| Scheduled for January release is our new and improved ‘Create Appointment’ screen. It allows you to quickly and easily create, or edit, single or recurring appointments inside your business. From this screen, you can also add personal time on-the-fly, check or add information about your clients or notify the service provider and/or client if you’re making a reservation change for someone else. At Schedulicity, we’re always striving to create a better way to schedule! Happy Holidays |
| The 5 & 10 min calendar increment options is one that has been requested by Acupuncturists, Chiropracters, Massage Therapists and anyone else who offers services that don’t fit neatly into 15 min increments. From now until our January release, we will be periodically ‘exposing’ some of the new features that will be included in our next update so check back to learn more! |
| Here’s a wonderful example from a smart, busy business owner of how to use Schedulicity’s e-mail marketing templates to attract Facebook fans. Just click on the graphic above to see her offerings and become a fan yourself. Happy Holidays from Schedulicity |
December is a month for giving and Facebook is a wonderful way to promote your favorite Schedulicity businesses. Say ‘Thank You’ by spreading the word and shining a light on those who do so much for others! |
| To learn more about Schedulicity, go to http://www.schedulicity.com/info |
|
1. Send out one of our holiday marketing templates with information on the services and promotions you’ll be offering on the weekend of ‘Black Friday’ (11/27). The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year. Make sure you’re in your clients’ minds if you plan on working those days. Include in your message that you will give discounts to those who schedule early. And remember, the ‘Schedule Now’ button is included in all your templates so that your clients can immediately book services with you when they see your message. 2. Send out one of our coupon templates on ‘Cyber Monday’ (11/30) with a discount on services you may be offering for the month of December. Suggest in your message that your clients forward this on to their friends who may also be interested. Remember, ‘Cyber Monday’ is the Monday after ‘Black Friday’ and is the beginning of the online holiday shopping season. If your clients are online, make sure they’re thinking about your services! 3. Create holiday-themed online promotions that automatically display when your clients are getting ready to book your services online. They take only minutes to create and could generate significant holiday revenue for you. 4. ‘Green Monday’ (12/07) is the busiest online shopping day of the year. Once again, if your clients are going to be online, this may be a good day to have a special offer or promotion sitting in their inbox when theey’re thinking of gifts to purchase for their friends and families. 5. Dec 14th, or ‘Brown Monday’ is typically the last day for free shipping offers of online purchases. Those who have waited a bit late may be receptive to ideas that you send them in a ‘Late Gift Ideas’ email. And those ‘gift ideas’ could have a lot to do with your services. Just sayin |
|
Just read a very good article on Massage Magazine’s website about ‘Extend Simple Pleasures to Expand Your Revenue’ by Mia Kyricos. Although Mrs. Kyricos presents some very useful and compelling business ideas, I am continually surprised that the client scheduling process is not one of the main issues addressed. A massage therapist’s service begins the moment a client thinks about booking that service – not after they walk through the door. Let me explain. Not so long ago, it seemed that most massage therapists were so busy that losing a client or two was almost a blessing that enabled them to keep their sanity and a little free time. That has all changed. Now, losing a client or two can mean the difference in paying the rent, mortgage or car payment. In times like these being able to capture the impulse of your clients not only shows that you value their time, it also guarantees that you will keep their loyalty. Their convenience is the key to your business. I am obviously biased as I work for an online scheduling company but I work for this company because I believe in this service. Everyone knows the ‘phone tag’ scenarios of leaving messages and having them returned when you’re unavailable only to find out that they’re busy during the time you’ve requested. Once upon a time, that was the only choice and people dealt with it as a necessary evil. Those days are gone! People can now buy products online at 3am or book complete vacation packages in minutes. If you do not give your clients the ability to book your services online at their convenience, they will soon find someone who will. The online scheduling revolution for small businesses has arrived. It’s here because it’s affordable, it works and it gives both service professionals and their clients complete satisfaction. Get your clients in the door as quickly and easily as possible and then you can ‘Extend Simple Pleasures to Expand Your Revenue’. |
|
1. In order to send clients to your facebook fan page, you need a fan page. It’s easy to do if you don’t already have one. Here’s a link from facebook to help you. 2. Once your fanpage is set up, go to the email marketing section within Schedulicity and click on the ‘Invitations’ section of the email marketing ‘Template Categories’ and choose the ‘Connect Online subtab
3. To link your clients to your fanpage, you will need to copy the URL or web address that is associated with your fan page.
4. Once you begin crafting your message, be sure to paste the link to your Facebook fan page so that clients can go directly from your message to your fan page.
5. The best part about this invite to your Facebook fan page is that it also includes a ‘Schedule Now’ link that takes your clients directly to your online scheduling page as well. |
| At Schedulicity, we are always excited to get feedback from our clients. So, we decided to start sharing some of the e-mails that make our day. This one is from Erin Parish of Caring Touch Massage, L.L.C.:
I have been playing with your system, and so far I am VERY IMPRESSED! I have tried about 15 different online booking systems, and this is the easiest (and cheapest) one I have found. Not only has it been easy to set up, it is also very easy to navigate on the user end. I have tested your system for problems that I have run across in all other systems, and it has passed every test. I am so excited to be using your service, and I am sure my clients will love it. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Sincerely,
Erin Parish, LMT, NCMTB |
|
I just recently received this list from Sheri Geyer of Atlanta, Georgia. She’s a certified life coach who also owns and operates a hair studio. This is a smart, busy woman who uses online scheduling for both of her businesses. She was kind enough to allow us to share with you her ’10 Reasons To Offer Online Scheduling To Your Clients’. So here is part 2 of Sheri’s list: 1. Burn the Pencil and Appointment Book. In a few years, they will be obsolete. Customers are going to gravitate to what is new and innovative and that will most likely be the businesses that offer them the convenience of 24/7 online scheduling so they will not be limited to only calling during actual business hours. We will look back and determine the appointment book to be as useful as a rotary phone is today. 2. Stay on the Cutting Edge. Many businesses are offering the convenience of online scheduling of appointments, even orders. Imagine the chaos, if we had to go back to booking airline flights with an agent over the phone ~ no way! 3. Promote a Professional Image. Many times my clients have commented on the convenience that online scheduling offers them. They usually say things like “I wish other service businesses would provide this professional service.” They are glad that I have listened to their needs and made the effort to provide them every reason to remain loyal to me. 4. Be Intentional In the Moment. When your customers are conveniently using your online scheduler, you can focus on the client you are serving during their scheduled appointment time. No more interruptions by the phone. No more concerns that if you don’t answer the phone you will miss a customer. You can build rapport and really enjoy the time you spend with your clients without fear of loss of business. 5. Eliminate No-Shows. The best online scheduler will retain customer emails and phone numbers and build a database for you. This serves a two-fold purpose. You have the information necessary to contact your customer if you need to and they are providing you with a “virtual” handshake that they will show up for the appointment they’ve scheduled. Just by virtue of the fact they have provided their personal information in setting up their account, lets you know they are serious and intentional in their efforts. They will receive confirmations and reminders and you will receive notifications of their scheduled appointments.
I personally recommend the best I’ve found, and in 30+ years in the hair industry and nearly 6 years of shop ownership, I have heard, tried and seen them all. You owe it to yourself to check out Schedulicity. They provide the premium package for service businesses at unbelievably affordable pricing and a free introductory period for you to learn and in turn, educate your clients. Sign up with Schedulicity, fire your appointment book and get your life and game back on! |
