If you're a hairstylist, you already know that your work speaks for itself—once someone is in your chair. But what about the dozens (or hundreds) of potential clients scrolling Instagram right now who have no idea how talented you are?

That’s where a strong Instagram presence comes in.

At Next Chapter Social, we recently worked with Beverly Stahl, a hairstylist based in downtown McKinney, Texas, to help her transform her Instagram from a passive portfolio into a powerful tool for client connection, referrals, and retention. What she learned applies to every hairstylist who wants to grow their business online—without burning out or dancing on camera every day.

What Beverly Wanted from Instagram (And What Most Stylists Do Too)

Beverly’s goals were clear:

1. Keep her current clients informed about treatments and products they may not know about
   
   
2. Get more referrals from the clients she already enjoys working with
   
   
3. Show her personality, interests, and daily life to build deeper client relationships
   
   

She wasn’t chasing followers—she was building trust. That’s the real goal.

The Instagram Mistakes Most Stylists Make

Let’s be honest: most stylists know they should be posting on Instagram, but they struggle with:

• Not knowing what to post
  
  
• Feeling awkward showing up on camera
  
  
• Not having a plan, so they fall off the consistency wagon
  
  
• Worrying their work "isn’t perfect enough" to post
  
  

Sound familiar? Beverly was in the same spot. Here's how we helped her—and how you can do the same.

Tip 1: Turn Your Bio Into a Booking Machine

Most bios are wasted space. Here’s what yours should include:

• Who you are: “Dallas TX Hairstylist” or “Blonde & Extension Specialist”
  
  
• What you offer: Mention your top services and what sets you apart
  
  
• How to book: A clear, short call to action like “Book below” or “Tap for appointments”
  
  

We helped Beverly use a Bitly link to track how many clicks her booking link gets, so she knows what’s working. You can do the same in minutes.

Pro Tip: The name field in your bio is searchable. Instead of just “Beverly,” say “McKinney TX Hairstylist.” That way, you show up in more local searches.

Tip 2: Create a Weekly Content Habit (Instead of Posting on the Fly)

Stylists are busy. That’s why we gave Beverly a system that fits into her day:

• Choose 3–5 clients each week to capture content from
  
  
• Use the E-I-E-I-O Method to guide what to post: Educate, Inspire, Entertain, Inform, Offer
  
  
• Keep a folder on your phone labeled “Social” for easy access to photos and videos
  
  

Now she’s not scrambling to find something to post. She’s working smarter, not harder.

Content ideas for stylists:

• Time-lapse videos of color services
  
  
• Before-and-after photos with simple captions
  
  
• Client testimonials shared as a quote graphic
  
  
• Quick tips like “Why I recommend XYZ shampoo”
  
  
• Behind-the-scenes of salon life
  
  

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need a plan.

Tip 3: Create Highlights That Match What You Sell

Instagram Highlights are like the shelves in your digital salon—keep them clean and clear. We helped Beverly create Highlights for each of her service categories:

• Curly Hair
  
  
• Long Hair
  
  
• Dimensional Color
  
  
• Extensions
  
  

Now, when a potential client lands on her profile, they can instantly find what they’re looking for.

Pro Tip: Use Canva to create simple Highlight covers that match your brand. No design experience needed.

Tip 4: Use Stories to Strengthen Client Relationships

Stories help you stay top-of-mind with the people who already follow you. And as Beverly learned, that’s exactly who you want to connect with.

Here’s how to use Stories effectively:

• Share daily behind-the-scenes content: foils, coffee breaks, consultations
  
  
• Tag your clients in their transformations—they’ll often reshare it, expanding your reach
  
  
• Add your booking link to Stories (with a link sticker) so it’s always easy to book
  
  
• Show your personality—where you eat, what you’re reading, how you’re spending your day off
  
  

Stories build familiarity. Familiarity builds trust. Trust builds referrals.

Tip 5: Get Comfortable With “Good Enough”

Perfectionism will keep you invisible. One of the biggest breakthroughs Beverly had was letting go of the idea that every post had to be flawless.

If the color turned out beautifully but the lighting isn’t ideal—post it anyway. If your video is a little shaky—post it anyway. Clients don’t want perfect. They want real, reliable, relatable.

Bonus Tip: Batch Your Content One Week at a Time

We recommend working one week behind. Here's the system we gave Beverly:

1. At the end of each week, go through the photos and videos you took
   
   
2. Pick the five best
   
   
3. Schedule them out for the following week using a free tool like Later or Planoly
   
   

You’ll show up consistently without having to post in real time. And that consistency trains the Instagram algorithm to show your content to more people.

Stylists: It’s Time to Be Seen

Instagram isn’t about going viral. It’s about staying visible to the people who already trust you—and the ones who want to.

For Beverly, this meant turning her casual Instagram use into a consistent marketing tool that fits naturally into her daily salon flow.

You can do the same.

Want Your Own Instagram Glow-Up?

If you're a hairstylist who:

• Feels unsure about what to post
  
  
• Wants more referrals and loyal clients
  
  
• Needs a system that works with your schedule
  
  

Then it’s time to join the other stylists working with Next Chapter Social.

Start with our Free Instagram Checklist for Stylists
Or jump into our Instagram for Beauty Pros Course and start building the kind of online presence that brings dream clients through the door