As a salon owner, there are lots of creative things you can do to increase your business's revenue, even after normal business hours. As rent and other expenses continue to rise, it's important to think about adding additional revenue streams to your business to bring in more money. Here are a few ways you can make money with your salon after business hours.

When a client sits down at your salon chair or styling station, they're looking for more than just a good beauty treatment and they also want to have a great overall experience. A big part of creating a good experience for your beauty salon clients is being able to engage your clients in conversation. Here are some tips to help you have great conversations with your salon clients.

1. Remember that people love to talk about themselves.

When in doubt about what to talk about with a client, keep in mind that people love talking about themselves. Ask a few questions about your client's life to get the conversation going and you're sure to win them over.

2. Get creative.

When engaging with clients, you don't have to stick to stereotypical questions. Asking what someone is doing this weekend or if they have any plans for the holiday are great, but with a little creativity you can start a real conversation with your clients that keeps them interested and shows them you're genuinely interested in talking with them.

3. Ask open-ended questions.

It's easier to keep up a conversation with salon clients if you ask questions that encourage the client to give more in-depth answers. If you ask a simple yes/no question, chances are a "yes" or a "no" are all you're going to get in reply. Instead, try asking more open-ended questions that keep the discussion flowing.

4. Keep client notes.

If you really want to go the extra mile, try keeping notes on conversations you have with your clients so you'll have some ideas about what to talk about the next time they come in. This will also show your clients that you don't just see them as an anonymous body in your salon chair.

5. Be a good listener.

Holding an engaging conversation with a client is about more than just waiting to ask the next question. To truly connect with your clients, you have to be a good listener. Pay attention to what your clients are saying and ask relevant follow-up questions. When your client is speaking, stay engaged rather than spending the time thinking up your next talking point.

Being able to engage your clients in conversation helps create a great experience for everyone who steps into your salon and shows clients that you see them as people, not just dollar signs. Next time a client sits down at your styling station or salon chair, try using the tips above to have a great conversation.

As a beauty salon owner, you know customer service is of the utmost importance. The entire beauty industry revolves around service, and you probably spend most of your time going out of your way to keep your customers satisfied. But what do you do when a problem customer is causing disruption in your salon? When is it appropriate to address their bad behavior? Here are three types of salon clients you shouldn't be afraid address when they cause disruption:

1. The client who's never on time.

Every salon owner knows this type of client, the one who never seems to be able show up on time. If you have a client who's been late to an appointment more than three times in a row, you shouldn't be afraid to address the issue with them. When clients show up late, it can throw off your entire schedule, which can make you seem unprofessional to other clients who did show up on time. Let your consistently late client know that it's unfair to the rest of your clients to bump them back to accommodate someone who can't keep their own schedule straight. If you don't feel comfortable addressing the issue with your client, try telling them their appointment is at an earlier time than it actually is.

2. The client who's way too loud.

Chances are you've had a client in your salon chair at some point who just doesn't seem to have an indoor voice. This can annoy other clients and cause you to look unprofessional. If chatting with your client is starting to sound more like a screaming match, it's all right to tactfully let your client know they're being too loud. In many cases, loud talkers aren't even aware of the issue, so don't be afraid to gently let your client know they're being disruptive.

3. The client who takes up all your time.

While most clients have an idea of how long their appointment should be, you'll inevitably end up with the one client who always manages to squeeze extra time out of you. They may ask you to try several different styles before making their decision, or spend so much time chatting during the consultation that it takes you 15 minutes just to get them to the shampoo bowl. Whatever the case may be, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable taking control and explaining that you need to keep things moving in order to keep your schedule on course.

Although the beauty industry is built around exemplary customer service, that doesn't mean you should feel uncomfortable addressing problem clients. If you find yourself dealing with any of the disruptive clients mentioned above, find a way to respectfully and tactfully address the bad behavior before it causes any further disruption.