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!

It’s been one of *those* mornings.

The kind where you sleep through your alarm, wake up in a panic, and shower faster than you thought humanly possible. Then on your way out the door you shove a cold bagel in your mouth (breakfast of champions) before tearing out of the driveway to make your first appointment.

You get to work exactly one minute before your client and take a quick moment to compose yourself. You think you might actually be doing okay until you realize you forgot something.

You don’t have your appointment book.

In your rush to get out the door, you left it on your bedside table. Now you have no idea what the day ahead will look like for you, which clients you’ll be serving… you got nothing.

This is the moment you realize somethings gotta give.

Sound familiar? Every service professional has *that story* about the day their client booking process just didn’t work anymore. So they started looking for alternative options and discovered the solution: online appointment scheduling software.

In this guide to online appointment scheduling, we’ll teach you how this kind of solution will save you time, reduce your stress levels, and help you grow your client list. We’ll also cover how to choose the right software for your unique business and promote it to your clientele.

Let’s get started!

What is online appointment scheduling software?

It’s pretty simple: online appointment scheduling software is any application that allows hair stylists, tattoo artists, massage therapists, and other service professionals to create an online calendar, which their clients can visit and book appointments through.

Let’s pretend you’re an in-demand physical trainer who spends most of their day in the gym, sculpting muscles to God-like perfection. You’re busy and can’t answer the phone every time a potential client wants to book a session with you.

Luckily, you can invest in online appointment scheduling software.

With this kind of tool, you’ll be able to customize your calendar, add it to your website, social pages, emails, etc., and invite your clients to book available training times whenever they want. You’ll then be able to easily track and manage your booked appointments from any phone, tablet, or computer.

Why is online appointment scheduling important?

Online appointment scheduling sounds cool, right? But we know what you’re thinking…

“A whole new system? Ain’t nobody got time for that. My old-school setup might be glitchy, but I know it like the back of my hand. I think I’ll just stick with that.”

We get it, change is hard. But switching to an online appointment setting solution is so jam-packed with benefits, you’ll definitely want to make the transition ASAP. Here are a few of the advantages you can expect to experience:

1. You’ll save time

The shop needs sweeping, the books need balancing, and someone (YOU) needs to call the plumber about that leak in the bathroom. But your phone is ringing off the hook with new client appointment inquiries. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done.

Sounds like you need a killer appointment app. That way your clients can schedule your services online, giving you the time you need to get your most pressing tasks done.

2. You’ll avoid stress

Does your daily to-do list make you sick to your stomach?

Besides servicing your normal clients, you also need to call Carl back to book his color session, reschedule your Friday afternoon appointments because your babysitter is sick, and get in touch with Tami because she still hasn’t paid the balance on her last tattoo.

This all sounds… Ugh, stressful.

Online appointment scheduling will transform your life by allowing clients to book appointments on their own time. It also automates the email and/or text reminders that follow.

3. You’ll make more money

Why did you start your own service business? We bet “to make more money” was one of the main reasons, along with “to have more freedom” and “be my own boss.”

Good news, top appointment apps help put more green into your wallet:

• First, you’ll be able to book more appointments per day because you won’t have to spend as much time on tedious admin tasks. More appointments, more money.
• Second, you’ll score new clients on a regular basis because clicking a button on a web page is *much* easier than calling a stranger to book a haircut, therapy appointment, or personal training session. More clients, more money.
• And third, it’s easy for clients to view your calendar, pinpoint empty slots, and book an available time that works for them. More bookings, more money.

At Bookedin, our customers tell us that our online booking app helped them triple (yes, TRIPLE) their business — no lie.

4. Your clients prefer it

We’re going to go out on a limb here and guess your clients do *not* wake up in the morning and think, “You know what sounds fun? Playing phone tag with my esthetician!”

Nope, your clients want to book services quickly and then get on with the rest of their day. This is exactly what an online appointment scheduling app will let them do.

First, they look in the mirror and think, “Eeeekkkk!”. Then they head to your website, check out your available dates and times, and book a session that works for them. No phone calls or let-me-check-my-calendar-and-get-back-to-yous. Just streamlined appointment setting.

5. Client communications will get easier

Automation, AKA the eighth wonder of the world, will definitely help you save time and reduce stress (see above). But it will also make client communication much easier.

Once your customers book an appointment via your online appointment scheduling app, they’ll automatically receive a confirmation email and/or text. As the scheduled date approaches, they’ll get a reminder message.

In other words, your online appointment scheduler will take care of 90% of client communication for you. That way you can focus on other business-building tasks.

How to schedule appointments online

We’ve covered the “what” and the “why” of online appointment scheduling. I guess it’s about time we tackled the “how.” Don’t worry, learning how to set up your services for online scheduling is a walk in the park. Let’s go for a stroll…

Invest in the right scheduling app

You’ve decided to make the switch to an online appointment scheduling app and you’re pumped. More time, less stress, happier clients? “Sign me up,” you think. So you jump online and realize there are A LOT of different options available. Which to choose?

When it comes to choosing the best online booking and scheduling system, here are a few must-have features to look for:

Ease of use

If your online appointment scheduling app is hard to use, what’s the point? You might as well stick with your current system. So make sure the system you choose is user-friendly.

Luckily, most apps offer free trials — take advantage! Research a few options, then take one for a test drive. Did you enjoy using it? Was it intuitive? Or did it make you want to tear your hair out in frustration? Also, was the support team helpful?

Even the best softwares on the planet have quirks and nuances you’ll need to learn. A friendly support team is one of the best ways to learn them. And don’t worry about asking *dumb* questions… Most support reps LOVE hearing from customers — promise!

Payments

Do yourself a HUGE favor and invest in an online appointment scheduler that can process deposits. That way you get at least a portion of your agreed upon fee up front. Even if your client ghosts you on the day of your booking.

We’ll talk more about no-shows later in this guide to online appointment scheduling. For now, pick a scheduling tool that can help guard your business against these unsavory client types.

Good reviews

Lastly, read reviews to see what actual users have to say about the scheduling apps you’re considering. What do they like about them? What drives them bonkers?

For example, if multiple users say something like “great app, terrible customer service,” you know that the app in question operates well. You also know that the folks who make the app aren’t the friendliest. Terrible customer service is, well, not so fun.

Streamline the scheduling process

Once you’ve chosen an online appointment scheduling tool and set up your account, you need to optimize it. That means setting up a few automations and making the booking process as client-friendly as humanly possible.

So what can you automate with a tool like Bookedin? Communications.

Once a client books an appointment, they’ll automatically receive a custom confirmation email and/or text message. You can also program your booking app to send individualized appointment reminders and post-appointment follow-ups. Think of all the time you’ll save when the robots send communications on your behalf!

Automations are a godsend once a client schedules an appointment. But if the booking process is cumbersome, few people will ever get to that point.

Here are a couple of tips to streamline your appointment scheduling:

• Social booking: If you’re a hairstylist, tattoo artist, or photographer, you’re probably on the ‘Gram non-stop. Most service professionals use social media to reach their target clients. So doesn’t it make sense to add your booking link to these sites?
• Custom booking forms: Every client is unique, which means the service you provide will change depending on who you’re providing it to. Custom booking forms will allow you to learn more about your clients so you can serve them better.
• No accounts: Raise your hand if you’ve ever planned on booking a service, only to realize that to do so, you had to create an account. It’s annoying, right? Increase bookings and satisfaction by skipping client accounts.

Everything about your booking process should be easy. The automations and client-friendly features available in online appointment scheduling apps like Bookedin make this possible.

Minimize appointment cancellations

“Seriously?” you think to yourself. “When will my clients finally show me some respect and show up for their appointments?” We hear ya. Cancellations are SO FRUSTRATING. But to cut them out of your business, you need to understand why they happen in the first place.

