Unique New Patient Ideas
Submitted by Keith Maule, DC.
Consider utilizing the Internet and e-mail to improve your exposure and education. Currently, you probably send your patients birthday cards, but that is all you do because it is expensive. You can utilize e-mail to send anniversary cards, holiday cards, and other seasonal greetings.
Keep your patients knowledgeable about the happenings of your practice through e-mail. Let them know about any special events coming up such as a patient appreciation day. You may even want to send your patients your newsletter via e-mail.
Make sure you ask patients for their e-mail address on your health history form. Constant exposure with your patients will help with reactivations and referrals. The reason why you may receive few referrals is due to the fact that patients stop thinking about you. Using e-mail reminders will help to keep you and your services on their mind.
While we are talking about the use of modern technology to help with new patient acquisition, let me make another suggestion: get a digital camera. It is particularly beneficial to take pictures of patients laying down on your table with their head up, a smile on their face, and giving the thumbs up sign with the doctor behind them doing the same thing. There are several good uses for this. You can have a bulletin board filled with kids' pictures. You may forget that the public does not naturally associate children with chiropractic. A bulletin board full of kids' pictures will help parents and grandparents make the connection.
You can also use your patients' pictures to send them e-mails after they have had good results with chiropractic. Send them their pictures and thank them for being star patients. For years chiropractors have used patient testimonial booklets in their reception areas. With simple software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, you can use an old computer and monitor in the reception area and run a program containing your patients' pictures and their testimonials. Recognized star patients are more likely to follow through with care and refer others to see you.
I realize that these ideas are not the conventional methods of new patient acquisition, but they are effective in utilizing the new technology that is available to you today and when used effectively, can move you to the next level of practice.