100+ studios worldwide share their real stories, real results, and a few tricks that make clients actually show up.
Intro
Every piercer has been there. A full schedule, a day packed with clients… and then a no-show.
That's why we asked our community to share their ideas and put together this guide packed with real strategies from real studios to reduce last-minute cancellations and ghosted appointments.
Keep scrolling to see what helped them keep their no-show ghosts away.
- Deposits/Prepayment
- Automated reminders
- Clear policy & Confirmation
- Self-serve rescheduling
- Waitlist/Standby fills
- Blacklisting/Strike system
- Educational prep
Why it works.
People respect what they’ve paid for. When there’s skin (or cash) in the game, they think twice before ghosting. It also sets the tone: your time has value.
How to do it.
- Quick win: Ask for a small, non-refundable deposit when booking.
- Level up: Adjust the amount based on appointment type.
- Full send: Require full payment for guest spots or big projects.
One way to say it.
“To lock in your appointment, we take a $xx deposit. It goes toward your total the day of. Cancellations under 24 hours or no-shows lose the deposit.”
Watch out for.
- Being too rigid. Stuff happens. Have a bit of wiggle room for emergencies.
- Not explaining clearly where the deposit goes.
What to track.
No-show %, cancellations, and how often deposits get forfeited.
Why it works.
Sometimes people just forget. We all do.
A friendly nudge makes a huge difference. Reminders show you’re organized and you care.
How to do it.
- Easy: Turn on your booking app’s reminders.
- Better: Add your own message and tone.
- Pro: Layer it. One 48h before, one the day before, one a few hours before.
One way to say it.
“Hey [Name], just a heads-up, your piercing is tomorrow at [Time]! Hit this link if you need to reschedule.”
Watch out for.
Sending too many. Nobody likes spam. Forgetting to include reschedule options. That’s how people ghost.
What to track.
Confirmation rate and no-shows after each reminder.
Why it works.
Clarity kills awkwardness. When clients know what to expect, they’re less likely to bail.
How to do it.
- Put your policy where they can’t miss it.
- Ask them to agree before booking.
- Have them confirm their spot the day before.
One way to say it.
“By booking, you agree to our 24-hour cancellation policy. Missed appointments forfeit deposits. Thanks for understanding!”
Watch out for.
Tiny fine print. Being upfront earns respect. Also, if you make exceptions, keep them consistent.
What to track.
How many people confirm, how many cancel under 24h.
Why it works.
People are way more likely to move an appointment than cancel it if it’s easy. Give them control instead of guilt.
How to do it.
- Add a “reschedule” link to your texts or emails.
- Bonus: make it clear they keep their deposit if they give 24h notice.
One way to say it.
“Need to change your appointment? Tap here. No lost deposit if it’s 24h or more before.”
Watch out for.
Hidden or broken links, or reschedules too close to the time slot.
What to track.
How many people reschedule vs. straight-up no-show.
Why it works.
Every cancellation can turn into an opportunity. A quick text can fill your day.
How to do it.
- Keep a small list of clients who said, “let me know if anything opens.”
- Post last-minute openings in your stories.
- Some booking systems can auto-fill from a waitlist.
One way to say it.
“Got a 2PM spot open today. First come, first served! Reply YES to grab it.”
Watch out for.
Not updating your list or overbooking by accident. Always confirm in writing who took the spot.
What to track.
How many cancellations get re-filled.
Why it works.
Boundaries protect your time. If someone ghosts twice, they’re telling you how they value it. Believe them.
How to do it.
- Keep notes in your booking app.
- After two no-shows, require prepayment.
- For chronic offenders: a short ban works wonders.
One way to say it.
“After two missed appointments, we require full prepayment for future bookings.”
Watch out for.
Being too harsh. Keep it professional, not personal.
What to track.
Repeat offenders and how often they come back after policy change.
Why it works.
Most no-shows aren’t rude. They’re nervous, unsure, or unprepared. Education helps them show up confident and ready.
How to do it.
- Send an “everything you need to know” email after booking.
- Include parking info, ID reminder, and what to expect.
- Add a short reel or infographic. Visuals help.
One way to say it.
“You’re all set for your piercing! Eat something beforehand, bring ID, and show up five minutes early. You got this 💪.”
Watch out for.
Walls of text — keep it short and friendly.
What to track.
Engagement with prep emails + same-day cancellations.
Advice from ghost-busters
Know that you're not alone. It happens to all of us sometimes.
- @bodymodsbymichele
Online booking with text/email reminders is something that will help immensely.
- @piercingsbyhoney
Some things are entirely outside of our control and people taking appointments seriously sits firmly in that territory.
Perhaps consistent no-shows are a sample of the bigger picture about the community or the community's relationship with one's business.
How are the vibes? What's the tone? Are you making friends or just serving clients?
The obstacles that vex us the worst are usually an opportunity for necessary growth. The difficult part is discovering what part of us or our business needs to grow.
- Anonymous piercer
Take deposits and send reminders with directions to the shop, parking info, public transit info, hours, no show policy, etc
- Anonymous piercer