Here are a few common reasons:

• Forgetfulness: Most appointments are missed because the person who booked them forgets to show up. You know how it is. Life gets busy and things slip through the cracks. Annoying? Sure, but it happens to the best of us.
• Lack of funds: You’re good at what you do, so you can charge a pretty penny for your services — pennies that your clients have to fork over. Rather than admit they can’t afford you, some clients will decide to bail.
• Surprises: You may have noticed, life is unpredictable. If it comes down to making an appointment or getting their kid to the hospital, guess what your clients will choose?

Appointments cancellations are never fun. But you can minimize them by choosing an online appointment scheduling app that includes pre-payment and automation features.

Think about it, who’s more likely to arrive for their haircut, massage, or photoshoot: the guy who clicks a button to book a service, or the dude who clicks a button and fronts $50 to hold onto the booking? That’s right, the answer is numero duo because he has skin in the game. And if he still doesn’t show? Well, at least, you’re not completely out the money.

Cool, anything else you can do to minimize appointment cancellations? Abso-freakin-lutely!

Tap into your app’s automation features and send both confirmation and appointment reminder messages via email and/or text. Remember, your clients are busy. A quick note reminding them of their bookings will increase the likelihood that they show up.

5 ways to boost your online appointments

BOOM! You decided to ditch your pen and paper appointment book — finally. Now you’re set up with a slick digital system like Bookedin and can already feel the stress melting away like a creamsicle in the summer heat. Feels good, right?

Good news, things are about to get even better. Check out the five tips below to learn how to easily boost your online appointments.

1. Market your online scheduler

If you want your clients to book your services via your online appointment scheduler, you have to tell them that it exists. Revolutionary concept, we know, but we still needed to say it. Fortunately, marketing your new booking procedures isn’t difficult. Here are a few ideas:

• Website content: Do you blog? Write about your online scheduler. We also suggest creating a banner image that promotes your online booking link to your website visitors. The easier it is to find, the more people will use it.
• Social media posts: Encourage your clients to book your services online via your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles. Social media is a fantastic way to reach people and generate conversations — use it! (More on social below.)
• Email newsletters: Email may be old-school, but it’s still a great way to stay in touch with people, especially for business purposes. Message your newsletter subscribers and let them know that they can now book appointments online.
• Your voicemail: People will continue calling you until they learn there’s a better way to book. Use your voicemail to promote your online scheduling link.

2. Enlist your email signature

Most of us don’t think twice about our email signature. We sign off with a quick “thanks,” or “best,” or “sincerely,” followed by our name. There’s nothing wrong with this. But it won’t help you market your online appointment scheduling capabilities.

Instead, put your email signature to work by including an appointment booking link for recipients to use. That way they’ll have easy access to it.

Most email providers (think Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook) allow their clients to embed images in their email signatures as well. A sig with your shop’s logo would look pretty sweet, right? Just be careful with this feature. Some browsers aren’t compatible with images. You may want to play it safe and include a simple link that will always go through.

3. Reward customers who book online

If you want to schedule more appointments online, consider rewarding customers who book your services via Bookedin or a similar piece of software.

For example, a massage therapist could give a 5% discount to online bookers. A hair stylist could offer a free shampoo session to go along with all cuts scheduled via the web. And a physical trainer could send a free meal plan to clients who make online appointments.

These small rewards will help boost your online bookings. They’ll also help save you money and stress because your resources won’t be as strapped.

4. Use social media to book appointments

We’ve mentioned social media multiple times in this guide to online appointment scheduling. Know why? Because these free sites are an amazing resource for independent service providers — especially Instagram. Here’s how to tap into it via Bookedin:

Because of it’s highly visual nature, Instagram is the preferred social channel for many hair stylists, tattoo and makeup artists, personal trainers, and other service professionals. It doesn’t hurt that the network has one billion monthly active users, too.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at how to add a Bookedin scheduling link to your Insta.

• Fire up the Instagram app, visit your profile, and click “Edit Profile”.
• Type your Bookedin URL into the “Website” field.
• Write some amazing call-to-action copy in your bio section to let folks know about the booking link. Hot tip: use emojis, upper and lowercase words, and punctuation (#, !, *).
• Hype your booking link whenever you make a post on Instagram. That way people know how to schedule an appointment if they dig your work.

You’ll notice that Instagram doesn’t give you a slick “Book Now” button like you can post on your website. Instead, you’ll need to utilize the website link they provide. No biggie, this link works well for directing clients to your online scheduling page.

5. Take advantage of Google My Business

First things first, what the heck is Google My Business? Fair question…

Think back to the last time you searched for a business on Google. Maybe you were looking up a new restaurant in town or trying to find the nearest hardware store. Whatever the case, you probably saw a business profile in the top right corner of the search results page.

This is Google My Business and it allows business owners and/or managers to create a free Google profile, complete with service information, physical address (including Google maps details), hours of operation, phone number, and even Google reviews.

This listing can be incredibly beneficial to shop owners such as yourself because it will help you build your online presence and interact with potential customers.

For folks who use an online appointment scheduling app like Bookedin, Google My Business is even more awesome because you can add your booking details to your Google Listing. The result? Your clients can schedule appointments with you directly from Google search!

Here’s how to set up the connection:

• Create your Google My Business listing. By visiting this link. Be sure to add all relevant information such as your shop’s name and contact details.
• Once inside your Google My Business account, click the “Info” tab on the left-hand side of your screen. Then scroll down to “Appointment URL” and click the pencil icon.
• Paste your Bookedin link into the “Appointment URL” section. Then click “Apply” and wait for Google to confirm the information you’ve entered.

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of your ideal client. They’re in the market for a haircut, new tattoo, full-body massage, etc. So what do they do?

They ask Google for top-rated professionals in the area. As they’re sifting through the search results, your business pops up. They click on it, read a few reviews, notice your booking link, and make an appointment on the spot. BOOM! New client, no big marketing effort needed.

Common online appointment scheduling myths

There’s no doubt about it, online appointment scheduling is pretty great, as this guide to online appointment scheduling has beautifully laid out (wink). But you might still be on the fence about a tool like Bookedin.

We understand. There are definitely a few myths out there that keep service professionals from investing in an online booking tool. With that in mind, let’s go myth-busting.

Myth #1: It will cost me too much money

If you own or run a service-based business, money is always a factor. In fact, you probably spend a lot of your time brainstorming ways to make more of it and spend less. ‘Tis the constant plight of the entrepreneur. So we totally understand if your first reaction to online appointment scheduling software is, “No thanks, too rich for my blood.”

Just answer this one question: how much cash does your shop lose every month because of no-shows? $500, $1,000, even more? An online booking app will help you cut these losses without forcing you to spend an arm and a leg.

The truth is, *not* having an online scheduling system is costing your business too much money.

Myth #2: It will kill my productivity

“Interesting,” you say, “online appointment scheduling won’t hurt my bank account. But it will definitely kill my productivity, right?” We understand your concern.

As a shop owner and/or manager, you play a lot of roles: marketing lead, web designer, chief copywriter, social media manager… Oh, yeah, and you also have to actually, you know, perform the services your clients hire your for. In other words, your time is a precious commodity. The thought of wasting it probably gives you night sweats.

Online booking software will make you *more* productive than ever before.

Tools like Bookedin will allow your clients to book appointments without calling, emailing, texting, DMing or contacting you in any way. Then this kind of tool will take care of follow-up messages, appointment reminders, and post-appointment thank you notes automatically.

Once you’re set up with an online scheduling app, you’ll have more time in the day, less stress to deal with, and happier clients who remain loyal.

