Vagaro Blog

Boost Your Immunity & Stay Healthy with These Tips

Maria Duffey / Mar 24, 2020

In this article, you’ll learn about:
• How you can improve your immune health by lowering your stress
• How to boost immunity with a good night’s sleep
• Alcohol’s effect on the immune system
• How to use exercise as medicine
• Why you should focus on more than Zinc & Vitamin C
• How you can recognize & help prevent the spread of misinformation

COVID-19 Resources for Small Business

Allie Marini / Mar 20, 2020

We know it’s hard for you right now. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented situation in this industry and that can feel overwhelming. But we know that you’re strong, and… View Post

Ease your COVID-19 Anxiety with These Expert Tips

Allie Marini / Mar 20, 2020

In this article, you’ll learn about:
• The negative effects of anxiety & stress on your body
• How giving yourself a designated “worry time” can reduce your overall anxiety
• Why taking a “social media break” is good for your mental health
• What watching a kitten video does for your mental well-being
• Simple indoor breathing & grounding techniques

How to Keep Business Revenue Up During COVID-19

Allie Marini / Mar 18, 2020

This article includes:
• Ways to use email marketing to communicate with clients
• A customizable email template to use when providing updates about changes to your normal business operations
• How to use your online cart to maintain an income stream by remotely selling discounted gift certificates, memberships, packages, & products
• A letter from our CEO, detailing Vagaro’s plan to help you through this challenge

Worried About Coronavirus? The Owner’s Guide to Reducing Health Risks at Work

Allie Marini / Mar 16, 2020

In this article, you’ll learn about:
• How to minimize risk for viral infections, airborne pathogens, & bloodborne diseases by maintaining hygiene and sanitation standards in your salon
• Recommended sanitation products
• The checklist for salon and spa hygiene & sanitation (Download as a PDF)
• Safe, effective sanitation tips
• How to communicate your shop sanitation practices with clients –including email & text templates
• Additional resources for running a safe, hygienic, sanitary business

5 Lessons We Can Learn from Wellness Barbie

Allie Marini / Mar 09, 2020

It’s the 21st century, and Barbie’s been re-inventing herself! March 9 is National Barbie Day 2020. Wow – look at her now! Since her official debut in 1959, Barbie’s held over 200 careers, constantly inspiring children to dream big. She’s been everything from a doctor to a paratrooper, a business executive and a paleontologist—all that in just 60 years!

An Equal World is an Enabled World

Allie Marini / Mar 08, 2020

March 8th is International Women’s Day. This year, the theme is focused on equality! Today Vagaro celebrates the incredible women who make our industry awesome and who strive to build a gender equal world.

Motivate Staff & Net More Sales: Flat Rate vs. Tiered Commissions

Allie Marini / Feb 25, 2020

In this article, you’ll learn:
• What commission-based pay is
• The difference between flat-rate and tiered commissions
• Real-world examples of flat rate vs. commission for services and products
• How commission provides more control over services, sales, and payroll
• About using commissions to motivate staff and bring in more sales
• How Vagaro makes is easy to customize flat-rate or tiered commissions
• Additional resources to help you

401(k) Retirement Plans for Employees of Small Businesses

Allie Marini / Feb 24, 2020

Learn how Vagaro’s partnership with Gusto can help salon, spa, fitness, and wellness small business get a competitive edge through retirement savings benefits! Here’s how hairdressers, barbers, nail techs, spa and fitness professionals can start planning for a comfortable retirement, without stressing about the future. Gusto and Vagaro make it happen. Try Gusto free for 3 months when you sign up through Vagaro!

Why Is Human Resources Important for Small Businesses?

Allie Marini / Feb 17, 2020

HR helps small businesses perform better, scale up, and reach their goals. With effective HR resources available, your business will see improved employee performance and an increase in loyalty and commitment. Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of you—learn how HR is the key!

Enter Vagaro’s Selfie Station Contest!

Allie Marini / Feb 12, 2020

Has your business created the perfect spot to snap a selfie? Do your customers love taking candid shots for social media every time they visit? Want to win a Vagaro Tablet Stand and EMV Chip Card Reader? If you answered YES — read on to find out how your business selfie station can win Vagaro’s Selfie Station Contest!

Make More February Cash with a Galentine’s Day Deal They’ll Love!

Allie Marini / Feb 10, 2020

In this article, you’ll learn:
• The origin of Galentine’s Day
• How a Valentine/Galentine Daily Deal can bring you extra cash in February
• Easy steps to create, post, market, and boost your Galentine’s Deal
• Bonus Galentine’s Day 2020 marketing tips

Choosing the Right Payroll Services for Your Business Needs

Allie Marini / Feb 10, 2020

Payroll is one of the most complicated aspects of owning and running your own small business. It’s also the area where small business owners tend to make errors that can be costly and difficult to resolve. Learn how the answers to 5 simple payroll questions can solve your payroll headaches and help your business thrive!

