Email to retain clients (1 Viewer)

[JShare87]

My wife is leaving the current salon she works at and is opening her own salon. She has all of her clients' email addresses. I am trying to construct a draft for her, stating that she is leaving and would like to keep them as clients. Can someone throw together a well written, basic email? She wants to say good thing about the place she left and all that good stuff. I'm sure I could figure it out, but I know there are a lot of bright business people on these boards that could lend some advice. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[igbomb]

You want us to write the email for you? Pretty lazy dude.

Perhaps write something up and ask for a critique.

 

[Nugget]

My wife is leaving the current salon she works at and is opening her own salon. She has all of her clients' email addresses. I am trying to construct a draft for her, stating that she is leaving and would like to keep them as clients. Can someone throw together a well written, basic email? She wants to say good thing about the place she left and all that good stuff. I'm sure I could figure it out, but I know there are a lot of bright business people on these boards that could lend some advice. Thanks in advance for the help.

Is she going to get sued by the former salon? Who spent the marketing money to get those clients?

 

[JShare87]

My wife is leaving the current salon she works at and is opening her own salon. She has all of her clients' email addresses. I am trying to construct a draft for her, stating that she is leaving and would like to keep them as clients. Can someone throw together a well written, basic email? She wants to say good thing about the place she left and all that good stuff. I'm sure I could figure it out, but I know there are a lot of bright business people on these boards that could lend some advice. Thanks in advance for the help.

Is she going to get sued by the former salon? Who spent the marketing money to get those clients?

No.

 

[JShare87]

You want us to write the email for you? Pretty lazy dude.

Perhaps write something up and ask for a critique.

I didn't think it was a big deal. I have something written but it's not much. Basically she enjoyed her time at the place. It says what she is doing. Tells them she really wants to keep their business. It just seems pretty short. I'm sure many people in here have done this sort of thing before, and I figured it wouldn't be a problem for someone to post a basic draft of things she should say.

 

[Paulymaggs]

You want us to write the email for you? Pretty lazy dude.

Perhaps write something up and ask for a critique.

I didn't think it was a big deal. I have something written but it's not much. Basically she enjoyed her time at the place. It says what she is doing. Tells them she really wants to keep their business. It just seems pretty short. I'm sure many people in here have done this sort of thing before, and I figured it wouldn't be a problem for someone to post a basic draft of things she should say.

Would be very helpful if you posted what you wrote and we can give advice based on that.

 

[Dr Oadi]

Dbag move. Get your own clients.

 

[Quint]

just keep it short and sweet?

"Hi XXXX -

As a valued client, I want to keep you apprised to some changes: After many wonderful years at Salon Y I've decided to start out on my own/move to Salon Z/whatever. I will miss everyone at Salon Y and all those special friendships, and am looking forward to a new experience and direction for my business.

My new location is XXXXX and appointments can be made by contacting XXXXX at XXX-XXX-XXXX. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to your continued support [or something like that].

Kind Regards,

Mrs. JShare"

 

[Ilov80s]

Inform the clients you are moving, let them kmow where you are going and let them decide where they want to go.

 

[mr roboto]

If she was just renting a chair in the salon and had to get her own clients that I wouldn't see any problem with this, but if she was taking clients that came in from the marketing efforts of the current salon owner and this is a huge **** thing to do.

Also, yeah, no one wants to write your wife's letter for her on these boards. I don't mean to be harsh but don't really know how to say that any other way.

 

[=Smackdown=]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

 

[mr roboto]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

some salons are not employee based businesses but rather a collection of stylist who all chip in on the expenses and rent the space for their chair. I would be careful making blanket statements like this without knowing the relationship between the stylist and salon.

 

[Jack White]

Are the clients your wife's clients, or the salon's clients?

Assuming they are really your wife's clients, I would send out a series of emails (not just one) and make an irresistible offer to them to follow her.

Also, if you have snail mail addresses, create a direct mail version. Yes, you'll have to pay for printing and postage, but the lifetime value of a client would likely make it worth the investment.

