Nail techs: This is why thorough client consultations are so important

Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2024, Tanya Jeskins, shares why thorough client consultations are the key to effective and safe nail services that keep clients returning.

So, what exactly is a client consultation? Tanya explains: “It’s a professional conversation that takes place before every appointment, to ensure you have all the necessary information to carry out a service that’s in the client’s best interests.

“It covers common issues and contraindications, personal preferences, client health/medication updates, any limitations, upholds the nail tech’s insurance terms and conditions, and provides the opportunity to create an ongoing plan to reach the client’s nail goals.

“Almost every negative issue that a nail tech faces, including service breakdown, no-shows, low rebooking rates, irregular income and lack of confidence, can be resolved via a thorough consultation.”

Tanya continues: “A consultation safeguards the client’s nails and skin, as well as the nail tech themselves, by ensuring all details are recorded and have been signed – which may also be needed for insurance purposes. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and photo consent should be covered.

“Additionally, by discussing rebooking and nail maintenance plans, you encourage a thriving business with regular income and retail opportunities.”

Failing to offer a complete consultation can lead to service breakdown, shares Tanya: “This could happen due to using the wrong products or techniques for that client’s lifestyle, nail type or stage in their nail journey – all because you were unaware. It could also result in health implications, such as onycholysis, bacterial or fungal issues.”

The pro notes how failing to perform a full consultation could lead to client dissatisfaction, too: “If the client feels you didn’t ask about their needs, lifestyle or nail goals, they might not rebook because they lack confidence in your expertise.”

Tanya believes client consultation courses often miss the mark. She explains: “Many courses I’ve completed touch on consultation record cards briefly, treating them as a formality, without addressing their importance and extended role. A client consultation isn’t just a record card – it starts from the point of booking, continues face-to-face and extends into aftercare and maintenance.”

In response to this, Tanya is launching her own client consultation course, The Fully Booked Formula. The six-week programme is set to launch in April and ‘focuses on the often overlooked importance of perfecting the client consultation, elevating every area of a client’s service’.

“The Fully Booked Formula will set a nail tech apart as a ‘go-to’ professional, and cover the consultation journey in easy steps, from booking to aftercare and maintenance.”

According to Tanya, the course is designed to help techs:

• “Stand out from other local techs and build their unique selling points.
• “Fulfil legal and insurance requirements at every service.
• “Understand and create the ultimate consultation, leading to regular rebookings.
• “Reduce common problems in treatments.
• “Navigate conversations around providing the right service and refusing a service, and plan appointments that ensure clients feel valued.
• “Increase their incomes.”

She concludes by sharing the benefits of the course for nail techs: “Having a formula to follow during client consultations will build your confidence and save you time during appointments, allowing you to focus on the technical and creative details of services.”

Keep an eye out for updates on The Fully Booked Formula via Tanya’s Instagram accounts here and here, and Facebook.