How to Reconnect with Clients Who Ghosted Over Summer

Summer has a way of pulling clients away, and NO, it’s not your fault. Whether it’s the beach days, busy schedules, or just wanting to unplug, summer is a time where clients might disappear from your business for a bit. But now that fall is nearly here, you may wonder: How do I bring those ghosted clients back without making it weird?

Fantastic news: It’s way easier than you think. Most clients probably already feel a little guilty for skipping out. Your job is to make them feel welcome and remind them why your service is part of their self-care or progress journey.

Here’s a quick, no-awkwardness, anti-ghost game plan, plus some nifty automation tips, tricks, and scripts you can start using right away.

Why Clients Ghost (And How to Think About It)

When a client falls of the radar without warning, it’s easy to jump to conclusions; maybe they’re upset, or worse, lost interest. But the truth is usually far more human! Clients don’t ghost to be rude or difficult; life simply gets in the way. Between juggling work, family, unexpected events, and sometimes the mere desire to chill out, even the best intentions can fall by the wayside.

Understanding this context helps you approach the situation with empathy rather than frustration. Your clients probably feel some guilt or awkwardness about missing appointments or falling out of touch. This means the key to reconnecting isn’t pressure or guilt-tripping—it’s warmth, patience, and reassurance.

Your tone is everything. So, try to approach clients like friends you want to welcome back into your home, not lost customers you need to chase down. Soon enough the stage will be set for a smooth, successful re-engagement.

For Beauty Pros: Salons, Lash Techs, Skincare

Beauty clients often come back not just for the service itself, but for the experience of feeling cared for. Your follow-up should reflect that! Here’s a sample message you could give a try:

Automation tip: Use Vagaro’s automated email and text campaigns to send a “We Miss You!” message 30+ days after a client’s last appointment. Personalize it with their name and a seasonal offer or new service.

For Wellness & Fitness: Personal Trainers, Pilates, Yoga

In fitness and wellness, your clients’ wins build over time. Re-engagement isn’t about a sales pitch; it’s about reminding them of how far they’ve come and encouraging them to keep moving forward.

Automation tip: Use Vagaro’s points feature to incentivize returning clients with a BOGO discount or free sessions after they’ve purchase a certain amount.

For Therapists, Coaches, and Holistic Practitioners

As a therapeutic and wellness pro, you may often meet clients where life has pulled them away from your regular sessions. A simple reminder that you’re here—steady and available—can mean more than any promotion or incentive

Automation tip: Use Vagaro’s automatic appointment reminders and follow-ups with soft messaging that acknowledges life’s busyness. A simple “We’re here when you’re ready” tone goes an incredibly long way.

General Tips to Avoid Awkwardness

Reaching out to clients who’ve gone quiet can feel like walking on eggshells, but it doesn’t have to. Try out these simple yet powerful tips to help you keep your reengagement messages warm, inviting, and effective without any awkwardness:

• Lead with warmth and empathy: Show clients you get it. Life happens, and you understand their busy schedules or changes in priorities. A kind tone means the world when breaking down walls and encouraging a positive response.

• Offer genuine value: Instead of just asking why they’ve been gone, remind them what they’re missing. Highlight new services, seasonal specials, or progress checkpoints tailored to their journey, whether it’s glowing skin or hitting a fitness milestone.

• Keep it short and conversational: Nobody wants to read a long, formal email or text. Write like you’re chatting with a friend: clear, friendly, and to the point. That makes it easy for clients to engage without feeling overwhelmed.

• Automate but personalize: Automations can save you time, but never sacrifice that personal touch. Use their name, reference their last visit, or mention specific services they love. Clients notice and appreciate when you remember them as individuals.

• Be patient and consistent: Reconnecting is often a gradual process. It may take several gentle reminders before a client feels ready to book again. Stay steady without pushing, consistency combined with kindness!

With these tips in your toolkit, you’ll turn ghosted clients into enthusiastic returnees, minus the awkward conversations.

Clients Aren’t Ghosting You, They’re Just Human

Here’s the truth: most clients who go quiet aren’t ignoring you on purpose. They’re juggling life’s demands, and sometimes even feeling a little guilty or awkward about falling off your radar.

When you reach out with genuine kindness and thoughtful reminders, you remove those invisible barriers. You create a space where saying yes again feels natural and easy, not stressful or embarrassing.

Remember, reconnecting isn’t about chasing, it’s about welcoming. The more you lead with understanding and warmth, the more your clients will want to come back and continue their journey with you.

If you’re ready for a software that makes client engagement simple, personable, and totally automatic—try out a complimentary 30-day trial of Vagaro. We’re with you every step of the way.