Missed appointments drain profit and credibility. Automating SMS reminders through Fizl can drop your no‑show rate below 5 %. Follow the evidence‑backed cadence, paste one of the 12 scripts, and let Fizl handle the timing.
Table of Contents
- Why No‑Shows Hurt More Than You Think
- Proof That SMS Reminders Work
- Canadian Compliance Checklist (CASL)
- Perfect Reminder Cadence (+ Free Template)
- 12 Copy‑Paste Scripts (EN & FR)
- Configuring Automation in Fizl
- Advanced Tactics
- FAQ
- Next Steps
Why No‑Shows Hurt Canadian Solo Entrepreneurs
| Impact | Cost |
|---|---|
| Lost revenue per visit | ≈ $200 average across home‑service verticals |
| Extra driving / fuel | 5–12 km wasted per missed booking (internal Fizl mileage data) |
| Lower Google rank | Completed jobs & fresh reviews weigh heavily in local SEO |
| Opportunity cost | Replacement booking usually goes to a competitor |
Even two missed jobs a week can erase $8 000+ per year for a one‑person cleaning business—enough to fund a part‑time assistant or new equipment.
Proof That SMS Reminders Work
- Automated reminders reduce no‑shows by 30–70 % across service businesses.
- Medical practices report < 5 % missed appointments after adding SMS + voice reminders.
Why SMS beats email and phone calls:
- 98 % open rate within five minutes.
- No app downloads or data plans required.
- Two‑way replies (e.g., “1 to confirm”) create an audit trail Fizl can read automatically.
Canadian Compliance Checklist (CASL)
| Rule | How to Comply in Fizl |
|---|---|
| Express consent to send CEMs | Capture a verbal “yes” or a tick‑box at booking; Fizl stores the timestamp. |
| Identification | Include business name + phone in every template footer. |
| Easy opt‑out | Add “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”; Fizl auto‑suppresses further SMS. |
| Record keeping | Consent logs are retained for six years should an audit occur. |
The Perfect Reminder Cadence
| Stage | Timing (local) | Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmation | Immediately | SMS + email | Set expectations and allow quick rescheduling |
| 24‑hour | 24 h before | SMS | Jog memory; share instructions (parking, pets) |
| 2‑hour | 2 h before | SMS; optional voice fallback | Catch last‑minute conflicts |
| Thank‑you + Review | 1 h after | SMS + email | Turn satisfaction into ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pro tip: For recurring services (weekly lawn care) you can skip the 2‑hour ping to avoid alert fatigue.
12 Copy‑Paste Reminder Scripts
Standard 24‑Hour SMS (EN)
Hi {{firstName}}, just confirming your {{serviceType}} tomorrow at {{time}}. Reply 1 to confirm, 2 to reschedule — {{Your Business Name}}. Reply STOP to opt out.
Rappel bilingue (FR)
Bonjour {{firstName}}, rappel : votre service {{serviceType}} est prévu demain à {{time}}. Répondez OUI pour confirmer ou NON pour reporter. – {{Nom de l’entreprise}}
All tokens ({{firstName}}, {{time}}) map to Fizl job fields—no code required.
Configuring Automation in Fizl
Create a single reminder workflow that:
- Triggers on every new booking.
- Sends a confirmation message immediately.
- Schedules a 24‑hour reminder (SMS) and, optionally, a 2‑hour reminder with voice fallback for undelivered texts.
- Fires a thank‑you / review request once the job status is marked Completed.
This event‑driven approach covers the full client journey without manual follow‑ups or step‑by‑step clicking inside the dashboard.
Advanced Tactics
- Smart send‑time — Base reminders on Google‑Maps travel buffers; rural clients may get the 2‑hour ping earlier.
- A/B testing — Split audiences by script variant; track confirmation lift.
- Channel failover — If SMS bounces, auto‑send WhatsApp or enriched RCS.
- Language auto‑detect — Switch templates between English and French using client language preference.
- Dynamic media — Attach before‑and‑after photos in the thank‑you SMS to nudge clients toward visual reviews.
FAQ (Optimised for Featured Snippets)
When should you send an appointment reminder? Best practice is 24 hours before the visit, with an optional nudge 1–2 hours prior. This balances memory refresh with enough buffer to reschedule if needed.
Is it legal to text clients in Canada? Yes—if you obtain express consent, identify your business, and include a clear opt‑out, you comply with CASL.
How many reminders are too many? For most home‑service jobs: confirmation + 24‑hour (+ 2‑hour if high value). Beyond three pings, opt‑outs rise sharply.
Next Steps
Ready to cut no‑shows and grow revenue? 👉 Start your free Fizl trial — automate reminders, invoices, and reviews in minutes.