Frank Cort
Founder, Apptoto
- 15+ years building Apptoto
- Ex-Yahoo engineering leader
- Stanford MS, 6 patents
65+
ARTICLES
3,000+
BUSINESSES SERVED
6
TOPIC AREAS
Areas of Expertise
About Frank
I’m the founder of Apptoto, which I started in 2010 and still run today. I’m a software programmer by trade and a serial entrepreneur by habit. Before Apptoto, I spent over a decade building software at scale, engineering on Yahoo Messenger and then growing Xobni’s engineering team from 9 to 20+ as VP of Engineering before the company was acquired by Yahoo. I hold a master’s in computer science from Stanford and six patents, and I still write code most days.
Apptoto started with a real conversation. I watched a local salon go from packed one day to empty the next because the stylist had forgotten to send reminders, so I built a system to fix it. As someone who has started businesses myself, I identify personally with professionals trying to manage and grow theirs. Fifteen years later, that system has grown into a platform that 3,000+ businesses in over 90 countries rely on. When I write about the technical side of appointment automation, integrations, or how a feature works under the hood, it’s because I built it or reviewed the code that did.
My goal is simple: automate appointment reminders and messaging for appointment-based professionals so they can reduce no-shows, cut costs, and grow revenue.
Background & Credentials
M.S., Computer Science, Stanford University
B.S., Computer Science, Oregon State University
Education
Sr. Software Engineering Manager, Yahoo
VP of Engineering & Chief Architect, Xobni
Technical Lead, Venrock Innovation Lab
Previous experience
6 U.S. patent issues in software & communications technology
Patents
Editorial Note: Every technical guide on this page is written or reviewed by the person who built the product. When I explain how an Apptoto feature works, it reflects the actual code.
Featured Guides
The Anatomy of a Successful Appointment Cancellation Policy [2026 Guide]
If your business doesn’t show up when someone types “{your service} near me” in Google, do you even exist? Of course you do. But to the customer who is ready…
Appointment Reminders and Regulatory Compliance: FCC and TCPA
Google Calendar does not have a built-in way to send text message reminders. And if you have ever ignored one of Google’s default 10-minute warnings…
87 Appointment Reminder Templates to Send Your Clients
You’re a business owner, not a copywriter. Rather than waste cycles trying to craft the perfect copy for your text or email appointment reminders, just use these…
All Articles
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Control Your Online Schedule with “Availability Overrides”
Read more: Control Your Online Schedule with “Availability Overrides”Are you tired of creating fake appointments on your calendar to block off time on your Apptoto online booking pages? Have you wanted to add or adjust your schedule availability…
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Improve Customer Satisfaction by Sending Appointment Reminders
Read more: Improve Customer Satisfaction by Sending Appointment RemindersAppointment reminders are valuable in ensuring your business provides great customer satisfaction. Often, the stress of making and keeping appointments can interfere with employees’ ability to offer good customer service.…
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Top 3 Reasons To Start Using Online Payments With Apptoto
Read more: Top 3 Reasons To Start Using Online Payments With ApptotoIt’s time to start using online payments. However, we know that adding a new step to your workflow can feel overwhelming. That’s why we are here to help. Let’s break…
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Appointment Scheduling With Apptoto and Microsoft Teams
Read more: Appointment Scheduling With Apptoto and Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft Teams is a powerful collaboration and appointment-scheduling platform that is quickly becoming a go-to solution for businesses of all sizes. One of the standout features of Microsoft Teams is…
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Best Practices: Automated Appointment Reminders for Healthcare
Read more: Best Practices: Automated Appointment Reminders for HealthcareMissed that appointment reminder from your doctor? That’ll be $50, please. No-shows and late arrivals are common problems for many healthcare providers. They create gaps in scheduling, reduce revenue, and…
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Less No-Shows, More Learning: A Case Study with Spanish55
Read more: Less No-Shows, More Learning: A Case Study with Spanish55Appointments can be a major struggle for any busy professional. Doctors, dentists, and accountants all demand time that breaks up the normal work day and wreaks havoc on the daily…
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Apptoto’s seamless integration with Virtual Meetings
Read more: Apptoto’s seamless integration with Virtual MeetingsBased on our data, we’ve seen a 10x increase in the number of virtual meetings this year! This change in behavior is almost certainly due to COVID; however, Virtual Meetings…
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Make Rescheduling Effortless with Apptoto’s Appointment Scheduler
Read more: Make Rescheduling Effortless with Apptoto’s Appointment SchedulerWe are hearing from clients that many of you are starting to re-open in lieu of the COVID-19 shutdown. As you begin to re-open, you may want to ask clients…
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Introducing “Compose to All” Appointments
Read more: Introducing “Compose to All” AppointmentsApptoto has had the ability to message multiple appointments at once for a while now. However, doing so required you to manually check checkboxes for each appointment you want to…
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3 Common Appointment Reminder Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Read more: 3 Common Appointment Reminder Mistakes And How To Fix ThemWhile it may not feel like it, making mistakes when sending out appointment reminders is a common problem. So don’t worry, you’re in good company. Many appointment-based businesses treat reminders…
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How to Increase Client Appointments with an Online Scheduling Tool
Read more: How to Increase Client Appointments with an Online Scheduling Tool2019 marked the first year that US consumers spent more time on their mobile devices than watching TV. Surprisingly, many appointment-based businesses are still investing in television ads. However, many…
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Send Texts from Your Business Landline
Read more: Send Texts from Your Business LandlineAccording to an FCC study done in 2017, only 10% of the 455 million telephone numbers in the United States are landlines. A whopping 75% of numbers are mobile phones.…
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4 Ways To Improve Text Appointment Reminders to Clients
Read more: 4 Ways To Improve Text Appointment Reminders to ClientsDid you know 62% of no-shows occur simply because clients forget their appointments? We get it. People are busy. Combat forgetfulness with a text message appointment reminder strategy that works.…
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Should I Send Text or Voice Reminders to My Clients?
Read more: Should I Send Text or Voice Reminders to My Clients?Sending appointment reminders to your clients is a necessity in today’s busy world. 62% of no-shows occur simply because your client forgot. To combat forgetfulness, send timely appointment reminders with…
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Limit Impact of Cellular Carrier Filtering on Your Business Messaging
Read more: Limit Impact of Cellular Carrier Filtering on Your Business MessagingRecently, Sprint and T-Mobile have increased their text filtering criteria, causing some text messages to fail to send. Unfortunately, our service provider does not always flag failed messages. This means…
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How to Keep Patient Messaging HIPAA Compliant?
Read more: How to Keep Patient Messaging HIPAA Compliant?Healthcare professionals spend hours each week sending reminders to their patients. Whether you or your staff are taking care of it, manually sending messages to patients about their upcoming appointments…
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5 Holiday Campaigns to Boost Your Appointment Bookings
Read more: 5 Holiday Campaigns to Boost Your Appointment BookingsChristmas in October? It might have been over a month ago when department stores started displaying their Christmas wares, but if you haven’t started prepping your business for the holidays,…
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How CPAs Can Use Text Messages for Appointment Scheduling
Read more: How CPAs Can Use Text Messages for Appointment SchedulingStarting in the fall, tax firms and CPAs start gearing up for their busiest time: the upcoming tax season. Don’t waste time reaching out individually to remind your clients to…
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87 Appointment Reminder Templates to Send Your Clients
Read more: 87 Appointment Reminder Templates to Send Your ClientsYou’re a business owner, not a copywriter. Rather than waste cycles trying to craft the perfect copy for your text or email appointment reminders, just use these 87 industry-specific appointment…
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New Customization Features for Apptoto Booking Pages
Read more: New Customization Features for Apptoto Booking PagesApptoto’s online scheduling just got better! Now, you can customize the look and feel of your booking pages to match your business’s brand. Another great addition that our customers asked…
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21 Home Service Text Appointment Reminder Examples
Read more: 21 Home Service Text Appointment Reminder ExamplesRunning your own home services company is tough. As a business owner, you wear many hats each day, like marketing, sales, foreman, accountant, and office administrator. What if you could…
