I'd like to take a minute to discuss a few topics of etiquette.
First, most of us, when we begin our small business, we keep costs as low as possible. So low we use our personal cell phone and probably a free email address. We spend (more than we might be comfortable with) on a website and some business cards. Then the business starts to take off. It's doing so well, we decide we need to get a separate business telephone line and professional business email. We move to a space that fits our growing size and spend more money on business cards with all the updated information. All this new information is updated on google platforms, even google maps with very specific photos. Then, we even update our website and social media with not just the address, but step by step instructions and the correct phone number and email address. We utilize the older information for a time, usually a few to six months or so. But we push for the new information to be used in it's place.
You are excited. You prepared for this appointment. You looked up where the location is that you're going to, down to what floor and what office or suite number. You saved the phone number from the website, just in case there might be an unforeseen delay, and still arrived early. You are awesome. The perfect client in the way of etiquette. Unfortunately, everyone is not like you.
Many Readers are appointment based. It's the nature of the work. You may find, especially now, that you may be asked to pay in advance, or if you book online, payment holds your appointment. That is because, all too often, our appointment doesn't show, or is ill prepared by not looking up where they are going or getting the appropriate phone number or email to contact when they're running late. That means, that time is unusable, wasted. No other appointment can be made in it's place. We not only miss out on opportunity to take another client, but there may have been a client that wanted, or needed, a sooner appointment than they ended up with. Maybe that missed appointment would have been ideal for them, instead.
Most of us have Terms & Conditions listed on our websites just for these circumstances, but really, who is reading the fine print? We do need to charge for these missed appointments, because, "time is money" as they say.
Then there's friends. We love our friends. We make friends feel even more special by cutting a break on price, or even, sometimes giving freebie appointments. Can we afford to? No, not always, but we make exceptions where we can, if possible. Appointments for friends are tricky. It's our business. We expect our friends will be the same as any client, right? Shouldn't they be? In short, yes. Friends or not, your appointment is professional. Your business is professional. That means you'd be held up to the same standard as anyone. Know where you're going, as you would for any appointment. Get the business phone number and email, just in case. And arrive early. As you would with any other professional service.
Personally, I don't keep my personal cell phone out. It's usually put away, on silent, when I'm at my office, I have a business line that I will answer between readings, if I'm in a reading it will go to voicemail, which also emails me. That means, friend or not, if you have an appointment with me, for a reading or a consultation, or even a class, I'm going to have high expectations that you've checked how to get to my office, as I have my address and directions everywhere, even very specific photos on google and google maps, or that you've called the office or emailed for more specific directions (although the directions on my website and google maps is really hard to get wrong and I've added step by step directions in the confirmation email and reminder emails). I'll expect you will call my office if there's an unforeseen delay. Some appointments are even after hours, when the main doors are locked, so I'll go let you in 5 minutes prior to your appointment (this is also listed in Terms & Conditions on my website) and in your appointment confirmation email.
Because I'm a small business, trying to grow, I've had to make exceptions in my personal time. I have had to make posts on my personal social media because I'm not able to get back to friends and family right away. I have a growing business, and it is very time consuming. I've sited specifically that if there is a business related question, or question regarding an appointment, to call or email my office, so as to not mix up personal and business matters. It's the only way to make the two entities separate. If you're coming to my office, or that of any other service, it's not a social call, it's a business matter. Please be prompt to your appointment and if you do need to reschedule, follow the policies stated in the Terms & Conditions. Please do not contact personal ties. I won't get the messages from missed calls or texts right away and that appointment time will have been wasted. It also shows little respect for the business, whose time you may not be fully charged for.
Our time is valuable, just as yours is. Book all appointments using the business' preferred methods, if asked for payment to schedule, please understand it's to hold your appointment. Friends, if your small business friend doesn't offer you perks or freebies anymore, please understand it's because we can't all afford what happens with no-shows.
Etiquette and respect are vital to a small business. Please help us help you get the best experience from your appointment.
Always be prompt, give advanced notice if you're running late, and contact the business' prefer methods of contact. Know where you are going, GPS is great but I won't help you locate an office or Suite number.
Know that feeling when you're at the Doctor's office for an appointment and an hour has gone by all the while you're still sitting there waiting? That's what we want to avoid. Most of us have taken precautions in our Terms & Conditions that any tardiness will be deducted from the appointment, sometimes, it may cause cancellation of the appointment so our other appointments can still be on time.
Etiquette all around is so important. For us, as the readers, and for you as the clients.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. And thank you for helping to build The Crescent Moon Tarot. Stay awesome, folks.
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