Calendly is the fastest growing company in scheduling automation, connecting over a million people

Calendly

I am personally getting close to nailing the art of having effective and purposeful Calendly conversations with strangers - after having 50 of these with founders, mentors, advisors, and VCs. I’m a founder myself. I’ve built from scratch. Our startup advisors help SaaS startup founders scale their revenue and bring in more customers - in 90 days. You get to learn directly from founders who’ve built, scaled and sold their own companies for millions. Sparrow When we started, the platform had nothing. It was hard. But I came through. I’m telling you this so you know that my guidelines below come from experience and also from talking with over 50 startup advisors, business mentors, venture capitalists (also known as VCs) and the “aspiring” entrepreneurs. We’ve got fantastic testimonials on our homepage and . wall of love But I wasn’t always like this. I started off as someone who’d be extremely nervous with basic conversations. I would beat around the bush, not get to the point and just waste everyone’s time. Being bad at something, however, doesn’t automatically excuse you from being unskilled at it forever. Every skill set, more or less, can be improved upon over time. And with having video calls and audio calls with strangers on the internet, it’s an easy skill you can work on from your bedroom! Just make sure you blur out the background, please. Step 1: Prepare, do your homework Time needed: 20 mins Especially if you're meeting someone new, look through your blogs and social media to understand (a) what they like / dislike (b) what matters very much to them (c) the topics they care deeply about. You might not think this is important but the truth is a lot of people don’t do this ahead of time and end up asking basic, obvious questions on the calls about the other person. This works against you because a few minutes into the call, they’ll already think you are incompetent and didn’t take a minute to read up on them. Funny enough, if you know more about them than they do about you, generally, they will get more curious about you on the call. Funny how things work. Reading into a person’s background lets you understand their personality and will enable you to drive the conversation towards an end-goal / objective more easily.  E.g., extroverts may want to share their day's activities so the conversation might be a little-hearted. Conditions do apply. Pro tip: Step 2: Set the stage Time needed: 30 seconds Take the first 20-30 seconds of the call to let the person know what the main objectives of the call are. This helps everyone on the call feel at ease because sometimes (surprise!) people can forget why they’re on the call, where it’s headed, etc. People have a lot going on with their lives. Everyone gets busy. Don’t take it too personally! Here are some samples you can modify and use: : “Thank you everyone for joining! To start us off, I wanted to make sure we’re on the same page and discuss the agenda we have for today which is to (a) xxx (b) xxx and (c) xxx. Is there anything that I missed? Does this sound sufficient for the time we have today.” Formal : “Hey, awesome. Now that we’re all here, I just wanted to make sure we have our ducks in a row for what we’ll talk about today. There’s xxx and xxx. And also, the xxx. Does that sound good? Anything else you want to cover?” Informal Ideally, the agenda / objectives will be mentioned very clearly in the meeting invite details. When filling in the invite, avoid generic wording like "synergy". Make it crystal clear why you’re meeting them or what the expectation of the call would be from each or all parties, etc. Step 3: Be respectful of their time Time needed: N/A If it's 25 mins into a 30-min call and you know the conversation will go overtime, just let the person know you're closing in on the 30-min mark - and ask if they can stick around for 5 more mins. Don't keep extending obviously. Stop at 35! This shows that you care about their time and speaks to your character. 9/10 times unless it’s a very structured conversation or a short-lived one, calls will go over the expected duration. It happens. We’re not superhuman and it’s okay. It's also totally acceptable to say, "Hey we're 2 mins from the 30min mark. Let's close off early now and I'll email you the rest of our bullet points."  People love those who respect their time. Do that and you'll keep having people give you more and more of it! - I am confident these three beginner tips will help you get started on having better Calendly conversations (audio / video chats) online. Remember, no one is the best from Day 1. You need to train, try, fail, fail, fail, try and train to become the ! :) best If you’d like to reach me, I’m on and I’m the founder of . Always down to help! I’ve prepared an audio version of this article if you’re interested. You can hear my sweet voice here ( ). If you’re more of a reader, let’s dig in! Twitter Sparrow audio version

3 Steps for More Effective Calendly Conversations

It’s obvious that Calendly is one of the most convenient calendar scheduling tools on the market. It’s a convenient virtual assistant that breezes through technical aspects of scheduling. With time zones, availability preferences, and automated links immediately generated, it’s saved people a lot of time (and sanity). However, there’s one type of scheduling scenario that I wouldn’t be able to use Calendly for: the impersonality of the auto-generated calendly link. The thing about using a virtual assistant to help manage your schedule is that, well, it’s a virtual assistant. There’s no human touch or essence of personalization. The absence of this interpersonal connection is harmful when dealing with scheduling meetings with people who are a big deal to you. Think new clients, or someone you are asking for a favor from. I wouldn’t send a Calendly link to a close friend. So why would I send one to people I want to make an impression on? Everything about it seems impersonal. It makes the invitee feel as though my time is better than theirs. They’re sent to a generic booking page which has already been sent to hundreds of other people. On top of this, they then have to enter their own contact information. It’s as if our email exchange never occurred. Adding this contact information might seem inconsequential. Yet, think about trying to schedule a meeting with the CEO of a prospective large client who’s stretched on time. Having to re-enter all their personal details could be that deciding factor that makes them go, “eh, I’ll do this later,” and they never get to it. The Inconvenience of The Personal Assistance When I’d run into this issue, I’d do things the old fashioned way: manually type out my availabilities. I’d check my calendar, find times I’m available to meet, and manually type out those 3-5 time slots in the email. The process was lengthier, but you also have to remind yourself that this is more than just “booking a call.” It’s a question of respect. You want to be able to show this person that you value their time and are willing to put in the effort to build this relationship. Manually typing out a scheduling email is a subtle way to show that. The Slippery Downslide Slope of Calendly Once I realized that Calendly wasn’t always a good option, I began noticing other downsides. There’s been instances where I’ve sent a scheduling email for the week, only for the Calendly link to show that I’m unavailable for the next month. At other times, I’d be willing to meet at times marked as busy on my calendar - such as lunch time. Calendly’s software isn’t built to account for this yet. But when I have a particularly open week, Calendly isn’t too helpful either. If I shared my entire 8-hour workday I’m not protecting my time well enough. We never want to look too available. Plus, free time is not created equal. There are instances where some free time slots work much better than others. For example, if I only have one event at 4pm on a certain day, I'd prefer to schedule my other meetings around 4pm too so that I can protect my other uninterrupted maker's time. Having someone randomly book a meeting at 10:00 AM with a Calendly link interrupts this chunk of time where I could be in an uninterrupted flow state. It could ruin my day by significantly decreasing my productivity. Taking Matters in My Own Hands While Calendly was helpful in my day-to-day activities, I needed to find a solution for these scenarios. So, I decided to build my own scheduling software. I needed to first fix the main issue: being able to send personalized scheduling emails, fast. I created a tool which would automatically generate suggested free times. All I would have to do is hit a shortcut, and the text would be generated. It would already account for previous calendar events and other personal preferences. This tool ended up saving me hours of time. Without needing to manually check my calendar, type available time slots, or worry about impersonal scheduling, my productivity soared. It dawned on me that calendaring is a fundamental daily task that if done right, could change my life and how I work. I launched into perfecting the tool even further. I set up a personalized booking page for each recipient. Not only are both parties able to save time by using a booking page, but there was an element of personalization that Calendly had been missing. The page is unique, with the third party’s name and email auto-filled. Even the booking link contains their name. It’s a small detail, but it’s this attention to detail that makes someone feel important. This tool is now a feature of what we are working on at Motion. We wanted to cover the scenarios Calendly isn’t able to, to make Calendaring seamless. It’s especially fast, easy, yet stays personal when scheduling meetings with others. It lets you use your calendar from any page or website. You could set up a meeting while on LinkedIn or Twitter, no problem. It also streamlines otherwise time-consuming tasks, like finding availability or creating zoom meetings. We want to have the best of both worlds, and Motion is going to let us have it. If you wanna try out the tool, you can in under 30 seconds. get started for free Hey, I'm Harry, co-founder of Motion , a calendar I built for myself that turned into a product. My background is in algorithmic trading, but now I am the Product Manager of our startup. I hold a Computer Science and a Math degree from Dartmouth, and was part of Y Combinator's W20 batch as well as Mozilla's Fix the Internet program with my co-founders Omid and Ethan.

Solving for the Impersonality of the Calendly Booking Page

Quality Sense Podcast: Erika Chestnut on Calendly's Test Automation Strategy

Many people, including me, find ourselves overwhelmed by the complexity of modern tools and the sheer volume of information they handle daily. It's common to struggle with "powerful" tools that are highly recommended but end up being too complex to use effectively Why is it so hard to use these tools? Many tools are designed to be feature-rich, operating under the assumption that more features mean more value. However, this often leads to feature overload, leaving users feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, these tools typically start with a blank page, which can be daunting because it’s unclear where to begin. They often require a steep learning curve, ongoing maintenance, and significant mental effort. For individuals with neurodiversity like ADHD, these challenges can be even more pronounced, making it difficult to use the tool’s full capabilities. What's the solution? The answer might be simpler than you think: choose tools that are . Think of these tools as the of productivity—compact yet effective. simple yet powerful Swiss Army knife Opting for minimalism doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice functionality. A well-designed minimalist tool can offer the power and versatility needed to handle a variety of tasks without the clutter. Here are some benefits of using those tools: : Minimalist tools are easy to understand and use right from the start, which means you don’t have to spend hours learning how to navigate complex software. Reduce Cognitive Load : These tools help you accomplish your tasks faster by focusing on essential features, without unnecessary extras. Efficiency : By eliminating distractions, these tools help you concentrate on what’s truly important. Enhance Focus : With less mental clutter, you can free up space for innovative thinking and effective problem-solving. Boost Creativity 3. What are some examples of these Simple yet Powerful tools? Not all minimalist tools are the same; some might be too basic, lacking the features you need. Finding the right tool often involves some trial and error. Here are a few that I’ve found to be helpful: : A straightforward to-do list app that helps you manage tasks simply and effectively. Todoist : A note-taking tool that is easy to use yet powerful, enhanced with AI capabilities to boost productivity. Saner.ai : An intuitive tool for scheduling meetings that simplifies finding mutual availability without back-and-forth emails. Calendly One Sec: An app designed to limit mobile phone use by requiring a specific action before accessing the app you want to block, helping to reduce distractions. In conclusion, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by complex productivity tools, consider switching to minimalist tools that offer simplicity without sacrificing functionality. This approach can help you work more efficiently, focus better, and enhance your creativity.