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7 Auto Service Appointment Reminders for your Automotive Shop
Read more: 7 Auto Service Appointment Reminders for your Automotive ShopSave Time with Automotive Services Software Reduce late arrivals and no-shows with Apptoto’s automotive service scheduling software. With Apptoto, send your customers quick appointment reminders via text, phone call, or…
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Remind and Recall: 16 Patient Appointment Reminder Templates
Read more: Remind and Recall: 16 Patient Appointment Reminder TemplatesDid you know that your patients prefer text message appointment reminders? Patient text message reminders have a 30% higher confirmation rate than phone calls and a whopping 150% higher confirmation…
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14 Spa and Hair Appointment Reminder Templates for the Modern Client
Read more: 14 Spa and Hair Appointment Reminder Templates for the Modern ClientMissing a hair or spa appointment that you’ve been looking forward to for days, weeks, even months (hello, balayage, we’re looking at you) is the worst. Especially when that appointment…
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9 Therapy Appointment Reminder Templates to Improve Patient Communication
Read more: 9 Therapy Appointment Reminder Templates to Improve Patient CommunicationYour patients have a lot on their minds, which makes it easy to forget things. As a result, they may miss their sessions, costing you time and money. Unfortunately, missed…
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How to Text Appointment Reminders to Your Clients
Read more: How to Text Appointment Reminders to Your ClientsYou run your own business. That means you have plenty of things to worry about, but reminding your clients when and where to show up shouldn’t be one of them.…
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How To Use Apptoto’s Zapier Integration to Add Appointments to Google Sheets
Read more: How To Use Apptoto’s Zapier Integration to Add Appointments to Google SheetsMany of our clients manage their appointment-based business through Google Sheets. This can be a quick and easy way to keep all of your appointments in one place, especially if…
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Law Firm, JDKatz, Amplifies Commitment to Client Service with Apptoto
Read more: Law Firm, JDKatz, Amplifies Commitment to Client Service with ApptotoAbout JDKatz Attorneys at Law Award-winning law firm, JDKatz, P.C., is based in Bethesda, Maryland and grosses over $1M in annual revenue. With their team of attorneys, CPAs, JD/LLMs, and…
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Three Tasks to Streamline Using Zapier and Apptoto Automation
Read more: Three Tasks to Streamline Using Zapier and Apptoto AutomationThe “Internet of Things” is a household phrase these days. You can automate anything from your home security system to your morning coffee with the touch of a button. Automation…
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Belmont Services Cuts Tax Preparation Appointment No-Shows 84%
Read more: Belmont Services Cuts Tax Preparation Appointment No-Shows 84%About Belmont Services LLC Belmont Services LLC is a tax preparation service located in Columbus, OH. The business serves both English- and Spanish-speaking clients. Owner Jorge Beltran and family believe…
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Appointment Reminders and Regulatory Compliance: FCC and TCPA
Read more: Appointment Reminders and Regulatory Compliance: FCC and TCPAApptoto cannot provide legal advice. However, we feel it’s important to inform our users of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulations surrounding automated appointment…
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How to use Apptoto Webhooks
Read more: How to use Apptoto WebhooksApptoto Webhooks allow you to integrate Apptoto’s Appointment Messaging & Scheduling Platform further into your workflow by triggering things to happen when certain events happen in Apptoto (e.g., when someone…
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New Auto Messages Editor
Read more: New Auto Messages EditorWe’ve recently started rolling out a new version of our “Auto Messages” tab inside of the Apptoto application. All new users have access to it, and all existing users can…
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Staff Messaging with Apptoto’s “To: Field” feature
Read more: Staff Messaging with Apptoto’s “To: Field” featureWe all know now just how powerful and flexible Apptoto’s automated messages are for reminding clients about appointments, but what if you or your staff also need to receive reminder…
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Feature Update: Apptoto Voice Call Message Enhancements
Read more: Feature Update: Apptoto Voice Call Message EnhancementsIf you’ve used the compose button on the Agenda or Inbox/Outbox view lately, then you’ve noticed that you can now send Voice Call messages to one or more recipients easily…
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What is Apptoto?
