prevents your clients from building up unrealistic expectations. However, if you do find a snap is too dimly-lit, try hitting the ‘Edit’ tab and tweaking the brightness levels just slightly to make your handiwork more visible.

5. Line Up Your Shot

Jaunty, jarring angles can ruin a great photo. Luckily, Instagram has a number of tools to help you line up your photos for perfect composition. First, ensure the desired focal point (like those dreamy blonde highlights or that fishtail braid) is in the middle. Choose the photo from your photo library then, in the Edit tab, hit Adjust and a grid overlay will appear. Use this grid to center your pic before playing with the dial to straighten.

6. Square vs. Landscape Images

There’s no hard and fast rule that says vertical images always work better than a square, but when it comes to hair, a portrait format tends to show off long locks best. Instead of lopping off a back-combed crown or dreamily-tonged and lightened ends, stick to these dimensions to ensure users can see the entire look. As for short hairstyles, give pixie crops, blunt bobs and more a starring role by opting for a square that frames it. Cue all the ‘likes’.

7. Hero Your Hair Hashtags

Never underestimate the power of a good hashtag. Adding them to your post helps to get more eyes on your mesmerizing hair looks, so choose them carefully. Instagram will allow you to add up to 30 to a caption. As for which ones to choose, make sure you avoid spamming by only choosing hashtags closely related to your post, calling out the color, style and any techniques you might have adopted in the coloring process.

A mix of a few popular tags (like #hair, #blondehair or #balayage) should be used alongside more niche, descriptive tags with lower competition. There are a number of hashtags hair professionals are using specifically for lockdown, too, including #ShowYourRoots, #WellaEdFromHome, #Wait-ForUs and #SupportYourStylist.

8. Mention Your Glam Squad

Team work makes the dream work, so make sure you tag all stylists and colorists involved in each look, as well as the clients themselves. Everyone deserves the credit – especially right now, when community is everything. Mention them in the caption and tag them in the actual photo or video. Bonus: those image tags mean your posts are more likely to crop up in other users’ Explore section on the app.

9. Live-Stream Your Skills

Followers want quality hair content that inspires and educates them, so try taking your knowledge live to help clients care for their hair in quarantine. Live-streams allow you to run interactive Q&As, teach top styling tricks (such as how to blow-dry hair or hide roots) and provide advice on looking after locks until salons reopen. Post a live-stream schedule on your Stories, so followers will know exactly when to tune in. Then, save the completed stream to IGTV for clients who missed you live.

10. Carry Out Online Consultations

Another great way to keep connected to your clients during social distancing is by carrying out online hair consultations, which you can do via Instagram’s video call function. Stock up on essen-tials on the WellaStore first, promote the service on your Stories or grid, then help clients by providing bespoke advice and product recommendations. Afterwards, you can ship their tailored hair routine out to them.

11. Post When You’re Getting Back to Business

There will come a time when you’re preparing to get back to business and start styling hair again, whether that means heading into the salon or scheduling a host of freelance jobs. This is where your Instagram will really help you out; use it to let followers know you’re ready to start taking book-ings, posting the good news on your feed to get the word out.

Oh, and don’t forget: when those clients come pouring in, make sure you capture plenty of before and after shots for the ‘gram. The transformations are bound to be seriously striking.

12. Give Wella a Tag, Too

We love seeing your professional creations, whether you’re trying out our latest shades of Color Touch demi-permanent hair color, enhancing your formulas with WellaPlex or showing off the shine-boosting results of our INVIGO Nutri-Enrich collection. To make sure we spot your posts, tag us in the post and caption as @WellaHairUSA. Then, add the hashtags #WellaHair, #MakeChange, #WellaFamily and #AskForWella. You might even get featured on our feed and blog with a link back to your profile.

Looking for more advice on how to boost your pro hair Instagram? Head to the Wella Professionals Education platform for more tips, or check out our Instagram Masterclass, led by celebrity hairstyl-ist Sarah Potempa…