Salon Marketing • Email

Email Marketing: Your Direct Line to Clients

Social algorithms change. Email addresses don't. Build an email list that lets you reach clients whenever you want.

Why Email Marketing Still Works

While everyone's chasing Instagram followers, email quietly delivers the best ROI of any marketing channel. Unlike social, you own your email list — no algorithm can take it away.

Email Marketing Stats

$42
ROI per $1 spent
4.2B
daily email users
21%
average open rate

Email lets you reach clients directly, build relationships between visits, and drive bookings on demand.

Building Your Email List

Your email list is only as valuable as its quality. Here's how to grow it:

Collection Points

  • Booking form: Require email for appointments
  • Check-in tablet: Capture at arrival
  • Website popup: Offer first-time discount
  • Social media: Link to signup form
  • Receipts: Ask for email for digital receipt

Incentives to Join

  • • 10-15% off first booking
  • • Free add-on service
  • • Early access to promotions
  • • Exclusive tips and content
  • • Birthday perks

Essential Email Types for Salons

📅
Transactional Emails
Triggered automatically

Booking confirmations, appointment reminders, post-visit thank you. These have the highest open rates (60%+).

📰
Monthly Newsletter
1x per month

Updates, tips, trends, team news. Keeps you top of mind between visits. Focus on value, not sales.

🎂
Birthday/Anniversary
Triggered by date

Personal touch with special offer. Birthday emails have 481% higher transaction rates than regular emails.

🔔
Re-engagement (Win-Back)
90-180 days inactive

"We miss you" campaigns to bring back lapsed clients. Include special offer to incentivize return.

🎉
Promotional
As needed (sparingly)

Seasonal specials, flash sales, new service launches. Keep to 10-20% of your emails max.

What to Include in Your Newsletter

Monthly Newsletter Template

Featured
Hero Content — One main story, tip, or transformation
Tips
Quick Tips — 2-3 hair care or styling tips
News
Salon Updates — New team members, services, or changes
Offer
Special Offer — One focused promotion or CTA
Social
Social Proof — Recent review or client spotlight

Subject Lines That Get Opened

Your subject line determines whether anyone reads your email. Make it count.

Good Subject Lines

  • ✓ "[Name], your birthday gift is waiting 🎂"
  • ✓ "The #1 mistake ruining your blowout"
  • ✓ "Summer color trends you need to see"
  • ✓ "Quick: 3 spots opened this week"
  • ✓ "We noticed it's been a while..."

Avoid These

  • ✗ "March Newsletter"
  • ✗ "HUGE SALE!!!"
  • ✗ "Hey"
  • ✗ "News from [Salon Name]"
  • ✗ All caps or excessive punctuation!!!

Pro tip: Keep subject lines under 50 characters. Use the preview text strategically.

Email Automation for Salons

Set these up once, and they run forever:

Essential Email Automations

New client
→ Welcome email + first-visit recap
After visit
→ Thank you + review request
Service due
→ Rebooking reminder
Birthday
→ Special offer (7 days before)
90 days inactive
→ "We miss you" email
180 days inactive
→ Final win-back attempt

Email Best Practices

Do

  • ✓ Personalize with first name
  • ✓ Mobile-optimize (60%+ read on phone)
  • ✓ Include clear, single CTA
  • ✓ Send at consistent times
  • ✓ Test subject lines
  • ✓ Segment your list
  • ✓ Make unsubscribe easy

Don't

  • ✗ Send too frequently
  • ✗ Use misleading subject lines
  • ✗ Write long, text-heavy emails
  • ✗ Forget the CTA
  • ✗ Buy email lists
  • ✗ Ignore unsubscribes
  • ✗ Send without testing

Measuring Email Success

MetricGoodGreatWhy It Matters
Open rate18-25%25%+Subject line effectiveness
Click rate2-3%4%+Content relevance
Unsubscribe rate<0.5%<0.2%List health
Booking rate1-2%3%+Conversion effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Email has 4x higher ROI than social media for local businesses. The key is sending relevant, valuable content — not just promotions. Newsletters, tips, and personalized offers work well.

Ready to Build Your Email Marketing Engine?

Let Echo help you create and automate effective email campaigns.