 

[The Big Guy]

Stylists taking their clients with them from salon to salon is nothing new and most clients are so intertwined with their stylist that they would follow almost anywhere.

 

[Christo]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

So she has a non-compete?

 

[brun]

She's opening her own salon. She should be putting out a press release. If she's not violating any agreement with the old salon she should be able to send a personal invitation along with a copy of the press release to her old clients.

 

[=Smackdown=]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

So she has a non-compete?

Probably not - but if I'm the owner of the initial salon I'd be threatening/bluffing legal action if an ex employee is specifically targeting my clients.

Depends on which state they are in to see how far they can take it in the courts.

 

[Fennis]

LOL @ Retain clients.
Sounds more like stealing clients to me.
Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

So she has a non-compete?

Probably not - but if I'm the owner of the initial salon I'd be threatening/bluffing legal action if an ex employee is specifically targeting my clients.

Depends on which state they are in to see how far they can take it in the courts.

what state could the salon owner take it far?

 

[mr roboto]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

So she has a non-compete?

Probably not - but if I'm the owner of the initial salon I'd be threatening/bluffing legal action if an ex employee is specifically targeting my clients.Depends on which state they are in to see how far they can take it in the courts.

They may not be 'your clients.' The salon may be 'owned' by the stylists. They may have an explicit understanding/agreement that clients when a stylist leaves his or her clients can go with them.

 

[JShare87]

Thanks everyone. Sorry I was vague about everything. They are her clients, she isn't trying to take them from anyone. She just simply wants to let them know where she will be working at in the future. She never signed a non-compete contract or any other contract for that matter. She keeps her own records and isn't taking anything from the salon. Thanks to the people that gave good responses.

 

[Steeler]

just keep it short and sweet?

"Hi XXXX -

As a valued client, I want to keep you apprised to some changes: After many wonderful years at Salon Y I've decided to start out on my own/move to Salon Z/whatever. I will miss everyone at Salon Y and all those special friendships, and am looking forward to a new experience and direction for my business.

My new location is XXXXX and appointments can be made by contacting XXXXX at XXX-XXX-XXXX. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to your continued support [or something like that].

Kind Regards,

Mrs. JShare"

If you aren't going to take this seriously, just don't post anything. I'm sure the current/new salons are not named Salon Y and Salon Z. Also, you didn't even provide an actual phone number so the clients can content his wife.

 

[JShare87]

just keep it short and sweet?

"Hi XXXX -

As a valued client, I want to keep you apprised to some changes: After many wonderful years at Salon Y I've decided to start out on my own/move to Salon Z/whatever. I will miss everyone at Salon Y and all those special friendships, and am looking forward to a new experience and direction for my business.

My new location is XXXXX and appointments can be made by contacting XXXXX at XXX-XXX-XXXX. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to your continued support [or something like that].

Kind Regards,

Mrs. JShare"

If you aren't going to take this seriously, just don't post anything. I'm sure the current/new salons are not named Salon Y and Salon Z. Also, you didn't even provide an actual phone number so the clients can content his wife.

Agree

 

[Dickies]

Lazy all around IMHO. You want us to write you an email for you so that you can click one button and send to all of her clients? I would call them to inform them of what is going on, then email the ones she can't reach. The email doesn't need to be fancy, just straight and to the point.

 

[JShare87]

Here is what I've got:

Hello (name),

After two wonderful years with (Salon X) I've decided to move on in my career. I will miss everyone at (Salon X), and I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me X years ago. I am fulfilling a dream of mine and opening my own salon. The name of my salon is (Salon Y). The address for (Salon Y) is (xxxxxxxxxxx) and appointments can be made by contacting (xxxxx) at (phone number). If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly at (personal number). I look forward to continuing to be your personal stylist.

Best regards,

Xxxxxxx

 

[JShare87]

Again sorry for being "lazy" and vague. I had something but it was just really short. I was only looking for a little help. Is Best regards a proper closing for the letter?

