{"id":112966695,"date":"2019-05-31T13:52:11","date_gmt":"2019-05-31T10:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/?p=112966695"},"modified":"2019-12-22T19:17:59","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T17:17:59","slug":"automate-your-coaching-client-bookings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/automate-your-coaching-client-bookings\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Automate Your Coaching Client Bookings with Thrive Architect"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you run an online coaching business, you know that scheduling new clients can quickly become a logistics nightmare.First the client reaches out to work with you by email……then you have to reply to their inquiry with all your basic explainer info as well as possible times for them to schedule their initial consult call.But then that new client responds to your email saying that the times you suggested aren\u2019t possible \u2014 but doesn\u2019t offer any alternatives<\/em>.Pretty soon, you find yourself in a time consuming<\/strong> game of email ping-pong before the appointment time gets locked down. But of course the inevitable happens…\u2026 said client totally forgets about the call and no shows on you<\/em>: Rinse<\/strong>. Recycle<\/strong>. Repeat<\/strong>.If you\u2019re an online coach, this sort of scheduling nightmare needs to become a thing of the past, but how?<\/em><\/p>\n

The solution is actually simple and can help you eliminate such time intensive and revenue crushing email back-and-forths.Ready to learn how combining the power of Thrive Architect with an online scheduling service can automate your new and current client booking and onboarding process \u2014 directly through your WordPress website?<\/em>Then read on\u2026<\/p>\n

What You\u2019ll Need To Automate Your Client Scheduling<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s get right to it. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to automate your new and current client scheduling:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A WordPress website<\/a> (because we always encourage solopreneurs like you to build a business on your own platform<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  2. Thrive Architect<\/a> (to quickly build and launch your new client landing page)<\/li>\n
  3. An online booking tool (like Calendly<\/a> or Acuity Scheduling<\/a>)<\/li>\n
  4. And an online calendar tool (like Google Calendar<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Once you have these 4 key online assets<\/strong> ready to go, we recommend that you get started creating a new client landing page<\/em> focused on converting your site\u2019s visitors into new discovery call clients. Essentially, this website asset will become the first step in your new customer coaching funnel as it gives your online visitors a place to learn about your services and take that all important first coaching step with you \u2014 the initial consult call<\/em>.So assuming you already have your WordPress website up and running, let\u2019s talk about how you can create your new client landing page lightning fast<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    Give Your Coaching Business a Professional First Impression<\/h2>\n

    If you want potential clients to take your coaching business seriously, a professional looking website that funnels visitors into a new client landing page is a fantastic way to offer them upfront value that builds trust.With that professionally designed new client landing page, potential clients will be able to find you, understand what your coaching services entail and then self-book<\/strong> their initial coaching call with you if they decide to take the plunge.That\u2019s where Thrive Architect<\/a> comes in. With it, you can create that \u201cBook Your Discovery Call\u201d landing page in minutes<\/em>.By using one of our prebuilt landing page templates<\/a>, you can quickly choose, customize and launch your landing page with just a few clicks and copy modifications.To show you just how fast that step can be, I took our Thrive Biz \u201cGuitar Lessons Homepage\u201d template<\/a> and converted into an online physique and nutrition coaching landing page by simply changing the copy and replacing all the pictures used within the template. To get the first iteration of your landing page done and shipped, you don\u2019t have to make it more complicated than that<\/em>:(Tk screenshot of the fast edit landing page)Now let\u2019s take a look at how you can integrate one of two online scheduling services with your new client landing page to completely remove yourself from the entire booking process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    The Easy Way To Integrate an Online Scheduling Service with Your New Client Landing Page<\/h2>\n