Read more: What is Apptoto?Apptoto is an automated appointment reminder and online scheduling solution for appointment-based businesses. What Does Apptoto do? The robust appointment management platform was born out of our founder’s passion for…
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8 Best Appointment Scheduling Apps Compared (2026) | Features & Pricing
Read more: 8 Best Appointment Scheduling Apps Compared (2026) | Features & PricingA Side-by-Side Comparison of 8 Appointment Scheduling Apps in 2026 Just a few years ago, businesses thought that offering online appointment scheduling to customers was more of a “nice-to-have” than…
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The 5 Best Apps for Small Business Owners
Read more: The 5 Best Apps for Small Business OwnersWith at-your-fingertips access to everything from shopping to medical services, the modern business landscape is all about efficiency and customer service. Whether you’re selling artisanal soaps or architectural design, you…
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3 Ways Proper Scheduling Can Help You Nail Your Sales Pitch
Read more: 3 Ways Proper Scheduling Can Help You Nail Your Sales PitchPicture this: Your ideal sales scenario. Think about the time you need to prepare, the optimal setting, and the model client. Are you seeing it? The friendly banter, the clever…
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How Text Appointment Reminders & Confirmations are Changing Business for the Better
Read more: How Text Appointment Reminders & Confirmations are Changing Business for the BetterWant to know the one thing less convenient than leaving a detailed appointment reminder voicemail? The answer is taking time out of your busy day to listen to that voicemail…
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5 Benefits of Personalized Appointment Reminders for Law Firms
Read more: 5 Benefits of Personalized Appointment Reminders for Law Firms1. Fewer No-Shows & Last-Minute Cancellations Avoid same-day cancellations and no-shows by notifying your clients about their upcoming appointments using friendly, personalized appointment reminders. With an appointment reminder service like…
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Reduce “No-Shows” with an Appointment Reminder Service
Read more: Reduce “No-Shows” with an Appointment Reminder ServiceIf you’ve ever had the displeasure of preparing for an appointment, gathering your documents, and making your way to the meeting only to find yourself idling in wait, you know…
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Staying Connected with Family Using Call Reminders
Read more: Staying Connected with Family Using Call RemindersIt’s always fun to see our clients making use of Apptoto in unique and creative ways. Most of our readers/users know us as simply an Appointment Reminder system. However, Apptoto…
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Uncover Appointment & Client Insights with Apptoto Search
Read more: Uncover Appointment & Client Insights with Apptoto SearchApptoto has released a very powerful search feature that allows you to search for customers, confirmed appointments, no-shows, and custom fields, with robust reporting and messaging capabilities. How Can You…
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![How to Add A Booking Link to Your Google Business Profile [2026] (+ Why It Matters)](https://ik.imagekit.io/apptoto/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Screenshot-2023-09-22-at-10.31.10-AM-1030x795-copy.png)
How to Add A Booking Link to Your Google Business Profile [2026] (+ Why It Matters)
Read more: How to Add A Booking Link to Your Google Business Profile [2026] (+ Why It Matters)At 8:47 p.m., someone nearby searches “{{your services}} open tomorrow.” Your business shows up first. Your reviews look great. Your photos are polished. The customer is ready to book. There’s…
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Accountability vs. Responsibility in Business
Read more: Accountability vs. Responsibility in BusinessMost business schools dive into existential topics that surround business but may seem superfluous to actual day-to-day operations. Two ideas often covered are accountability vs. responsibility. In the business world,…
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Expect the Unexpected: A Playbook for Handling Unpredictable Schedule Changes
Read more: Expect the Unexpected: A Playbook for Handling Unpredictable Schedule ChangesNo matter where you live, you’ve probably experienced erratic weather patterns over the last few years that have completely changed your entire schedule/day last minute. In the U.S., changing weather…
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Case Study: Wayne Metro Community Action Agency
Read more: Case Study: Wayne Metro Community Action AgencyWhen we profile businesses that use Apptoto, we tend to focus on the most common: healthcare clinics, dental offices, and lawyers. But these aren’t the only kinds of organizations needing…
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Understanding CAN-SPAM: U.S. Commercial Message Regulation
Read more: Understanding CAN-SPAM: U.S. Commercial Message RegulationNow going on its 15th year as law, the 2003 CAN-SPAM Act was originally signed by George W. Bush. As the internet, online businesses, and online marketing were growing, the…
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How to Turn Complex Calendars into a Sleek Patient Scheduling Process
Read more: How to Turn Complex Calendars into a Sleek Patient Scheduling ProcessWhether your practice books 20-minute, 30-minute, or 90-minute appointments, there are common challenges and hurdles that come with booking, managing, and coordinating time between your business, its providers, and each…
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Survey Finds Businesses Sharply Reduce No-Shows with Apptoto
Read more: Survey Finds Businesses Sharply Reduce No-Shows with ApptotoWe recently conducted a survey of nearly 200 businesses using Apptoto to get feedback on how well we’re doing and to get insight that will drive our future priorities. We…