Myth #3: It will be too complicated to use

You know what’s complicated? Fielding client calls, manually logging appointment details into a moleskine notebook, losing said notebook, and having to wrack your brain to determine which of your clients is coming in that day and for what service.

Online booking, on the other hand, is simple. For example, look how easy it is to start making appointments with Bookedin:

1. Download Bookedin from Apple App or Google Play store.
2. Create Your shop profile, including business name, type, and location.
3. Add the services you offer by clicking “Settings” at the bottom right corner of your screen, and then selecting the “Services” tab.
4. Add information about your services such as duration, price, and payment options.
5. Launch your Bookedin online booking page, add it to your website and social channels, and market it to your client base.

Simple stuff — even for the most technology-challenged folks. We think it’s time to kick the it-will-be-too-complicated-to-use myth to the curb.

Wrapping up

We hoped you enjoyed this guide to online appointment scheduling!

By taking the client booking process online, you’ll be able to save time, avoid stress, and better serve your customers. And as we just saw, these benefits can be achieved *without* much headache. You just need to commit to the change, market your new online appointment scheduling capabilities to your clientele, and enjoy the extra freedom.

Ready to make the switch? Give Bookedin a try right now for free. We’re confident you’ll love our platform’s intuitive interface and powerful features. See you on the inside!

Let me guess, you were the kid who couldn’t stop drawing on his homework. Or the designated photographer on family vacations — even though you were only 12. Or the friend who styled everyone’s hair before a wild Friday night back in college.

Whatever your medium, you’ve always had skills and love using them. In fact, you would kinda (okay, really) like to start your own shop and actually get paid for your work.

The question is: how to start a business while you’re still employed full time?

We won’t lie to you, starting a business is hard, time-consuming, and fraught with risk. But it can also be incredibly rewarding, both emotionally and financially. If you have the drive, you can turn your dream into a reality. And it probably won’t take you as long as you might think either, if you follow our tips…

Keep reading to learn how to:

• Clarify your why
• Get your mindset right
• Choose the right business tools
• And much, much more

By the end of this ultimate guide, you’ll have the tools you need to start your business now, as a side hustle, and grow it into your full-time gig as quickly as possible. Sound good? Then let’s get started.

What this guide isn’t

We have TONS of practical strategies to share with you about how to start a business while you’re still employed. But before we unleash our metaphorical firehose of knowledge, we want to explain what you won’t learn from this guide — to make sure we’re on the same page.

This guide will *not* teach you how to apply for a business license or secure financial assistance for your new venture. Don’t worry, the internet is filled with blogs on those topics.

Instead we’re going to focus on more foundational concepts like:

• Choosing the right business
• Adopting a proper mindset
• Making time for your side hustle
• When to go full time with your venture

Basically, we’re going to cover the things that will really determine the success of your shop. Sound like a plan? Great, let’s get this show on the road!

How to start a service business

So, what’s your thing? Maybe you have Hollywood-level makeup skills or magic massage hands. Maybe you’re a fitness expert with a jacked bod and a knack for helping sculpt the physiques of your friends. That’s all great, we applaud you.

But if you want to learn how to start a service business and turn your talents into a sustainable income, you’ll need to acquire other skills as well.

Here’s a seven-step process you can follow to get your dream biz up and running now — even if you’re still tethered to traditional employment.

1. Choose the right business

We’ll begin at the very beginning. What kind of service business should you start?
Too basic? Stick with us for a minute. This is absolutely essential…

Most people believe that passion is everything. It makes sense. Some of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time (think Steve Jobs) make it seem like “following your passion” is always the answer. And if you’re not successful, well, you just aren’t passionate enough — shame on you.

We call bull.

There’s nothing wrong with passion. But if it’s the only thing driving your business, you’re destined to fail. This is because passions change on a regular basis.

If you want to successfully learn how to start a business while you’re still employed, look beyond your passions and ask yourself the following four questions:

What am I good at?

Just because you’re passionate about music doesn’t mean you’re destined to become the next Beyonce or Harry Styles or whoever else the kids are listening to these days.

Take an honest look at team YOU and assess your skills. Which of your talents can you realistically build a business around? Chase your talent, not your passion. You’ll make more money and experience less stress this way, guaranteed.

What do I enjoy?

Building a business is difficult. You’re going to have to work long hours (at least in the beginning) and make sacrifices. Plus, you’re probably going to have to do things you don’t enjoy. Most tattoo artists aren’t crazy about managing their appointment [c][d]calendar, for example. So if you don’t like delivering the service you plan to deliver, you might as well keep your day job.

Now, don’t misunderstand us. We aren’t saying you need to have a raging passion for your service business. But you do need to like it.

What’s my why?

Why do you want to start your own service business, anyway? Some people want the freedom that comes with being their own boss. Others crave a bigger paycheck or the chance to spend their “on the clock time” doing something they enjoy.

The only wrong answer in this regard is *no* answer. Knowing your why will get you through tough times and keep you grounded as your business expands.

What will sustain me?

Finally, assess whether your service business idea can sustain your desired lifestyle. You may be “The Pooch Whisperer” and love taking care of your fur baby. But making a strong six-figure income as a dog walker could be difficult.

If you need to reach a certain financial threshold, make sure your chosen service business will get you there.

Roughly 50% of businesses fail within five years. Answer the four questions above and build a successful service-based enterprise that will stand the test of time.

2. Get your mindset right

A proper mindset is vital if you want to learn how to start a business while you’re still employed. Here are five tips to help you bring your A game to your head game:

1. Stock up on sweat equity

Have we mentioned that starting a business is hard? We don’t say it to scare you. We just want you to be fully prepared before you start your new venture.

Plan to work on your business in the evenings, after you’ve already put in eight hours at your day job. And on the weekends before your kid’s soccer game. And pretty much every other free moment you have to spare. That’s what it takes.

But don’t worry, your efforts will be worth it. Eventually you’ll be able to walk away from your day job and pursue your venture full-time. Heck yes!

2. Plan for growth

Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, is credited with developing the theory of fixed and growth mindsets. A fixed mindset believes in innate traits that can’t be changed. You’ll never become more intelligent, hardworking, etc. than you are now.

A growth mindset, on the other hand, believes that these traits can be improved through open mindedness and a commitment to learning.

As an aspiring business owner, it pays to have a growth mindset. This mentality will help you turn challenges into opportunities and treat failure as a step towards success. It will also empower you to plan for growth in the future.

If you don’t believe your current skill sets can be improved upon, you probably won’t be open to trying new business strategies or investing in tools like online appointment scheduling software either. Why would you? They won’t be able to help you anyway.

Adopt a growth mindset, then adopt strategies to help you maximize your shop’s potential. This is key when learning how to start a service business.

3. Don’t play the comparison game

It’s been a pretty good day so far. You got off work early, picked up the kids from school, and then cut the hair of three long-term clients. Now you’re eating dinner at your favorite local restaurant. Because, in the immortal words of Tom and Donna, “Treat yo’ self!”

As you sit at your table waiting for the check, you whip out your phone and start scrolling through Instagram. Buh bye good vibes.

Suddenly you feel jealous, because Tanya, another hair stylist in town, just bought a shiny new car. “I wish I could afford that sweet ride,” you think. You keep scrolling and realize that your sister’s down in Cabo right now. “Must be nice,” you mutter under your breath.

Before you know it, your good mood is gone, baby, gone and you’re wondering why you thought starting a new business was a good idea.

It NEVER pays to play the comparison game. Your journey is different from Tanya’s and your sister’s and everyone else’s. Measuring yourself against their social media highlights is a recipe for depression. And it will definitely keep you from creating a business you love.