    The two freemium online services we recommend you look into using for this purpose are Calendly<\/a> and Acuity Scheduling<\/a>.Although both services work great to automate your new (and current) coaching client scheduling, they definitely have their pros, cons and pricing differences.Both services offer a free version of their tool \u2014 but of course limit the features you get with them<\/em>.And because Calendly\u2019s most expensive plan is equivalent to Acuity Scheduling\u2019s least expensive plan, I\u2019ll only be comparing the two companies’ free and price equivalent plans for you below.Let\u2019s now take a look at the feature line ups of the two free service and paid service plans followed by a simple way you can integrate whichever plan you choose into your new client landing page.<\/p>\n

    Calendly vs Acuity Scheduling\u2019s Free Pan Features<\/h3>\n

    Perhaps the best way to study the differences between Calendly and Acuity Scheduling\u2019s free features is with a comparison table so here it is:<\/p>\n

    Calendly vs Acuity Scheduling\u2019s Free Pan Comparison Table<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Features<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

    		\n

    Calendly<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

    		\n

    Acuity S.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

    \n

    Advanced Backend Dashboard<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Office 365, Outlook and iCloud<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Client self scheduling<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Automatic time zone conversion for clients<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Schedule unlimited events<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Unlimited event types<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    \u200bOnly 1 event type allowed<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Personalize your appointment scheduling link<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Automated event email notifications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Intercom Integration<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    Zapier Integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \n

    PayPal & Stripe Payment Integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    The three biggest differences between Calendly and Acuity Scheduling\u2019s free plans to understand \u2014 especially if you\u2019re bootstrapping your coaching business and trying to minimize costs<\/em> \u2014 is that:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Calendly allows you to integrate their scheduling service with your preferred online calendar where Acuity Scheduling does not,<\/li>\n
    2. Calendly will send you and your invitees automated appointment and cancellation email notifications where Acuity Scheduling will not, and<\/li>\n
    3. Calendly will automatically convert times to your client\u2019s local time where Acuity Scheduling will not.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      These are all\u00a0critical features<\/strong>. That’s why any coach choosing to automate their scheduling with a free plan should select Calendly for over Acuity Scheduling.However, Acuity Scheduling does have Calendly beat with their advanced backend dashboard design. It\u2019s fancy and allows for easier setup of things like your available appointment times.<\/p>\n

      Tk screenshot of AS’s backend dashboard.<\/em>By contrast, Calendly\u2019s dashboard is more simplistic, makes setting up available appointment times more difficult and does not display your scheduled appointments in a convenient calendar view.<\/p>\n

      Tk screenshot of Calendly’s backend dashboard.<\/em><\/p>\n

      These dashboard creature comforts aren\u2019t mission critical though so Calendly is still the preferred option if you\u2019re getting started as a scrappy bootstrapper.Now let\u2019s take a look at the price equivalent plans ($15 per month) to see how that paid service comparison stacks up for you.<\/p>\n

      Calendly Pro vs Acuity Scheduling\u2019s Basic \u201cEmerging Entrepreneur” Paid Plan Features<\/h3>\n

      For $15 per month, you\u2019ll get every feature offered by Calendly<\/strong> (in their top-tier \u201cPro\u201d account) where you\u2019ll only receive Acuity Scheduling\u2019s basic paid feature set<\/strong> with their \u201cEmerging Entrepreneur\u201d plan (the bottom-tier paid plan).Again, let\u2019s use a plan comparison table to see what $15 per month buys you between Calendly and Acuity Scheduling:<\/p>\n

      Calendly vs Acuity Scheduling\u2019s $15 \/mo Paid Plan Comparison Table<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      \n

      Features<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

      		\n

      Calendly<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

      		\n

      Acuity S.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

      \n

      Advanced Backend Dashboard<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Calendar integrations: Google Calendar, Office 365, Outlook and iCloud<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Client self scheduling<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Automatic time zone conversion for clients<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Schedule unlimited events<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Unlimited event types<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Personalize your appointment scheduling link<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Automated event email notifications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Customizable email notifications and reminders<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      SMS Text Message Reminder Notifications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Intercom Integration<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Zapier Integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Payment Integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		\n

