One of the essential keys to marketing your business is to “be where your customers are.” We cannot assume that people know where to search you on the Sola website or that since people were able to book an appointment with you once that they’ll remember where to go the next time. With all of the different social media platforms and search tools out there, it is increasingly important for your business to be easily found and discoverable online. If you have online booking in place, you’re already ahead of the game. Not only does online booking allow people to find your business, but they’ll also easily be able to asses your skills and the services you offer and hopefully book an appointment with you in a few simple clicks - saving you time listening to voicemail, returning calls and playing the dreaded back and forth scheduling game. There are many different ways people can search when trying to book an appointment with a beauty professional. So even if you have online booking, but it’s not where your customers are searching for you, it’s not doing you any good! If you use SolaGenius, here’s how you find your SolaGenius URL. This will be the link you use as your online booking URL in all places listed below. (If you’re not using SolaGenius, don’t worry. You can just use the booking URL that you've created via another service.) Let’s talk about the different ways that you can get your booking link out there in the digital space: Facebook 68% of U.S. adults today are active on Facebook. That’s a lot. So even if Facebook isn’t your favorite platform, it’s in your best interest to have a presence there and include your booking URL as a direct way for people to book an appointment with you. Customers who visit your website from Facebook are likely to be more receptive than the average visitor because they already know something about your business and were motivated to click your booking link. Here is how to add your Book Now button to your Facebook Page with SolaGenius: Please note: You can only add this feature to a Facebook business page, not your personal Facebook page. 1. Open your SolaGenius app 2. Click Settings 3. Click “Facebook Booking” 4. Click “Connect to Facebook” 5. Log in to your account that’s linked to your business page. Once you’re logged in, check the boxes of the business account you want to integrate your booking URL with. 6. On the next screen, click “Enable business features on your page,” then click Next 7. Confirm the details You are all set! Instagram Instagram is a place where people go to get inspired. It’s photographic storytelling. The story beauty professionals tell is a work of art. When people are inspired by your art, they’ll want to be part of your story and book a service with you! Here is how to add your Book Now button to your Instagram via SolaGenius (if you do not use SolaGenius, skip to step 6 and use your booking URL generated from your online booking platform): 1. Open your SolaGenius app 2. Click Settings 3. Click “Instagram Booking” 4. Click the but