SMS to confirm an appointment: the perfect template

7 August 2025 | 6 mins read

Young man smiling with glasses and a blue shirt, looking at his smartphone.

Today, we’re going to talk about something that might seem simple, but believe me, it can change your life (professional life, of course 😉): the SMS to confirm an appointment.

We've all been there: an overflowing calendar, a client forgetting their slot, and boom! An hour wasted. Frustrating, isn’t it? 😩 Well, it turns out that a well-thought-out notification can make all the difference. No more missed appointments ruining your schedule and especially your revenue.

So, how do we go about writing THE perfect message? One that is professional, friendly, and super effective? That’s what we’re going to explore together. After this article, you’ll be the kings and queens of appointment confirmation via SMS! 👑

🤝 Why is SMS your best friend for confirming an appointment?

One might ask: "Why bother with a text message when an email will do the job?" Excellent question! But the numbers speak for themselves. Brace yourself: the open rate for SMS reaches staggering heights, with an impressive score of 98%, compared to just 20% for emails. And that's not all! The vast majority of SMS, about 95%, are read within three short minutes of being received. Suffice to say, it’s the most direct and instantaneous communication channel you can find.

Just imagine: you send a confirmation for an appointment and you can be almost certain your client will see it, and almost immediately. That's pretty reassuring, isn't it? No more crossing your fingers hoping your email doesn't get lost in the spam abyss.

A young man smiling in smart casual attire in an office.

Personal anecdote:

I remember a hairdresser, let’s call her Chloe, who was on the verge of a breakdown due to missed appointments. She was wasting a lot of time and, of course, money. One day, she decided to try SMS appointment confirmations. At first, she was sceptical. Then, magic! ✨ Her no-show rate dropped dramatically. She told me it was like day and night. Her clients were delighted with this handy little reminder, and she could finally organise her schedule with peace of mind.

The benefits:

⏰ A phenomenal time saver:
No more endless reminder calls. A text to confirm an appointment can be sent in just a few clicks, and you’re done.
😎 A top-notch brand image:
Sending a confirmation SMS shows your clients that you are modern, organised, attentive, and that you care about them. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference and builds trust.
🧘‍♀️ Less stress, more business:
By reducing no-show appointments, you optimise your schedule, gain efficiency, and ultimately improve the profitability of your business. It’s mathematical! In fact, some professionals estimate that this simple action can reduce missed appointments by 4 times, not bad, right?

You see, SMS marketing is not just a gimmick. It’s a powerful and incredibly effective tool for all professionals managing appointments, whether you're in beauty, healthcare, real estate, or even automotive.

🧪 The secret ingredients of a perfect confirmation SMS.

Now that you are convinced of the usefulness of SMS for confirming an appointment, let's get practical. How to write the ideal message? It's a bit like a recipe: you need the right ingredients, in the right proportions.

Clarity above all: be simple and direct

An SMS is short. Very short. Generally, we stick to 160 characters to ensure the message displays fully on all phones. So, no unnecessary fluff! Get straight to the point. Your client should grasp the essentials at a glance.

Here are the essential pieces of information to include:

Your name or your company's name:
This is fundamental, but it's sometimes forgotten. The client needs to know who is writing to them.
The client's name:
Personalisation is key! A "Hello [First Name]" is much warmer and more engaging than a simple "Hello".
The date and time of the appointment:
This is the main information, so make sure it is clearly visible.
The location of the appointment (if necessary):
If you have multiple addresses or if it's a first appointment, be sure to specify the location.

Personalisation: the little touch that makes all the difference.

We've already mentioned it, but I insist: personalise your messages! A professional SMS, for instance, one that includes the client's name, shows that you see them as a person, not just a number in your database. It's an excellent way to build a relationship of closeness and trust.

Type of personalisation	Example
Client's name	"Hello [First Name], your appointment is confirmed..."
Service detail	"...for your transformation haircut on..."
Client's name	"...with Sophie on..."

The call to action: encourage a response

To be 100% sure that your client has noted the appointment, it's best to ask them to confirm their attendance. This is what we call a call to action.

A few simple and effective examples:

"Reply YES to confirm"
"In case of any issues, please notify us at [Phone Number]"
"To modify or cancel, click here: [Link]"

This simple phrase allows you to update your schedule in real-time and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Illustration of a smiling young black businessman looking at his smartphone, with his team in the background.

📝 Professional SMS example to copy and paste without moderation!

Enough theory, let’s move on to concrete examples! Here are some SMS templates for confirming an appointment that you can adapt to your industry and style. Feel free to add your personal touch and, of course, emojis to make it more fun! 😉

The classic, simple and effective: this template gets straight to the point, it’s perfect for most situations.

"Hello [First Name], confirmation of your appointment at [Your Company Name] on [Date] at [Time]. If there are any unforeseen circumstances, please contact us at [Number]. See you soon! 😊"
"Hi [First Name]! 👋 Just a quick message to confirm your appointment on [Date] at [Time] with [Colleague's Name]. Please reply YES to confirm your attendance. Looking forward to seeing you!"

The model with additional information

Ideal if you need to give special instructions to your clients.

"Hello [First Name], your appointment for [Type of Service] is confirmed for [Date] at [Time]. Please remember to bring [Document or Item]. Our address: [Address]. Thank you and have a great day!" ☀️
"Confirmation of your appointment at [Your Company Name] on [Date] at [Time]. Please arrive 10 minutes early. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. See you soon!" 🚗

The super friendly and casual model

If your brand image is more cool and friendly, this type of message is for you.