 

[fantasycurse42]

Pretty sure if someone has been seeing a stylist for a long time and the stylist goes somewhere else, a good portion of the time the client follows.

I've been going to the same hair salon for a few years to the same hot Asian chick. After my last haircut, the owner comes over to me and says Amy is moving to CT (which is true), but I don't want you to be a stranger. He introduced me to another hot chick he has cutting hair and I'll give her a shot.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Sounds like a salon war to me. Her current employer will go ballistic when that email goes out, be prepared and you might need a lawyer.

 

[BillyBarooo]

if they didnt make her sign a non-compete then that is on them. It's called capitalism.

as for the letter, keep it short, and give them something to do, an incentive or a takeaway from the email. like $x off your first visit, OR come see me at 123 ABC St when i open on "this date", OR reply back with "I'll be there!" and i'll send you an annoucement for my grand opening along with a discount. you get the idea.

 

[chet]

Depending on your state, non-competes can be completely ineffective--eg California.

If they are enforceable in your state, then whether they are enforced or not comes down to a judges' ruling. Just because you signed a non-compete, don't think that you will be locked out of your business.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

**** move.

 

[chauncey]

Pics?

 

[Juxtatarot]

LOL @ Retain clients.

Sounds more like stealing clients to me.

Specifically targeting a current client list violates most non competes for up to a year.

So she has a non-compete?

A simple would have sufficed.

 

[JShare87]

**** move.

Thanks for your input.

 

[BillyBarooo]

Depending on your state, non-competes can be completely ineffective--eg California.

If they are enforceable in your state, then whether they are enforced or not comes down to a judges' ruling. Just because you signed a non-compete, don't think that you will be locked out of your business.

Not in any state i've ever worked in. i've had 2 friends in 2 different states get slammed by non-competes. Both had lawyers, both were found to have violated it, and neither could take the job they wanted to move to

 

[glumpy]

Again sorry for being "lazy" and vague. I had something but it was just really short. I was only looking for a little help. Is Best regards a proper closing for the letter?

I don't think so--it's too formal. Without having hair enough to ever be in that situation I would say that she has established a more personal relationship with her clients, and that's the whole point of telling them where she's going. Maybe a Hope to see you there!

 

[Jack White]

Again sorry for being "lazy" and vague. I had something but it was just really short. I was only looking for a little help. Is Best regards a proper closing for the letter?

I don't think so--it's too formal. Without having hair enough to ever be in that situation I would say that she has established a more personal relationship with her clients, and that's the whole point of telling them where she's going. Maybe a Hope to see you there!

Glumpy is right. Good copywriting is conversational. No one ever utters the phrase "best regards."

 

[JShare87]

Again sorry for being "lazy" and vague. I had something but it was just really short. I was only looking for a little help. Is Best regards a proper closing for the letter?

I don't think so--it's too formal. Without having hair enough to ever be in that situation I would say that she has established a more personal relationship with her clients, and that's the whole point of telling them where she's going. Maybe a Hope to see you there!

Glumpy is right. Good copywriting is conversational. No one ever utters the phrase "best regards."

Thanks

 

[Jack White]

Again sorry for being "lazy" and vague. I had something but it was just really short. I was only looking for a little help. Is Best regards a proper closing for the letter?

I don't think so--it's too formal. Without having hair enough to ever be in that situation I would say that she has established a more personal relationship with her clients, and that's the whole point of telling them where she's going. Maybe a Hope to see you there!

Glumpy is right. Good copywriting is conversational. No one ever utters the phrase "best regards."

Thanks

You're welcome.

If you use MS Word, enable readability stats in your spell check.

Write your copy, then spell check. When the readability stats dialogue pops up, check the Flesch-Kincaid grade level reading score.

Anything over 8.0 is not good.

 

[Gawain]

How many clients? A couple hundred at most?

I'd send individual emails and call as well.

