Dictating your business schedule is a fabled dream most aesthetic practitioners dream of. Having the freedom to set your own time of business where customers can get their treatments done without having to ‘drag’ yourself into doing the treatments can actually motivate you to work more and can decrease your business costs. Though with great freedom come certain negative effects, such as unhappy customers and loss of business, it is critical to further examine whether business hours should be anchored to your personal hours or your client’s hours.
Industry standards tell us to follow a 9:00 am to 5:00 pm business schedule to ensure optimal business hours. Though you might raise an eyebrow at this statement, as most aesthetic practitioners or clinics have experienced clients demanding hours earlier or later than these ‘optimal’ hours of operation, you may have even experienced people wanting to book in for a late-night treatment!
As confusing as it can be, solo practitioners and clinic owners should make an informed choice about their business hours. In this blog, we’ll provide you with the answer you’re looking for, the steps to take, and how Faces can help you move into action.
Can your business schedule cost you clients?
Yes.
100%. It’s a sure answer to a complicated dilemma, and there are several reasons why your business schedule directly affects your ability to gain more clients.
Clients dictate their preferred hours
“Do you have space this afternoon?” “Can I come by around 9?” and “I prefer after working hours” are the common phrases you must have encountered already. Clients prefer to work with businesses that accommodate their preferred time, and as a service-based business, you are inclined to accept their demands because this is how you earn.
Client mentality
Most clients look at their appointment with you as something to fit in rather than something to plot on their calendars. As absurd as it can be, research shows that being available 24/7 for your clients can positively impact your business!
The nature of aesthetic businesses
Providing aesthetic treatments falls under the service-based category. And as it’s in our nature to give a service, most clients assume that their wants stand above your needs as a practitioner. Practitioners canceling or rescheduling appointments based on good reasoning can still sound like an excuse to most clients; even your most loyal clients would think of looking for alternatives if they needed to get their lips done.
Should you start being flexible with your hours?
Based on the data, you shouldn’t.
Being flexible with your client’s schedule would affect how they value your time. This would also affect the efficiency of your business in terms of ordering products, accepting new bookings, and finding availability throughout the week. Long working hours can induce burnout, and unstable work hours can interfere with your personal and social health.
The right decision
Give the best treatment and dictate your hours.
Notice how some people wait for months or years just to eat at The Fat Duck? It’s not about how long they’ve waited; it’s about the experience they will feel. Translate it to your aesthetics business: dish out the perfect treatment, customer service, and aftercare support that makes your customers want more. It’s not rocket science; it’s just dedication and hard work for your business.
How can Faces support your decision?
Faces believes in empowering aesthetic professionals. Whether you’re amending your business schedule or staying true to your set hours, Faces can help. Set up your business on our marketplace to take advantage of free marketing. You can automate your admin work with our robust booking system that allows you to populate your calendar, manage your forms, and take payments online. It’s a free app, perfect for practitioners like you.
Conclusion
Your business schedule will cost you clients, but if you prove that your treatments are worth their weight in gold, clients will race for your latest availability. Quality treatments combined with a perfect booking system will save you time while generating profits.
Take advantage of Faces today. Sign up for free here.