Experts Predict How 2021 Will Look For Stylists

2020 was a grueling year for stylists, with giant obstacles and extreme learning curves. You deserve a pat on the back and a nice glass of wine. Looking ahead, 2021 seems to be shaping up a little differently. Though we don't have a crystal ball to tell us how it'll go, there are some experts with their fingers on the industry's pulse. We want you to have the most fabulous, prosperous, and beautiful 2021 possible. So, we've done some research to investigate the 2021 business forecast for stylists. Here is what you need to know:

Your Online Presence Will Still Be Important

For the better half of 2020, stylists felt wholly unprepared and uncertain, which is why they searched for online work-from-home opportunities. Stylists utilized online platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok to connect with new and existing clients. Affiliate programs such as the FHI Heat Pro Commission Program helped stylists cash in on online sales. Because there are experts who believe that quarantined life may last well into the new year, it's advisable to continue to grow, maintain, and utilize an online presence. As for what type of online presence you should focus on, Britt Seva (a business strategist for stylists) says that you should pay attention to your community and typical clientele type. For instance, if your clientele is mainly women between the ages of 20 and 30, Instagram will work best.

Collaborations And Tutorials Might Lead To More Opportunity

Speaking of building a presence online, tutorial videos are some of the best ways for stylists to gain traction. We don't want to bore you with the details, but search engine optimization looks favorably on "How To" videos. To get more eyes on your work, team up with another stylist, and collaborate. You could even try your hand at reaching out to influencers with larger followings and proposing a joint project.

Clients Will Notice Your Safety Precautions

People have become more comfortable going into salons, and many stylists have gone back to work. As comfortability has increased, so too has in-person business. It's important to note that your clients will take notice of your safety precautions. That's why the cleanliness of your salon, your station, your tools, and your hands are of utmost priority. You should be wearing a mask, of course. It's also a good idea to keep plenty of sanitizers nearby, and even better to request that your clients use them. It will show that you are taking safety seriously and will encourage them to come back and tell others about your business. Harry D. Wood, IV, founder of Six-Figure Hairdresser,  says if/when masks are no longer required, you should continue to wear a face-covering for a little while longer to make your clients feel safe.

Attainable Goals Should Be The Focus

Stylists and entrepreneurs alike love to focus on the big picture. They are dreamers, and it's part of their spark; however, 2020 was an overwhelming year. Instead of looking at your business from a bird's eye view, it's smarter to list your measurable and attainable goals for 2021. The pandemic has shifted the industry in a big way, and we will continue to feel its effects long after quarantine and COVID is over. What you need now is a game plan full of small goals that you can reasonably reach as you move through 2021.

Begin to Build An Emergency Fund

Kati Whitledge, the creator of the podcast Beyond The Technique, advises that stylists also use 2020 as a learning opportunity. She says, "start working on a budget to prepare yourself because stylists who are successful are the people who are willing to do what others cannot do or will not do." In other words, start saving an emergency fund now for possible hiccups (or pandemics) that might come up in the future. You can use this money to purchase ads that will keep your business buzzing and afloat.