4. Kick perfectionism to the curb

News flash: nobody is perfect. We all know this. But still, so many of us put our mental sanity on the line to achieve something that’s unattainable. When we inevitably fail, our self-worth takes a huge hit. It’s really hard to build a business when your ego is in the dumps.

That’s why we need to fight against perfectionism. Aim for good, not perfect and learn to enjoy the journey, not just the outcome. This will empower you to build a business that’s successful and a joy to own. Trust us, you want both of these things.

5. Run from imposter syndrome

It’s not just the comparison game and perfectionism you have to look out for. Imposter syndrome is the third member of Team Terrible and it’s a doozy.

In fact, if these three conditions started a band, the imposter syndrome would be the lead singer. Every single one of us (yes, even your super awesome, super successful idol) has felt like an imposter at one time or another.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, imposter syndrome is a mental state in which an individual questions their achievements and fears being exposed as a fraud. It makes us feel like we lucked into our success and everyone is about to notice.

Left unchecked, imposter syndrome can lead to depression, anxiety, overwork, perfectionism (see above), unhappiness, and other harmful mindsets.

It’s common for imposter syndrome to rear its butt-ugly head when someone takes initiative and decides to start a business. They’ll think, “I have no idea what I’m doing,” or “Maybe I’m not that talented after all,” or “This will only work if I get super lucky…”

When you have these kinds of thoughts, kick them to the curb. They’re not true and they don’t deserve a second of your valuable time. Instead, remind yourself of your successes, keep working hard, and pour your energy into satisfying your clients.

3. Start now

At this point, you’ve chosen the correct business and got your mind right. What’s next? It’s time to dive in and start. Yup, fire up the engine and get your show on the road.

This is an exciting time. You’re heart’s probably like “Whhheeee!!!” and we totally understand. But remember, we’re teaching you how to start a business while you’re still employed. “While” is the key word here. So don’t go quittin’ your day job yet.

Unless you’re a trust fund kid, have wads of cash in the bank, or have a significant other that can pay the bills while you build your dream, your new business will start as a side hustle.

This is actually GREAT news because it means you can grow your business without many of the financial strains that accompany a new venture. It will also allow you to focus more time on important things like investing in the right tools.

When we say the “right tools” we’re talking about:

Website building

A killer website is a must in this day and age. If your homebase on the interwebs isn’t eye-catching, informative, and easy to navigate, you’ll have a hard time building your client list. Fortunately, tools like WordPress and Squarespace make it easy to build a professional website — even if you’re technically-challenged.

Email marketing

A basic email service like Gmail is essential. Without this kind of tool, your clients will have a hard time contacting you. But we also suggest investing in email marketing software (MailChimp is a popular option) so you can send automated newsletters. Doing so will keep your business top of mind and boost bookings.

Social media marketing

You’re on social, right? Many hair stylists, tattoo artists, freelance photographers, etc. use social media platforms like Instagram to reach potential clients. But social media can be a giant time-suck — especially for those with full-time jobs. That’s why we recommend using an app like Buffer to schedule your posts ahead of time.

Online appointment scheduling

It’s the 21st century, but plenty of independent shops act like it’s 1954, booking appointments via a pen and paper system. This is, shall we say… less than ideal?

Online appointment scheduling tools like Bookedin allow clients to book appointments on their own terms. That way you don’t have to rush to the bathroom every time a potential client calls you at your day job[e][f]. These apps will also send your customers automated appointment reminders, freeing you up to focus on the service you provide.

You’ll notice that most of the tools listed above involve some form of automation. Use the technology available to you to get more done in your limited amount of time.

Your client list

Want to learn how to start a business while you’re still employed and ensure it’s successful? Take this time to grow your client list above all else. If you can build a collection of customers who LOVE what you do, your transition from part-time to full-time will be much smoother.

4. Prepare for the future

Most people who find entrepreneurial success are forward thinkers. Meaning they make plans and take steps with the future in mind. Here’s an example:

Kelly just started working as a tattoo artist in her free time. She’s been at it for six months and has worked on a few projects, gaining experience and referrals along the way. Yesterday, Kelly landed her biggest project to date: a full sleeve that will bring in thousands of dollars in revenue[g][h]. Once the project is completed, Kelly has two options:

1. Kelly could book a trip to Vegas with the money she’s made. Between her full-time job and her side hustle, she’s been working a lot of hours and definitely deserves a break.
2. Or, Kelly could take her earnings and reinvest them in her business. She could buy better equipment, make a marketing push… there are plenty of options.

Kelly is entitled to do whatever she wants with her money — it’s HER money, after all. But a forward-thinking business owner would reinvest the money they’ve made. That way they can achieve their goal of full-time entrepreneurship sooner.

Your money isn’t the only thing you’ll need to invest to get your business off the ground. You’ll also need to invest your time to deepen your industry knowledge, develop important business skills, network with other professionals in your area, etc.

Just remember, when it comes to investing your money and time, all work and no play is rarely a recipe for success. It’s definitely okay to reward yourself now and again.

It’s also important to set boundaries and spend time on non-work related activities. An online appointment scheduling app can really help in this regard. These kinds of tools make it easy to section off time for family, rejuvenation, and other pursuits.

Think about your business goals and then plan your finances and free time accordingly.

5. Evaluate your approach

The final step is evaluation. Are you getting closer to your goal of full-time entrepreneurship? If so, double down on the tactics that work the best. If not, adjust your approach. Just don’t get caught up in someone else’s version of success.

So what if your mom’s best friend’s husband thinks you could make more money if you opened a second location? He’s not the ones who’ll have to work 60+ hours a week.

You need to determine what success looks like to YOU. If that means a second location and extra hours, go for it. But don’t feel bad if you’re happy with a smaller, more manageable business. The venture you build should facilitate the life you want to live. Don’t let it become another “job” that you have to drag yourself to, kicking and screaming, every morning.

When evaluating your business, keep your goals in mind and stop worrying about growth for the sake of it. You’ll be MUCH happier that way.

When do you know?

As in, “When do you know it’s time to go all in on your dream?”

Side hustlers have asked this question since… well, since side hustles were first invented. That’s right, Great Grandpa Caveman spent many sleepless nights in front of the fire, wondering when he could ditch berry-picking and hunt Wooly Mammoths full-time.

The truth is, no one can tell you when to quit your day and job and give your service business your full attention. It’s a very personal decision that you have to make for yourself. But you definitely do *not* have to make it in the dark.

Keep an eye out for these four signs that you’re ready:

1. You dread your job: Does working your day job make you sick to your stomach? Do you catch yourself daydreaming about your side hustle on company time? You might be ready to resign. If, on the other hand, your day job is still fun and challenging, you might consider holding onto it for longer.
2. You have room to grow: Let’s pretend your part-time gig is bringing in an extra $2,000 a month — not bad! But unless you plan to live on that amount for the rest of your life, you need to make sure your business has growth potential. If you’re tapped out in that regard, definitely keep the day job on lock.
3. You can’t do both anymore: Have you had to turn down work because you didn’t have time for it? It’s frustrating when your job keeps you from accepting new clients. But it’s also exciting. Why? Because this is a clear sign that your side hustle has the potential to grow into a full-time profession. Whoop whoop!
4. Your finances are in order: In most cases, the money factor will determine when you resign. Are you making enough from your side gig to sustain your current lifestyle? Or can you adjust your lifestyle to accommodate your fledgling business? At the very least, make sure you have a decent amount of savings in the bank. That way if cash flow becomes a problem, you can still pay the rent and buy groceries.

Again, only you can determine when to give your two-week notice and wade into the wild waters of entrepreneurship. But consider the four signs above before making a decision.

If they can do it, so can you!

