How long should an appointment reminder text be?

Under 160 characters keeps it to one SMS segment. Lead with the business name so it is recognised, and put the date and time up front.

Should a reminder text ask people to confirm?

If you want to fill cancelled slots, yes: a reply-Y-to-confirm text tells you who is coming. If you just want to reduce no-shows, a plain reminder is enough.

What about people who do not use text messages?

A large share of older clients never read SMS. A reminder phone call reaches them on the same handset without a smartphone or a texting habit, which is what DoNotify does.

Appointment Reminder Text Templates (SMS, Copy-Paste)

Appointment Reminder Text Message Templates

Text reminders have to be short, so these all fit inside a single SMS. Replace the [brackets] and keep them under 160 characters where you can.

1. Standard text reminder

Hi [First name], reminder of your appointment with [Business] on [Date] at [Time]. Reply or call [Phone] to change it.

2. Confirm by reply

[Business]: you are booked for [Date] at [Time]. Reply Y to confirm or N to cancel. Thanks!

3. Day-before nudge

See you tomorrow at [Time], [First name]. [Business], [Address]. Need to move it? Call [Phone].

4. No-show follow-up

Hi [First name], we missed you today. Call [Phone] or reply here to rebook with [Business] whenever suits you.

5. Deposit or policy reminder

[Business]: your appointment is [Date] [Time]. Cancellations within [24h] may be charged. Reply to confirm.

Stop sending these by hand

Texts get buried in a busy thread, and plenty of older clients do not text at all. DoNotify sends the reminder for you on a schedule: write the wording once, and it goes out as a real phone call to any handset, landline or mobile, with no app for the person receiving it. Voicemail gets a retry, and every call is logged. There are 14 free reminder calls to try it, no card required.

Start free or see how appointment reminder calls work.