Will a cancellation policy drive clients away?
Not serious clients. Clear rules feel professional, and clients see them everywhere from doctors to hairdressers. They mainly deter people who would cancel repeatedly, which is better for your business.
Set clear rules for cancelling and rescheduling sessions, package validity, and occasions when you cancel the appointment. Copy the document or save it as a PDF.
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Adds a rule that the client keeps the session and receives a replacement time or has it returned to their package.
A cancellation policy enforced from memory does not work. Make one exception, the client asks for it again, and soon there is no policy at all. A written version shared at the start of the coaching relationship does two things: it sets expectations before the first conflict and makes difficult conversations easier because you can refer to a rule, not your mood. Use our personal training price calculator to see how much inconsistent cancellations can cost your business.
Not serious clients. Clear rules feel professional, and clients see them everywhere from doctors to hairdressers. They mainly deter people who would cancel repeatedly, which is better for your business.
Talk to them directly and give notice. Explain that you are standardising the rules for everyone from next month, then send the policy in writing. Do not apply it retroactively to past situations.
The rule remains in place, but you decide when to make an exception. Handle illness or a crisis with empathy and say clearly that it is an exception. Apply the policy to repeated late cancellations or it will stop meaning anything.
It can form part of your agreement when the client has clearly received and accepted it, ideally with a signature or written confirmation. Review the template and consult a lawyer when your situation is unclear.
Review the policy with the client before their first paid session and apply it consistently. Handle genuine exceptions with judgement, but make them consciously.
Calculate how much unprofessional cancellation costs your businessPrepare GDPR consent for your clients tooPrepare a client intake questionnaire tooChoose a notice period and consequences that you can apply consistently without improvising.
Send the policy before the first payment and ask the client to confirm that they understand it.
Consistent rules protect your time and the client relationship. Assess exceptional circumstances individually.
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