Hi @DeAnna_Shelton. I completely understand your predicament. I used to have the same issue with getting clients scheduled until I implemented a very simple method.
Firstly, I have a button on my website that, when clicked on, opens their email with the subject line to schedule an appointment. This is the only “online scheduling” I provide. The potential client must email me for an appointment.
Once I receive their email, I reply with 3 available dates for them to choose from and tell them I will hold the dates open for 48 hours to give them time to decide which works best for them. In order for them to reserve the date, they must submit a non-refundable deposit which is applied toward to total cost of their session. But if they cancel, they lose that $.
Since I started doing this, I have never had anyone cancel on me and I’ve only had to reschedule a couple of people due to unavoidable circumstances, such as the flu or having their sitter cancel at the last minute. They always reschedule.I always have online clients always pay the full amount up front to reserve their date. I don’t even send a zoom link to them until it’s received.
I hope this helps.
