Looking to increase the amount of appointments you book through your social media pages? Well, we’ve got some good news for you .

Bookedin’s partnership with Facebook will enable you to grow your appointments and target your customers by integrating your booking page with your Facebook and Instagram accounts. Using Bookedin’s Facebook Business Extension, you can make it super easy for fans to book appointments with you through your social media pages, your social media ads, and even your social stories!

That’s right! You can now reach all your followers and allow them the convenience of quickly and easily engaging your services through these social platforms. You can add a Book Now button to your Facebook business page, Instagram account and Messenger chats, add the features of Bookedin allowing customers to instantly book an appointment 24/7.

Make Your Social Channels Work For You

With no need to contact you, it becomes easy for your page visitors to become new customers. The simple solution to appointment chaos with easy to use appointment booking software offering great features like appointment reminders and payment processing that saves time and eliminates unnecessary stress, now includes your social channels. Just another way to help grow your business while enjoying peace of mind with smooth scheduling.

Multiple Setup Options

Setup Method 1: Via Bookedin Website	Setup Method 2: Via Instagram	Setup Method 3: Via Facebook

Need help?

Click here for step-by-step setup instructions including screenshots. Contact the Bookedin support any time. Or you can click the “support” links at the bottom of each Facebook setup screen. You can also click here to get help from Facebook support.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Don’t wait to take your business to the next level. Our Pro Bookedin plan is a cinch to set up and free to try for 14-days. We know you’re going to love it!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays, toys in ev’ry store. There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and carolling out in the snow. But the prettiest sight to see is a full appointment schedule!

After all the chaos and restrictions during the last two years, it’s most likely going to be a very busy and active social season. There are going to be get-togethers with friends and family and all the people who haven’t seen each other in a long time will be getting together. For those in the health and beauty industry, that should result in a very busy time of year!

When you haven’t seen anyone for a long time, appearance is going to be a priority. From hair to makeup to aesthetic services, we all want to look our best. All the demands of this time will also result in additional stress which is going to result in the need for paramedical services such as massage, physio, and chiropractic to loosen those tense muscles.

To add another level of complexity, communication methods have changed and small businesses are expected to adapt to these changes without the same budget as the big businesses.  Thankfully there’s some good news: online scheduling software! If you’re looking to successfully navigate the holiday rush, Bookedin might just be the perfect solution. How you ask? Let us tell you.

Timely Appointment Scheduling

If you run a service-orientated business, handling all the calls and email can become overwhelming and affect your ability to manage your business. With Bookedin scheduling, customers can schedule appointments themselves without tying up your time. You can customize the system to work the way that you do, by allowing appointments to be scheduled within real-time open slots and around set vacation hours, holidays, and company meetings.

Handle Overflow & Increased Demand

Based on the scenarios outlined above, you can bet a record number of customers are going to be hitting your site this season. In a customer service-based industry, you know that results in questions and concerns which need to be addressed quickly before they appear online. Bad news becomes public so much faster than good news which is why you need to respond quickly. Bookedin helps keep track of customers’ needs ensuring no one falls through the cracks.

Celebrate

Whether you’re looking to save time, increase appointments, or simply impress your clients, Bookedin’s got you covered. Join our award-winning platform today! Once you’re set up, it’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la. Remember, tis the season to be jolly!

Buckle up, fam! We’re about to teach you how to improve customer service and build rapport with your clients. This is a fully-loaded guide with tons of practical tips you can use in your marketing and retention efforts to satisfy your clients.

But before we get to that, we need to hit the rewind button…

The year was 2018. I had just moved to Nashville, TN (Music City — what, what) and needed a new hair stylist to tame my mane. So I scoured the internet to find a well-reviewed professional and booked my first appointment. So far, so good.

On the scheduled day, I hopped in my car and drove to the shop. That’s when things started to go down hill. Being new to the area, I didn’t realize that the five mile drive would take 30 minutes, which means I arrived at my appointment 10 minutes late. Worse, the shop didn’t provide on-site parking, so I had to pay to park in the garage across the street.

I thought about driving home, but I was already there so what the heck? I’m glad I stayed. As soon as I walked through the doors of the hair salon, my day got better.

The receptionist was very kind and showed me to the waiting room, complete with free beer, a big screen TV, and a full-size pool table. My hair stylist was also gracious and personable. She listened to everything I had to say and gave me an excellent cut.

I booked my next appointment before I’d even left the building.

To recap, my hair stylist is 30 minutes away from my house and I have to pay to park there. Normally, I wouldn’t put up with these inconveniences. But in this case the service is so good, I keep going back — It wasn’t a one time deal. Why? Because she’s a wizard when it comes to client satisfaction.

If you can turn the pain, frustration, and confusion your customers feel into an amazing experience they’ll never forget, your business will be successful.

With that in mind, we’ve put together this ultimate guide. Keep reading to learn how to improve customer service so that your clients remain loyal to you no matter what.

Why client satisfaction matters

Before we teach you how to improve customer service, let’s talk about why it matters. Because it definitely matters. Client satisfaction is important because:

It creates great first impressions

You’ve heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” It’s both 100% true and incredibly scary. What if I blow it? What if they don’t like me? What if they never want to do business with me again? There’s plenty of what ifs…

But we have good news for you. First impressions are a walk in the park if you keep client satisfaction in mind. Focus on being YOU and delivering the amazing service you’re capable of and you’ll ace 99% of your first impressions.

All your customers want is to work with a business that values and respects them. Give them this simple thing and you’ll turn first timers into lifelong clients.

It builds know, like, trust

Okay, so there’s this business you’ve been following on Instagram. They put out great content, show you behind the scenes footage of how they “make the magic”, and even give you a glimpse of their personality so you feel super connected to them.

After a few weeks, you decide to take your relationship with this business to the next level. The ‘gram isn’t enough anymore. You want to make a real-life connection.

So you drive to their storefront, excitement rising up inside you. You park outside of the shop, walk through the front doors, and… [Insert Frowny Face]. The employees are completely standoffish and the vibe definitely leaves something to be desired.

What went wrong? Sounds like this company nailed the “know” and “like” of know, like, trust. That’s why you were so jazzed to meet them in the beginning. But they didn’t follow through and provide exceptional service across all channels, which lost them a potential customer.

When you prioritize client satisfaction in all areas, you’ll empower your customers to know, like, and trust you enough to spend their hard-earned money on your services. Not just once, but time and time again. And isn’t that the goal?

It leads to word of mouth marketing

Did you know that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than every other form of marketing? Obviously, word of mouth is a BIG deal. And the only way to generate it is to satisfy your current clients.

Imagine being booked solid for months in advance, building a waitlist a mile long, and having the opportunity to raise your prices because the demand for your services is so high. And all without spending a zillion dollars on advertising.

Getting to this point takes work — like, a lot of it. But when you take care of your customers, they’ll take care of you and you’ll be able to build a dream-worthy business.

12 ways to better satisfy your clients

In business, customer satisfaction is the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas, and every other good thing. The question is, how to build rapport with clients?

The trick is to prioritize their happiness in every facet of your enterprise, from the first encounter to the last. To help you do that, we’ve put together this comprehensive list of 12 ways to better satisfy your clients. Let’s take a look…

Setting up your Business

Surprise, client satisfaction starts *before* your first appointment. After all, if a potential customer has a hard time navigating your website, contacting you, or booking a session, they’ll find a different service provider to give their money to.

To avoid this scenario, pay special attention to the way you set up your business so that it screams, “We’re awesome,” instead of “Ewww, gross!”

1. Build Your Online Presence

What do you do when the sink clogs? Or the car won’t start? Or the backyard fence surrenders to the wind? If you’re handy, you might be able to fix these things yourself. If you’re not, you do what the rest of us do and search the interwebs for qualified professional help.

Your customers do the same thing. When they want a haircut, massage, or full sleeve, they’ll ask Google for local recommendations and peruse websites looking for the right fit.

Your website is the perfect opportunity to attract your ideal clients and begin a relationship with them. But for this to happen, it needs to look good, be easy to navigate, and clearly state your USP (the thing that sets you apart from other service providers).

It should also include your contact information and links to social, online booking capabilities (more on this in a moment), and photos that highlight your abilities as a service provider.

Once your website is locked in, take a look at your social media profiles. The key to social is engagement. Do your best to interact with potential customers on Facebook, Instagram, and any other platform you use. That way they feel recognized and appreciated.

Satisfy your clients from day one with a compelling online presence that’s both aesthetically pleasing and informative. Doing so will encourage customers to do business with you.

2. Invest in online appointment scheduling

It’s the 21st century, which means it’s time to get rid of your old-school, pen and paper appointment scheduler and invest in a digital system. That way your customers can book appointments with you when they want to, without driving you crazy from constant calls.

Trust us, your customers don’t want to play phone tag with you either…

They want to book your services in as little time as possible so they can get on with their lives. By providing them with a convenient way to schedule appointments in their own time, you’ll elevate your customers’ experience with your shop *before* they even walk into it.

Online appointment scheduling software is the solution. It’s easy to use (for you and your clients) and will save both of you oodles of time.

3. Automate as many manual processes as possible

Do you ever feel stressed and overwhelmed? Have you ever questioned your desire to start your own business? Maybe traditional employment wasn’t so bad…

We totally understand. The life of an entrepreneur is often hectic and full of surprises. It’s easy to feel like you’ll never get a handle on things. And that’s definitely *not* a great feeling. Luckily, modern technology can help.

Many manual processes, such as booking appointments (see above) and sending appointment reminders can be automated, freeing you up to do the work you love and actually enjoy the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

But here’s the thing: automation won’t just benefit you. It will also benefit your customers. Robots don’t forget to send emails, lose client phone numbers, and overbook schedules — all things we humans are guilty of.

