If I’ve learned anything from years of working in the beauty industry, it’s the importance of asking the right questions.
The most important skill you can learn as a stylist is to make sure you and your clients are on the same page. After all, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you did a kickass job on someone’s hair and then realizing they hate it!
Seriously, what’s the problem? You did what they asked, right? You’re a talented stylist and you’ve put years of work into developing your skills. If they wanted something different, they should have asked for something different. Right?
Well, not exactly.
The problem is that what you’re picturing isn’t always what your client is picturing. My clients weren’t critiquing my skills when they were unhappy with their cut or color, it was my communication. And let me tell ya, that was a humbling realization.
That’s when I learned I had to make some major chances to how I communicate.
I started doing 30 minute consultations for every new client before I even touched their hair. I sit down face to face with them. It’s about making sure we’re both super clear on the desired end results.
This system has revolutionized my business.
It’s about learning what a client means when they use a certain word.
If Suzy asks for something “funky,” it means she wants an over-the-top, edgy, shave-the-side-of her-head look.
But when Sally says “funky,” she means just a little more texture and movement.
Both use the same words to describe two very different looks, so when I ask the right questions I make sure I really understand what each client means by “funky” so I don’t accidentally shave half of Sally’s head when she actually just wanted a little curl or a slight A-line. (Don’t worry, that’s just an extreme example and I didn’t actually do that!)
We all know how to do good hair, but you have to learn and understand your clients in order to serve them. You can take classes and get educated, but if you aren’t giving them what they want, what’s the point?
So what ARE the right questions?
I know this can feel overwhelming, so I made you a cheat sheet to make this process so much easier! After years of doing this with my own clients, I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned about the right questions into this simple, easy-to-use consultation form.
I’ve done all the work so you don’t have to, because we both know you have enough to do already!
The information in this has been a game changer for me and my business.
This is the exact form I use to make sure I’m understanding my clients and give them the best experience possible. You can use it as is or customize it to suit your own business!
Learn more about the Consultation Form & Checklist here!
Inside, you’ll find all the questions I ask my clients to make sure I understand EXACTLY what they’re looking for so that the client is thrilled with the results (and I have a lot more fun too!)
Because at the end of the day, we all want to be understood.
learn effective communication
Get the 5 must-have questions to ask every client!
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