Every aspiring business owner needs encouragement and motivation. Guess what — we’ve got it for you in spades! Meet Uptown Barbershop, owned and operated by Mr. Eddie Murawski in sunny Naples, Florida.

In 2018, Eddie was working multiple dead-end jobs (his words) and cutting hair on the side. He’d dreamed about owning his own shop since he was 15 years old. But coming from a poor background, he didn’t have the funds or know-how to get started.

Fortunately, Eddie’s story doesn’t end there like it does for so many other people with a dream. He took initiative, read business books, grew his YouTube channel.

In 2019, Eddie made the leap and started his own shop. He now has six other barbers on staff and a host of happy clients who love the services he provides. Even better, Eddie’s invested in appointment scheduling software which allows him to find an ideal work-life balance.

Eddie’s story is a triumph, but here’s the thing: you can do it, too. With dedication, a solid plan, and the right tools, you can turn your dream into a reality.

Build your business

Now — like, right now — is the perfect time to start and build your business. Why? Because you still have financial security from your day job. This means you can grow your venture on the side, free from many of the pressures that accompany entrepreneurship.

Starting with a side hustle will also allow you to clarify your why, get your mindset right, experiment with tools like online appointment scheduling software, and implement the other tips outlined in this article.

But we all know that eventually, you’ll need to make the leap and give your side gig your full attention. Don’t worry, when that time comes, we know you’ll be ready!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? How about stressed, busy, and overworked? If you own a service-based business, the answer is probably something like “Yes… All. The. Time.”

We feel ya! Work-life balance is tough to achieve. It’s also slippery: as soon as you think you’ve got this whole be-an-entrepreneur-without-killing-myself thing down, something happens and you’re back at square one wondering where the time went.

It doesn’t help that countless TV shows and Instagram posts make owning a business seem like a cakewalk. In fact, it’s enough to give anyone a serious case of imposter syndrome.

But what if we told you that a balanced life was possible. Better yet, what if we actually showed you how to balance work and life using practical tips and strategies that *anyone* can implement? Would you be interested?

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about bringing balance to your life so that you can quit stressing and start living again. Let’s do this!

What is work-life balance?

First things first, let’s start with a definition:

Work-life balance happens when one’s professional responsibilities exist in perfect harmony with one’s personal life. Neither is given priority over the other; both work and play are equal.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Imagine *not* rushing out the door at 6:30am, spilling hot coffee on your hands, and wondering why in the world you scheduled an appointment for so early in the morning.

Or *not* running the day’s numbers at midnight because you were booked up until 9:00pm and still had to pick up dinner, help your kids with their homework, and spend time with your significant other who you haven’t seen in… wait, how long’s it been?… before slamming your nose back on the ol’ grindstone.

For many small business owners, living a balanced life seems like a pipedream. We’re here to tell you it’s not. By making a few important changes, you can find harmony between the demands of your chosen career and your personal life.

The benefits of better time management for business

You shouldn’t have to wrack your brain to pinpoint the benefits of better time management for business. Work-life balance is clearly helpful because it leads to:

Greater happiness

You’ve heard the saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It may be totally cliche at this point, but that’s only because it’s totally true.

If all you ever do is work, you’ll become both bored and boring, neither of which is ideal. But learn how to balance work and life and you’ll become happier. This is because social interaction is one of the biggest predictors of happiness. A well-balanced life makes time for personal relationships, which studies prove are intimately connected to feelings of joy.

Better health

Can’t kick the stress? Seem to catch the sniffles (or worse) more often than your friends? Experienced a serious health scare in recent months? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, there’s a good chance your work-life balance is off.

Achieving equilibrium between your career and your personal life can be super beneficial to your physical and mental wellbeing.

Total freedom!

We’re going to go out on a limb here and say you didn’t start your own business to feel *more* stressed, deal with health issues, and have zero free time. The opposite is probably true.

Unfortunately, you took a wrong turn somewhere along the way. But that doesn’t mean those benefits aren’t still out there waiting for you.

Proper work-life balance leads to total freedom — freedom to do what you love and be well-compensated for it. To achieve the kind of lifestyle you’ve always dreamed about. And to spend more time with the people and activities you care most about.

The perils of an unbalanced life

If learning how to balance work and life has benefits, it stands to reason that *not* balancing them has consequences. Unfortunately, in this instance, the consequences are serious…

Burnout

“Burnout” has become a popular term in recent years. But it’s actually pretty misunderstood — or worse, seen as an excuse for low enthusiasm and/or shoddy work. The truth is, burnout is very, very real, but *not* the sudden avalanche of negative feelings that many believe it to be.

According to Sherrie Bourg Carter, Psy.D, burnout is a state of chronic stress that leads to:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion
• Cynicism and detachment, and
• Feelings of ineffectiveness

Burnout is often caused by working long hours, dealing with unrealistic client expectations, and being connected 24/7, among other things. Hmmm… definitely sounds like a lack of work-life balance is a leading cause of this malady, doesn’t it?

Poor health

When your work becomes your life, your health suffers. A recent study by UCL found that working 3+ extra hours per day causes a 60% increase in heart-related problems.

Even if your work-heavy schedule doesn’t hurt your ticker, it can still create unnecessary stress and emotional exhaustion. And who wants to live like that? Learn how to balance your work and life instead. (Don’t worry, we’ll show you how in the next section.)

Broken relationships

An unbalanced life can also lead to broken relationships. Hard evidence of this is, admittedly, tricky to pin down. But informal research does suggest that entrepreneurs experienced failed marriages more often than traditionally employed folks.

It makes sense when you think about it…

Solid relationships take effort to build and maintain. If your busy work schedule keeps you away from your friends and family — or preoccupies your brain so you’re never present, even when you are around them — your relationships will suffer.

Now, we’re not trying to put a damper on your day — promise! We simply want you to realize the consequences of an imbalance. Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to prioritize your shop and your personal life in equal measure.

How to achieve work-life balance

The benefits of work-life balance, as well as the consequences for failing to achieve it, are clear. Now the question is, how to balance work and life?

If it were easy, you’d already be doing it. But it’s definitely not impossible. You just need to make a few changes. Implement a few of the tips below and you’ll begin to find equilibrium between the demands of your business and personal life.

1. Know thyself

Let’s start with the one thing in life you can actually control: YOU. To achieve greater work-life balance, look within and ask yourself, “What works best for me?”

For example, are you a morning bird or a night owl? Use online appointment scheduling software to plan your routine around the times you operate best. What kind of work do you enjoy doing most? Try to book more of those jobs/clients/sessions. Are there specific times of day that are completely off limits for business? Respect these times. (More on this below.)

The point is, you’ll never find the right balance in life until you understand what you want and need out of your career and personal time.

2. Set boundaries

You started your own shop because the normal 9-5 workday wasn’t for you. But if you’re not careful, 9-5 can easily become 24/7 and the benefits of being self-employed — i.e. happiness, health, and freedom — are lost. No bueno.

The key is to set hard and fast boundaries for yourself, and by extension, your business, that revolve around the things you value most in life. Because of this, only you can decide what boundaries to set, but here are a few ideas:

• I won’t book appointments after the kids get home from school.
• I’ll turn my phone off between 8:00pm and 7:00am.
• I’ll always have breakfast with my family before starting work.

While setting boundaries can be difficult, especially at first, they’ll empower you to choose yourself, teach others to respect you, and enable you to say “yes” to new and exciting opportunities that otherwise would have passed you by.

3. Build your oasis

True work-life balance is about enjoyment, not just spending an equal amount of time at work and at home. With this in mind, It’s important to create a working atmosphere that you like being in. An oasis that you’re psyched to go to every day.

Maybe this means investing in weird art to hang on your shop walls, or a mini fridge stocked with La Croix, or comfy furniture that feels like a vacation for your backside.

