No-shows can seriously impact your business revenue and schedule efficiency. SMS reminders are one of the most effective ways to reduce no-shows, with studies showing up to 80% reduction when implemented properly.
Step 1: Enable SMS Notifications
- Go to Settings > Notifications in your BizBlasts dashboard
- Click 'Enable SMS Notifications'
- Verify your business phone number
- Choose your SMS plan (included with Standard and Premium plans)
Step 2: Configure Reminder Timing
Set up multiple reminder touchpoints:
- 24 hours before appointment
- 2 hours before appointment
- Optional: 1 week before for longer appointments
Step 3: Customize Your Messages
Personalize your SMS templates:
24-Hour Reminder:
Hi [Customer Name]! This is a reminder that you have a [Service] appointment tomorrow at [Time] with [Business Name]. Reply CONFIRM to confirm or RESCHEDULE to change. Thanks!
2-Hour Reminder:
Hi [Customer Name]! Your [Service] appointment is in 2 hours at [Time]. We're located at [Address]. See you soon!
Step 4: Set Up Confirmation Responses
Enable two-way SMS to let customers:
- Confirm appointments by replying 'CONFIRM'
- Request reschedules by replying 'RESCHEDULE'
- Cancel by replying 'CANCEL'
Step 5: Monitor and Optimize
Track your SMS performance:
- Delivery rates
- Response rates
- No-show reduction
- Customer feedback
Best Practices:
- Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
- Include your business name in every message
- Provide clear next steps (confirm, reschedule, etc.)
- Respect opt-out requests immediately
- Test messages before going live
Advanced Features:
- Smart Scheduling: Automatically avoid sending reminders during off-hours
- Weather Integration: Include weather alerts for outdoor services
- Service-Specific Messages: Different templates for different service types
SMS reminders typically pay for themselves within the first month through reduced no-shows and improved customer satisfaction.
Questions about setting up SMS? Contact our support team for personalized assistance.