The Salon Scoop

Most salon and spa owners wear every hat in the beginning. Booking clients. Managing staff. Ordering inventory. Somewhere along the way, digital marketing for salons gets added to the list, and it quickly becomes one of the most time-consuming roles. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah talk about how salon marketing has evolved and why doing it all yourself is no longer sustainable fo...

Imagine spending years building your Instagram only to have it hacked and wiped away overnight. That’s exactly what happened to Michael Cole. But instead of giving up, he used the setback as fuel. In just 2.5 years, he not only rebuilt his account, he grew it bigger and stronger than before.  In this episode, Michael shares the strategies, mindset, and social media techniques that helped him turn...

The start of a new year is the perfect time for salon professionals to step back, evaluate what is working, and reset their digital presence with intention. Instead of jumping straight into promotions or posting more on Instagram, the most effective salon marketing strategies begin with clarity. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah walk through why a digital marketing audit is the foun...

Have you ever wondered what's the most memorable piece of advice your favorite industry artists and educators have received in their careers and what they would want to pass along to new industry professionals?! In today’s episode, we ask some of the best in the biz exactly that: what's the best piece of advice you would give your younger self or someone in the industry who needs to hear i...

Whether you’re a seasoned stylist or a growing spa owner, this is your roadmap to what’s next in marketing for salons and how to stay ahead of the curve. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down realistic, industry-specific marketing trend predictions for salons that will help you future-proof your brand, attract dream clients, and strengthen your online presence through smarter...

We are SO excited to have the amazing Candy Shaw, also known as The BalayLama®, once again for our Rapid Fire segment! She shared so much insight and valuable information in her episode, Under-Promise, Over-Deliver: The Balay Lama®’s Secret to Success   (if you haven’t caught that yet, make sure to put it on queue!) but today, we’re keeping things light and asking this industry icon everything you...

Today’s salons are more than places for haircuts and highlights, they’re  community anchors.  Clients are looking for brands that not only make them  look  good but  do  good. In this Digital Debrief episode, we explore how  purpose-driven marketing for salons  can elevate your brand, strengthen your community presence, and attract clients who value connection and authenticity. Whether you’re just...

In this episode of  The Salon Scoop , we’re joined by award-winning colorist, educator, and Studio Sage owner Erica Keelen. Known for her transformational color work, editorial artistry, and powerful digital presence, Erica has built a thriving salon, a loyal clientele, and an Instagram audience of 31,000+—all while staying behind the chair.   From her NAHA nominations to winning the L’Oréal Color...

The Loyalty Program Collab is a fresh, innovative take on loyalty program best practices for salons, one that combines social media and local partnerships to help you attract new audiences while rewarding the loyal ones you already have. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah are breaking down how to turn your salon loyalty program into a full-blown marketing engine that boosts your SEO,...

For the first time ever, we’re seeing  real numbers  that reveal how salons across the country are truly performing... and the results might surprise you.   In this episode of The Salon Scoop, Scott sits down with Alain Audet from Salon Interactive to unpack insights from their groundbreaking new industry project, the first of its kind to measure what’s  really  happening behind the chair nationwi...

Feeling stuck on what to post on your salon or spa social media? You’re not alone. Many salon owners and salon professionals struggle with creating content that feels consistent, engaging, and purposeful without sounding repetitive.   In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down how social media for salons can be simplified by using content pillars and evergreen content. You’ll disc...

In today’s Pro Perspectives episode, we ask some of the best in the biz: "What is the most rewarding part of being a salon professional?!” Their insights will help you connect with your own WHY and remind you of why you got into this amazing industry in the first place!   HUGE shoutout to our amazing guests for sharing their insights! Make sure to give them a follow on Instagram: Brayden Pell...

Few things disrupt a salon or spa day faster than a no-show. Lost time, lost income, and a schedule that suddenly falls apart—it’s frustrating and costly for every salon owner and service provider. While you can’t eliminate no-shows completely, you  can  set up smart systems to minimize them.   In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah share business advice for salon owners on how to balanc...

We sat down with the amazing Morgan Thomas in her episode "The Blueprint to Blowing Up on Instagram" to discuss her amazing career in our industry and the important role that social media plays. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, stop what you're doing and scroll back! It is clear that Morgan is a master of her trade that has a wealth of knowledge, but in this episode,...

Your salon or spa website isn’t just a digital brochure, it’s your most powerful marketing tool and the key to filling your books! But here’s the truth: even the most gorgeous websites can be completely invisible online if you’re making common SEO mistakes. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down why SEO for hair salons is the hidden driver behind new client bookings, how Googl...

Social media CAN be the fastest path to a fully booked chair…IF you know how to use it! In this episode of The Salon Scoop, Scott sits down with industry legend Michael Cole to uncover proven social media strategies for salon owners and stylists that help you grow your salon business quickly and boost revenue.   After years of testing, researching and refining, Michael has cracked the code on how...

Your salon’s Instagram isn’t just for posting pretty hair pics anymore, it’s your digital storefront. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down the rise of social media commerce for salons and how it’s changing the way clients book, buy, and connect in 2025.   With over half of social media users now shopping directly through Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, ignoring this shift i...

What if you could serve 25 clients a day and still have time to grow a thriving business? In this episode of The Salon Scoop, we sit down with the legendary Candy Shaw, also known as The BalayLama®. As NAHA’s Educator of the Year and one of the most recognized names in education, Candy has mastered the balance of creativity, leadership, and strategy.   With over 110K followers online and a brand t...

In 2025, the most powerful marketing tool for salons isn’t an ad or even a trendy reel on Instagram, it’s your clients!   User-Generated Content (UGC) is transforming social media marketing for salons, building trust, boosting engagement, and creating authentic word-of-mouth online.   In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah explore how salon owners can use UGC marketing strategies to show...

We could not be more excited to have the amazing Sarajane Maples back once again for our Rapid Fire segment! She shared so much insight and valuable information in her episode, Booked, Busy, and Building a Brand on Instagram (if you haven’t caught that yet, make sure to put it on queue!) but today, we’re keeping things light and asking this industry powerhouse everything you never knew you needed...

A thriving salon doesn’t just attract clients, it attracts the right people to join your team. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah dive into why a strong salon culture is more than just “good vibes”, it’s the foundation of a successful, sustainable salon business. It helps you have thriving stylists that are loyal to your salon.   From defining your core values to fostering collaborat...

Ready to take your salon’s Instagram from zero to hero? In this episode of The Salon Scoop, Scott chats with the incredible Morgan Thomas, who shares the exact Instagram strategies for hairstylists that helped her go viral, attract dream clients, and grow her salon business faster than ever.   From content ideas that explode your reach to engagement tactics that actually convert, Morgan breaks dow...

While digital marketing for salons is essential for attracting new clients, it’s not the whole story. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah pull back the curtain on one of the most common mistakes stylists make… relying only on social media to build a clientele.   From seasoned pros who thrive on referrals to new stylists with stunning Instagram feeds but empty chairs, this conversation...

In today’s Pro Perspectives episode, we ask some of the best in the biz: "What’s the most underrated skill that every salon professional should have?!” Their responses might surprise you and inspire all salon pros, new and experienced, to sharpen up on new skills to take their career to new heights! HUGE shoutout to our amazing guests for sharing their insights! Make sure to give them a follo...

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter career paths in the salon world. In this episode, we’re diving into the evolution of salon career models and why the old “commission salon forever” approach just isn’t cutting it anymore. Join Sarah, Salon S.O.S. content specialist and salon owner, as she shares the real-life journey of shifting her team to a hybrid salon structure. From commission to chair renta...