Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/78617
and number of visits you think would be best, and asking him to schedule the appointments. 2. Discuss the Session Advantages Explain the benefits you can provide clients. Be specific and paint a clear picture of the improvements you feel confident you can provide in the next session, or over a series of planned sessions. For example, you can help solidify the appointment by discussing how you will help a client lift her right arm higher so she can reach her cereal box on the top shelf. 3. Set and Confirm the Appointment's Time and Day If you will be seeing a client for a number of sessions, it is best to confirm at least two weeks of appointments. This allows you to have a better idea of what your schedule is in advance, rather than just booking single sessions as you go. 4. Gather Credit Card Info By asking for a credit card number to hold the reservation, you let clients know of the expected charges for the next session. 5. Confirm Your Rescheduling Policy Determine what your rescheduling window should be. Then discuss the fee you will charge if your client reschedules too close to an appointment. (This is the most critical part of avoiding no-shows and cancellations.) Once you have a client who books an appointment with you, you absolutely must inform the client of this policy each and every time she schedules. Here is a sample script you can use: "Please remember I have a 24-hour rescheduling policy, so if you decide this time won't work for you, please be sure to let me know at least 24 hours before your appointment. I would hate to have to charge you for a full session even if you won't be using it. Does this work for you?" Once clients say, "Yes, it works for me," they have confirmed they know your rescheduling policy and will pay for the session should they need/want to change their appointment. Once the appointment is scheduled, here is a tip to be sure it will stick: make reminder calls. If you have the time, or have someone else available to do it for you, call clients 24 –48 hours in advance (at the very least call prior to your rescheduling window) and remind them of the day and time you are holding just for them. The words you use are important: "Hi Jane, I am calling to remind you of your appointment with me for Wednesday, October 3, at 3:00 p.m. I am holding one hour for your session so we can work on 'x, y, and z.' I look forward to helping you feel better. See you Wednesday!" It is extremely important you remind clients why they are coming in to see you and the benefits they stand to receive. "I am holding an hour for your session on Wednesday so I can help you with your stress from your new job. We'll work on your breathing like you asked me to do, and I'll help you relax and de-stress so you'll have an easier transition over the next few weeks as you get used to all the changes." You need to reinforce for clients the benefits they will get from seeing you. They will start to visualize how much better they will feel, so they'll be much less likely to cancel. Too often we think only about ourselves financially, and why we want clients to come in. Of course the appointments that stick help us, but remember—they also help your clients. When it comes to leaving a voice message for clients, please notice I didn't say anything like, "If this time doesn't work, let me know," or, "If you need to change it," or anything like that. You absolutely do not want to give a client the option to bow out of an appointment. A cancellation won't help clients reach their goals, nor will it help you be a successful massage therapist. Visit the newly designed ABMP.com. Log in. Explore. Enjoy. 85