SMS lesson reminders for UK music teachers

In Etisia, yes: during setup you confirm that you have permission to text the people you remind, so tell them at booking that you'll text a reminder. If someone asks to stop, mark them as opted out in Etisia Contacts. You need an appropriate lawful basis for using mobile numbers and should be transparent about how contact details are used. In practice, a simple appointment reminder is different from a promotional SMS, but it still involves personal data. UK data protection law expects personal information to be used fairly, lawfully, transparently and securely. GOV.UK This is not legal advice, so music schools and tutors should check their own privacy notice and process.

Promotional texts are more tightly controlled. ICO guidance says marketing emails or texts to individuals generally require specific consent unless the soft opt-in applies, and the sender must not hide their identity or omit a valid opt-out route. ICO Messages about extra exam-prep sessions, term packages, offers or new services should be treated more carefully than a basic lesson reminder.

Keep reminders neutral. Avoid full personal details, payment issues, disciplinary notes, sensitive family information, exam worries or anything that could embarrass a student if seen by someone else. For children's lessons, it is sensible to use parent/carer contact details where appropriate and explain clearly how those details are used; the ICO highlights that children need clear, accessible privacy information and specific protection. ICO

A common approach is one reminder the day before and, for busy after-school or weekend slots, another shorter reminder a few hours before the lesson. The best timing depends on your diary, travel arrangements, cancellation policy and whether you are messaging adults, students or parents/carers.

Yes. Etisia's reminders can include cancellation links, so the person receiving the reminder has a simple way to cancel without phoning or sending a separate message.

No. Etisia works on top of Google Calendar and adds SMS reminders, review requests and cancellation links without replacing the main booking or management workflow. Google Calendar remains the main lesson diary.

Yes, depending on the plan. This is useful for music schools, studios and teaching centres that run separate calendars for different teachers, rooms, instruments or branches.

Yes. Avoid "5-star" wording and do not offer incentives. Google's review policy prohibits paid or incentivised reviews and pressure to leave a rating or specific content. Google Help

Etisia sends automatic SMS appointment reminders from your Google Calendar. After a one-time setup, you keep booking in Google Calendar as usual, with the client’s mobile number in the appointment. You don’t open Etisia each time you book.

Your clients get an ordinary text message: no app and no account. Etisia isn’t a booking system, so clients keep booking with you the way they do now.

Probably not, if your booking system already texts your clients. Etisia is for businesses that keep their appointments in Google Calendar, and for those still using pen and paper.

Still using pen and paper? Etisia is an easy first step. Keep your appointments in a free Google Calendar and write the client’s full name in each one, plus their mobile number the first time. That’s all Etisia needs, and your calendar gets tidier for it: every appointment shows who’s coming. The reminders go out in the background, so there’s nothing to open or send each day.

If your booking tool copies appointments into Google Calendar with the client’s mobile number in the event title, description or location, Etisia can send reminders from those events. Switch off the tool’s own text reminders, so clients don’t get two.

There is no direct connection to booking systems: Etisia only reads Google Calendar.