Leading Her Forward: Get Involved with National Girls & Women in Sports Day!

Allie Marini / Feb 05, 2020

96% of female CEOs participated in sports when they were younger! Read on to learn how getting more girls involved in individual or organized sports today can bring more equity to the boardroom tomorrow! In this article, you’ll learn about:
• National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and its origins
• The top 3 life benefits of early involvement with sports on women
• 3 easy ways for your fitness center, coaching, or personal training business to get involved with #NGWSD
• Additional resources to learn more about #NGWSD & how your fitness business can make a positive impact on girls in your community
• How Vagaro can help your fitness business #LeadHerForward

6 Ways Gusto and Vagaro Make Payroll Processing Easier

Allie Marini / Feb 03, 2020

To make sure your small business is successful, you’ve got to have a solid payroll processing software. For beauty, fitness, and wellness small businesses, payroll processing software has to manage everything from time card calculations to payroll processing and everything in-between. Learn how Vagaro’s new integration with Gusto payroll software can help small business owners process payroll more easily and efficiently.

Keep Your Business Safe from Cybercrime with Vagaro’s Data Security Best Practices

Adam Zachs / Jan 28, 2020

Data Privacy Day 2020 is an opportunity for SMB owners to learn more about how to safeguard business and customer data from cybercrime. In this special contribution from Vagaro’s Director of Privacy and Compliance, Adam Zachs, CIPP/US, J.D., you’ll learn about the types of cybercrime, Data Privacy Day, why data security is a smart business practice, STOP. THINK. CONNECT. ™ best practices for data security, and easy ways to protect your business and personal online data. Includes links to additional resources to help you learn more about data privacy.

The 5 Most Effective Ways to Keep Your Personal Training Clients Motivated

Allie Marini / Jan 21, 2020

Motivation is the most important part of keeping your personal training clients accountable to their fitness goals. But it’s also the most challenging obstacle you’ll encounter in your career as a personal trainer. In this Vagaro 6-minute read, you’ll learn about goal-setting, adding fun to your training sessions, the benefits of group fitness sessions, rewarding your clients, and positive communication.

Breaking Up (With Clients) Is Hard to Do

Allie Marini / Jan 14, 2020

One of the toughest crossroads you’ll ever face in your career as a beauty professional is the decision to end a relationship with a client. In this post, you’ll learn how to identify problem clients who cost you money, as well as how to professionally end a business relationship without burning any bridges. Includes template and checklist to help service professionals end a business relationship the right way.

Nine 5-Minute Marketing Tips for Valentine’s Day with Vagaro

Allie Marini / Jan 06, 2020

Learn how to use Vagaro automated marketing tools like promo codes for discounted electronic gift certificates, Daily Deals, text marketing, becoming a featured Vagaro Marketplace business and optimizing your online store to book more clients and make more sales this Valentine’s Day!

Email and Text Marketing: Which is Better for Your Campaign?

Allie Marini / Jan 02, 2020

With Vagaro, email marketing and text marketing come together in one, easy-to-use system that gives you all the tools you need to market smart. Here are the respective benefits and disadvantages of text and email marketing, and how to know which platform is best suited to your message to get the most return on your investment.

6 Reasons to Add Text Marketing to Your Marketing Plan

Allie Marini / Dec 26, 2019

The average smart phone users checks their messages up to 85 times every day! If you’re a small business owner trying to figure out how to make text marketing work for your salon, spa, wellness studio or fitness center, read on to learn 6 big benefits of adding Vagaro’s text marketing to your marketing plan.

Vagaro & Gusto Launch Payroll Services for Small Business

Allie Marini / Dec 23, 2019

Payroll for small business can be a headache, especially for small business owners in beauty, fitness, and wellness. Learn how easy it is to set up payroll for small business when you use Vagaro’s new integration with Gusto payroll processing. Payday is better when you’ve got the right software system by your side!

How to Prepare Your Salon Clients for Annual Price Increases—And Stay Busier Than Ever

Allie Marini / Dec 20, 2019

Many stylists and salon professionals are hesitant to raise prices, fearing that their client base will disappear with a price increase. But small, regular price increases let stylists, barbers and salon professionals stay on top of finances and avoid racking up debt. Learn how a salon price raise can help your salon without impacting your client base. Includes tips for prepping clients for a price raise and templates for email, text, and social media marketing.

Get More Clicks with Email and Text Marketing

Allie Marini / Dec 19, 2019

Text marketing is a strong complement to your email marketing, embracing the technology your clients love most. Learn how to use text marketing to deliver your promotions and campaigns quickly, easily, and conveniently.