As an added bonus, the vibe you create in your shop can boost employee and customer satisfaction, too, which will help you put more money in the bank…

Which might enable you to take more time off of work…

Which could help you enjoy your job more…

Take some time to think about your work environment and how you can improve it. Then work to build your own oasis and work-life balance will be much easier to achieve.

4. Invest in online appointment scheduling

What’s the main reasons you struggle to balance work and personal responsibilities? If you said, “Because my phone constantly pings me with text, email, and calendar notifications,” you’re in good company.

Great news: an online appointment scheduling app can help!

Give your clients the chance to book appointments online at their own convenience. That way they don’t have to contact you to schedule a service. This simple thing will give you SO MUCH more freedom, while providing a better experience to each of your customers. Trust us, they’d rather book on their own terms than play telephone tag with you, too.

Do what many other independent service providers do and use online appointment scheduling software like Bookedin to achieve a balanced life and business.

5. Prioritize family time

Life is beautiful because we get to share it with amazing people. So sappy, but we bet your eyes are totally misting over right now. Know why? Because it’s true. So do yourself a favor and prioritize time with your loved ones.

For many small business owners, that means spending time with family on a regular basis. But if you don’t live near blood relatives, friends definitely count.

The time you spend with them will give you a chance to relax and take your mind off of your career. It will also remind you why you work so hard in the first place, re-energize you to continue growing your business, and, honestly, fill you with joy.

6. Learn to say no

Hate to break it to you, but you can’t be everything to everybody. Not possible, friend. But guess what — that’s fine!

Learning to say no is SO DIFFICULT for many people in the service industry because most of us are non-confrontational and we don’t want to let anyone down. Plus, “no thank you” often means “no money”. Or at least not as much money as you could have made.

But saying “yes” all the time will rarely (if ever) help you achieve proper work-life balance.

Instead of saying “yes” to every opportunity, learn to say “no” to anything that doesn’t fit the vision you have for your business, is bad for your health (mental and physical), or crosses the boundaries you’ve put in place.

Oh, and about the money…

Warren Buffet once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
In other words, you won’t achieve everything you could by saying “yes” to every low-level task, job, and client that comes your way. Take it from one of the richest dudes ever, “No” is your ticket to a better business and life.

7. Develop personal rules

Better time management for business purposes is hard. So to help you achieve it, we suggest developing personal rules. Or, if you’re a rebel and hate the word “rules”, feel free to call them guidelines, regulations, ordinances… whatever floats your boat.

Here are a few rules that may prove beneficial to you:

• No laptops in bed: If there’s one place in the world that should be a work-free zone, it’s your bed. This is where you rest and rejuvenate. Keep it that way by banning your laptop from your king-size. While you’re at it, ditch your phone, too.
• Never skip lunch: If you’re a hustler, you might view your lunch break as a wasted opportunity. After all, if you booked a client during that time you could make more money. But, as it turns out, the human body needs food to function properly. Fuel yourself so you can better enjoy your work and reach peak performance.
• Make time to pee: You know what’s not fun? Working for 16 hours straight while your bladder threatens to explode. Make sure you schedule enough break time between client sessions to use the bathroom and take care of normal bodily functions.

Making rules is easy. Following rules? Much more difficult. If you hope to succeed in this area, you’ll probably have to amp up your self-discipline.

8. Take care of your body

Building a business is hard. Building one when your mind and body aren’t in tip-top shape is even harder. That’s why physical exercise and a healthy diet are so important.

Think about it this way, a Porsche 911 and a Volkswagen Beetle will both get you from San Francisco to New York. But one will get you there in style and at a top speed of 182 miles per hour. (Hint: it’s not the Volkswagen.)

It’s the same with your business. Nobody is saying you have to be a fitness model to build a successful shop. But regular exercise and healthy eating habits will boost your energy and productivity levels, which have obvious benefits for service professionals.

So make sure you get enough sleep at night, take time to move your body on a regular basis, and eat a salad every now and then. If you really want to prioritize your physical and mental health, try meditating for a few minutes each morning.

If you do these things, you’ll feel better and have a higher chance of achieving quality work-life balance.

9. Delegate when possible

As we’ve already discussed, achieving an acceptable work-life balance is a constant battle — one that many of us lose Over. And. Over. Again.

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to up your chances of success: delegate.

Delegation will keep you from answering emails while attending your kid’s soccer game. Or posting on Instagram while out for drinks with friends. Or losing sleep because you have to balance the books after a 12 hour shift at the shop.

You should look to delegate when you either don’t have time to do a job, or don’t have the skill set to do it well. Here’s how:

1. Be clear on the goal you’re trying to achieve.
2. Clarify the due date for each delegated task.
3. State the main do’s and don’ts of the project.
4. Schedule follow-up meetings to review progress.
5. Always keep the lines of communication open.

Whether you’re swamped with website or social media management tasks, bookkeeping duties, or something else, delegation could be the key to regaining balance in your life.

10. Ditch your phone

Technology is an incredible tool that allows you to manage and market your entire service business. It’s also a drug that knows how to reel you in and completely control your time.

Tristan Harris, the founder of HumaneTech.com and the Time Well Spent movement, says:

“Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google have produced amazing products that have benefited the world enormously. But these companies are also caught in a zero-sum race for our finite attention, which they need to make money.”

Your phone is a direct line to the services that Harris mentions and it’s killing your balance.

So commit to turning your phone off for specific periods of the day, like when you’re at home and away from work. If turning off your phone is too much to ask, silence notifications instead. That way your attention isn’t constantly drawn to the supercomputer in your pocket.

11. Take the 80/20 rule to heart

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, says that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of causes. In other words, most of the progress you make in your shop can be traced back to a few select actions.

“Cool,” you’re thinking, “But how does this relate to work-life balance?” Easy: better time management for business can be achieved by focusing on the 20% of things that really matter to the success of your entrepreneurial journey.

Here are a few ways to use the 80/20 rule:

•  Offer more expensive services so that you make more money in less time.
• Provide a wider variety of services so that customers return more often.
• Work with fewer, high-value customers rather than many, low-value ones. (Just to clarify, a high-value customer is one that spends a lot and returns often. They probably even refer their friends. A low-value customer doesn’t do any of these things.)

By implementing these ideas (and similar ones) you’ll be able to maintain, or even increase your revenue without working a ridiculous amount of hours. Thus achieving a happy work-life balance and preserving your sanity. Win!

12. Forget about multitasking

You’ve heard the news and read the studies: multitasking doesn’t work for human brains. It kills productivity, causes subpar results, and even makes you less intelligent because it teaches your brain to *not* focus on specific tasks.

But what’s the alternative? Single-tasking.

By focusing on just one (gasp!) task at a time, you’ll become less stressed, have less anxiety, and experience more happiness. You’ll also become more productive and creative — two essential traits for small business owners.

But single-tasking after you’ve spent a lifetime multitasking isn’t easy. To help, we suggest baby steps. For example, instead of cooking dinner, listening to music, and texting a friend, focus on *only* preparing a delicious meal to feast upon.

13. Analyze your efforts

Finally, it’s important to track your work-life balance efforts. Which of the tips above work best for you. Which don’t? How can you adjust your approach to better manage your work-related responsibilities and personal life?

Learning how to balance work and life is a never-ending process. You never fully achieve it, but you *can* teach yourself to find it on a regular basis.

The goal: work-life integration

Here’s the deal, for service business owners such as yourself, work-life balance really isn’t the goal. Weird statement since we just spent 3,000 words telling you why balance is so important, right?

In all honesty, true balance is impossible to find, especially for entrepreneurs. Life is messy, things don’t always go according to plan, and there are a million different tasks vying for your attention at. Every. Single. Moment.

