Home Business, Product & Tool Tips Business Tips 7 Effective Ways to Integrate Online Booking with Email Marketing Campaigns 
Business Tips

7 Effective Ways to Integrate Online Booking with Email Marketing Campaigns 

Daena Skinner
10/07/2024
Eye icon 2569
Comment icon 0

This post is also available in: French Spanish Portuguese (Brazil) German

A booking system can be a boon to managing appointments for service-based businesses. But what’s the best way to connect personally with clients to book with your business without intrusive sales calls?
The answer is– email marketing with “Book Now” CTA!
Email marketing is one of the best business tactics for contacting your clients and increasing conversion. 75.4% of all consumers preferred emails to receive promotional messages. So, integrating online booking with email marketing can quickly fill all your appointments. This simple button could generate amazing results in your email marketing campaign.

However, a content marketing strategy will be the key to your email marketing campaigns to yield meaningful results. To help you out, this article covers:

  • Seven ways to integrate online booking into your email marketing campaigns.
  • Ideas to integrate bookings for different industries like SaaS, Hospitality, Beauty & Wellness, etc
  • Kick-ass email templates that you can just copy and paste for your next bulk email campaigns 

Online Booking With Email Marketing Campaign

Email marketing campaigns are scheduled email series that engage subscribers to nurture leads and increase conversion. Each email ends with a call to action (CTA) that seeks the subscriber to take your desired action, such as booking a call, webinar, consultation, follow-up, etc.

Let me give you an example that we use at my company, Hennessey Digital. One of the more effective ways we engage our prospects is by offering a free in-depth SEO audit of their site. So in our email marketing campaigns, we target prospects who have shown interest in our services but have yet to book their consultation. Once we send this follow up email, we make sure that our CTA guides them towards the action of booking their audit with us, using an online booking CTA. 

With an online booking CTA, your business can leverage email marketing to:

  1. Drive Engagement: An optimized online booking CTA gets your subscribers to engage with the email content. It can guide the reader to click on it and navigate to a dedicated booking landing page, open a calendar app, or complete a form.
  1. Guide Users: An online booking CTA clarifies what the email recipient needs to do. It helps them book with your business directly by not making them put extra effort into figuring it out on their own.
  1. Direct Website Traffic: Booking CTAs can route direct traffic to your booking page. This generates more website traffic and, in turn, positively affects conversion rates. 
  1. Measure Performance: CTAs make tracking your email campaign’s performance easy. Check conversions, click-through rates (CTR), and other metrics to see how well your campaigns perform.
  1. Boost Conversions: All of the above pointers condense down to this one. Your booking CTA will convince users to take the desired action, greatly increasing conversion rates. 

7 Effective Ways to Integrate Online Booking with Email Marketing Campaigns

If you want your business to benefit from all that a booking CTA offers in email marketing, you’ll have to develop some content ideas for your email marketing strategy. Consider these seven ways to use online booking with your email campaigns: 

  1. Personalized Booking Reminders

Do you have customers who you haven’t heard from in a while? They might just need a little reminder that you and your business are here to serve them. 

Automate email reminders to book with you again with personalized recommendations based on their past interaction with your business. 

Example For SaaS Businesses:

If you’re a SaaS business, you’ve probably had:

  • A customer who showed interest in the demo but never scheduled an appointment
  • A customer with a previous purchase but never got any upgrades or other services 

The personalized booking reminder can come in handy in such a scenario. 

Email Template Example:

Subject line: We’re Here With Something You May Like!

Hey there, ___

It’s been a while since we last heard from you. 

We’ve noticed you enjoyed [past purchase] and are sure you’ll also like [new upgrade].

What does [new upgrade] do for you? 

  • [Feature 1]: [Brief description]
  • [Feature 2]: [Brief description]
  • [Feature 3]: [Brief description]

We’ve also got a special offer to welcome you back:

[Special offer]

Book a demo today, and let us show you what the [new upgrade] can do for you!

[Book now button]

See you soon,

[Your name]

[Business name]

[Contact information]

  1. Exclusive Offers and Discounts

Retail ecommerce businesses often use offers and discounts. It’s a proven strategy that the co-founder of Tumble Living, Zach Dannet says helps entice prospective customers and push the purchase of their products. 

“Consumers love to feel special. They like being a part of an exclusive group and getting a deal that not everyone has access to. We found that offering exclusive perks accessible only for repeat customers, for example, helps drive quick purchase decisions,” he says. 

