Statistics don’t lie - salon owners who use Booksy to send appointment reminders to their clients can reduce the number of no-shows by up to 70%. It’s an impressive score, especially if you convert it into sales. Automated appointment reminders are essential for getting the job done. What makes them so effective and how can you get the most of them?
Usually, when a client books a visit, they either decide to rely on their memory only or enter the date into their notebook, planner or calendar. It works for some people… but others forget about their plans very quickly and don’t check their little paper helpers until it’s too late. Practical appointment reminders arrive at the perfect moment - a day before the visit, when the client can still plan their day through. Automatic reminders make use of the most fitting mediums - emails, push and text messages. Push and SMS notifications are definitely the most effective, as you can be almost 100% sure the message will be received and read. Upon receiving a text message, most clients immediately rush to see who texted them. They won’t overlook your reminder even if they try!
A great advantage of appointment reminders, especially those sent via text messages, is that they seem very personal and confidential. Some customers become no-shows because they are too embarrassed to contact you and admit they have to cancel the appointment. From your perspective, even the most awkward cancellation call would be better than leaving you with a wasted slot and no information on what happened, but such people do not take responsibility for their actions - they simply do what’s most comfortable for them. An appointment reminder makes it harder for them to avoid interacting with you. They no longer can pretend that their visit is just “one of many” and a "trifle” to you - suddenly, they are being approached with a direct form of contact. They have to face the fact that you most certainly remember about their visit. Thanks to that, some of them will decide to inform you about the cancellation.
Living their busy lives, clients often do not think about their upcoming appointments too much and when the day finally arrives, they can get caught off-guard. All it takes is for them to forget to find a babysitter, not check how long the drive takes and if there is a parking space nearby, dress in a way that will make getting the service done uncomfortable… Situations like these may result in delays and late cancellations. A reminder a day before the appointment helps customers to organise all their errands and prepare themselves for the visit.
Reminders are an important part of the consistent communication between you and your client. You let the customer know that you remember and care about their incoming visit. Moreover, automatic reminders make it easier for clients to change or cancel appointments when it is most convenient for them, rather than answering a confirmation phone call, which can come at an inopportune moment.
Making confirmation calls or sending reminders by hand can be a terrifying task. It’s exhausting, hard to manage and leaves room for mistakes, consequences of which can be catastrophic. Booksy allows you to send reminders automatically. While clients receive their reminders on time, you can focus on other tasks at hand, all while reducing no-shows and saving valuable time and money.
Appointment reminders work so well because they are a convenience for both you and the customer. They meet the needs of both sides, becoming something of a bridge between what’s good for your business and for the client. Additionally, when you use a system that allows you to automate the process, you are suited for success.
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