Overcome the Overwhelm with 4 Simple Yet Powerful Productivity Tools

194 Stories To Learn About Future Of Work

In today's fast-paced digital world, we're all on a mission to conquer the productivity mountain, managing an array of tasks, deadlines, and to-do lists. At the same time, finding the right tools to boost your workflow can be overwhelming and time-consuming in our already busy schedules. I've curated 16 tools, from website management and content creation to design apps, coding utilities, automation tools, and much more that will save you time. I've included direct links, descriptions, and visuals so that you can get an initial impression of each extension right away. 1. (Sponsored) OneEntry CMS OneEntry is a headless Content Management System (CMS) designed to boost your productivity for website content creation and management experience. This cloud-based solution offers a robust set of features: OneEntry provides a user-friendly interface that is easily understandable for users without any technical background. Ease of use for everyone: The interface is intuitive, providing a clear logic for user interaction and simplifying the overall process of managing applications. It makes it easy for users to input information quickly and accurately. Intuitive data entry: It supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same data simultaneously. This feature promotes teamwork and ensures data consistency. Real-time collaboration: OneEntry includes robust data validation and quality checks to minimize errors and ensure that entered data meets specified criteria. This contributes to maintaining accurate and reliable datasets. Data validation: Users can create and customize data entry forms based on their needs. This flexibility enables organizations to tailor the platform to their unique data collection requirements. Customization options: OneEntry leverages cloud technology, providing secure storage for entered data. Users can access the platform from anywhere with an internet connection. Security and accessibility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt3JKXxaQRM&embedable=true 2. Hoppscotch An open-source API development web app that simplifies and accelerates API testing and development. It offers a visual interface for crafting and sending HTTP requests, aiding developers in building and debugging APIs efficiently. 3. IFTTT Stands for "If This Then That," IFTTT is an automation app that connects different apps and services to create automated workflows. Users can define triggers and actions to automate various tasks across multiple platforms, enhancing productivity and connectivity. 4. Zapier A web automation app that enables users to create automated workflows (Zaps) between various apps. It facilitates the seamless transfer of information and actions between different online tools, streamlining business processes. 5. Hypefury A social media automation app designed for scheduling and automating social media marketing activities. It helps users save time, create value, and grow their audience faster through efficient social media management. 6. Monday A work management app that assists teams in planning, tracking, and managing projects. It provides a collaborative space for teams to enhance communication and productivity, especially in project management offices. 7. Calendly A scheduling tool used to organize and automate meetings with prospects, customers, and recruits. It simplifies the scheduling process by allowing users to share their availability and enables others to book time slots accordingly. 8. StackEdit An in-browser Markdown editor that allows users to write and edit Markdown documents for blogs, publications, documentation, and so on. It offers a distraction-free writing environment, allowing you to focus on the actual writing and be more productive. 9. QuillBot An AI-powered paraphrasing tool that helps users rewrite or rephrase content. It's useful for improving the originality and diversity of written content without you taking hours to rephrase the content yourself. 10. Happy Hues A color palette inspiration website that provides aesthetically pleasing color combinations for design projects. Designers can quickly explore and choose color schemes to enhance the visual appeal of their work with just a single click. 11. Penpot An open-source design and prototyping platform that allows collaborative design work for maximum productivity and efficiency. It supports the creation of user interfaces, wireframes, and interactive prototypes. 12. Airtable A cloud-based collaboration platform that combines the features of a spreadsheet and a database. It allows users to organize and track information, making it versatile for various use cases, from project management to content planning. 13. Todoist A popular task management and organization tool. Todoist helps users create and manage tasks, set deadlines, and organize projects to enhance productivity. 14. Smartmockups A tool for creating realistic mockups of websites and apps. It simplifies the design process by allowing users to showcase their work in a visually appealing and professional manner. 15. Invoicely An online invoicing and billing platform for freelancers and small businesses. It streamlines the invoicing process, helps track expenses, and facilitates efficient financial management. 16. DevTunes FM A project of mine, an online radio designed for busy developers. It now hosts 50+ various stations, 10 different themes, a recently played list, keyboard shortcuts, custom settings, and a lot more. Writing has always been my passion, and it gives me pleasure to help and inspire people. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! Make sure to receive the best resources, tools, productivity tips, and career growth tips I discover by subscribing to ! my newsletter Also, connect with me on , , and ! Twitter LinkedIn GitHub Also published . here

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CALENDLY

calendly.com

-- employees

Since n.d.

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CALENDLY

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