So automate as many manual processes as you can. Your clients and your mental health will thank you, we guarantee it.

Attracting potential clients

Most of us have a warped perception of marketing. But that’s just because we’re so used to promotional strategies that only seek to sell, sell, sell.

If you keep client satisfaction in mind, you can learn how to improve customer service while you attract new patrons to your business. Yes, it’s definitely possible to do both at the same time. Here are a few tips to help:

4. Content marketing

Content rules the internet. To help market your business, try writing blog posts, shooting videos, sending emails, and posting on social media. Just keep your customers in mind while you do these things. Ask yourself, what do they want to see from me?

Content marketing only works if people care about the content you create. This means you need to. Know. Your. Customers. Before you can promote your business with content.

We can’t tell you who your ideal customers are. You’ll need to find that out for yourself if you don’t already know. But we can give you a few content ideas you can use to get your creativity flowing. Take these concepts and run with them:

• Create a YouTube video that teaches dads how to stylize their daughters’ hair.
• Post pictures of your latest skin art on Instagram (with client permission, of course.)
• Post motivational quotes on Facebook to help people stick to their exercise routines.
• Publish blogs outlining the main reasons your chiropractic clients have back pain.

Your target customers have questions. If you can answer them, you’ll be doing them a favor and promoting your business at the same time. Score!

5. Print and digital advertising

As a local service provider, you probably use a mixture of online and offline advertising channels to market your business. Depending on your target clients, Facebook Ads, radio commercials, neon flyers, etc. can be a great way to get the word out about your offerings.

To make sure your ads are created with client satisfaction in mind, address common pain points and how you remedy them with your services. This will show potential clients that you understand their needs and help build trust between them and you.
6. In-person Events

One of the best ways to connect with potential customers is to go meet them, like, in real life. You can do this by frequenting local events, hosting your own get-togethers for the general public to attend, and supporting charities that your target audience cares about.

The benefit of in-person events is two-fold:

1. It will allow you to reach new potential customers and tell them about your business in a face-to-face manner that facilitates human connection.
2. It will allow you to learn more about your clients, which will help you craft better services and marketing strategies you can use in the future.

Note: Because of COVID-19, most in-person networking events are currently off limits. Do your best to network digitally via social media, Zoom chats, etc.

7. Secure glowing reviews

Want to learn how to build rapport with clients? Secure glowing reviews and they’ll begin to trust you before they even get their first cut, tat, or massage.

Studies show that 82% of customers read online reviews for local businesses *before* making a purchase. If your business doesn’t have any testimonials for people to read, you’re likely missing out. But don’t worry, five-star reviews are a lot easier to get than you might think.

• Provide great service: If your customers love what you do, they’ll naturally want to tell other people about your offerings. For many, that means a Google or Yelp review.
• Ask your customers: Want reviews? Ask your customers for them! Again, if they love the services you provide, they’ll be more than happy to help you out in this way.
• Offer compelling incentives: To get as many reviews as possible, incentivize your customers. Most folks will happily write a review for 10% off their next purchase.

If you do ask for and/or incentive your customers for reviews, make the process as easy as possible for them. We suggest sending a link to the exact site you want to be reviewed on.

Turning customers into fans

You’ve set up your business and implemented a few customer attraction strategies — all with client satisfaction in mind. Now it’s time to level up and turn average customers into loyal, raving fans of your business. Trust us, it’s not as complicated as you might think…

8. Go above and beyond

One of the best ways to build rapport with clients is to simply give them more than they’re expecting. For example, a barber could offer a quality haircut (expected). THEN, they could offer the occasional free shave to new and/or loyal customers (unexpected).

Small gestures like this prove to clients that you’re willing to go above and beyond for them, which will increase the likelihood of future bookings and advocacy, AKA word of mouth.

It has to do with a little something called reciprocity.

Reciprocity is the social phenomenon that empowers people to respond to a friendly action with another friendly action. By giving your clients more than they expect, they’ll feel indebted to you (in a good way) and want to return the favor.

9. Prioritize honesty and transparency

Remember what we said earlier? All customers want is to work with a service provider that values and respects them. The best way to show respect is to be honest. Yup, you’re mom was right, honesty is always the best policy — especially in business.

How about an example? Let’s say you booked a facial with a new esthetician in town. On the scheduled day, you get a call saying your appointment has been cancelled because of a double booking. The esthetician is very sorry and offers to reschedule at half price.

It’s a bummer, you wanted that facial today. But, hey, half off next week is pretty cool. You’d likely book your new appointment immediately.

What if the esthetician handled things differently? What if she lied and said she had to cancel because of a family emergency? But then you learn through the grapevine that she really just double-booked. Chances are, you’re never booking a facial with that service provider again.

Lying to your clients will come back to bite you. And when it does, it will be much worse than if you’d have just told the truth from the get-go.

10. Get to know your customers

Do you know your customers? Most service providers would recognize their top clients if they met them at the supermarket. Many would even remember their names. But if this is where your client knowledge ends, it’s time to dig deeper.

What do your clients do in their spare time? Where did they go on their last vacation? Are they obsessed with Cobra Kai on Netflix (Hmmm… maybe that’s just me.)

The point is, the more you know about your customers, the better you can serve them. And the better you serve them, the more valued they’ll feel. Valued customers tend to book more frequently and spend more money. Why wouldn’t they? They love the experience.

Fortunately, digging up client data is easier than ever. Take a gander at their social media profiles and you’ll learn everything you’d ever want to know. Then store that information in your appointment booking software of choice so you can recall it when needed.

11. Reward customer loyalty

It’s 5-25x more expensive to secure a new customer than it is to retain a current one. Do your bank account a favor and keep your customers happy. How? Reward them for their loyalty.

Many businesses do this via some kind of formal customer loyalty program. You know what we’re talking about… Spend X amount of dollars, get X amount of points, spend points on products, services, etc. There’s also the classic punch card program that most restaurants use: buy nine sandwiches and get the tenth for free.

You could do something similar…

For example, you could offer 20 points for every hour booked at your tattoo parlor. Once a customer hits 100 points, they receive a one-time 10% discount on their next piece. You could also track customer visits to your spa and give away a free massage after the fifth booking.

The options are limitless. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure your customers feel appreciated for giving you their business and they’ll keep giving it to you.

12. Boost your EQ

EQ stands for empathy quotient and it’s incredibly important for client satisfaction. But before we dive into why, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.

According to Grammarly, empathy is, “the ability to understand other people’s feelings as if we were having them ourselves.” This is different from sympathy, which is “the ability to take part in someone else’s feelings, mostly by feeling sorrowful about their misfortune.”

Make sense? Cool, now the question is, why does empathy even matter? Because empathy has many benefits, a couple of which are:

• Reputation building: By showing a personal interest in your customers, you’ll be able to increase sales, bookings, and revenue. This is because your clients will think more highly of you and reward you with repeat business and referrals.
• Client knowledge: By asking your clients how they’re doing and actually listening to their answers, you’ll learn about them. This knowledge can then be used to craft better services, offer better products, and create more enjoyable experiences for customers.

So make time to boost your EQ by taking a genuine interest in your clients and searching for ways to improve their lives via your services.

Happy clients, better business

If you learn how to improve customer service, your business will grow. It’s inevitable. Fortunately, you now know how to satisfy your customers. With this knowledge you’ll be able to turn first-time clients into lifelong patrons of your services.

What do you think? Did we miss one of your favorite customer service tips? We’d love to hear about it! Give us the juicy deets in the comment section below!

You all loved our piece on the 30 things your tattoo artist wishes you knew, so we’re back again – this time, with the hidden barbershop lore you need to know.

Listen, your barber’s probably a nice person. They smile every time you come in, and you leave with the freshest cut. Beneath their smile, though, they might be seething if, say, you didn’t shower before showing up.

Don’t make your barber sad. Keep the following 30 things in mind, and your relationship will be as fine as a single strand of hair:

1. Look at their work before you show up

Barbers are artists. Like any artists, they pride themselves on their work, and you’ll probably be able to find a portfolio of some of their best stuff on their website or Instagram. Find a barber who does cuts that wow you, and cuts that are similar to the style you’re looking for. Book with them.

2. Don’t make your first appointment on a weekend

Everybody’s working for the weekend – except barbers. They’re working on the weekend – that’s when people have time off, and that’s when barbers get busy. You want to get to know your barber, and during the weekend rush, they might not have any time for idle chit chat. Book your first appointment on a weekday so you can start building the relationship.

3. Shower first!

Imagine running your fingers through someone’s greasy, smelly, knotty hair.

Eww.

You brush your teeth before a dental appointment (I hope) – take a shower before an appointment with your barber. Trust me – they’ll like you a lot better if you do.

4. Don’t use product

I get it. You want to walk into the barbershop with your hair nicely styled, as if to say “This is how much I care about my hair, so I need you to care about it too”. Who doesn’t want to look almost as good walking in as they do walking out?

Don’t do this. Product makes it much harder for your barber to work with your hair. Clean hair is a clean slate – a canvas on which the barber can paint a new hairstyle. (Or something like that).

5. Don’t wear a hat

On the flip side, you might have gone without a haircut for a long time, and now you’re looking like you front a B-tier 80s hair metal band. You might want to hide your less than stellar styling with a fedora – don’t. This can mess up your hair in the same way product does, making it harder for your barber to work with.

6. Eat beforehand

You might spend 20 minutes in the chair, or you might spend 2 hours. Either way, if you’re like me, hungry=hangry, and when you’re being asked to sit still and make idle conversation while your mind is on the smell of the footlong subs you could buy next door, you’re not going to have a good time. As the old saying goes, eat first, get haircuts later.

