Struggling to keep your appointment book full at your beauty salon in Northampton? You’re not alone—most salon owners find it tough to stand out when there’s competition everywhere from the town center to Kingsthorpe, and clients are always hunting for their next favorite beautician.
The good news is that Instagram is absolutely perfect for beauty salons. It’s where your clients are already looking for inspiration, checking out treatments, and discovering new places to get pampered. And the best part? You don’t need expensive equipment or a social media degree to make it work brilliantly.
Why Instagram is Perfect for Northampton Beauty Salons
Think about how your clients choose where to get their nails done, eyebrows shaped, or lashes done. They’re scrolling through Instagram, looking at before and after photos, checking out different styles, and seeing what their friends recommend. Your salon needs to be right there in that moment when they’re thinking “I need to book my next appointment.”
Instagram is made for showing off beautiful results. Whether it’s a gorgeous set of gel nails, perfectly shaped brows, or a relaxing facial, you can showcase your work in a way that makes people want to book with you immediately.
Plus, beauty treatments are personal. People want to see your personality, your salon’s atmosphere, and feel confident they’ll be comfortable with you. Instagram lets you show all of that in a way that a simple website or Facebook page just can’t match.
What Actually Works for Beauty Salon Instagram Content
From working with beauty businesses across Northamptonshire, we’ve learned that authentic, high-quality content always wins. Here’s what gets results:
Before and After Photos
This is your bread and butter. Show the transformation you create—whether it’s acrylic nails going from chipped to gorgeous, eyebrows going from overgrown to perfectly shaped, or skin looking radiant after a facial. Make sure the lighting is good and the photos are clear. Your work should speak for itself.
Behind the Scenes Content
People love seeing what goes on in your salon. Show yourself preparing for treatments, your treatment room setup, new products arriving, or just the relaxing atmosphere you create. It helps potential clients feel like they already know what to expect.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
When a client loves their treatment, ask if you can share their feedback on Instagram. A quick story or post saying “Just had the most amazing facial with Sarah—my skin is glowing!” is worth more than any advertisement you could pay for.
Instagram Features That Work for Beauty Salons
Instagram Stories
Stories are perfect for showing your daily work, sharing quick tips, or giving people a peek into your salon life. You can show treatments in progress, ask questions like “Which nail color should I order more of?” or share quick before and after transformations.
Instagram Reels
Short videos work brilliantly for beauty content. Film yourself doing a quick manicure, show the process of applying eyelash extensions, or create a satisfying video of eyebrow threading. These get shared and discovered by new potential clients.
Instagram Shopping
If you sell beauty products, you can tag them in your posts so people can buy directly. This works especially well for nail polishes, skincare, or any retail products you stock in your salon.
Instagram Ad Ideas That Work for Beauty Salons
New Client Offers
Create ads targeting women in Northampton who might be looking for a new salon. Show your best work and include a special offer for first-time clients. Target areas like Abington, Duston, or Wootton where there are lots of potential clients.
Seasonal Treatments
Create ads around seasons and events. Summer holiday prep (waxing, pedicures), Christmas party looks (nails, lashes), or spring refresh treatments (facials, brow shaping). Target women who might be getting ready for these occasions.
Lunch Break Appointments
Many women in Northampton work in the town center and could pop out for a quick treatment. Create ads targeting office workers about express treatments—20-minute facials, quick nail repairs, or eyebrow touch-ups.
Weekend Pampering
Create ads for Friday evenings and weekends targeting women who want to treat themselves. Show your most relaxing treatments and position your salon as the perfect place to unwind after a busy week.
Getting Your Targeting Right
Instagram ads let you be really specific about who sees your content. For a beauty salon in Northampton, you might target:
- Women aged 18-55 who live within 10 miles of Northampton
- People interested in beauty, skincare, nail art, or wellness
- Women who follow beauty influencers or other local salons
- People who’ve visited your website but haven’t booked yet
- Members of local Facebook groups or people who check in at Northampton locations
You can even target people based on their income level or shopping behavior, which helps you reach women who regularly spend money on beauty treatments.
Keep Your Budget Realistic
You don’t need to spend hundreds to see results. Many successful beauty salon Instagram ads in Northampton start with £5-10 per day. That’s enough to reach local women who are interested in beauty treatments and might not have discovered your salon yet.
Start small, see which types of content get the most bookings, and then spend more on the ads that work. It’s better to spend £50 and get five new clients than to spend £200 and get none.
Building Your Instagram Community
Instagram isn’t just about getting bookings—it’s about building a community of women who love coming to your salon and trust your expertise. Respond to comments, answer questions about treatments, and engage with your clients’ posts when they tag you.
Share tips and advice. Maybe post about nail care between appointments, skincare routines, or how to make treatments last longer. This positions you as the expert and keeps your salon top of mind.
Showcase Your Salon’s Personality
Your biggest advantage over chain salons is that personal touch. Use Instagram to show your personality, your passion for beauty, and what makes your salon special. Maybe you’re known for your relaxing atmosphere, your attention to detail, or your ability to create exactly what clients want.
Share what makes your salon different—whether it’s your cozy treatment rooms, your extensive color collection, or just the fact that you genuinely care about making every client feel amazing.
Track What’s Working
Instagram provides great insights about what content performs best. Pay attention to which posts get the most likes, comments, and saves. If nail art posts get more engagement than facial photos, focus more on nail content. If your clients love seeing the process videos, make more of those.
Also track which ads bring people into your salon. You might find that ads featuring everyday treatments get more bookings than special occasion looks, or that certain types of content resonate more with Northampton women.
Timing Your Posts
Think about when your clients are most likely to be on Instagram. Many women scroll through during lunch breaks, in the evening after work, or on weekend mornings. Post when your audience is most active, and use Instagram’s scheduling tools to stay consistent.
Handle Bookings Smoothly
Make it easy for people to book after seeing your Instagram content. Include your phone number in your bio, use Instagram’s contact buttons, or direct people to your online booking system. The easier you make it, the more likely people are to actually book rather than just admire your work.
Ready to Get Started?
Instagram can be absolutely brilliant for beauty salons in Northampton, but getting your content and ads right takes some understanding of what works in the beauty industry and how to showcase your skills effectively.
If you’d like a little help setting up your Instagram strategy or figuring out what might work best for your salon, just reach out to us at OrbitClimb. We’re happy to chat about your goals and show you how Instagram can help you connect with more women in Northampton who are looking for their next favorite beauty salon.
Whether you’re looking to showcase your latest nail art, attract new clients for facials, or simply keep your appointment book full, the right Instagram strategy can transform how people discover and think about your salon.