Appointment reminder texts
Send two reminders, about three days before and the day before. Keep each to the time, the place and how to change it. Get the client's OK to text when they book.
Massage, bodywork and wellness
About three days before
The day before
Therapy and counseling
Keep the type of visit out of the text. Anyone can read a phone screen, so the business name and time are enough.
About three days before, and again the day before
Salons and personal care
About three days before, and again the day before
Trades and home services
Give an arrival window and say you'll text when you're on the way. A window gives the customer a clear reason to be home.
The day before
On the way
When and how to send appointment reminder texts
Two reminders beat one. In a randomized trial of 54,066 patients, 4.4% missed their visit with reminders three days and one day before, against 5.3% with only the day before reminder and 5.8% with only the three day one. Across seven trials in a Cochrane review, text reminders lifted attendance from 67.8% to 78.6%.
Most booking tools can send reminders on a schedule, and you can paste these in as your wording. Setup steps for each tool go up once we've tested them in a real account.
Do I need permission to text clients?
Yes. The wireless industry's guidelines, which carriers use when deciding what to filter, say a reminder needs the client's express OK, and marketing texts need written consent. Ask when they book.
When a client replies STOP, or words like quit, end or unsubscribe, the FCC's rule says you must stop within ten business days, and you may send one text confirming it. From 25 November 2026, a STOP sent in reply to a reminder can be treated as stopping reminders only, not every message. This is a plain summary, not legal advice.
If you send through a business texting service on a regular phone number, texting services also require 10DLC registration through The Campaign Registry.
Questions owners ask
How many reminders should I send?
Two. In a trial of 54,066 patients, reminders three days and one day before cut missed visits more than either one alone. We'd stop at two, so it doesn't feel like nagging.
Do I need permission to text clients?
Yes. Ask when they book, and keep a way for them to stop texts. Most US business texting tools also ask you to register your number for business texting, known as 10DLC.
Sources
- Optimizing number and timing of appointment reminders: a randomized trial (Steiner and others, 2018) American Journal of Managed Care Checked
- Mobile phone messaging reminders for attendance at healthcare appointments (Cochrane review, 2013) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Checked
- Using digital notifications to improve attendance in clinic: systematic review and meta-analysis (Robotham and others) BMJ Open Checked
- Messaging Principles and Best Practices (May 2023) CTIA Checked
- Strengthening the Ability of Consumers To Stop Robocalls (FCC 24-24, 47 CFR 64.1200(a)(10)) Federal Register Checked
- Enhancing the Ability of Consumers To Control the Robocalls (FCC 26-67), effective 25 November 2026 Federal Register Checked
- The Campaign Registry FAQ The Campaign Registry Checked
Updated 3 November 2026