How Do You Know Clients Have Opted in for SMS Reminders?

We've recently added a symbol within the client file under the phone number to show if your client has opted in for SMS reminders.

The little mobile phone icon will show when the number has been verified as a mobile number within our system, and then the spiral icon will show when the client has successfully opted in to receive text reminders.

Did you know?

1. Texting is the most widely-used and frequently used app on a smartphone, with 97% of Americans using it at least once a day. (Pew Internet)
2. Text messages have a 98% open rate, while email has only a 20% open rate. (Mobile Marketing Watch)
3. 90% of all text messages are read in under 3 minutes. (Connect Mogul)
4. 96% of smartphone users text. (Acision)

5 Ways to Optimize Your Calendar

Within Bodywork Buddy, there's a few things you can do to make your life easier with your online calendar.

• Icons *NEW FEATURE*
  The most recent addition is the feature of assigning an icon to specific services, so you can see at-a-glance what services you have scheduled.
  
  From dashboard > services > main > click on the service/service code > select icon > save.
  
  These icons will then show in the calendar in the confirmed appointments. (The day view always shows the service type in text, as well.)

• Optimized Timeslots Feature
  Within BWB, you can choose to optimize your open timeslots. This means that clients scheduling online will only see openings you have immediately before or after existing appointments in your calendar. This feature cuts down on big gaps in your day, and helps you have more control over your schedule.
  
  
• Set Buffer Times
  
  In your settings, you can adjust a default buffer time to be added between appointments automatically. Need only 15 minutes between appointments, or prefer 45 minutes? Adjust your settings accordingly and the online scheduler will automatically reflect that in your openings online. (You can always override these settings when scheduling clients yourself, if you choose to.)
  
• Add Extra Buffer Time into Certain Services
  
  Want 30 minutes between appointments, but an hour in between when it's a hot stone massage? You can add that extra time into the service of hot stones itself, so that time is automatically built into the calendar when that service is scheduled.
  
  
  
• Check/Uncheck Different Calendars
  
  In the upper right of the calendar, there is a gear icon. When you click on the gear, you can check or uncheck what calendars you want to show or be hidden. (Please note if you have an event or appointment that is "busy", that time will not show as available for an appointment even if you have it "hidden" on your calendar.)
  This feature can be a nice way to focus on just your work calendar at one time, or to hide the cancelled or missed appointments, or maybe show JUST your missed appointments to get a better feel for how much this is happening! (You can also run a report for that if you're really looking for the numbers.)
  

How Do You Know If Your Client Got Their Email Reminder?

Bodywork Buddy has always had an email log so you can see when your clients received/opened their reminder emails. (Accessible from dashboard > account > email services > scroll down to email log.) Last I knew, no other online scheduling service offered this.

While it's a handy feature, we've had some members request a quicker, more "at-a-glance" way to see if clients haven't received or opened their email reminders. So we've implemented a new envelope icon in the calendar next to the client's name. An envelope outlined in white shows that the reminder has been sent, and the envelope will turn to solid white once it's been opened by your client. Pretty cool, right? Our members have been enjoying this feature for a few weeks now and the feedback has been pretty great.

Other ways to cut down on no-shows in your massage practice:

• Send text reminders.
  Easy to do within BWB. Enable SMS services, have clients opt-in by texting the word "START" to 269-509-4288, make sure client's mobile number is on file.
  
  
• Have a cancellation / no-show policy and make sure clients know about it.
  You can have your policies show within your email reminders, and you can also choose to have clients agree to your policies when they schedule online from your microsite.
  
  
• Train clients from the beginning that you might not be able to get them back on the schedule immediately if they miss or cancel their appointment. You might be surprised how clients will be able to make it work once they realize they won't be able to get back in for several weeks. I discovered this by accident when I was so busy that I really was booked out for a month in advance. Clients started saying that they didn't dare cancel, because they knew they wouldn't be able to get in until next month.
  
  Even if you're not booked out for weeks in advance, you can show less openings in your schedule using Bodywork Buddy's "optimized time slots" feature. It only shows openings immediately before or after existing appointments, not only cutting down on large gaps in your day - but also creating a scarcity of available appointment times.

Do you have some useful tips to help cut down on cancellations and no-shows? Share here in the comments, I'd love to hear what has worked for you! 

2016 Massage Therapy Resource Bundle *ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT*

I'm excited to tell you about this great resource bundle that I've had the pleasure of being a part of! There's only two days left to get the 2016 Massage Resource Bundle.

It’s a small investment that will deliver tremendous value and new ideas to help you advance in your massage career. I don't want you to miss out.

Right now you can get over $800 worth of CEU classes, business classes, Ebooks and bonus offers for only $39.95. I think you’ll agree that is one amazing bundle!

I love that this kind of support is available now. When I started doing massage, there was little to no online support. New and seasoned therapists alike were left just floundering on our own.

Included in this bundle is my own ebook on growing your massage business with referrals, as well as a discount when joining Bodywork Buddy for your online scheduling and business management needs. (Plus LOTS of other great courses, ebooks, and bonuses from leaders in the massage profession!)

Check out just a few highlights included in the bundle:

Ok so... the countdown is on - jump on this now!