      PayPal or Stripe<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		\n

      PayPal, Stripe &\/or Square<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

      \n

      Advanced Payment Features<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Removable Scheduling Tool branding<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Pooled availability options for teams<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Offer classes, workshops, or group events<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      Zoom & GoToMeeting Integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      \n

      MailChimp, AWeber, Constant Contact, ConvertKit, and MadMimi email integrations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

      		<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      Upon comparing the two $15 per month paid plan options, you can see that the feature sets are more or less equivalent<\/strong>. Many of the mission critical features Acuity Scheduling did not provide in their free service become available to you in their paid plans.And once you start spending money for an online scheduling tool, the important differences become:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Acuity Scheduling\u2019s superior backend dashboard\u200b,<\/li>\n
      2. Acuity Scheduling’s integrations with several popular email marketing integrations. If you use one of these email marketing platforms for your coaching business (like MailChimp), then Acuity Scheduling becomes a superior option for you.<\/li>\n
      3. Acuity Scheduling also has superior client payment options (like accepting payments and deposits through PayPal, Stripe and\/or Stripe, vaulting credit cards for charging clients later, letting clients tip you, and allowing you to offer coupons or vouchers for discounts).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Because of all these differences, Acuity Scheduling will likely be the best option if you decide to select a paid plan for your online coaching business.<\/p>\n

        Paid Plan Recommendation Caveat for Online Teams<\/h4>\n

        Pooled availability options for online teams don\u2019t become available to you with Acuity Scheduling until their $25 \/mo and $50 \/mo tiered payment plans.<\/p>\n

        That means if you have a team of coaches or employees supporting your business, Calendly may be the better online scheduling tool for your business due to its lower monthly price point.<\/p>\n

        Integrating Your Online Scheduling Service with Your New Client Landing Page<\/h2>\n

        So now that:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Your WordPress website is up and running,<\/li>\n
        2. The right online scheduling plan for you has been selected and set up, and<\/li>\n
        3. Your Thrive Architect built new client landing page has been published…<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          …it\u2019s time to integrate your online scheduling service with your landing page.There\u2019s a super simple way to do this.First, go into either your Calendly or Acuity Scheduling account and find your shareable scheduling link:Tk Add images with captions showing and explaining how and where to get these links.With the link copied, then go to your new client landing page and paste the self-booking page url into your call-to-action button action setting:Tk Add image with caption showing and explaining how and where to add this link in the landing page.Now when your potential clients land on your new client page and click the CTA button to book their initial consult call with you, they\u2019ll be sent to either your Calendly or Acuity Scheduling booking page.Once that\u2019s done, you can finally say goodbye to email scheduling ping pong once and for all!<\/p>\n

          Now Go Get Your Clients to Self-Book<\/h2>\n

          By setting up an automated scheduling system like this for your online coaching business, you\u2019ll have more time to focus on earning (and keeping) new clients instead of letting them slip through any logistical cracks.See how easy it is to take your coaching business to the next level by automating your client scheduling like this?If you\u2019re an online coach, let us know what you think of this system and how it can help you boost the bottom line of your business by leaving a comment for us below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          If you run an online coaching business, you know that scheduling new clients can quickly become a logistics nightmare.First the client reaches out to work with you by email……then you have to reply to their inquiry with all your basic explainer info as well as possible times for them to schedule their initial consult call.But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30733,"featured_media":112966706,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25571],"tags":[6489,1032,135,1742,1157,25305,1586,58,9036,845],"class_list":["post-112966695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-build-your-business","tag-beginner-landing-pages","tag-conversion-optimization-2","tag-customization","tag-landing-page-2","tag-landing-pages","tag-silo1-coaching","tag-speed-of-implementation","tag-templates","tag-thrive-landing-pages","tag-tutorial","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112966695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30733"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112966695"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112966695\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112966706"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112966695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112966695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112966695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}