Scheduling appointments only matters if donors show up for their appointments. Reminding donors of their responsibilities maximizes your show rate, which has obvious and direct impacts on your productive donor rate.
Reminder calls are important for several reasons:
- They ensure that donors remember appointments.
- They ensure that donors have correct details of where and when they are donating.
- They decrease deferral rates by reminding donors to eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
- They provide another opportunity to share details of promotions and loyalty programs.
- They provide an opportunity to reschedule when donors can no longer keep appointments.
Reminder calls for most donations should be made the day before the appointment. The exception is for platelet donations. These reminder calls should be made 3 days in advance so that donors can be reminded to avoid aspirin-containing products.
Live conversations increase productive donor rates. Make reminder calls around the same time of day as when you originally spoke to set the appointment. If you reached a donor at 7:00 p.m. last time, there is a greater chance that he or she will be available for a reminder call at 7:00 p.m. If you do reach a donor’s voicemail, however, leave a brief message with all pertinent information.
In either case, you may also consider supplementing reminder calls with reminder emails and text messages.
Try implementing these tips into you blood donor recruitment strategy, and watch your results increase!