How to Book Appointments in Blinko: Requests, In-Person Bookings & Confirmations

A missed booking is money that never shows up. Whether customers want to ask you for a slot, you're setting the next visit while they're still in the chair, or you need to lock a specific time with one client — Blinko's appointment automations handle all three, and every confirmed time can drop straight onto both of your calendars so it actually gets kept.

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What are appointment automations?

Blinko gives you three ways to set an appointment, depending on who starts it:

• Customers request a time — put a "Book time" button on your spot; customers tap it, pick their preferred date and time, and send you the request. (Like a hairstylist taking requests from regulars.)
• You propose a time in person — from the Business tab, set the details and show a QR your customer scans to confirm on the spot. (Like a dentist booking the next cleaning before the patient leaves.)
• You send a time to a specific customer — propose an appointment in a direct message; the customer can accept, decline, or say "tentative." (Like a handyman locking a visit window with one client.)

However it's set, the response lands right in your conversation with that customer — and confirmed appointments can be added to the phone's calendar with a tap, on your side and theirs.

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When to use it

• Customers reaching out for a slot — you want an easy "request a time" button instead of phone tag. (Hair, beauty, wellness, tutoring.)
• Setting the next visit in person — book the return visit before they walk out the door. (Dental, chiropractic, salons.)
• Pinning a time with one client remotely — propose a window and get a clear yes / no / maybe. (Trades, home services, consultants.)

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What you'll get

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How to set it up

Appointment automations live in the Engage tab (Automations) of the Blinko Business app, or Automations in the web portal — tap Browse all automations. (Appointments are on the Business plan.)

1. Let customers request a time — "Request a booking" (Always on)

1. In Engage → Automations, pick Request a booking.
2. Optionally set a default duration; the customer fills in the rest.
3. Tap Activate. Your "Book time" button is now on your spot for anyone who scans your QR — and you can broadcast it or drop it into a DM.
4. When a customer taps it, they enter their preferred date and time and send you the request — it arrives in your conversation with them.

2. Propose a time in person — Schedule Appointment (Business tab)

1. From the Business tab, tap Schedule Appointment.
2. Enter the details — date, and optionally time, duration, location, and a title like "Cleaning."
3. Show the QR to your customer; they scan it and get a booking card to confirm on the spot. You'll see "Waiting for scan…" until they do. (You can also send the booking straight to their chat.)

3. Send a time to a specific customer — "Book time" (You send)

1. Open the customer's conversation, tap the attachment button, and choose "Send Automation."
2. Pick Book time (send to a customer) and enter the appointment details (date required; time, duration, location, title, and notes optional).
3. Send it. The customer gets a proposal they can accept, decline, or mark tentative — and you see their RSVP right in the thread.

Or just describe it — the Copilot shortcut

Tap Describe a goal and say it plainly — "let clients request a haircut time" or "send Maria a Tuesday 2pm slot" — and Blinko sets up the right appointment automation for you to approve.

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Confirmed? Put it on the calendar

The surest way to prevent a no-show is to get the appointment onto a calendar. When an appointment is confirmed, you and your customer can each add it to your phone's calendar with a single tap — so it arrives with a reminder built in, and far fewer people forget. More accountability, better follow-through.

Taking a deposit to hold the slot? Pair this with a payment automation — see How to Get Paid in Blinko.

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Tips for better results

Set a default duration on "Request a booking" so incoming requests come in already sized right.

Use the in-person QR to lock the next visit before the customer leaves — it's the highest-converting moment you'll get.

Nudge them to add it to their calendar. An appointment on a calendar is an appointment that gets kept.

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Frequently asked questions

Which plan includes appointments? Appointment automations are on the Business plan.

Can customers choose their own time? Yes — "Request a booking" lets a customer pick their preferred date and time and send it to you as a request.

Can I propose a time and let them say "maybe"? Yes — "Book time (send to a customer)" lets the customer accept, decline, or respond tentative.

Where do appointment responses show up? Right in your conversation with that customer, and in the automation's analytics.

Does the appointment go on a calendar? Yes — once it's confirmed, both you and your customer can add it to your phone's calendar with one tap.

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