Basically, Tumble segments their email list based on a customer’s purchase history. Clients who have made significant purchases and are showing interest in other products are then targeted and sent emails where the brand pitches a complimentary interior design consultation for a limited time to drive urgency. 

“Integrating this strategy in promotional emails and using online booking as a way to drive conversions helps drum up additional interest for our products. Customized offers based on their interest and past interactions to tell them it’s ONLY for them 

Example For Retail Brands: 

Do you have prospective customers lurking on your website checking out upcoming stock? Don’t let them wander off and leave their cars behind. A special discount or promotion could be all they need to finish their transaction.

To motivate customers to act quickly, highlight that these offers are available to only a limited number of loyal customers. This scarcity creates a sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO), encouraging customers to act quickly and take advantage of the limited opportunity.

Email Template Example:

Subject line: Get _% Off To The Early Bird Exclusives!

Hi ___,

Interested in our [product]? 

You showed up at the right time because we’re offering 10 early birds an exclusive consultation with our interior design experts on how to decorate your home.

Save your spot by booking your consultation with our expert interior designer below. 

[Save your spot button]

What will you get?

  • Customized interior design tips and advice
  • Exclusive discounts
  • A chance to get your home featured in our website

Take advantage of this limited-time offer

[Book now]

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Business name]

[Contact information]

  1. Post-Booking Follow-Up

According to the Pareto Principle, you make 80% of the profit from 20% of the customers who already did business with you. So, once a lead converts by booking with your company, don’t just end your interaction there. Take the opportunity to engage and even upsell them with a post-booking follow-up email.

What should this email include? It can be anything, from personalized thank-you notes and additional resources to special offers on complementary services. 

Example For Hospitality Businesses:

If a customer booked a stay with you, they’re probably going to need additional services, such as:

  • Taxi from the airport
  • Sightseeing package
  • Kids activities
  • Meal arrangements 
  • Relaxation activities, such as spa and massage

Don’t have them look elsewhere; use email marketing to nudge them in the right direction. 

Email Template Example 

Subject: Get The Most Out Of Your Stay At [hotel name]🌟

Hi ___,

Thank you for choosing [hotel name] for your stay! We’re getting ready to welcome you and make you comfortable.

To help you make the most of your experience in [city name], here are a few exclusive offers for you: 

  • [Book airport taxi at _% off]
  • [Explore our curated sightseeing packages]
  • [Keep them kids entertained]
  • [Meal packages]
  • [_% off on a couple’s spa session]

Book before you visit to get the special prices! 

[Book additional services button]

We can’t wait to make your stay unforgettable!

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Hotel name]

[Contact information]

  1. Abandoned Booking Recovery

It’s frustrating when a customer starts to book your service but never finishes it. However, these customers are active leads; you shouldn’t give up on them. Pursue them with retargeted campaigns, such as an abandoned booking recovery campaign. 

“Each potential client is valuable, even if they don’t convert immediately. Don’t give up on them. What works for us is to use abandoned booking recovery emails to re-engage them. It emphasizes our commitment to providing the best service and demonstrates our willingness to go the extra mile so they get the most out of their investment with us,” Gianluca Ferrugia, Managing Director of DesignRush shares. 

Example For Personal Meetings & Services

Users often browse services from different service providers to get a good deal. This browsing period is the prime time to persuade them to choose your business–it’s the same strategy that DesignRush uses to get their active leads to convert. 

To boost conversions for a service oriented company like DesignRush, they throw in a limited-time deal that gives their customers access to a limited-time discount if they book a call with their representative now. Incentivizing booking completion aids the decision-making process and acts as the last straw in tipping the individual to make the purchase. 

Email Template Example 

Subject: Tell Us About Your Project And Get _% Off!

Hey there, ___,

Tell us about your project and well help you find the best agency you need. We don’t want you to miss out on this! 

Complete our form within the next 24 hours, schedule your consultation and enjoy _% off! 

[Complete my booking button]

The clock’s ticking; don’t let the bonus slide. 

Regards,

[Your name]

[Business name]

[Contact information]

  1. Seasonal Campaigns

Changing seasons is a great excuse to launch a new email marketing campaign. Each season comes with its themes and holiday events. For example:

  • Summer celebrates the 4th of July and pool-time activities
  • Spring means St. Patrick’s Day and themes of a fresh start
  • Autumn with Halloween and FIFA season
  • Winter with Christmas and themes that express warmth and coziness

Craft seasonal campaigns to take advantage of different moods and themes of the seasons, offering special packages and easy booking during these popular times.

