Are you tired of overcomplicating your mini-session booking process? It’s time to streamline things and make life easier for both you and your clients. Today, I’m going to walk you through setting up instant booking for mini-sessions using HoneyBook—because trust me, the simpler you make it, the happier everyone will be.

Why HoneyBook is Perfect for Mini-Sessions

HoneyBook is not just a client management tool; it’s your secret weapon for making the booking process for mini-sessions a total breeze. Instead of dealing with back-and-forth emails or complicated invoices, you can set up an automated system where clients book, pay, and get confirmation—all on their own! Here’s how to do it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Mini Sessions in HoneyBook

1. Start with Lead Forms
HoneyBook has a built-in Lead Forms feature, and they’ve even created a preset template for mini-sessions—so why reinvent the wheel, right? Head over to your dashboard, click on Lead Forms, and select the Mini Session template.

2. Edit Your Template
Once you’ve chosen the mini-session template, hit “Edit This Template.” This is where the magic happens! You can customize it for your specific session details. For example, if you’re offering 20-minute sessions, enter that duration here.

3. Set Your Pricing
Next up, let’s talk about money—because, after all, getting paid is kind of the point. Add your session price (say $400) and make it crystal clear for your clients. Remember: simplicity is key—one price, no complicated breakdowns.

4. Ask the Important Questions
Now’s the time to add any necessary questions that you need your clients to answer when booking. For example, if you’re photographing kids, ask for their names and ages upfront. Just keep it minimal—no one likes filling out a lengthy form when they’re excited to book!

5. Preview the Email and Booking Page
Once your form is set, preview what your client will see when they book their mini-session. HoneyBook automatically sends a confirmation email, but you can tweak this to make it sound more like you (because brand voice matters, y’all).

6. Share the Booking Link
Now that your mini-session form is ready to rock, grab that booking link and send it to your clients. You can also embed this link on your website or social media to make booking even easier. The more accessible it is, the faster those spots will fill up!

Pro Tips for a Seamless Mini-Session Workflow

1. Set Your Availability
One of the best parts of HoneyBook is that you can customize your availability for each mini-session event. For example, if you’re running mini-sessions from 9 AM to 4 PM, set that range and add a buffer of 10 minutes between each session to avoid overlaps. HoneyBook will prevent clients from booking too close together, so you can breathe easy and stay on schedule.

2. Automate Your Reminders
HoneyBook allows you to send automatic reminders—whether via email or text—before the session. You can schedule these reminders for an hour before or the day before, depending on what works best for you. This way, your clients don’t forget, and you’re not stuck sending manual reminders!

3. Keep Payments Simple
When it comes to payments, less is more. I highly recommend requiring full payment upfront for mini-sessions. HoneyBook makes this super easy—no partial payments or confusing invoicing required. Just set it up so that your clients pay in full when they book. This saves you a ton of time chasing down payments later.

4. Remove Unnecessary Extras
You can toggle off the option for clients to leave tips if you don’t want that feature enabled. It’s one less thing for clients to think about, and one less complication for you.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple

The key takeaway? Don’t overcomplicate things—for you or your clients. When someone wants to book a mini-session, they should be able to do it quickly and easily. HoneyBook’s instant booking feature helps you achieve just that with minimal effort.

By setting up an automated mini-session booking system, you free yourself up to focus on what really matters: taking amazing photos and delivering an unforgettable experience.

So, take a few minutes today to simplify your booking process, and watch as your clients appreciate how easy you’ve made it to work with you!

Need help setting up your system or refining your booking process? Reach out to us at Jen Madigan Creative, and let’s create a seamless workflow that works for you!