Get More Engagement from Customers with Vagaro Gift Certificates!

Allie Marini / Dec 19, 2019

Many small business owners overlook the marketing potential and customer retention capabilities of the “small but mighty” gift certificate. Read on to discover Vagaro’s top tips to increase engagement—and conversions! —with digital gift certificates.

Five Ways to Beat the January Salon Sales Slowdown

Allie Marini / Dec 18, 2019

After the busy winter holiday season is over, salons and spas become positively quiet in January, causing unnecessary stress for small business owners. Here are Vagaro’s top seven ways to use the downtime to your advantage, keep your sales and finances steady, and get ready for business to pick back up again when Valentine’s Day rolls around!

The Ultimate January Fitness Industry Survival Guide for Business Owners

Allie Marini / Dec 17, 2019

For fitness small businesses, January is the most important month, with a 30% increase in sign-ups. But studies show that over 50% of January sign-ups cancel their memberships in less than 5 months. In this post, Vagaro will show you how to attract your fitness center’s ideal customers and boost member retention throughout the year.

Top 10 Text Marketing Best Practices Your Business Needs

Allie Marini / Dec 12, 2019

It’s impossible to deny the benefits of text marketing—but many small business owners aren’t quite sure how to get started, or how to tailor their marketing messages for text. Read on to learn Vagaro’s top ten best practices for text marketing that’ll help your business start texting like a pro!

SMS Marketing and Text Messaging Tips for Small Business

Allie Marini / Dec 06, 2019

With a 45% response rate, text marketing helps make sure you’ve filled every chair for the holidays! Learn how to use Vagaro’s text marketing to make sure your busiest time of year is also your most profitable!

SMS Text Marketing Best Practices: US Federal & Industry Regulation

Allie Marini / Dec 05, 2019

Before adding text messaging to your marketing strategy read this review of the US laws and regulations for text marketing. Make sure your text marketing program complies with and operates within the defined parameters of federal and industry regulations and learn how Vagaro’s automation makes it easy to get started.

How to Make Cyber Monday 2019 a Success for Small Businesses

Allie Marini / Nov 25, 2019

Here are some easy ways your beauty, fitness, or wellness small business can get some of the online action during the busiest retail weekend of the year and boost your earnings with Cyber Monday 2019 deals!

Top 10 Ways to Get More Business on Small Business Saturday 2019

Allie Marini / Nov 22, 2019

Here are the top 10 ways your beauty, fitness, or wellness small business can market smart to increase earnings during the busiest retail weekend of the year and attract more customers with Small Business Saturday 2019 sales, deals, and discounts!

8 Tips to Attract Customers for Black Friday 2019

Allie Marini / Nov 22, 2019

Here are some easy ways your beauty, fitness, or wellness small business can prepare for a spike in activity during the busiest retail weekend of the year and boost your earnings with Black Friday 2019 deals and discounts!

Cater to Your Customers with a Branded App

Allie Marini / Nov 20, 2019

One of the greatest benefits of a branded app is that it puts all your business’s most important information at the customer’s fingertips—and then opens the door to your shop on their home screen.

Website Vs. Branded App: Which Is Better for Beauty and Fitness Businesses?

Allie Marini / Nov 13, 2019

To gain new customers and retain them, your beauty or fitness business needs to be accessible from mobile devices. Here’s how Vagaro’s responsive websites and branded apps can help set you apart from the competition!

Hosting Happy Hour at Your Salon: What You Need to Know

Allie Marini / Nov 12, 2019

November 12 is designated as National Happy Hour Day 2019. Happy hours are a great way to turn a salon event idea into an easy-to-organize after-hours occasion your customers won’t… View Post

Becoming a Brand Ambassador: Everything You Need to Know

Allie Marini / Nov 12, 2019

In today’s digital landscape, social media is leading the wave of future marketing. The rise of social media puts power in the hands of individuals in a way that’s never… View Post

The Ugly Truth About Stress—And How You Can Help

Allie Marini / Nov 06, 2019

The first Wednesday in November is designated as National Stress Awareness Day. On this day, the goal is to identify stress factors in your life, and create a realistic, actionable plan to reduce or deal with these stressors. Learn how to help treat clients who are managing chronic stress with spa and wellness treatments designed with the end-goal of stress-reduction.

Seeing Red: Tips, Tricks, & Formulas for National Redhead Day

Allie Marini / Nov 05, 2019

Professional colorists know that a natural (or flamboyant!) red can be one of the most difficult colors to achieve, because of the color’s natural tendency to fade quickly. For National Redhead Day, here are tips for selecting the right red for your clients and resources to formulate the right red for every head!