7. Show up on time

Yes, you’re on a blog for a company that does online scheduling. No, we’re not just saying this because people showing up late is a collective pet peeve of ours.

Showing up late is rude. What’s more, you’re robbing yourself of the best possible haircut as much as you’re robbing your barber. They only have so much time in their day, and if you only give them 15 minutes out of the allotted hour to cut your hair, it could turn out like this:

8. Know what you want

*You’re not a cartoon child – you can make decisions!

Aside from people who don’t shower, a barber’s greatest bane may be people who walk in with big, naive grins on their faces – the people who say “Just do whatever you want!”.

Your barber will oblige this request if they have to, but they’d rather not. Most of the time people say “do what you want”, what they actually mean is “read my mind and if you don’t get it right I’m never coming back here again”.

Don’t be that person. Your hair is going to stay with you after the cut, so you should have at least some idea what you want done with it.

9. Bring in pictures

*Try to pick pics that aren’t crowded with dinosaurs, though.

You know the old saying – a picture is worth 1000 words. That’s especially true when you’re in a barber shop and you want a particular style, but you’re not sure how many inches of hair you have, what kind of tools you’d like the barber to use, or how to describe the hairstyle you want.

10. No two people are exactly the same

*Not even these creepy twins!

No matter how good your barber is, your cut won’t look exactly like the one in the magazine. For better or for worse (though studies show only very attractive people read our blog), you have a different face and a different build than every other person on the planet (identical twins aside).

All of this will influence the way your hairstyle looks, even if the hair itself looks exactly the same. This is also why your barber might recommend slight alterations to a style to suit your look better.

11. No two people’s hair is the same

*Oh they’re…still here…

I hate to break it to you, but there might be some hairstyles that are total nonstarters for you. People’s hair is about as different as their fingerprints. Your barber will try to accommodate any requests you have, but they’re only human – you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.

12. You only have so much hair

I’m not dissing the follically challenged, here – even someone with more hair than Cousin Itt has only so much to work with. That means you can’t keep asking your barber to change the style as the haircut keeps going – eventually, they’ll have no choice but to shave it all off. Pick a style and stick with it – don’t ask them to change things up 10 times over the course of a cut.

13. Your barber might be a miracle worker, but they’re not a magician

You’ve got to keep your expectations in check. Your barber can’t make you grow hair. They can’t make bad hair days go away forever. They will give you an incredible cut, and they’ll even give you styling tips, but they’re not alchemists.

14. Listen to your barber’s suggestions

Your barber wants you to come back again and again. They don’t give you suggestions for no reason, or to be patronizing, or anything silly like that.

They give you advice because their recommendations will make you look great. Clients who love their cuts come back, and that’s what your barber wants. Trust them. They’re artists, and they want you to look great.

15. Keep the conversation flowing

Your barber wants to get to know you. That doesn’t mean you should confess your darkest secrets to them (at least not on the first visit), but it does mean you should make an effort to be open and honest.

You can keep the conversation hair-related if you want – what style you’re interested in, barber shops you’ve been to in the past – or you can make small talk about your hobbies and interests. You’ll get to know them, they’ll get to know you – it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

16. They love it when you know the lingo

If you don’t know a fade from a taper, you’re going to have a hard time talking to your barber about what you want. Fortunately, there are guides to barber shop lingo that can help you better express yourself to your barber.

17. You should talk about your hair’s history

*No, silly, not your hare’s history!

Does your hair start curling uncontrollably when you grow it past a certain length? Have you had someone use a straight razor on your hair, with disastrous results? Have you bleached your hair so often it would make Guy Fieri blush?

Tell your barber. This kind of information can change what tools they use and what cuts are viable.

18. Talk about your hair’s future, too

Are you growing your hair out after this cut? Do you plan on making regular visits to your barber? How do you plan on styling your hair, and what products do you plan on using? Talk about it – it can inform both your barber’s hair cutting decisions and the advice they give you.

19. Friends make the barber’s pole go round

I’m not saying your barber has to be your best buddy, but make an effort to have a friendly relationship with them. You’re going to spend a lot of time in that chair, and let’s be honest – it’s a pretty intimate situation. Be kind, be open, and be willing to engage a bit more deeply with your barber than you would, say, a cashier you’ll only see once.

You might also make friends with other barbers around the shop, or other clients. Barber shops have historically, in some communities, been a sanctuary for people to talk about the things that are happening in their lives. With an open ear and an open heart, you can learn a lot.

20. You need to read the room

That all being said, there are times to gab, and times to keep quiet. When your barber is clearly very busy, it might not be the best time to strike up idle conversation. Try meditating or using your imagination a bit if you get bored easily – don’t ignore social cues.

21. Don’t use your phone while in the chair

I get it – when your barber is working hard and there’s not a lot of conversation to be had, it can be tempting to start scrolling through TikTok.

Don’t.

First off, loud noises coming from memes that only you can see are distracting. Second, people who are using their phones tend to move their heads – laughing randomly, craning their necks, or – worst of all – answering a phone call and putting their phones to their ears.

Hopefully, I don’t have to tell you why that’s a bad idea when there’s someone using sharp scissors right next to your ear. Just don’t do it.

22. Don’t like something? Speak up!

Even if you go to a metaphysical barber with a third eye for a logo, they’re probably not psychic (and, hopefully, they’re not just giving you a spiritual haircut). When something isn’t working for you, tell them! When they show you your haircut and say “How does it look”, they’re not looking for dishonest praise – they’re looking for feedback.

23. A little trust goes a long way

Please don’t micromanage your barber. It’s not, as they say, a cute look – and you probably won’t get too many cute looks out of it, either. Your barber is a pro – and if you’ve kept the conversation as open and honest as we’ve discussed here, they’ll be able to give you the best cut of your life without you telling them which pair of scissors they can use.

Those of you who are anxious about haircuts – take a deep breath or two. You’re in good hands.

24. Your stillness is appreciated

A barber holding your head in place is the universal sign for “PLEASE STOP TILTING YOUR HEAD IN RANDOM DIRECTIONS AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME”.

You see, they want to create a pleasant experience for you, so they can’t yell at you. Fortunately, I can, albeit only through text.

So please, keep your head as still as possible.

25. Rushing your barber is not okay

Do you want to hurt your relationship with your barber all while ensuring you get a worse-than-it-could-be haircut? Tell your barber to hurry it up! You’ll look as bad as you acted!

Those of you who would rather not experience a terrible haircut and a peeved off barber should let them take their time. Think about the time you’ve booked in the chair as “you time” – don’t book if you know you’re going to be in a rush. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the haircut.

26. They shouldn’t have to tell you to behave yourself

This is so obvious that I wish I didn’t have to write it, but here goes – don’t be rude to your barber. You shouldn’t be rude to anyone, but it’s a particularly bad idea around someone with very sharp implements.

Jokes aside, if you want a great haircut and a good relationship, put the negative talk on hold. Even if you can’t hold a good conversation (I get it, life is stressful), just let your barber know. Say “Hey, I’m pretty stressed right now, so I’m not going to talk too much”. They’ll appreciate that much more than dismissive comments or insults.

27. The price is right

Your barber is running a business. The money you give them doesn’t just go into their pockets – it goes to pay staff, upkeep, and other costs. What’s more, great art takes time and skill – your barber went to school and practised for years. That experience is worth the cost of a cut.

Plus, you want your barber to live a good life – a happy barber will probably give you a better cut!

28. Every tip is appreciated

When you give your barber a tip, you’re telling them that you appreciate their work, and that you want to help them grow their business and improve their life. That says a lot.

Tips are customary in the world of barber shops, so you should leave one every time. It’s okay if you leave less of a tip sometimes than others – money can get tight – but if you got a haircut you really love, consider leaving more than your standard tip amount.

29. They love it when you spread the love

Businesses are always looking for advocates – those customers that love them so much, they tell all of their friends. Whether it’s by word of mouth or through social media, if you tell people about your barber (and show off your great new hairstyle), they’ll appreciate it more than you could know.

30. You have to work for good hair days

Love feeling fresh and clean – who doesn’t? There might be nothing that leaves you feeling as fresh and clean as a brand new cut – to maintain that look, though, takes some effort.

Talk to your barber about how to style your hair. Consider buying salon-quality products. Put in the effort, and the cut your barber gave you will stay fresh – for awhile.

You’ll also need to visit your barber regularly to keep your good looks up. When they recommend coming in every 2-3 weeks, it’s because that’s how often you’ll need a cut to keep up appearances.

When things get hairy, you know where to turn

At this point, you should feel more than confident that you’ll get a great haircut at your next barber shop appointment. Your barber will be pleased as punch, too. Have any questions or barber related advice? Let us know in the comments. And, barbers, if you think this was helpful to your clients, just wait ‘til you see our barber shop appointment software.

Better Call Saul – the prequel to Breaking Bad – is my favorite show on television right now (hot take: I think it’s better than the series it was spun off from). Warning: mild spoilers ahead.

(Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to take professional advice from a criminal lawyer).

In the show, Bob Odenkirk plays Jimmy McGill, better known as Saul Goodman. In the early seasons, his “law office” is located in the back of a nail salon. His life and business are in absolute chaos, but Jimmy is a salesman, first and foremost, and he’s selling professionalism. He’s a sole practitioner – no money to hire staff – so what does he do? He puts on a fake British accent every time he answers the phone in order to make it seem like he’s got a receptionist.

You’ve gotta respect that gumption.