"Hi [First Name]! Your appointment is confirmed in our schedule for [Date] at [Time]. We can’t wait to see you! The team at [Your Company Name]" 🤩.
"Hey [First Name]! It’s all set for your appointment on [Date] at [Time]. Get ready to be pampered!" 😉!

Remember, the best example of a professional SMS is one that reflects you and speaks to your clients. Be creative!

Illustration of a smiling businessman in a blue suit holding a smartphone.

🤖 The art of automation: how to schedule a SMS?

Sending confirmation SMS one by one is fine. But when you have thousands of appointments each week, it can quickly become time-consuming. Fortunately, technology is here to save us! 🙏

Why automate? The superpowers of technology

Automation is simply the act of programming a text message to be sent automatically, without you having to lift a finger (or almost). The benefits are enormous:

No more forgetting:
Once it’s programmed, you can relax. No more sticky notes on your screen reminding you to send confirmations.
A significant time saver:
The time you no longer spend sending texts can be dedicated to your core business.
Consistent communication:
All your clients receive the same type of message, at the same time. It’s professional and enhances your image.

How does it work? SMS platforms to the rescue

To automate your messages, the simplest way is to use an SMS platform. There are plenty on the market, each with its own specifics. These platforms allow you to:

Create message templates:
You write your text message to confirm an appointment once and for all, and you can reuse it indefinitely.
Import your contacts:
You can easily upload your client list to send bulk messages.
Schedule the sending:
You choose the exact day and time for your texts to be sent. For example, you might decide to send the first confirmation right after the appointment is made, then a reminder 24 or 48 hours prior.
Manage responses:
Some platforms offer the feature of 'automated SMS response'. For instance, if a client replies 'YES', they might receive a thank-you message.

Choosing a good SMS platform is crucial for a successful SMS marketing strategy. Take the time to compare offers and choose one that best fits your needs and budget.

Did you know? On most Android smartphones, you can schedule a text message directly from the 'Messages' app. It’s a handy tip for occasional needs!

🕰️ The perfect timing: when to send your confirmation SMS?

We have the perfect message, we know how to automate it... but when should we send it? Timing is a crucial element of your SMS marketing strategy. A message sent at the wrong time risks being ignored, or worse, annoying your client.

The right timing for maximum impact

There is no universal rule, as the ideal moment largely depends on your business sector and your clients. However, here are some points to consider:

Immediate confirmation:
Just after the appointment is made, send a first SMS to confirm that everything is in order. This immediately reassures the client and provides them with a written record of their time slot.
Reminder 48 hours before:
A reminder two days before the appointment is an excellent practice. It gives the client time to organise themselves and, if necessary, to reschedule without putting you in a difficult position.
Reminder on the day:
For those who are a bit forgetful (we all know a few!), a little reminder on the morning of the appointment can be invaluable.

Studies on consumer behaviour show that Tuesdays and Thursdays are often days when people are more receptive to marketing messages. Conversely, Monday mornings (when everyone is busy) and Friday afternoons (when people are already thinking about the weekend) may be best avoided for non-urgent communications.

Absolutely avoid: timing blunders

Sending an SMS too early in the morning or too late at night:
Respect your clients' sleep and privacy! 😴
Sending a message on Sunday evening:
This is generally not the best time to capture attention.
Harassing your clients:
One or two reminders is perfect. Five is starting to be too much!

The secret is to find the perfect balance. Don’t hesitate to test different time slots and analyse the results to see what works best for you.

Conclusion: The confirmation SMS, your new stress-relief ally!

And there you go, we've covered everything! You now have all the tools you need to create the perfect SMS to confirm an appointment.

To summarise, here are the key points to remember:

The SMS is a powerful SMS marketing tool with unbeatable open and read rates.
A good message should be clear, personalised, and include a call to action
Don't be afraid to use templates and adapt them to your style, with a good dose of emojis! 😜
To save time and increase efficiency, consider scheduling a text message and using a sms platform to automate your sends.
Timing is crucial: send your messages at the most opportune moments to maximise their impact.

Studies on consumer behaviour show that Tuesdays and Thursdays are often days when people are more receptive to marketing messages. Conversely, Monday mornings (when everyone is busy) and Friday afternoons (when people are already thinking about the weekend) may be best avoided for non-urgent communications.

By adopting these best practices, you will not only drastically reduce the number of missed appointments, but also improve your customer relationships and project an ultra-professional image. It's a small action with huge benefits!

So, ready to get started? Don't wait any longer and make marketing texts your best asset for flawless organisation and happy clients.

🤔 FAQ: We answer your questions!

Can I use abbreviations in my confirmation texts?

It's better to avoid them. To remain professional and ensure clear understanding, use clear language without abbreviations, even if space is limited.

How much does it cost to send professional SMS?

Prices vary depending on the sms platform and the volume of SMS you send. Many platforms offer packages suitable for all business sizes, and it's often very affordable, especially considering the return on investment!

How can I obtain my clients' phone numbers?

The simplest way is to ask directly when making an appointment. Just explain that it's for sending a confirmation and a reminder; most clients will appreciate this consideration.

What should I do if a client cancels via SMS?

That's great news! It means your system is working. You can set up an automatic response to sms to acknowledge the cancellation and, why not, offer a link to reschedule. Your slot is freed up and you can offer it to another client. Everyone wins!

Is the confirmation SMS suitable for all sectors?

Absolutely! Whether you're a doctor, hairdresser, real estate agent, mechanic, personal trainer... as long as you manage appointments, the confirmation SMS is a fantastic tool to optimise your organisation and communication.