Tough times bring communities together

There’s no doubt that the impacts of COVID-19 on our communities and the industry are already starting to appear, with some salons unable to order enough inventory and clients cancelling appointments. Our thoughts are with all of you and we hope you’re safe and healthy.

When times get tough, we’re reminded of just how important it is to band together and support each other. Already we’ve seen the community – and the world – do some amazing things to lift spirits and unify against a common issue. And we want to see more of it!

Here are some meaningful ways we’re seeing people come together and support each other:

Offering supermarket runs or meal delivery to the elderly and immunocompromised
Only taking a reasonable amount of groceries and supplies from the supermarket shelves and sharing resources with each other
Buying products or services from small businesses who are already feeling a financial impact
Purchasing gift certificates to local restaurants and brick & mortar retailers to provide an alternative revenue stream
Hosting virtual happy hours with friends and family to bolster human connection
Moving any scheduled events online and having a virtual masterclass
Buying tickets to future events to show support for the greater community
Contributing financially to food banks for children who have lost access to daily meals during school closures
Donating to artists, performers, and venues to show solidarity and continue the celebration of the arts.

How cloud technology can help you

We wanted to remind you that there are a few tools in Shortcuts that can help you at this time, particularly if you are entering into self-isolation.

While practicing social distancing, you will still want to be checking in on your salon and working from home as much as physically possible in the event that you do need to close your doors. We understand that salons, spas and barbershops are people businesses and without people there is no business! But being able to access your appointment book from the comfort of your home, for instance, can help you keep your business running and not at a complete stand still.

All of our cloud features can be accessed from any mobile device, including tablets, mobile phones, laptops as well as desktop computers.

The Cloud Appointment Book

Using the Cloud Appointment Book, you’ll have full access to your Appointment Book and all its functionality from anywhere. This means that in the event your salon closes it’s doors and you are required to self-quarantine, that you can still make or reschedule appointments for clients.

Remember that if a client calls in asking to cancel their appointment to instead encourage them to reschedule for a date further in the future, to ensure the future of your business. We don’t want you to fall into the situation where you open the doors to your salon again with a bare-bones appointment book!

This super quick video shows you step by step how you can reschedule your clients in the Appointment Book.

Shortcuts Marketing

Email and SMS is by far the easiest way to communicate any updates relating to COVID-19 to your clients. For example, you may want to notify them what you are doing in the salon to protect staff and clients.

Using Shortcuts Marketing or Mailchimp, you can set up a new campaign, select the clients you’d like the communication to go to and send away.

Click here to learn how to send a once off email campaign using Shortcuts Marketing.

Click here to learn how to send a once off SMS campaign using Shortcuts Marketing.

Within Shortcuts Marketing, there is an appointment acknowledgements template which can be sent when a client makes a booking. This is another great place to include any information around COVID-19, like hygiene and social distancing practices, which you would like to communicate with your clients prior to their visit.

Remember to update any of your automated campaigns, including SMS Confirmations, with anything you would like your clients to keep in mind in regards to Coronavirus. To be mindful of any character count restrictions, you can add a shortened link within SMSs to your website with more information about your plan on dealing with COVID-19. Here’s a great tool you can use to create a shortened link for your SMS.

Cloud Reporting

Cloud Reporting lets you easily spot trends and tailor your approach to make your business more profitable. It’s important as a business owner to keep a close eye on your numbers at this time. Even while you’re in self-isolation, you should be able to login and see how your business is tracking that week with near real-time insights.

You can do just this with the Cloud Reporting dashboard. It breaks down the key metrics you always need visibility over – but especially at this time so you can spot, catch and react to any downward trends. These key metrics are: