Reminders are the most useful SMS a business can send. They cut no-shows, speed up payments and reduce “I forgot” calls — and customers genuinely appreciate them.
What to remind customers about
- Appointments — clinics, salons, garages, consultations. See clinic reminders.
- Payments — rent, school fees, loan and SACCO repayments, subscriptions. See rent reminders.
- Renewals — insurance, licences, memberships.
- Events — meetings, AGMs, services, trainings.
- Pick-ups and deliveries — “your order is ready”.
When to send
| Reminder | Good timing |
|---|---|
| Appointment | 24 hours before, plus 2 hours before |
| Payment due | 3 days before and on the due date |
| Renewal | 30 days and 7 days before expiry |
| Event | 1 week before and the day before |
Templates
- “Hi Jane, reminder of your appointment at Afya Clinic tomorrow at 10:30am. Call 0700 000 000 to reschedule.”
- “Hi Peter, your loan repayment of KES 3,500 is due on 5 Oct. Pay via Paybill 123456, Acc 2231.”
- “Your motor insurance expires on 31 Oct. Renew early to stay covered. Call 0700 000 000.”
How to automate reminders
- No code: upload a spreadsheet with names, dates and amounts and schedule a personalised send. See sending from Excel.
- From your system: use the API’s scheduling to queue reminders when bookings are made. See scheduled SMS.
- Two-way confirmations: let customers reply 1 to confirm or 2 to reschedule.
Get started
Create a Connect Media account — SMS from KES 1.0, no minimum top-up, credit that never expires, and one account for Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom. Call +254 707 339 945 or email info@connectmedia.co.ke.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I send an SMS reminder?
For appointments, 24 hours before with a second reminder 2 hours before works well. For payments, 3 days before and on the due date.
Can SMS reminders be automated?
Yes. Schedule personalised reminders from a spreadsheet, or have your system schedule them through the API.
Can customers confirm by replying?
Yes. With two-way SMS, customers can reply to confirm or reschedule.