Your organization understands the value of scheduling software and has committed resources to implement this software into your systems. Employees must spend time learning the scheduling software, have embraced it and are sharing with colleagues, friends and customers on the ease and value of the software, but there is one problem.
It’s not enough.
Therefore, your organization needs to get as many customers and prospects as possible to use the software. Communicate the key benefits. Customers need to understand the value that scheduling software provides them before they will commit to using it.
Here are a few best practices to promote the availability of scheduling appointments.
1. Promote locally/in-store
We recommend organizations use both physical and digital signage to remind customers that scheduling software is now available.
This can be especially effective if signage is near a line or waiting area. Customers will be motivated to use the scheduling software to avoid standing in line next time.
2. Promote via email
Promoting scheduling software availability in your marketing emails is crucial.
Mention your new scheduling capabilities consistently, not just at launch. Be sure to mention its availability on customer welcome emails after a user has created a new account with you.
3. Promote via website
We recommend promoting the availability of appointment scheduling by using banners on the homepage and throughout the website.
4. Promote via mobile app
Digital natives are mobile-optimized and will expect to be able to schedule appointments with your mobile app.
5. Promote on social media
Create a selection of content and artwork that can be queued to run continuously on your social media channels.
If you're lucky, your satisfied customers will help spread the word for you by posting on their social media channels:
Finally got my Christmas shopping done thank you @Debenhams for helping me in your personal stylist dept pic.twitter.com/a4Spmoxg59
— carolellenwright (@nannypat_carol) December 23, 2015
6. Promote while on hold
When customers call in and are placed on hold, do you play music? If so, in between the latest Coldplay and Radiohead songs, add in a little promotion announcing that “instead of waiting on hold, you can now book an appointment to speak with someone at a time of your choosing.”
7. Promote on receipts
If you are a retailer, announce the availability of scheduling appointments on all of your customer receipts. Just make sure it doesn't cause the receipt to become longer than a yard (like CVS).
Conclusion
These are just a few tips to ensure that customers and prospects are using the scheduling software. Make sure you give your internal teams plenty of advance notice in order to create artwork and content to meet launch dates. Be sure to track progress and increase your organization’s promotion efforts if adoption lags!
If you want to learn more about how to promote appointments, here are some industry-specific resources:
- How to promote remote appointments in retail (guide)
- 45 ways to promote appointment scheduling in retail (guide)
- How to promote remote appointments in financial services (guide)
