AI, Mental Health & Social Media: 7 Business Tips You Can’t Live Without
7 Business Tips To Take Your Career To The Next Level
2,000 hairdressers gathered in Austin, Texas for three days of The BTC Show like we’ve never seen before. With a lineup of over 70+ of the industry’s best artists, we gave you the opportunity to learn from them on Mainstage, up close through Look & Learn classrooms and to meet with them in the Connection Center.
We are curing our post-show blues by sharing seven of our favorite business tips from the weekend on social media, AI, consultations, mental health and more. Keep reading to relive the industry’s best weekend of the year, and click here to watch the FULL BTC Show 2023 playback!
1. Need To Fire a Client? Write The Letter in 30 Seconds
From what you see online to stories at the shampoo bowl, we know Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on your mind. The reality is: If you’re not already using it, you’re already behind. Before you run to the search bar, we have some industry advice from the pros who use it.
“It’s not independently creative,” said one of the panelists for the hair industry’s first-ever AI & Social Media Workshop, Matty Conrad (@mattyconrad), Founder of Victory Barber & Brand. “[AI] doesn’t come up with ideas for you,” he explained, which means that AI is a way to ease the burden of tasks like research, writing and other areas that hairdressers may not be experts in.
BTC’s Founder and panel facilitator, Mary Rector (@marybehindthechair), explained how hairdressers can take advantage of AI for their business to make their lives easier. You can ask AI to create you:
- A salon price increase letter
- A letter to fire a client
- A bio for your website personalized to YOU
- And SO much more
Mary proceeded to ask ChatGPT, an AI app available to all, to write her a letter to fire a client that was not a good fit. It took the app less than 30 seconds to create the letter, tailored to her desired tone, length and level of friendliness. This can save hairdressers SO much time on tasks they may not be experts in. Say goodbye to caption paralysis: AI will write them for you!
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2. Consultations: How To Talk About Pricing
If you ever find yourself freezing up when it’s time to talk pricing, you’re not alone. “I was so nervous for so many years,” said Redken Brand Ambassador Adrienne Dara (@adriennedara) from The BTC Show Mainstage.
But, it’s so important that you’re charging appropriately for your services. As Adrienne wrapped up her color segment with her signature pro toning tips, she also broke down how she talks about pricing.
After a consultation with a client, Adrienne will say the following to avoid an awkward or uncomfortable conversation: “Based on everything we talked about today, you’re looking at $500 for your service. However, should that not meet your budgetary needs, please let me know. I would love to help you visualize a smaller service.” Remember: Preparation is key! Screenshot this tip for later.
3. Don’t “Niche” Down TOO Much…
Photo Credit: Instagram via @quingable
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4. Celebrity Styling: Lighting for Social Media
Lighting is one of the trickiest elements of content creation—plus, one of the most important. According to celebrity stylist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member David Lopez (@davidlopezzz), “You want to identify what is going to work best for your work situation. If you happen to work in a salon where you can use a lot of natural light and you have very diffused light, you can use that.” In short, work smarter by using what you have to your advantage.
See an example of different types of lighting versus diffused, natural light:
Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member and 2023 #ONESHOT Winner Justin Toves-Vincilione (@ahappyjustin) shared the stage with David and spilled his lighting secrets with the audience. If you aren’t able to make use of a window that provides natural, diffused lighting like David suggested, you can create bright lighting that highlights the client’s cut and color. Check out Justin’s setup below:
Photo Credit: Ulta Beauty via @ahappyjustin
5. How to Attract More Clients on Instagram
Did you know one of the easiest ways to gain a new clientele is already at your fingertips? Instagram! If you’re struggling to fill your books, try this trick from BTC’s Vice President of Strategy and Founder of The BTC Team Haley Gable (@haleygable):
In the “Instagram for Hairdressers” classroom with BTC University, Haley told attendees: “Start by using the appropriate location hashtags on your hair pics. Then, you can attract the exact type of client you want in your chair and to help THEM find YOU!”
Check out examples below of the perfect hashtag formula to fill your books:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of BTC University
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6. Save Years of Strain Behind the Chair With This Tip…
In the “Color Blocking on Natural Texture” classroom, led by Joico Global Education Expert Ricardo Santiago (@stylistricardosantiago) and Joico Global Technical Director Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers (@watchmyhairbounce), attendees witnessed unmatched color education; but, they also received some life-changing wellness tips to take home from Ricardo.
Ricardo had provided a resistance band for each attendee to keep along with an exercise to reduce physical strain on the neck and shoulders. See how it’s done below:
“We want to realign,” Ricardo explained. “Be sure to keep your palms up and it’ll reset you… It’ll save you years behind the chair versus burning out and having all kind of issues.” Remember: You have to take care of your body AND mind!
7. Avoid Burnout Through Self Care
Did you know? 65 percent of hair pros have experienced anxiety or depression during their careers—plus, they shared that their No.1 challenge is mental health.*
There’s no easy fix, but one way to alleviate some of the stress of everyday life is by starting with self care. “When we can love and have compassion for ourselves, and recognize we’re doing self care, we’re more available to connect with our clients, with our communities, our loved ones and our family,” Katrina Gay (@katrinaheinrichgay), mental health advocate and L’Oréal Professionnel Head Up speaker, explained.
One way to kickstart self care is through a morning routine: “If you stretch in the morning, it sets you up for your day. Spend 15 minutes with yourself in the morning whether it’s reading or meditating just to get your mind right,” advised L’Oréal Professionnel Partner Daniel Mason-Jones (@danielmasonjones) who led the segment alongside Katrina. Self care is essential to staying rejuvenated behind the chair and avoiding burnout, so be sure to start creating a morning routine that works for you ASAP.
*Study conducted within L’Oréal’s Instagram community with 1,500 hair pros in six countries.
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