A mass email is going to be ineffective, might get picked up by spam filters and will have no where near the effect of individual attention.

 

[chet]

Depending on your state, non-competes can be completely ineffective--eg California.

If they are enforceable in your state, then whether they are enforced or not comes down to a judges' ruling. Just because you signed a non-compete, don't think that you will be locked out of your business.

Not in any state i've ever worked in. i've had 2 friends in 2 different states get slammed by non-competes. Both had lawyers, both were found to have violated it, and neither could take the job they wanted to move to

New York?

 

[JShare87]

How many clients? A couple hundred at most?

I'd send individual emails and call as well.

A mass email is going to be ineffective, might get picked up by spam filters and will have no where near the effect of individual attention.

After reading everyone's thoughts in here I will try and tell her to call them all instead of an email. I agree that it will be more personal. Thanks again for all the help in here.

 

[bigbottom]

Depending on your state, non-competes can be completely ineffective--eg California.

If they are enforceable in your state, then whether they are enforced or not comes down to a judges' ruling. Just because you signed a non-compete, don't think that you will be locked out of your business.

Not in any state i've ever worked in. i've had 2 friends in 2 different states get slammed by non-competes. Both had lawyers, both were found to have violated it, and neither could take the job they wanted to move to

Since the OP's request has been resolved, I'll chime in here. Non-compete enforceability is a creature of state law. Blanket non-competes in the employment context are unenforceable in California, Oklahoma and North Dakota for example (though limited non-solicitation of clients covenants are enforceable in Oklahoma). In other states, they can be enforceable, such enforceability typically dependent on the degree to which the contract was drafted to comply with the relevant state's requirements, the facts specific to the case that are asserted to justify the use of the non-compete, and whether the courts in that state are permitted to modify (or "blue pencil") overly broad restrictions and enforce them on a more limited basis. Many times, the non-competes are overbroad with respect to duration, geographic scope and/or the scope of activity to be restrained and, where appropriate, a court may save an otherwise unenforceably overbroad non-compete by modifying it.

 

[The Big Guy]

If you do send an email, make sure you bcc everyone, so that every recipient does not see all the other names and emails of all the other clients.

 

[JShare87]

If you do send an email, make sure you bcc everyone, so that every recipient does not see all the other names and emails of all the other clients.

Thanks. I spoke to her about everything. I talked her into calling them all individually or at least writing each one a separate email. I really do appreciate all the advice in here.

 

[Guest]

If you do send an email, make sure you bcc everyone, so that every recipient does not see all the other names and emails of all the other clients.

Thanks. I spoke to her about everything. I talked her into calling them all individually or at least writing each one a separate email. I really do appreciate all the advice in here.

Good move. Absolutely do not send an email. Opens you to litigation.And keep in mind that there is a fine line between retaining client and soliciting them from a business from which your wife was an employee. You should research that line and tread carefully.

Dare I say you should respect that line,

lest someday someone leaving your wife's business should have the same quandary.

 

[matuski]

Burn the old place down.

 

[ghostguy123]

Cant wait for the lawsuit thread

 

[bigbottom]

As I understand it, most hairstylists aren't employees.

Based on the facts as the OP has represented them, I don't see much basis for a lawsuit.

 

[ghostguy123]

As I understand it, most hairstylists aren't employees.

Based on the facts as the OP has represented them, I don't see much basis for a lawsuit.

Where did she get the email addresses and phone numbers?

If I were to go to some salon, get on their computer and hack all the client info, then start my salon and try and get them to come to me...................would that be ok? Is this really any different?

 

[bigbottom]

As I understand it, most hairstylists aren't employees.

Based on the facts as the OP has represented them, I don't see much basis for a lawsuit.

Where did she get the email addresses and phone numbers?

If I were to go to some salon, get on their computer and hack all the client info, then start my salon and try and get them to come to me...................would that be ok? Is this really any different?

He said she keeps her own records and isn't taking anything from the salon.