That’s what we’re talking about in this article: how to assure your clients that you have a professional, well-organized, decently staffed operation, even when you feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants.

The absolute essentials

Let’s look at the bare minimum you should do to lend your business some legitimacy. You’ve got skills, and you’ve got a dream – but to most, that does little to legitimize your business. Being some person with a dream is perfectly fine, of course – that’s how almost all businesses start – but it’s all about perception.

Your contact information

You could be operating a hair salon out of your garage or operating a mobile massage clinic. In these cases, you won’t have a physical office. Nonetheless, to preserve an appearance of professionalism, you should get:

• A business address via a P.O. Box (you can forward mail from that PO Box to your home)
• A business phone number (with a business voicemail)
• A business website and email (more on that in the “Online presence” section)

Having these things lends an air of legitimacy to your whole operation. After all, if people phone your house and your 5-year-old picks up, they might grow skeptical about your business.
And if you’re using magicalunicornx0x0@hotmail.com as your email address – well, that might have played well in the mid-2000s, when ripped black jeans and jet black hair were all the rage, but your prospective clients might not appreciate it as much.

What’s in a name?

There’s an old saying about roses that I’ve got a bit of a vendetta against. You know the one:

While that’s true, if we called them “Stinkbuds”, I’d wager they wouldn’t be nearly as popular on Valentine’s day. What I mean is that your business name matters. Your branding and your logo – they matter. A lot.
Take the time to really think about the kinds of customers you want to attract, and the goals of your business. Use that to guide your branding – after all, it’s the first thing your prospective clients will see.

Your online presence

Before we dive into this, I want to make something clear:

You might not need a website.

That’s not advice you’ll hear from everyone, since having a website is very in vogue.

What you do need, however, is a web presence.

Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites allow us to maintain an online presence without actually purchasing a website. That’s good news, because designing a website can be costly. You can, of course, create something with WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or the myriad other website builders. You don’t, however, necessarily need to, especially if you’ve already got a lot of followers on social media.

I will say, however, that you still need a URL for your business. There are a couple of reasons for this:

The first is that you want to have a business email address, and to do that (through Google Workspace, your web hosting provider, or another service), you need to own a domain name.

The second reason relates to growth and, sadly, Internet trolls.

*Disclaimer: Internet trolls are not this cute.

Domain names are very affordable. You might, at some point, decide you want a website for your business. Even if you don’t think you’re going to build a website right away, it’s better to grab a domain name before your brand name gets famous. Otherwise, people who want to make a quick buck can grab yourcompanyname.com, and hold it over your head until you offer them a bunch of money.

Worse yet, if you don’t do what they ask, they can use the domain to redirect to your competitors or actively disparage your company.

You might be asking what the chances of this happening are – fortunately, they’re relatively slim. Realistically, though, it’s worth spending the 20 bucks it will cost you to buy the domain and redirect traffic to your social media page – a small cost for a good deal of insurance.

Keep it tasteful

Not every business is going to want to follow this rule – in some industries, shock value sells – but for the most part, you’ll want to be very careful about the content that you post online. Ask yourself how someone’s parents or grandparents might react to seeing the images you post.

Take the time to check through everything you post to ensure there are no spelling/grammatical errors. Get photos taken by professionals. Your online presence is often the first thing that someone will see, so make sure your branding is front and center and that your content is enticing, not cringe-worthy.

Your physical presence

How you and your business look in the flesh is as important as your online presence.

Back in the day, everyone had to look like this to be professional:

Fortunately, those days are long since behind us. Nonetheless, your physical appearance should still fit your occupation.

Some examples might help. When I go to a hair salon, I check out the hairstyles of the people working there. When they’re totally unkempt, I’m reluctant to let them cut my hair. In the same vein, if you go to a chiropractor with terrible posture, “find a new chiropractor” will probably hit the top of your to-do list.

In other words, you don’t have to switch your whole style and demeanor in order to look professional – you just need to look like you care about the things that are valuable to someone seeking your services.

Keep it clean

The way you take care of your space can tell people a lot about the way you take care of your business. People pick up on how conscientious you are, and many folks feel like if you can’t keep your space clean, there’s no way you’ll be able to give them the focus and care they need.
This is an easy win. Be mindful of your space. Take care in how you select your furniture, your color palette, and all the rest. If you can’t afford a total makeover of the area you work in, that’s okay – keeping your space tidy is the best first step.

Service with a smile

When you’re trying to do everything yourself, customer service can suffer. Trying to answer the phone with one hand while tattooing someone with your other hand is going to leave everyone unhappy.

What’s a business owner to do? Take a page out of Saul Goodman’s book – kind of. Instead of impersonating someone who works for you, consider hiring a virtual assistant (VA) to answer phone calls, emails, and chat messages for you.

Automation is another great, inexpensive step you can take. You can automate customer service through chatbots that answer frequently asked questions. You can automate appointment booking through a platform like Bookedin. You can even create automated email responses for when you’re out of the office.

Professional & predictable – not pedestrian

Professionalism and predictability go hand-in-hand – clients want to know that if they call you, you’ll answer, and that you’ll never double-book them. You can provide this level of certainty without being boring.

Remember, professionalism is about whether or not you can consistently give people what they want. You can still let your personality shine through. You can still be innovative and creative, and run your business in imaginative ways. Consistency doesn’t mean a lack of creativity, as the tips we just went over show. Just because things are chaotic below the surface doesn’t mean your clients can’t sail on calm waters!

You’re not a mind reader, and you shouldn’t want to be. There are waaaaay too many ethical concerns with mind reading. I can understand wanting to be a mind reader, though – that way, you’d always know what the people around you really wanted. 

*Reading Lorelai’s mind would give you enough of a second-hand caffeine high to last a week

Now, most people are very honest, and they’ll tell you what they want if you ask them. We’re going to look at the ways you can ask your clients what they want, and the ways you can find out what they want even if they’re not sure themselves. 

Before we get into all of that good stuff, though, I want to remind you that there are some people whose minds you would never want to read (and I’ll leave it to your imagination to fill in those blanks).

With that in mind, we come to our first exciting topic of the day…

Find out what clients YOU really want

Imagine this: a customer walks into your business, late for their appointment. Then during their appointment, they complain constantly, ask you to re-do work once you’ve done it, take up far more than their allotted time, then use coupons they’ve saved over years to reduce their bill by 60%. They go home, leave a 1-star review on Google, and go about their lives.

Do you care what this customer really wants? Is this the kind of customer you’re trying to attract to your business? Obviously not. We’re not going to focus on this person – we’re going to find the clients you actually want.

To do this, you’re going to create customer personas. The simplest way of going about this is to go through your customer list. Sort customers by demographic data, average spend, frequency of visits, and other relevant factors. 

Once you’ve got your data sorted, try to align it in meaningful ways that make sense to you. A hair salon, for example, might have a customer persona they call Terri Trendsetter. They’re a millennial professional who comes into the salon on a monthly(ish) basis. They’re willing to spend more than your average person on trying new styles and extras like coloring. They love the salon, and tell all of their friends about it. They’re an ideal customer because they’re:

• Loyal to the salon
• A frequent visitor
• Willing to spend extra for the best look
• Growing your business through word of mouth

Personas like Terri are the kind of people you want to serve best. You can (and should) take the time to find out what other customers want, and you should have multiple customer personas. Focus your efforts on your best customers, though, and you might find your efforts bear more fruits.

Talk to Them

The easiest way to find out what your clients want is…well, to ask them! They’ll tell you what they want (what they really, really want).

Now, I know that can be difficult for a lot of people. For some reason, we can talk to our clients about their day, and, in many cases, their relationships, careers, ambitions, goals, and dreams – but not about how we can serve them better. Maybe it seems too sales pitchy. Maybe you don’t want to make it all about you. Sound familiar?

If it does, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. Here’s the most important thing to remember: your clients want the best service from you. They want to help you serve them better. The best way to start is with regulars – people you already know and trust, people who probably fall under the category of your “best” persona. 

Want to do something a bit wild to learn from your customers and celebrate them? Pick some of your best/favorite customers from your list and throw them a party. Seriously – who doesn’t like parties (even if they have to happen over Zoom)? Tell them the purpose of the party is to learn from them about how you can improve your business. Get cake. Go wild. You and your customers will enjoy it and benefit immensely.

Survey Says…

Another great way of learning what your customers want is by sending them surveys. There are several survey creation products available online; SurveyMonkey gives a nice free trial, but like most survey software, you’ll have to pay to get all the best benefits. Nonetheless, it can be very worth the cost.

Taking a survey is all about keeping things neutral. Obviously, you might want your customers to say “Your business is the best! No changes needed!” – but that’s actually not very helpful. Realistically, you want feedback about what you could improve, so you need your survey to have:

• Neutral options (Extremely good to extremely bad, and everything in between, as options)
• A variety of different questions
• Questions that don’t need to be answered
• A feedback section
• Multiple choice/yes or no questions

One of the main advantages to surveys is that people can be a bit more honest in them – they might be willing to say things in the survey that they wouldn’t say to you in person. That’s why it’s very important to keep your survey anonymous – you can get demographic information, but don’t gather information that would allow you to identify the customer.

Something to keep in mind: surveys are dryyyyyyyy for most people (I love taking them, but hey), so you might want to spice things up. Think about running a contest – by submitting a survey, you’re entered to win some kind of prize! You can still keep things anonymous by simply recording the names of the people who complete the survey, without associating their names with survey data.

Do Market Research

We’re not going to go too deeply into how to do market research – you’ve probably already done some (at the onset of your business), and, to be frank, it’s a bit on the dry side. Basically, Google and public libraries are your friends.

What kind of research should you do? Look up trends in your business, trends in your target demographic – whatever springs to mind. This can help you identify things that your customers might want in the future – it’s like having psychic powers!

Basically, with good market research, you can know what your customer wants before they do. You’ll be able to predict trends and hop on them, so you’ll be ready for what your customer needs. It’s like magic, and you’ll be like magic to them. 

Now, market research is not a one-and-done affair. You care about your clients and you’re passionate about your business, so you’re probably doing market research every day! Holistic health practitioners will be in the know about CBD trends. It’s not surprising to see a tattoo artist scrolling through Instagram, looking at cool tattoos. And barbers? They, like the rest of us, are wondering whether or not Guy Fieri’s resurgence in popularity is going to bring frosted tips back.

*Note: Most barbers are probably NOT, in fact, looking to Guy for styling tips

All of these things are market research.

Encourage Reviews and Feedback

Okay, obviously we all want 5-star reviews. Those reviews don’t leave a lot of room for growth, though, do they?

Now, I’m not saying you should go out of your way to get worse reviews – that would be a very bad idea. Instead, encourage everyone to give reviews. By doing so, you open the door to all kinds of useful feedback – you’ll know what your customers love about your business, and what you can improve. 

You can get automated review software if you want, but you can also just ask people to leave reviews when they leave your business. The software tends to do better in terms of volume (and some other features), but it also costs money, so it depends on how much you want to spend.

You should also encourage feedback, even if it’s not in review form. Have a feedback section on your Contact Us page! People loooove giving their opinions (solicited or not). You can even encourage your clients to give you feedback over social media – not in post form, but through direct messages. 

Testing New Services

Variety of the spice of life, and as anyone who loves to cook knows, experimenting with spices can bring bold new twists to your cooking.

That’s a philosophy you can take to your business. There are always new trends and ideas coming to the fore. You don’t have to revamp all of your services every time something interesting comes along. Instead, opt to integrate new offerings with your existing services, and engage in trial runs.

A massage clinic might offer CBD oil massages for a limited time, or to it’s best customers. A spa might offer a combo deal that includes a new aqua-therapy service they’re trying out at a discounted rate.

You can test all kinds of things – memberships, bundle deals, discounted pricing for certain groups, 2-for-1 deals, and a whole lot more. Couple that with all the different products and services you can experiment with, and you’ll see there are a lot of ways to test what your customers are looking for. 

Bringing it All Together

We’ve gone over a lot of information here, and it has all been about gathering information. You might think that putting this together is a no-brainer – you figure out what your clients want, and you implement it! Obviously, though, it’s going to be a little bit more work than that.

We can’t give our clients everything they want. Sometimes they think they want a certain thing, but they’ll change their minds almost immediately, riding the wave of trends. Sometimes you really would like to give your clients what they want, but the cost of it outweighs the benefits.

I’m going over all of this information right now because people can have a tendency to get, well, a bit of tunnel vision. We want to serve our customers – give them the best possible experience. Not just to grow our business, but to delight them – if you don’t love people, you’re probably not in the business of client service, and you won’t care about what they want. That all said, it’s still very important to trust your instincts.

So once you’ve gathered all of this data, take an honest look at your business, your customers, and yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t implement it, or do it in teeny-tiny baby steps – almost like you’re multivariate testing your own feelings on the thing you’re implementing. Make sure you’re as on board for any changes as your customers are.

“Your customer is your business” – I’m certain you’ve heard that phrase before, and for good reason. I won’t bore you with the details of why your customer is your business. You know, and I know, that without customers there’s no money coming in, and without money there’s no business.

Plus, we love people, and helping others while doing something we’re passionate about is what business is all about, right?

What I will talk to you about (and hopefully not bore you with) is how you can take that concept to the next level. I’m talking about saving your client information into a customer list, and then taking full advantage of that customer list.

Your client list is like a Golden Ticket, giving you access to repeat business, better marketing, and a more holistic view of your business.

*Grandpa Joe is dancing over a literal Golden Ticket here, but we’re sure he likes customer lists, too.

How To Save Client Information

Let’s start with the basics. You could save your client information by getting a book, then writing in each and every customer you see. You could check off repeat customers each time they come in. You could try to sort alphabetically.

You could also chisel this information into a stone tablet.

Obviously, those aren’t the most effective ways of going about things. The advent of computing has made data management incredibly simple. At the very least, you should be saving your client information into some kind of spreadsheet.

Create a table with values like name, phone number, email, age, gender, zip/postal code, number of appointments booked, total amount paid, and specific notes about the client. That way, you can easily sort through values.

That’s a huge step up from writing everything down in a book, but we can still do better. You can automate data entry, which can save you a lot of time.

We’re going to toot our own horn a little bit here – our appointment booking software does exactly that! Every time a client books an appointment online with you, a profile for them gets created in your Bookedin client list. When they book multiple appointments, new data will be added to their existing profile.

We’ve included all the hits, from demographic data to a running tally of how much your clients have paid. You can also call, email, or invoice customers directly from the client list. Simple, right?

What To Do With Client Information

The possibilities are endless, and the only real limit is your imagination.

*Well, that and local, state/provincial, and federal privacy laws.

You can use that information to create customer personas based on the clients who bring the most value to your business! You might even create a referral program so you can get data about which customers refer the most people to your business.

Gather data about how your customers found you. One good way of going about this is to use the custom form fields that Bookedin offers. 

The process is super simple. You create a custom form that says “How did you hear about us?”, and you click a handy button to make that question pop up only once, when the customer first books an appointment with you. Learning which customers learn about you through which platforms can help you improve your advertising and client acquisition on those platforms. 

Find out how many customers cancel between the first and second appointments, and figure out what pain points might be. Call your best clients up, and ask them to come to a party hosted by you. Find out whether or not customers with really long last names spend more than those with really short ones. Like I said, your imagination is the limit. Get creative and build those client lists! 

Six months ago, none of us thought we’d end up here.

Wincing as one brand after another hurls their unimaginative best at us via melodramatic music and inserts of deserted city streets.

As if the coronavirus wasn’t dreadful enough—you’re now subjected to a 24/7 assault of vomit-inducing *community building* cliches. All while you juggle grade 11 math problems, making lunch, deciding if it’s viable to move your offline business online, and trying to recall the last time you showered. Gahhhh!!!

If you’d rather rip your TV cable out of the wall, then hear #standtogether… but six feet apart… one more time. This post is for you.

We’re calling out 9 cringe-worthy phrases from the COVID-19 era { ← how is this already a thing?!} that we NEVER want to hear again.

1. In these uncertain times…

Also known as “in these difficult times”, “in these challenging times” and the final tired go-to—”in these troubling times.”

Here’s the thing. You and I both know these COVID-19 phrases are code for—we’re scared sh*tless, and know you are too… but, we still need to sell stuff… so here’s the best we can do.

It reeks inauthentic.

Yet, there’s a risk to big business if they take a stab at saying things in an *out-of-the-box* way. Many of you know people who are struggling or may face hardship yourself and let’s face it—they can’t afford to put out an ad right now that’s taken the wrong way or appears tone-deaf. They might have the greatest idea for a mood-lighting commercial, but if it falls flat, the repercussions could be brand-ending.

But there’s a lesson here for smaller, more intimate businesses.

How you handle yourself, your business, and your message with all eyes are on you, is and always will be of the utmost importance. Stay true to who you are, your values, and inject tidbits of your personality along the way to build powerful connections with your customers.

Related → Why Empathy is a Game-Changer

2. Pivot!!!

First came the beloved 90s sitcom Friends, using *PIVOT!!!* in its literal meaning… to turn. Next came the startup industry, as hoodie-wearing *Zuckerberg-wannabes* plowed forward with *move fast and break stuff* abandon. They live by the rule: if your idea’s not working… pivot!

Enter COVID-19. You can’t read a blog, email or Instagram post without hearing someone reference the *p-word.* And heck, we’re guilty of it too. It’s the one word that’s tough to replace with one more relevant.

Think about it.

If your business is looking towards re-opening {fingers crossed} in the next couple of months, you know things will look slightly different. No waiting room, reduced hours, and fewer staff. There’s an excellent chance you need to *pivot* in a few areas of your business: over the phone bookings to online scheduling, new late/no-show policies to keep appointments flowing—you get the picture.

Related: How to Move to Virtual Appointments (Without Having a Meltdown)

3. What we’re seeing is unprecedented…

Is it though? Off the top, you’ve got The Spanish Flu of 1918 and The Plague. Not to mention The Great Depression, WW1, WW2. *Unprecedented* seems uncalled for.

Let’s call it what it is… scary, overwhelming & unpredictable. Just because it feels like the world was under-prepared doesn’t mean humans haven’t faced life-changing events in the past… we have, and we’ve survived.

The difference? We’ve got 24-hour news stations blasting hourly infection counts, horrifying headlines splashed across our daily news feed, and traumatic videos on replay… THAT’S unprecedented.

So, rather than feed off the terror of the *unknown*, you can take small steps to begin preparing for what you do know. Many of you will have a waitlist of hundreds, maybe even thousands of clients who need to be rescheduled in the coming weeks. What processes can you put in place to make the transition as easy on your clients as possible? Consider some of the following:

• Post updates to your social media to keep your clients in the loop
• Update your online booking page with *re-open dates* or *booking dates*
• Email/text your clients with new procedures (i.e., in-business policies, late/no-show updates, booking details)

4. We need to start adapting to the new normal…

Ugh, this COVID-19 phrase. Again, we’ve got to put our hand up here. If you refer back to the Bookedin home page you’ll see us asking: Is your business prepared for the new normal? *gulp* Guilty.

What is normal anyway? That’s the question we asked ourselves at Bookedin.

For most of you, we imagined it’s getting up, sending your kids off to school, and heading into a *full-contact* day at work. There you spend the day interacting (face-to-face) with your clients, maybe you hit up a local hot-spot for lunch, before heading home to start your second full-time job—your family.

Sound about right?

Well, that’s not the *norm* at the moment… or for the foreseeable future {arghhhh, despise that phrase as well}. So, it made sense to invoke the *new normal* until we transition to something permanent, or fall back into our old ways.

5. Work from home, alongside its fancy acronym (WFH)

Within days the pre-COVID-19 phrase *work from home* began popping up on newscasts, late-night shows, and radio programs… and that was to be expected. As brick & mortar businesses shut their doors the luckiest could continue working from kitchen tables, couches, or if you were truly blessed… a home office.

We saw a meteoric rise in *virtual appointments.*

Ready or not—you began walking your client through root touch-ups, their morning workouts, and desperately needed couples therapy. #forbetterorworseinquarantine

The *eye roll* inducing moment came when the phrase morphed from situational to sales tactic. To see what’s happening, just take a peek in your inbox. How many emails do you have right now with a subject line containing *WFH?*

Retailers have created entire “collections” dedicated to your new remote positions—loungewear, activewear, even business on the top with optional pants on the bottom. All to take advantage of your new *WFH* wardrobe. Capitalism at its finest.

6. The COVID-19 phrase trifecta: social distancing, flatten the curve & self-quarantine

Three COVID-19 phrases none of us ever want to hear again: social distancing, flatten the curve, and self-quarantine. Pretty self-explanatory, yeah? First off, social distancing. A nightmare for both marketing and well… life.

You and your clients spend a significant chunk of time on *social* platforms, and as the pandemic has grown that hasn’t decreased. In fact, as your business has slowed, becoming more visible online is the key to building the connections that’ll carry you through to the other side of this mess. To keep your clients updated on when you’re re-opening, what you’re new setup looks like, and how you plan to keep them safe… you’re relying on social media.

Social distancing, no. Physical distancing, yes.

Next up, flatten the curve & self-quarantine. Both hella important, but from the daily press briefings to the *hostage-video* style PSA’s… these are two phrases I’ll be ecstatic to never hear pass through my eardrums again.

7. Now… more than ever

Hold on. Let me just grab you a pillow to scream into. I’m guessing that you, like me, don’t need Apple to tell you *we need each other now more than ever.*

Every second commercial break you hear the same haunting violin start playing. The scene is a vacant restaurant with an elderly owner gazing longingly out the window as a man’s voice reminds you—restaurants have always been there for you. Now they too, need you more than ever.

Oh. Come. On. You don’t need guilt piled on top of your worry… do you? Supporting your community definitely matters, whether that be a restaurant, barbershop, hair salon, or your Mom & Pop grocery store. It’s not the message… it’s the messenger.

8. Better days are ahead

Oh, really?! Thanks for looking into that magical crystal ball for us Karen. Though it’s really one of the more positive COVID-19 phrases out of the bunch, it’s equally enraging. You know better days are coming, it’s the reason you get out of bed each morning with the motivation to figure out how to make your business work when you re-open post-COVID-19 { ← well that and your kid jumping on you like it’s Christmas morning every. damn. day}.

You don’t, however, need to hear it 16 times throughout every 90-second commercial break or see it scrawled in fancy font 43 times on your Facebook feed. Thanks, but no thanks.

9. The twin terrors: We’re in this together &  We’re here for you

Does Audi *separating* their four rings in solidarity with your lockdown make you feel like they’re in it with you? How about a billionaire checking in from his 20 ft yacht in the middle of the Mediterranean?!

LOL. The definition of tone-deaf. Though this COVID-19 phrase makes most of us want to shatter glass immediately when we hear it, there’s a vast difference when the sentiment behind it is real.

Your husband telling you not to worry ‘cause “You’re in this together”… super sweet.

A group of A-list celebs singing *Imagine* on Instagram to keep up our spirits? Vomitous.

That brings us to the now gag-inducing *We’re here for you.* Who knew Ford, Subway, Lowe’s, Lexus, Verizon… were all HERE FOR YOU?! Sweet. So that means forgiveness on car loans, free sandwiches, and reno’s for all, right? Yeah, not so fast. They’re here for you in the *thumbs-up from six feet away, come see us when you’ve got a pocket full of cash* kinda way.

Look… we know it’s a weird, scary & overwhelming time right now. If you’ve been part of the Bookedin family for a while you know we run on three core values: candor, empathy & fulfillment. That means we value openness, understand the struggles of running a small business & believe the key to life is to be of service… authentically. That’s why you won’t hear us using tired *Corona* tropes to force a sense of community or jump on the advertising bandwagon.

Instead, we’re offering our support as one small business to another with our expertise as an appointment scheduling software provider and our empathy as a teammate on the field.

BONUS: Panic Buying {AKA the great toilet paper shortage of 2020}

Panic buying instigates panic buying. As you saw stories, posts, and got texts from your family with photos of empty shelves it only fueled a vicious circle of feeling like YOU. MUST. BUY. NOW. When people are anxious, they feel the need to do something practical to stay in control—enter toilet paper hoarding.

I imagine there are corners of the globe where people are sitting high atop a mountain of Scottie’s wondering when on earth they’ll ever use it all… and how maybe, beans & rice would’ve been a better investment?

What is your *if I hear this again it’ll be too soon* COVID-19 phrase?

So, we’ve shared the COVID-19 phrases we can’t wait to see leave the zeitgeist… to say we’re counting down the days would be an understatement.

Now we want to hear yours. Pop your *turn the TV off immediately* phrase you can’t wait to see silenced in the comments below . Let’s rage out together.

Being part of *team* brick & mortar wayyy back in January 2020 feels a world away from what business will look like post-COVID-19.

Waiting room a-buzz with clients, staff all up in their faces?

Not for the foreseeable future.

Walk-ins popping by on a spur-of-the-moment decision? Not a chance.

The next six to eighteen months will be an experiment in creativity. You might not have wished this transition on your worst enemy, but for an industry chock full of fresh ideas looking to upend the *norm*—the potential is electric.

Are you ready?

The *great re-opening* of 2020 is shaping up to be:

• Like nothing you’ve ever experienced before
• Focused on client service & safety
• Dependent on creativity, flexibility & innovation

Now’s not the time to fall silent, but instead, plan, connect and plot your reemergence into this unknown, post-COVID-19 era. Let’s explore the most effective ways to move your business through the transition between shut down and re-opening.

Ask the tough questions {even if you’re scared to hear the answers}

If there’s one thing we know for sure—it’s that your priorities have made a dramatic left-hand turn these past few months.

The same goes for your clients.

Finding out how their focus has shifted is like striking gold in your business. During this downtime, you need to reach out to evaluate what’s changed. For example, in the past, your clients may have placed their top priorities on:

1. Speed
2. Availability
3. Convenience
4. Price

Is this still true? Or, are your clients leaning more towards price over availability now… you won’t know until you ask.

There’s an abundance of ways you can reach out before your industry starts opening up:

• Send out a quick five to ten-question survey via email
• Create a post on Instagram/Facebook asking for replies
• Get on the phone and call your most loyal customers

TIP: You need to make the move from *nice to have* to *need to have…* NOW.

Think back to your most requested services over the last twelve months—a $250 balayage? 90-minute massage? Are these still relevant services for your clients? If your entire industry is edging on *nice to have* it’s time to brainstorm ideas around becoming irreplaceable in your clients’ mind. Though it may seem overwhelming at the moment, you can’t wait until you get the go-ahead to open your doors to take a crack at it.

As society begins to open back up, experts say safety will be one of the top concerns. To determine what *safe* looks and feels like for your clients post-COVID-19, you’ll need to ask for feedback. Once you’ve gathered their thoughts on safety, coupled with intel on your services, you can work to turn that information into a plan.

Related → Why Empathy is a Game-changer

Become *spot-you-from-space-level* visible

Global pandemic got your tongue? It can be freakin’ hard to know what to say, how to say it and when… so rather than plowing through {and making a whoopsie}—you stay silent.

Sorry to kick you out of your comfort zone but now’s not the time to fall off the face of the social media planet. Your clients and business need your face out there—loud and proud. #savesmallbusiness.

Staying visible online when you’re unavailable *offline* is essential to remaining top of mind. Here are a few ways you create visibility while also helping your clients:

1. Share your journey {the ups, downs, and in-between’s… show you’re human}
2. Give tips for at-home *care* relating to your industry
3. Ask for feedback on your current products and services {create a dialogue}
4. Share tutorials
5. Highlight your staff & loyal customers

Brainstorm ways you can take on a leadership role within your industry. Are there norms from the past decades that need to adjust post-COVID-19 { ← like making the leap from being a walk-in based shop to booking your appointments online?} How can you have a hand in implementing these changes?

Now’s the time to step up and be creative. Use your voice, engage with your clients, and work alongside your peers to see the positive changes you want within your industry.

Related → Find out how Mr. Eddie Barber got booked solid and eliminated no-shows

Build your {online} community

How well do your clients really know you? Since you opened your business, you’ve likely been running off your feet, being pulled in a bajillion different directions…  barely stopping for a moment to breathe.

Well, this isn’t the *break* you were hoping for, but here you are.

What do you want your community {online for now} to know about you, your business, your mission, and your values? You have potential clients out there right now who are searching for local business owners to support, root for, and hold up as shining examples of neighborhood gems… they just need to *find you.*

Tell your story on Instagram, via a Facebook live or send out an email to your list with a quick *top 10 fun facts about me*… it might seem uncomfortable at first but the potential unease is worth the risk.