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Apptoto Custom Features Spotlight: From Auto Replies to Custom Fields
Read more: Apptoto Custom Features Spotlight: From Auto Replies to Custom FieldsWe spoke with Tyler, one of our customer support specialists, about the needs and pain points our customers seek help with. Luckily, Apptoto has an arsenal of custom features to…
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Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL): Stay Compliant & Avoid Costly Fines
Read more: Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (CASL): Stay Compliant & Avoid Costly FinesOn July 1, 2014, a sweeping piece of legislation called Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) went into effect. After a three-year grace period, it’s now time to comply. Canadian businesses—or any…
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Apptoto + Hair Salons: A Case Study with M. Scott Salon
Read more: Apptoto + Hair Salons: A Case Study with M. Scott SalonScott M is a world-renowned hairdresser and makeup artist. Throughout the years, he has worked with a host of celebrities, including Danica Patrick, Sandra Bullock, and Liza Minelli. In Salt…
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Tips and Tricks From Apptoto Customer Support
Read more: Tips and Tricks From Apptoto Customer SupportOur nimble customer support team is here to help you get the most out of Apptoto! We sat down with Jessica, one of our account executives/support specialists, to get the…
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Patient Appointment Reminders Help Broomfield Family Practice Reduce No-Shows 42%
Read more: Patient Appointment Reminders Help Broomfield Family Practice Reduce No-Shows 42%About Broomfield Family Practice Broomfield Family Practice, is an independent family practice that takes care of patients from birth to end of life, located in Broomfield, CO. Broomfield Family Practice…
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Apptoto + Youth Sports: A Case Study with Homewood Baseball & Softball
Read more: Apptoto + Youth Sports: A Case Study with Homewood Baseball & SoftballHomewood Baseball and Softball Leagues (HBSL) brings the magic of baseball, t-ball, and softball to more than 900 kids in Homewood, Illinois, from the ages of four to 18. The…
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The Psychology Behind Consistently Confirming Appointments with Clients
Read more: The Psychology Behind Consistently Confirming Appointments with ClientsAppointments can be unpredictable. Any business that operates with patient or client appointments knows that the logistics of booking, keeping, confirming, and managing them present significant challenges. People forget, don’t…
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Creating an Intake Process that Benefit Both the Business & Client
Read more: Creating an Intake Process that Benefit Both the Business & ClientFor almost any kind of business, the client intake process is a critical component of building relationships. How customers and clients feel when they first enter into a relationship with…
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Helping Grow Tutoring Business: Huntington Learning Center Case Study
Read more: Helping Grow Tutoring Business: Huntington Learning Center Case StudyWhen it comes to providing their children with an academic boost, there’s almost nothing parents won’t do. But students and parents also lead incredibly busy lives. Finding the right time…
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Tips and Tools for Structuring Your Veterinary Business
Read more: Tips and Tools for Structuring Your Veterinary BusinessMost veterinarians choose their career path because of their love for animals. They want the opportunity to do something meaningful and helpful. But in order to make that dream happen,…
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Apptoto Customer Case Study: Alberto Brothers Law
Read more: Apptoto Customer Case Study: Alberto Brothers LawFor lawyers and other legal professionals, time is expensive. Every minute spent doing anything other than billable legal work is time and money lost. So, it’s no surprise that Apptoto…
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7 Vital Personal Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur
Read more: 7 Vital Personal Characteristics of a Successful EntrepreneurBeing an entrepreneur is not just about starting a company. It’s about building value for yourself, your employees, and your customers. This generally takes years of hard work, perseverance, and…
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The Anatomy of a Successful Appointment Cancellation Policy
Read more: The Anatomy of a Successful Appointment Cancellation PolicyIf you run a business that relies on appointments, then you’re all too familiar with the frustration of no-shows and late arrivals. It can create a huge strain on your…
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The Simple Tool for Reducing Missed Therapy Appointments
Read more: The Simple Tool for Reducing Missed Therapy AppointmentsAs a therapist, you’ve dedicated your professional life to supporting others. You know your education and skills will likely benefit them greatly, but it’s not always an easy or short…
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Getting the time right (dealing with multiple time zones)
Read more: Getting the time right (dealing with multiple time zones)It goes without saying that appointment reminders should say the right time, or else you risk hurting your business as opposed to helping. Sometimes, getting the time right can actually…
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Guide to Setting Up Automated Client Appointment Reminders
Read more: Guide to Setting Up Automated Client Appointment RemindersMissed appointments aren’t just frustrating; they’re expensive. If you’re relying on manual texts or email reminders (or worse, nothing at all), you’re likely losing time, money, and clients. The good…