Why Your Enquiry Form Might Be Losing You Bookings
(And How to Fix It to Attract Better Clients, Faster)
You’ve got the portfolio. You’ve got the skills. You’re showing up on socials. But somehow, the enquiries that come through aren’t converting. You’re getting ghosted. You’re answering the same questions over and over. Or you're attracting people who aren’t quite the right fit.
The problem might be your enquiry form.
Whether you’re a makeup artist, hairstylist, photographer, videographer, or celebrant, your enquiry form is often the very first step in your client journey. And if it’s not doing its job, it could be costing you time, bookings, and the trust of potential clients.
Let’s walk through the most common issues, and how to fix them.
Your Form is Too Vague
If your form only asks for a name, email, and event date, you’re leaving too many gaps. This usually leads to more back-and-forth emails just to collect basic information. By the time you’ve followed up, they may have booked someone else.
Try this instead:
Ask simple but specific questions like:
What service are you enquiring about?
How many people need to be included?
Where is the location?
What time do you need to be ready or start the service?
How did you find me?
These questions show you're organised and help you assess whether the job is a good fit.
You're Not Filtering for Fit
Your enquiry form should help you identify clients who are aligned with your pricing and style. Otherwise, you may waste time responding to leads who were never going to book in the first place.
Try this instead:
Include questions like:
What is your approximate budget?
Have you seen my pricing guide or services page?
What made you reach out to me?
These answers help you filter leads and spot the ones who are already excited to work with you.
The Tone Feels Cold or Confusing
A form that feels too formal or impersonal can create distance. On the flip side, if the layout is cluttered or hard to follow, people may give up before submitting.
Try this instead:
Keep your wording friendly and conversational. For example, use “Tell me a little about your event or vision” instead of just writing “Details.” Structure your questions in short, clear sections so the form feels easy to complete.
You’re Not Setting Expectations
If someone can submit your form without knowing what happens next, you’re creating uncertainty. That silence can lead to ghosting or follow-up messages like “Just checking in.”
Try this instead:
Include a clear message at the end of your form that says what happens next. Something like:
“Thanks for reaching out. I’ll respond within two business days with availability and next steps. If you don’t hear from me, please check your spam folder.”
You can also set up an automatic confirmation email through a system like Dubsado so they feel instantly reassured.
Your Form Isn’t Connected to a System
If your form responses land in your inbox with no follow-up plan, they’re easy to lose track of. This is especially risky during peak season when enquiries are coming in quickly.
Try this instead:
Use a client management system like Dubsado to automate what happens next. When someone submits a form, you can trigger a workflow that sends a confirmation email, adds a task for you to review the lead, or even sends a scheduler link.
This keeps your process organised and ensures that no lead is left waiting.
The Takeaway
Your enquiry form is more than just a place to collect details. It sets the tone for your entire client experience. A great form saves you time, filters for the right clients, and builds trust from the first interaction. A weak form can create friction, lead to ghosting, and cause unnecessary admin stress.
At Artistry Automated, we help creatives design smarter enquiry forms and booking systems that feel seamless and professional. If you're ready to streamline your process and start booking the right clients faster, we’d love to help.
💡 Want access to our enquiry form template or a custom setup that does the work for you?
Check out our Dubsado setup services and let’s upgrade your client experience.