Example For Restaurants

Restaurants, cafes, pubs, breweries, and other F&B businesses can benefit from seasonal campaigns, as food preferences and themes vary each season. 

Draw in crowds by hosting special events and use emailers to send invitations. Get the foot traffic you need by adding a booking CTA that allows them to book their tables ahead of time. It’s easy and fuss free. 

Email Template Example:

Subject: Exclusive for Regulars–Book Your Spot Ahead of [Occassion] 

Hi [Recipient’s Name],

As the season changes, so does our menu!  We’re excited to invite you for a special [seasonal event/theme]. 

We’re expecting to be fully booked for this occasion but because you’re a loyal customer, we’re giving you a chance to book your spot in advance. 

Reserve Your Table Now

Click the button below to reserve your table in advance and ensure you have a spot at our special event.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Restaurant Name]

[Contact Information]

P.S. Hurry, tables are filling up fast! Secure your spot now and enjoy a fantastic [season/event] celebration with us.

  1. Feedback and Reviews

You don’t have to wait for your client to book again to get in touch. Reach out right after the event or service ends to get feedback. 

Seeking feedback and reviews makes customers feel you care about them and improve your services. Plus, it helps you build social proof. 

But it’s also a great opportunity to prompt them to continue the service. 

Example For B2B Businesses

“After a campaign, we send our clients an email that asks them to review our services. We ask them what part of the whole process they liked, what areas we can improve on and so forth. But we go one step ahead and add a CTA that asks them to book an appointment with our representative for their next campaign,” shares SEOProfy Founder and CEO Victor Karpenko. 

Add in a special discount as an added incentive to encourage more business.

Email Template Example:

Subject: Share Your Experience at [Event Name] 🌟

Hey ___,

We want your feedback to improve our future events and services.

Take a few moments to share your thoughts on what you liked, what you didn’t like, and what we missed out on. Please fill out our short feedback form below.

What’s next on your marketing pipeline? We’d love to help. 

Schedule a call with us to walk us through what you need and get an exclusive discount on your next campaign. 

[Book now button]

See you again soon,

[Your name]

[Company name]

[Contact information]

  1. Loyalty Program Integration

Want your customer’s loyalty? Ask for it with a loyalty program. Give them good perks and rewards to stick with your brand. You can keep them coming back for more by encouraging repeat booking with information on:

  • Points accumulation
  • Reward system 
  • Exclusive offers for members

Example For Beauty & Wellness: 

Aestheticians, make-up artists, nail technicians, masseuses, personal trainers, and other beauty and wellness professionals thrive with a loyal client base. Introduce a loyalty program for your business and offer irresistible perks and top-notch services. That’s all it’ll take for your clients to stick with you. 

Email Template Example:

Subject: Become [business name] Exclusive For Amazing Rewards! 🌟

Hey ___,

We love you and want you to be an exclusive member of our clique. Join our loyalty program and earn points [or other benefits] whenever you visit us. 

What You Get with Our Loyalty Program:

  1. [list your benefits]

How to Join: 

Joining our Loyalty Program is simple! 

Click the button below, sign up, and earn points for your next booking.

[Join us today button]

You’re in good hands,

[Business name]

[Contact information]

Conclusion

While I’m concluding this lesson on bringing in more bookings with email marketing, your job just got started! 

Now that you’ve got some good ideas for integrating online booking with email marketing, it’s action time! Streamline your business’s booking process with SimplyBook.Me, prepare a content strategy, create an email schedule, and start sending emails with “BOOK NOW” CTAs! 


Author Bio

Jason Hennessey – Founder of Hennessey Digital (www.hennessey.com)

Jason Hennessey is a renowned entrepreneur, internationally-recognized SEO expert, and business coach with a career starting in 2001. He has extensively studied and mastered Google’s algorithm, leading to the successful growth and sale of multiple ventures, including a prominent digital marketing firm specializing in the legal sector. Since 2015, as CEO of Hennessey Digital, he has overseen its rise to a multi-million dollar enterprise featured twice on the Inc. 5000 list. Jason is also a prolific speaker and educator, sharing his SEO wisdom through keynotes, his podcast, and his educational platform iloveseo.com.

Discover New Updates at SimplyBook.me This June!
Arrow iconPrevious post
How to Encourage Customer Reviews and Feedback on SimplyBook.me
Next postArrow icon