Why you should never share your personal number with clients

Why you should never leave your personal number with clients

Every successful salon owner knows that treating clients like royalty is key to lasting relations. You listen to their troubles, help improve their self-esteem with your amazing services and you treat clients more like family. They value your dedication and kind-heartedness, which is why they choose your business over the competition. However, many salon owners make one vital mistake that they later regret down the line - sharing their personal number with their customers. It is an innocent gesture built on trust - exclusive only to your most loyal clients. By providing them with your personal number, you are committed to tend to their needs. But oftentimes this idea backfires on salon owners, and here is how.

After hour and last minute bookings

After entrusting clients with your number, you probably mentioned that they should contact you only during work-time hours, but like most of us, they may have forgotten. This, in turn, makes your personal number a direct hotline, with clients calling whenever they feel the need to. Imagine relaxing on your holiday break, when all of a sudden a client calls and asks you to squeeze him or her in tomorrow for a colorisation - leaving you very frustrated.

Clients may also think that since they have access to your private number, they may book a last minute appointment, which can be infuriating since you are the business owner and not a receptionist. Instead, ask clients to book through your Booksy online booking system. It is available 24/7, so clients can reserve appointments even when you are sound asleep or sunbathing in Bali.

Clients sharing your number

Providing your personal number to a client is a privilege and should be treated responsibly. Thanks to this, clients feel closer to the business and staff, and you trust that they will reach out only with matters that may concern you. It is great when they respect this, however, the trouble starts when they share your private number with friends and family. Instead of having just your loyal clients calling, all of a sudden you may be flooded with calls for bookings from people that have never even been to your business. Your customer’s intention was good, as they wanted to get the word out about your business and help you gain new ones, but you end up taking their bookings, as you feel it would be impolite to say no.

Creating bargain driven clients

The only clients that you should provide you personal phone number to are close friends, family and your most loyal clients. One way or another, they have helped your business grow and you feel close to them. Bear in mind however, that these clients may use this to their advantage and consider giving you a call and asking for a discount. At first, you might let it pass and provide them a discount or two, but as time goes by, they may use their close relations with you to receive a permanent discount on your products or services.

Most salon owners do not take into consideration that strong client-to-business relations should work both ways, in that the business gives a discount but the client should also be supportive of the salon. Take into consideration how much they have done for your business - if he or she actively recommends it to others or promotes your work, then offering a discount would be the right choice. Your customers should know that having your personal number is a privilege and not a hotline for discounts. 

If you are not a Booksy user yet, try it for free. The salon software trial period allows you to use the system for 14-days.