Troublesome clients? (A one for PT's!)

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We will all have at least one at some time in our PT career, the client who regularly;

Cancels with 5 mins notice

Does not turn up and when you ring them they say 'they forgot'

Turns up late but still expects 1 hour even when you have another client following

I'm not talking about the otherwise reliable person who is genuinely mortified on the few occasions that they do any or these actions but the regular offender who constantly disappoints.

So what can you do about this?

Well here's a few simple tips that have helped me reduce the number of no-shows/late shows that I have had.

1. Get them to sign a contract when they take you on as a PT that includes terms such as needing 24 or even 48 hours notice of cancellation in order not to be charged. Make sure that you go through these terms when they sign
2. Text clients on the day before a session to confirm their appointment
3. Remind clients of their responsibilities per the contract above if they digress (perhaps with a three strikes and you're reminded approach). This I find very hard as I'm worried it will lead to conflict but in the end if the client takes offence at you asking them to play fair with you and other clients do you really want them as a client?
4. Be on time yourself! It's always good to lead by example.

I think it's just plain rude to be late or not turn up on a regular basis – it suggests that the person you let down is of no importance to you. I expect courtesy from my clients as much as they have a right to expect it of me. I would rather work with less clients who are reliable it's less stress in the long term.