Rather than trying to spend equal time at work and on your personal life, look to integrate the two. Work-life integration is the process of fitting all of your responsibilities into a custom schedule that allows you to find fulfillment in each aspect of your life.

Just remember that only YOU can determine what the right “balance” of everything is. Decide what’s most important to you. Then discover ways to fit them into your routine so that they work for you, your loved ones, and your goals.

Take control of your life

Perfect work-life balance is impossible to achieve…

Fortunately, work-life integration is both perfectly attainable and preferred. Once you learn how to simplify your business and prioritize the things that really matter, your stress levels will plummet and you’ll be happier, healthier, and FREE.

How about a little reader participation? Let us know in the comments what your favorite work-life balance tip from this article is and how you plan to implement it in your business.

In a world where visual content remains the most effective way to gain and keep your client’s attention, Instagram presents a tremendous opportunity to promote your services, book more appointments, and engage with your client base.

Much more than the endless stream of scrumptious foodie photos and silly cat memes some people assume it to be, Instagram is a powerful marketing platform, boasting over 800 million users as of this post.

And with more and more people joining every day, savvy service providers have begun to pay attention and take advantage of the network.

But there are still many people who refuse to use Instagram to market their services. They say it takes too much time, the platform doesn’t provide enough marketing data, there’s no way to efficiently bring in new leads…

And while these complaints may sound serious, they’re really just myths… In fact, the following infographic, created by the designers at proessaywriting.com, busts ten of the most popular myths regarding Instagram.

Afraid you won’t be able to easily convert leads into clients? Simply include an appointment scheduling software link in your Instagram bio enabling potential clients to book their next haircut, tattoo or massage appointment right on the spot!

Think there’s no viable way to measure your marketing results on Instagram? Actually, there are many tools, a few of which are mentioned in the infographic, that will give you deep insights into who your followers are, what kind of content they enjoy, the optimal time to post, and more.

What about service based businesses? Instagram only works for e-commerce companies, right? Think again. Instagram is an incredible platform for proving the quality of your services. By posting photos of your work, you’ll create interest and build trust.

The truth is, with the right knowledge, many Instagram marketing myths can be busted. You CAN grow your client base using this social media network as evidenced by the tens of thousands of companies currently doing it.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the following infographic and bust the top 10 myths regarding Instagram!

P.S. We’ve recently jumped on the Instagram bandwagon too! We’re a small, but mighty picture posting machine and we’d love to connect with you. Follow @getbookedIN for all the juiciest online booking visuals on the web.

You’re a business owner and you LOVE what you do, right? Helping your clients, enhancing their lives, and connecting with them in authentic ways is very rewarding. But let’s face it, at the end of the day, you’re in business to make money.

That means getting more clients and better clients. And social media provides your business many marketing opportunities to do just that. Opportunities businesses would have killed for 15 years ago.

One of the best ways to use social media to get more clients and immediately increase your bottom line is through a feature Facebook introduced a few years ago called the “Call-To-Action” button.

Can this be a game changer for your business? Let’s find out…

What is Facebook’s “Call-To-Action” Button?

First off, what is Facebook’s “Call-To-Action” button? Simply put, the “Call-To-Action” button, CTA for short, is a button you can add to your Facebook page, encouraging visitors to do specific things.

(Note: this feature is only available for Facebook pages, not personal profiles.)
Different actions you can encourage your clients to take via the button include:

• Book Services: This option is great for increasing appointments at your establishment.
• Get In Touch: Encourage communication and start a dialogue with your fans.
• Learn More: Show people where they can discover more information about your business.
• Make a Purchase or Donation: Directly ask for a sale or for support for your organization.
• Download App or Game: Increase downloads of your mobile application.

Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Online Appointment Scheduling

For the rest of this post, we’re going to focus on the “Book Services” option because this CTA allows you top add a “Book Now” button to your Facebook page.
Once you create a “Book Now” button for your page, visitors will have the option to schedule appointments with you directly via Facebook. You can connect this feature to a specific page on your website or an appointment scheduler like BookedIN for the ultimate streamlined user experience.

According to Adroll.com, companies that allow their customers to book appointments with them directly through Facebook see an 8% increase in bookings!
At BookedIN, we love simple hacks to supercharge businesses. And activating a “Book Now” button on your page is a quick and easy process with giant potential benefits.

View this tutorial and quickly learn how to set up your “Book Now” button →

Why Do You Need A Facebook “Book Now” Button?

Now that we’ve established what the button is, let’s go over a few reasons why you should seriously consider adding this feature ASAP.

Imagine, for a moment, one of your fans is scrolling through their Facebook news feed. They see your latest post (a current sale or promotion you’re running, for example) and decide to view your page to see if there are any exciting updates they’ve missed…

Upon reaching your page, they see the big “Book Now” button just beneath your cover photo and think to themselves, “You know, I haven’t had a haircut/massage/etc. for a while… Maybe it’s time for another…”

In just one click, they are on your site or appointment scheduling page, booking their next appointment. That’s the power of the “Book Now” button… It creates a bridge between Facebook and your online appointment calendar and gives your clients a natural way to go from one to the other… Boom – money in your pocket!

Facebook’s Influence on Buying Decisions

Let’s also talk about the way that people now use Facebook to evaluate a business… According to Sprout Social, “74% of consumers rely on social networks to guide purchase decisions.”

And, “81% of U.S. online customers’ purchase decisions are influenced by their friends’ social media posts.” according to Market Force.
From reviews and wall posts to shared photos and recommendations from friends, your Facebook page plays a crucial role in whether or not a potential client decides to book an appointment with you or not.

So when a prospect is perusing Facebook looking for the services you offer, you need to be ready! A “Book Now” button signals to visitors that you’re professional and provides them with a convenient way to become a client.

Promoting Your Button

Facebook’s “Book Now” button is a wonderful feature and just having the button on your page could increase your bookings by up to 8% as previously mentioned!
But imagine if you were to apply a bit of elbow grease as well… you’re a business owner, that’s what you do right?

So let’s talk about ways to promote your button…

1. First, let your following know they can now book appointments with you through Facebook. We recommend posting about this periodically on your wall, as well as putting a blurb about it in your bio. The more people know about it, the more likely people will be to start using it.
2. Consider adding some kind of graphic to your cover photo to let people know they can book with you through Facebook. You could even add an arrow to your cover photo pointing right to the “Book Now” button. The point is to draw attention and make sure people see that you offer this feature.
3. If you have some money in your marketing budget, try running a paid promotion for your “Book Now” feature. To do this, click “Promote” in the main menu on your page (Left-hand side, under your profile picture). Click “Promote My {Call-To-Action}, Fill in the details, click promote.

There are other ways to promote your button as well, but these will get you started. Remember, the point is to raise awareness within your following that appointments can easily and conveniently by booked with your business through Facebook.

The Power of Social Media

As we’ve discussed before, social media is an incredible tool for growing awareness of your company, increasing engagement with your clients and staying top-of-mind when they happen to be looking for a product or service you offer.

Many small businesses – 76% of them according to clutch.co – have realized the power of social media and have implemented some kind of strategy to promote their products and/or services on these networks.

But social media is also becoming an increasingly beneficial medium for direct sales…

Meaning, many businesses are seeing immediate financial benefits from an effective social strategy. It’s not just about increasing reach and engagement… Companies are now using social media to help put money directly into their pockets!

Facebook’s “Book Now” button is a great way to start turning your social media pages into client grabbing, money making machines. We encourage you to set up a “Book Now” button today and see if it helps!

Did you play sports as a kid? If so, you might have received an award at the end of the year… Some kind of trophy, medal or ribbon recognizing you and your team for the hard work you put in over the course of the season.

