# What Are Appointment Reminders? Timing & Tips

Source: https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-reminders

> Appointment reminders are messages sent before a booking to confirm the time and cut no-shows. Learn when to send them, what to include, and texting rules.

Appointment reminders are messages a business sends before a scheduled appointment, usually by text or email, to remind the customer of the date, time, and location and make it easy to confirm or reschedule. They reduce no-shows caused by forgetting and free up slots when customers who can’t make it reschedule instead of skipping.

## How appointment reminders work

Most systems send reminders automatically from the calendar: one a few days ahead to allow rescheduling, and one the day before as a final prompt. A good reminder includes the service, date and time with time zone, address or meeting link, any preparation, and a simple way to reply.

Texting rules apply. In the US, consent and opt-out handling matter for business texts under the [TCPA](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa), replies like STOP must be honored, and the reminder should come from a number the customer recognizes.

## Example: a pet groomer’s Saturday appointments

A pet grooming salon books Saturdays weeks in advance. Three days before each appointment, owners get a text reminder; the day before, another. One owner replies that her dog is sick, and the assistant moves the appointment to the following Saturday, opening the slot for another customer. This scenario is illustrative.

## Reminders in InsertChat

Appointments InsertChat’s assistant books can get a reminder by text or email 72 hours and 24 hours before. If the time doesn’t work, the customer replies or calls and the assistant offers another open time on your calendar.

Opt-out keywords such as STOP are honored for texts, and START opts back in. Texting depends on your number’s country and carrier; UK numbers are voice-only. See [AI scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling), [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms), and the [pet grooming setup](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming).

## When should appointment reminders be sent?

A common pattern is two reminders: a few days ahead so customers can reschedule, and the day before as a final prompt. Very early appointments may need an evening-before reminder.

## Should reminders go by text or email?

Text is read quickly and suits short notices; email suits details like preparation instructions. Offering both covers customers who prefer one or the other.

## Related terms

- [No-show rate](https://insertchat.com/glossary/no-show-rate): A no-show rate is the percentage of booked appointments where the customer neither arrives nor cancels in advance.
- [Appointment scheduling software](https://insertchat.com/glossary/appointment-scheduling-software): Appointment scheduling software is a tool that lets customers book, reschedule, or cancel time with a business based on its real availability.
- [A2P 10DLC](https://insertchat.com/glossary/a2p-10dlc): A2P 10DLC is the US framework for business text messaging sent from standard 10-digit phone numbers.
- [TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)](https://insertchat.com/glossary/tcpa): The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, is a 1991 US federal law that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed calls and texts, and calls using prerecorded or artificial voices.

## Related InsertChat pages

- [AI appointment scheduling](https://insertchat.com/product/scheduling)
- [AI text messaging](https://insertchat.com/product/sms)
- [AI receptionist for pet groomers](https://insertchat.com/industries/pet-grooming)