You can also use this time to remind your clients how they can book with you when the economy begins to re-open. Get your appointment booking link front and center in your Insta bio, have a *book now* button on your Facebook page, and make sure to keep your community up-to-date on when you’re taking new online appointment bookings.

Putting yourself out there creates opportunities for your community to connect to the idiosyncrasies that make you special. It’s those niche elements that bond clients to you through thick & thin {translation: this COVID-19 mess}.

Temporarily pivot your business online

The timeline between today and *normal* life is fluid… like it or not, you’ll need to flow with the changes to make it through.

First up, evaluate if you need to move any of your current offerings online OR whether you’re able to ride out the storm offline. Don’t panic pivot because the *COVID-19 pandemic* headlines are screaming at you to do so. If you’re financially stable enough to sit this out, do it.

Not sure you’re comfortable with that idea? Then it’s time to evaluate the services/products you offer to see what’s transferable to an online-only option.

If there’s any bright spot in this storm, it’s the outpouring of creativity from all industries. Whether it’s a unique way to build relationships, create an additional stream of income, or maintain a connection to the world outside your 400 sq ft apartment… small businesses and solo entrepreneurs have been turning industries on their heads.

Ask yourself: What can I shift online to make money until we re-open post-COVID-19? { ← remember, this won’t last forever} Here’s some inspiration to get the ball rolling:

1. Online lessons, fitness sessions & consultations

This idea has already disrupted the fitness industry. Boutique clubs are offering their classes online for a fraction of the price, spin studios have sent members home with their bikes, and celebrity personal trainers are offering at-home sessions via IG Live. It’s never been more cost-effective to have a *fancy-schmancy* gym membership.

Tattoo artists are also seeing movement with online consultations. It’s their first step toward pre-paid online appointments that they’re booking when their shop re-opens. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start!

TIP: Get started with free online booking →  Head here to set up your 30-day free trial. Within minutes you’ll have access to our Pro Plan features like recurring appointments, online payments, text/email reminders, and more. It’s like having a personal secretary at your fingertips.

2. Curbside drop-offs & follow-ups

Women around the world are kicking themselves for not tipping their hairstylists more as their roots grow in and bangs grow out. To keep us from going rogue with kitchen shears and box dye, some salons have created *home kits,* complete with detailed {translation: a six-year-old could follow} instructions to tide us over until that glorious day we’re back in the chair.

Other salons have taken it one step further.

They’ll put together your regular in-salon formulation (dye/processor, a brush, gloves) and drop it off on your doorstep. To ensure you don’t muff it up, you then schedule an online appointment with them for a Zoom date. Your stylist will walk you through the process step-by-step, leaving you to remind yourself to never question a price at the salon again. Genius.

3. Set up your online store

If your brick & mortar location sells physical products, it might be time to move those products online. Chances are, you’ve always wanted to do this… you just never had the time! E-commerce in-a-box sites like Shopify make setup straightforward and if you get stuck, they have a support team to walk you through. Once you’ve got your stock online, head over to social, and let your clients know.

4. Partner with companies to sell PPE

We’ve seen some incredible partnerships come together over the last several months and alongside complete pivots. If you don’t see any opportunity within your current business to sell online, there may be options to collaborate with others to do some good.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eliza Trendiak – Hairstylist (@elizatrendiakhair) on Apr 27, 2020 at 1:39pm PDT

Vancouver based Artel Salon partnered with Revol Girl, another local business that specializes in period-proof underwear. Together they create and distribute masks to help their community stay safe during & post-COVID-19… they’re even seeing local salons reach out for orders in preparation for re-opening.

Global brands like L’Oreal & Ralph Lauren have gotten in on the action as well switching large swaths of their business {hand sanitizer and face masks respectively}. If you feel called to help, put out your feelers and see if there are businesses you can partner up with to make a difference in your community.

5. Contests, giveaways, gift cards

Your clients and community are eager to support your business if they can… but, they’ll need your direction on the best ways to help. Depending on your individual situation that’ll vary, however, we have a feeling one of these options will work for you:

Gift cards → let your clients know gift cards are available for services and how they help you now (you can even offer a discount on them if you think that’ll drive up sales)

Sales/Discounts → don’t go crazy on the discounts. However, if you offer products you could consider having a flash sale or limited time offer that’s targeted to your clients (ex. five online classes for the price of four, buy one get one half off: shampoo/conditioner)

Contests/Giveaways → the sky’s the limit for holding a contest or a giveaway. Think about what will get your audience excited enough to participate and move forward from there. If you’re feeling stuck, we found a little inspiration for you.

Alexis is a talented LA-area tattoo artist who was offering one entry into a draw for a free tattoo for each person who bought one of her digital prints ($10). Brilliant. Not only was she getting her stunning work out into the world, but Alexis was also drumming up excitement to visit the shop when it’s safe to do so! Here’s what Alexis had to say about her experience during COVID-19 so far:

“With the uncertainty of when we will be able to work again, being an artist in these times Is extremely difficult. I wanted to create an opportunity to give a little hope to everyone. A tattoo raffle was a perfect option because it allowed my clients who purchased a ticket to receive a small gift from me while also simultaneously supporting me during these difficult times. It gave all my clients who won the opportunity to have something to look forward to during these uncertain times. I think we all needed a little pick me up and this was mutually beneficial for me and my clients. It really showed me how much my clients cared and supported my work. That alone made a huge difference to me.”

You can head over to her Instagram page to check her out:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alexis Xol (@alexis_xol) on Apr 25, 2020 at 4:46pm PDT

Find your focus for a post-COVID-19 reality

What will going *back to work* look like for you? Let’s pretend for a moment a giant flip is switched and everything opens up tomorrow… what services will you offer?

As a stylist, there’s a chance you’ll be focusing on color correction and root touch-ups for the first few weeks (*cough* months), rather than a head full of highlights. And as a physiotherapist, you could deal with an onslaught of *runners* who jumped back into it after 15 years of couch-surfing… instead of the semi-pro athletes, in peak physical condition you’re used to.

So, how will you adjust your focus? Take an hour and write all the services you think will be in-demand when the *grand re-opening* begins.

Now that you’ve made a list of the services your clients will want… how does that differ from what you offer? Are you prepared to make some changes? And where can you make the biggest difference to set yourself apart from your competition?

These questions deserve reflection… the answers will be game-changers.

Map out your new business plan

No one has a magic eight ball. However, by staying in touch with your clients, industry peers, and your community, you can begin to map out what going back to your business looks like for the first month, three months, & six months.

There will be unknowns. Not everything has changed from the first day you opened your business… but how can you prepare so you’re ready to go when the starting gun goes off?

Online appointment scheduling

Whether you need to lower your overhead cost or it’s time to change the *old way* of doing business, online appointment scheduling lets you control person-to-person contact by moving your bookings online.

Text & email reminders keep your schedule running smoothly as showing up on time becomes even more important to your day-to-day business. And, Bookedin’s in-app texting feature lets you connect straight from your clients’ booking. You can notify your client when it’s time to enter your business, allowing them to wait in their cars, rather than milling around outside the front of your building.

You can rest easy knowing you can require an up-front deposit in case of no-show appointments. The world may be topsy-turvy right now but you still have control over a few key things.

Setting expectations and following new safety protocols post-COVID-19

Some of your clients may champ at the bit to step back into your business, while others may wring their hands wondering:

• What’s it going to look like?
• How will I feel?
• Am I safe? Should I wait?

All valid questions… that you can totally answer.

Truth is, the experience won’t look the same way their last appointment did. How can you paint a new picture for your clients to set their mind at ease, make them feel secure and, drum up excitement about coming back to see you?

There will be new state and government safety procedures to follow depending on your industry and it’s going to be up to you to communicate these guidelines to your clients.

Put together an email and a few social posts that outline what your new booking procedure will look like. Acknowledge the anxiety your clients are experiencing about their visit by using your experience, personality, and humanity.

Show & tell them the ways you’re making their *new appointment* one that’ll make them feel just as special as the *old days.* When you’re transparent about this transition your clients & community will know you care about their safety & well-being above all.

You can add specific information surrounding safety protocol (i.e., clients waiting in their car until you text them, masking requirements, temperature checks) right on your booking page. These details can also be added to your custom client confirmation and reminder emails to ensure everyone is informed and feels as safe as possible.

How are you feeling about a *post-COVID-19* reignition?

Even with a solid plan of attack, it’s natural to feel tentative about the next steps… while strategizing & speaking with your industry pals can help… the unknown is slightly terrifying.

So, we want to know. How are you feeling about moving into a post-COVID-19 era of work? Is it a mix of excitement and fear or does this all seem overblown and you’re just ready to get out there and move on?

Let us know in the comments below . We can’t wait to hear from you.

What if you’re thinking about how to get more personal training clients all wrong? It’s the end of February and the gym has all but cleared out. New Year’s Resolutions have been brushed aside, forgotten about or given up on.

This post will bring to light some of the overlooked ways and *scary but worth it* methods for filling up your calendar with the kind of clients that make you say: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!”

And one of the most fundamental mistakes I see personal trainers making? Not appreciating the importance of building an unbreakable connection with their clients. Here are 11 overlooked ways to book more personal training clients.

1. Forge loyal client relationships through *genuine connection*

The greatest form of advertising for a personal trainer is word of mouth. Your clients are the visual representation of all the hard work the two of you have put in. For example, when your clients BFF sees her for the first time in six months and asks how she went from couch potato to crushing a 10K, what do you want her to say?