In a Sales Slump? 5 Steps to Get Back to Business!

Allie Marini / Nov 05, 2019

Even the greatest business can experience a sales slump. Not to worry: there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. After all, no sales slump lasts forever. Here are some simple tips to keep your mind clear during a sales slump and prepare yourself to get back in business.

Take the Leap! – What You Need to Know About Switching to a Beauty, Fitness, or Wellness Career!

Allie Marini / Nov 04, 2019

The first Monday in November is National Job Action Day, a day set aside to recognize and empower workers who dream of having a career they love. If on Job Action Day you find yourself at a crossroads of career purpose, dreaming of a vocation where you feel empowered and inspired every day, learn how Vagaro can help you start your new career in beauty, fitness, or wellness.

15 Million Reasons to Upgrade to EMV Compliant Hardware

Allie Marini / Nov 04, 2019

According to research, there are over 15 million outdated pieces of POS equipment processing credit card transactions every day! Is your business one of the 15 million at-risk for credit card fraud? Here’s how to protect your business, your customers, and your time by making the shift to EMV chip card compliant POS hardware!

Minimize Chargebacks & “Friendly Fraud” with Vagaro!

Allie Marini / Oct 31, 2019

Learn how Vagaro’s cancellation/no-show policies, EMV chip card readers and digital automation minimizes chargebacks and creates a “paper trail” to help fight back against “friendly fraud.”

Get Featured on Vagaro to Build Brand Awareness

Allie Marini / Oct 29, 2019

In the modern world of digitally-driven marketing, it’s vital for businesses to have reliable, trustworthy branding in order to thrive and stay competitive. Here’s how getting featured on the Vagaro Marketplace can help your business grow by helping you increase your brand awareness.

Use Deposits to Nip Cancellations and No-Shows in the Bud!

Allie Marini / Oct 24, 2019

Every day, service professionals navigate the delicate balance between the client’s need for flexibility and their business’s need for security. Deposits are a way to help curtail no-shows and last-minute cancellations, secure partial payment for services booked in advance, and avoid uncomfortable client situations.

Calling All Monsters! What You Need to Know to Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist

Allie Marini / Oct 23, 2019

If you’re a makeup artist interested in branching to become a certified special effects (SFX) makeup artist, learn more about the training and requirements and how Vagaro can help you be successful in your new career.

Attract Your Ideal Clients with Get Featured

Allie Marini / Oct 22, 2019

Transform your business from ordinary to extraordinary! Getting featured on the Vagaro Marketplace helps your business strengthen its customer base, boost client retention and loyalty, and sustain profits by targeting your ideal clients.

Give Client Relationships More Depth with Form and SOAP Notes File Uploads

Allie Marini / Oct 17, 2019

Get to Know Your Customers Day is a business holiday, observed on the third Thursday of each quarter (January, April, July, and October.) Learn how Vagaro Drive’s new form and SOAP notes file upload can help you get to know your clients on a deeper level and give them the VIP treatment with every visit!

8 Reasons to Join a Chamber of Commerce

Allie Marini / Oct 16, 2019

Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day is observed annually on the third Wednesday in October, so it’s an opportune time to review the benefits of chamber of commerce membership and how they can amplify the effectiveness of your Vagaro marketing tools.

Love the Skin You’re In – National Aesthetician’s Day

Allie Marini / Oct 15, 2019

Did you know that your skin is the body’s largest organ? The average adult has around 8 pounds and 22 feet of skin, which acts as a waterproof insulating shield… View Post

Trick or Treat! 10 Fun Facts About Halloween

Allie Marini / Oct 15, 2019

What do you get if you divide the circumference of a Jack-o’-Lantern by its diameter? Pumpkin π! —John Evans It’s everyone’s favorite orange-and-black holiday! It’s the time of year where… View Post

Get Featured, Get Attention—Get Booked!

Allie Marini / Oct 15, 2019

Getting Featured on Vagaro is a simple step the business owner can take to promote new client discovery, build a solid online presence, and bring in more new customers. Here’s how to maximize your Get Featured listing!

5 Kicks to Set Goals and Get Out of a Rut

Allie Marini / Oct 14, 2019

The second Monday in October is designated as National Kick Butt Day—and it’s not just for fitness! Here are five ways for you to take inventory (literally and figuratively) of your business, consider your goals, and create an action plan to “kick butt!”

Candy Corn Manicure: A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Allie Marini / Oct 11, 2019

Candy corn has been around for nearly 150 years and is Halloween’s most instantly recognizable confection. In this Vagaro post, we’ll show you how to give yourself a “BOO-tiful” Halloween look with this step-by-step tutorial for a candy corn manicure!

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