How do you get more people to actually SHOW UP or COMMIT to you?

by Vickie Gould

This week’s question:
How do you get more people to actually SHOW UP or COMMIT to you?

Maybe you’ve had this happen before…

Someone tells you:

“I definitely want to come.”
“I’ve been meaning to book with you.”
“Save me a spot!”
“I’m going to sign up.”

And then… they don’t.

Whether you’re offering a sound bath, sacred ceremony, retreat, workshop, private session, group experience, or another healing service, one of the biggest lessons to understand is this:

Interest is not the same thing as commitment.

Someone can genuinely want to work with you and still put it off, forget, get busy, or change their mind.

So, how do you help more of those interested people actually take the next step?

Sometimes, they just need a few extra nudges. 😉

Photo courtesy of Lynda Maree

1. Take Payment Upfront — or at Least Require a Deposit

Whenever possible, don’t hold spots based solely on someone saying they’re coming.

For a $50 group session, you might require the full $50 when they register.

For a $300 private experience or a larger retreat investment, you might require a 30–50% non-refundable deposit to reserve their date or spot, with the remaining balance due later.

There’s something different that happens once someone has financially committed.

It moves from:

“I’m thinking about doing this…”

to:

“I’ve decided to do this.”

And that small shift can make a big difference in whether someone actually follows through.

Of course, make sure your payment, cancellation, and refund policies are clearly communicated before someone books.

Photo courtesy of Karma Banks

2. Give People a Reason to Commit EARLY

An early-bird offer can be a simple way to encourage people to stop waiting and take action.

For example:

$79 through Friday
$99 after Friday

But you don't always have to offer a discount.

You could offer a bonus instead.

Maybe early registrants receive:

A small crystal
A journal
A guided meditation
A checklist
A sound healing or meditation audio
A mini-reading
A complementary resource
A special retreat activity

For an individual session, perhaps they receive an audio they can use before or after their appointment.

And the cool thing about digital resources like audios is that you can often reuse them with other clients.

The bonus doesn't need to cost you much.

You're simply giving someone a reason to stop thinking:

“I'll book that later.”

…and instead think:

“I’ll do it now.”

3. Give Them an Incentive to Bring Someone With Them

This can work especially well for group experiences.

If one ticket is $50, you might offer:

Two tickets for $90

Or:

Buy 3, get the 4th FREE.

You can also create referral incentives for retreats or higher-priced services.

For example, someone who refers a friend who books could receive:

A bonus
Credit toward a future session
A special add-on
Another meaningful reward

Now you're not relying entirely on yourself to reach the next person.

Your existing clients and attendees have a reason to invite someone they already know.

And sometimes, people are much more comfortable trying something new when they know someone else who is going too.

You Don't Always Need a Bigger Audience

This is an important one.

You don't necessarily need thousands of new followers or a huge new audience to get more bookings.

Sometimes, you simply need to make it easier for the people who are already interested to:

Commit.
Book sooner.
Show up.
Bring someone with them.

Look at the people who are already asking questions, responding to your posts, attending your events, opening your emails, or telling you they're interested.

They may already be halfway there.

They might just need a clear next step.

And One Last Thing… Don't Be Afraid to Remind Them.

People are busy.

They see your retreat or session offer while they're making dinner.

They read about your ceremony five minutes before a meeting.

They look at your booking page and think:

“I'll do this tonight.”

And then… life happens.

They forget.

Their day gets crazy.

Something else takes priority.

That doesn't necessarily mean they aren't interested.

So remind them.

Post about your offer more than once.

Send another email.

Remind them when early-bird pricing is ending.

Send a text if appropriate.

Share when only a few appointments or spaces remain.

Let them know what's coming up.

A reminder isn't automatically a sales pitch.

Sometimes, it's simply helping someone remember something they already wanted to do.

You're Not Bothering People — You're Giving Them Another Opportunity to Say Yes.

Think about yourself for a moment.

What would have happened if you had never shown up to that first experience in these modalities?

Maybe you wouldn't have discovered something that changed your perspective.

Maybe you wouldn't have met a teacher, practitioner, or community that became important to you.

Maybe you wouldn't be doing what you're doing today.

Someone else may be waiting for that same opportunity.

So don't be afraid to follow up.

Don't be afraid to remind them.

Don't assume that silence means they're not interested.

And don't feel guilty for making it easier for someone to take the next step.

You're not bothering people. You're in service to others.

You're simply giving the interested ones another opportunity to say yes.

You've got this! ✨

Photo courtesy of Pamela Brodeur

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