Do you remember how proud you felt? That feeling of accomplishment as you set the trophy on the living room mantle for all to see was priceless, wasn’t it?
Well that’s how we’re feeling at BookedIN today… Guys, we’re getting a trophy!

We’re excited to announce that the premier business software review site, GetApp, has just named BookedIN a category leader in the Reservations and Online Booking Software Solutions market!

How GetApp Works

If you’re unfamiliar, GetApp is a website that helps millions of professionals discover, compare and select the best software for their business. And each quarter, they release their rankings of the top apps in each category based on 5 unique factors:

User Reviews:

Review scores are calculated by combining the total number, average rating and recency of reviews collected on GetApp as well as its sister sites Software Advice and Capterra.

Integrations:

An integrations score is given based on the number of integrations with other apps listed on GetApp relative to the category average.

Mobile Platforms:

This score is calculated based on the availability of an Android or iOS app and its respective ranking in the Google Play and App store.

Media Presence:

By calculating the amount of an app’s Facebook fans and twitter followers compared to other apps in the same category, GetApp gives a media presence ranking.

Data Security:

GetApp’s proprietary vendor-completed survey is used to rank the security of every software on their list. The security questions are based on the Cloud Security Alliance self-assessment form.

(Note: Our data security score was not factored in for this ranking due to a late survey entry.  When next quarter’s rankings come out, our data security scored will be included and we hope it will help us rank even higher!)

How We Rank

Each factor is given a score between 1 and 20. The individual factor scores are then added together for a grand total and apps are ranked accordingly. By scoring the results in such a way, GetApp ensures a completely unbiased ranking of each piece of software.

With BookedIN competing against 105 other apps in our category, the competition is fierce, but we’re proud to say we landed in the top 5!

See the complete list HERE.

Looking Ahead

We work hard everyday to make our software the absolute best that it can be. And it feels good knowing that our efforts are getting noticed. It also motivates us to continue striving to create a better online scheduling experience for you, our loyal customers.

We have big plans for BookedIN and we can’t wait to show you what we have in store, so stay tuned. In conclusion, we want to say thanks to GetApp for this high honor and thank YOU for using BookedIN. Now let’s get back to work!

Social media is everywhere these days. Facebook alone boasts over 1.2 billion active users! We get our news from Twitter, Instagram inspires us, and if we ever need to learn anything – literally ANYTHING – there’s YouTube.

Many businesses have adopted robust social strategies to connect and engage with their customers online. But despite the incredible marketing opportunities social media presents, I know many small business owners are still hesitant to invest in social media.

“I have no time,” they say…  “What should I post about,” they ask…  “I can’t keep up with the constant changes,” they cry…

If that’s how you feel, I totally get it! But, I have to be honest with you:

There’s NO excuse for not taking advantage of social media for your business. The marketing potential is just too great. The trick is figuring out how to make social media work FOR you and not the other way around.

So, let’s move forward under the assumption that social media is non-negotiable. Here are 5 ways to make it more manageable and, dare I say, even fun. Let’s dive in!

1. Commit to it

The first step to successfully using social media to promote your business is to actually commit to doing it in the first place! And I don’t mean a passing, “I’ll set up my profiles and post when I think of it” kind of commitment.

Social Media is a long game. The people who find success, post on a consistent schedule and don’t quit. They make a point to communicate with their followers on a regular basis.

BUT, commitment doesn’t mean you need to slave away for hours every day crafting post after post. You just need to develop a plan that works for you.

For example, what if you agreed to posting just 3 times a week? That doesn’t sound too bad, right?  And it will give you the chance to connect with your customers in a much deeper way.

Commitment is more about consistency than frequency. Start small and grow from there.

2. Pick your platforms

One common mistake I see small business owners make when it comes to social media is trying to be everywhere at once. But attempting to create content for every social network under the sun will leave you stressed and disappointed.

It’s much better to pick 1 – 3 networks and really invest your time there.

Do you enjoy taking pictures? Instagram is a great platform for photographers!  You could share photos of your top customers, motivational quotes to inspire your followers or behind the scenes shots of you “making the magic happen.”

Maybe you regularly check your personal Facebook page and are already familiar with the platform. A Facebook business page is a great place to display your services, accept online bookings, and notify customers of any sales you’re currently running. And, given Facebook’s intuitive advertising platform, you can easily run ads to meet specific business objectives such as getting more clicks on your “Book now” button.

Do you find yourself swiping through Pinterest before bed each night? This could be the perfect platform for you. You can “pin” pictures or videos related to your business to themed boards. This is an especially great platform to reach your female audience as they make up 71% of total users.

There are many other social media networks. The key is choosing a few you’ll enjoy and really owning it on those.

3. Promote that you’re on social

This may seem obvious, but so many business owners forget this step!  To have successful social media pages, you have to have followers, which means people have to know you’re there.

Start with the people already connected to you or your business. Email your list letting them know what social networks you’re on and ask them to follow/friend you. You can even give a reward for them doing so if you’d like.

Also, if you have personal social accounts, invite all those friends to like/follow your business accounts as well. Let them know it would really help your business and you would appreciate them taking a few seconds to join your page.

Other techniques could include posting flyers at your establishment promoting your social pages, adding social links to your website, and even partnering with established influencers on specific social channels.

All in all, there are many ways to inform the world that you’re on social – way too many to thoroughly discuss in this post – but attempting a few of these basic strategies and experimenting with others is a great way to get the word out.

4. Develop a content strategy

So at this point you’ve committed to consistently being on social media, you’ve decided what platforms you want to focus on and you’ve taken steps to begin promoting your presence there.  

Now it’s time to get serious about the content you’re posting. 

Most businesses post to their business profiles like they would to their personal profiles – random pictures, statements, updates – with no forethought to the bigger picture.

To run successful social media pages, you must develop a content strategy! But this doesn’t need to be difficult or time consuming. Simply ask yourself:

• Who am I trying to reach?
• What content will they find most entertaining and/or helpful?
• What am I hoping to achieve by better engaging with my followers?
• And, how do I want to present my business to the world?

By asking yourself these questions, you’ll begin to discover what content your customers most connect with and you can develop a content strategy that incorporates these types of posts.

For example, let’s assume you’re in the personal training niche and you’ve determined that your audience responds best to motivational quotes related to fitness, new workout videos, etc. You would then center your content around posts of this nature.

Armed with your content strategy and the posting schedule we discussed earlier, you can create a complete plan for reaching your customers with meaningful content on a consistent basis.

5. Be social

Lastly, remember that these are social networks which means you must be social! Use your posts to ask your followers questions. Respond to their comments and initiate dialogue. 

Be sure to write in a conversational tone as nobody wants to engage with stuffy “business speak”.

Also, don’t be afraid to be light hearted or post humorous memes/pictures if this coincides with your branding. People love to laugh and you’ll build a special bond with your audience if you can consistently make them smile.

Lastly, keep in mind why most people spend time on social networks in the first place. To have fun, connect with people and organizations they care about, update family and friends on happenings in their lives.

People will engage with and even look forward to seeing your posts if you present your business in the way your customers want to see you. This doesn’t mean changing everything about who you are as a business, but rather, adjusting to the social medium you happen to be on.

In conclusion, social media can be an incredible marketing tool when used correctly.  And it doesn’t need to consume your life either. Use the above steps to better engage with your customers, reach new prospects, and ultimately improve your bottom line in a way that works for your unique business.

If you don’t have online booking set up yet and you’re wondering how to get in on the action, you’re in luck. You can get started for free today. BookedIN’ appointment scheduling software will help you save time, reduce stress, and get control of your booking chaos.