Sure, you know your name will be on the tip of her tongue, but what comes next? Were you the drill sergeant who barked orders and got her motivated by fear? Or were you an invaluable part of her support network that cheered her on?

Those are two very different perspectives. 

If you want to turn clients into raving fans who are pounding on your virtual door to train, it’s time to develop personal connections. Sure there are boundaries you shouldn’t cross, you’re a professional after all. But there are so many different ways you can *be there* for your client. Brainstorm methods you can use to ignite their passion for a healthy lifestyle and vocalize your support for your clients’ overall well-being. 

2. Talk {and more importantly, listen} to your clients

When a client comes to you, it’s often at a low point in their life. They’re lacking in self-confidence and may feel skeptical of your industry overall {how many of your clients have *already* joined a gym or had another trainer?}.

It’s your responsibility to learn what goals your clients have for personal training, and why those goals specifically are important to them. Spend time investigating beyond superficial answers to get at the heart of why your clients have sought your services. Throughout your time together you should be reviewing and if necessary re-evaluating to stay on track.

As you know, motivation can prove to be one of the most difficult things about personal training. Discovering what drives each of your clients not only guarantees you’ll continue to build a trust-based relationship but ultimately helps you retain and grow your base.

The key to an overflowing calendar? Asking the right open-ended questions and listening to your clients’ answers. Once they know you *get* them, you’ve got a repeat client who’ll happily book weeks in advance.

Related: Why Empathy is a Game-Changer

3. Take time out to build a solid rapport

Building a solid connection with your client takes time. They need to know they can trust you and in some cases, confide in you when life outside the gym gets tough. But doing so will help you develop long-term bonds that’ll keep your roster full { <– even during *drier* times… post New Year’s slump will be a thing of the past }.

Here are a few tips for building a solid rapport with your clients:

• Ask the right questions, listen for answers and then keep going. 
• Use open-ended questions to encourage a response that sheds light on deeper desires… and follow up with why?
• Don’t take yourself (or life) too seriously. Keep a positive attitude and be mindful of how you come across when you’re not training.
• Be supportive. Clients have a life outside the gym. If they come in for a session and you can tell something’s bothering them; take time to suss out the details they feel comfortable sharing before you dive into training.
• Find common ground with clients (outside of the gym). Do you like the same bands? Books? TV shows? Be a human and connect on multiple levels.

4. Ask for {and give} referrals the right way

Next to word of mouth, referrals might be the best {and least expensive} way to build a full schedule of clients. But you need to ask in the right way, at the right time.

Speak with your established clients. Reach out to those who are already sold on what a rock star you are and use their enthusiasm to draw in newcomers.

Offer current clients money towards a future session if they bring in a friend who signs with you. The sky’s the limit here. What you need to know is how to motivate your biggest fans to tell their friends and family about how amazing you are.

On the flip-side, make sure you have a concrete list of other health professionals within your network you can refer clients to. It might be a therapist for your marathoner with the sore IT band, or a nutritionist for your new client suffering from food allergies—be as helpful as possible. It’s as simple as that.

Related → Why Connecting in Real Life Is So Important

5. Make potential clients an offer they can’t refuse

There’ll always be disagreements over whether you should offer a *free* anything. Week, session, trial—it’s irrelevant. You first need to understand your client. What are their biggest hurdles to signing up with you? Is it the expense, their lack of time, fear of commitment… need I go on?

Once you’ve narrowed down their biggest concerns you can begin to address them using the methods outlined above (^^^). However, if expense or distrust in the process is a biggie, you can help overcome that objection by offering a free session.

This *introductory* offer is a great test from your POV as well. You can see if the client is a good fit during the trial phase, after all, not everyone is cut out for personal training. Wouldn’t you rather know right out of the gate if you’re dealing with a nightmare client?

6. *THE BIG REVEAL:* Share your personal training clients results

Before and after’s are big business. Look at the cover of any magazine in December & January, or the myriad of *makeover* shows—we love a dramatic transformation. You can jump in on this natural obsession for a great story by sharing testimonials and case studies on your website, in emails, and on social media.

Outlining your *framework* or process for potential clients is also a win. If they can picture themselves taking this fitness journey with you it will pique their interest. When you’re able to explain how you’ll take a client from point A to point B (with examples), it gives your potentials a visual road-map they can see themselves following all the way to success.

7. Use creativity to stand out in the personal training industry

The easiest way to stand out in your industry {and start packing your calendar}? Do what no one else is doing. It sounds difficult but it’s not. You see, with social media, email, and texting, most people have forgotten about the small, personal details that make allllll the difference.

Don’t believe me? Do a little test and send out handwritten thank-you notes or a birthday card and let me know what kind of reaction you get. We’re floored when someone takes the extra time to recognize us or make us feel special—and we won’t soon forget the person that did it.

A couple of other ways to wow your clients in the personal training industry:

• Make your business card unique. Take a little bit of time to consider what you stand for. Use your core values mixed with your personality to design a business card. The more unique your card, the more likely people will be to remember you and hold onto it.
• Go old school. Drop off flyers/cards at local coffee shops, health food stores, therapy rooms… wherever your ideal client will be. This is free advertising (minus the cost of flyers) and major brand recognition. Plus, if you talk to the staff you’ll be putting your face to your name.

8. Build your authority as a personal trainer

You know you’re a great personal trainer. You love what you do and your clients adore you. But are you one of the go-to authorities within your industry? This could be the difference between an empty calendar in May and booking out online appointments months in advance.

There are so many ways you can get your name out there as *the* personal trainer in the age of technology.

Here are a few:

• • Get active on social media. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube: share a *Tip of the Day,* client wins, *Exercise of the Day* video, Free Workouts for those that can’t afford a trainer {yet}
  • Speaking engagements
  • “Lunch and Learn” sessions to local businesses, workshops for students
  • Writing articles for health publications & websites, appearing on podcasts
  • Start your blog with posts that speak to your ideal client, their struggles and desires. Solve their problems and you become their go-to solution
  • Have a professional website
  • Send weekly emails filled with tips, stories, transformations—engage your audience

9. Become a *celebrity* in your community

How active are you within your community? Reality is, the more quickly you become the “go-to” person when asked “who should I train with” or “what gym do you go to,” the sooner you’ll fill your schedule. Becoming that person can start as simple as smiling and saying hello to everyone at your gym. Taking the first step to getting “fit” is scary for 99% of people. They won’t even think of taking that journey with someone who appears to be standoffish or rude.

Go out of your way to be friendly and engaged with each person you interact with. If you’ve been discussing personal training or fitness during a conversation, follow up with an email or text that includes helpful tips, or links to an article. This shows how much you care. Above all, be authentic.

Here are a couple of other tips to become the personal trainer to meet in your community:

• Become an active participant in your neighborhood (organize a 5K charity race, speak at a fundraiser)
• Find and establish real relationships with the *well connected* people who hold influence in your neighborhood (real estate agents, hairstylists, barbers, your local barista)

10. Rock a professional look {aka leaving the ball cap at home}

It might seem antithetical but you don’t want to look like you *just worked out* when you’re meeting clients at the gym. Have a look around at what other trainers are wearing and think about how you can level up.

It’s by incorporating subtle touches that make you look more professional—saying no to basketball shorts, or putting on an ironed button-up—you’re going for fit professional, not *just finished a 30-min pick-up game.*

Being a pro also means staying conscious of your language (in session and out). You’re trying to build up the *know, like, trust* factor so while a close-knit relationship is key, it doesn’t mean all topics are up for discussion. Dropping the f-bomb on the regular or bringing up the trifecta of taboo topics should be taken off the table. It’s not only you and your client having the conversation—the eyes and ears around you (translation: potential clients) are listening in.

Lastly, and most importantly, you need to demonstrate your strong sense of self-belief. Not only is it inspiring to be around a person who believes in what they’re doing and who they are, it’s also a core value you want to pass onto your clients. Those with a strong sense of self-belief are bound to be more successful in the long-term. A mega bonus for both you and your client.

11. Run your business… like a business

Being a personal trainer means you need to be on time and not flake out on your clients. That begins and ends with treating your business… like a business.

Here are the key things you need to know:

• Be early. Don’t miss appointments. Don’t cancel. And don’t brush off your clients to chat with your other trainer buds about the amazing weekend you had. #rude
• Be available to clients during business hours
• Don’t give your clients the option to bounce. You’re training their bodies and minds.

And the biggie? Get a personal trainer scheduling app.

Your clients are busy, sometimes forgetful and need to have as many barriers removed as possible to keep them motivated. Save them the headache of having to schedule weekly sessions with you by using a personal trainer scheduler that has recurring appointments built right in. This lets you devise a game plan, not to mention pre-booking appointments creates accountability.

Bonus if your training scheduling software sends confirmations and reminders to keep clients on their toes without you needing to do a thing! { <– oh snap, Bookedin does that }

So, now that we’ve given you 11 of the *right* ways to get more personal training clients on-board what’s the next step? Well, there’s no time like the present to pick a few and test them out! With the New Year’s rush down to a slow trickle, what better time to brush up on your client connection skills?

After all, you don’t want to look back on 2020 thinking, “If only I’d given one of these new ideas a shot.”

And, if you’re ready, we’ve got the personal training scheduling software that’ll make it *drop dead* simple for your clients to book more appointments online, giving you the space to focus on building those solid relationships.

Try Bookedin free for 30-days, and see why Ashley Lofton (fitness instructor) said: “It’s made life being a new entrepreneur, fitness lover, full-time cook/bakery support, big sister, junior producer, girlfriend and overall busy body a BREEZE! I am now able to truly chase my dreams on the go!!” Try our personal training scheduling app now.