Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Chiropractic Advertisements, Outside Lectures,etc.

Posted by Anonymous on 6/30/2009 at 7:53 PM ET 25 Points
My business is slow. I have never been a big advertiser. My budget is low ie 500-1000mo. Where do I begin to get new prospective patients in the door. Outside lectures? Anyone have contacts that have power point programs available. What about marketing on line. I have a website, but no results to date. Help. I need to
grow and get new prospects in the door.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by marketbase on 6/30/2009 at 10:54 PM Accepted
    Our local naturopathic doctor group regularly runs informational seminars at 1) the local health food restaurant, 2) local companies (and large depts of corporations, 3) libraries, 4) local trade shows, 5) senior centers and the like. Might be some applicability to your business--include the local naturopathic doctor group in your prospecting! Both foregoing professionals offer additional super tips.

    Best of luck
    jag
    MarketBase
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 7/1/2009 at 10:08 AM Accepted
    Because of the hands-on nature of your business, you need to build trust by the community. Ideally, that's done naturally by word of mouth. Next best, is getting people to know you and be willing to entrust their body/care in your hands. Advertising can support your message, but you first need to be visible as someone who can help people heal (and explain how your services differ from the competitions').
  • Posted by michael on 7/1/2009 at 12:16 PM Accepted
    If I need a Chiropractor I wouldn't look online. Probably in the yellow pages....or my insurance company's website.

    The best advertising is at the place where customers go looking. That's if you depend on ads.

    Lectures are a little old now. You might drag a chair or model to one of the larger festivals in your area. Free (albeit limited) exams onsite are a good draw

    Michael

  • Posted on 7/1/2009 at 12:20 PM Accepted
    Before I answer this question, so I can help your further, can you answer this question for me?

    Why should a prospective client choose you as their chiropractor over everyone else?

    The answer will help me develop a plan for you.


    Sincerely,
    Master Business Strategist
    Ian J. Dunlap
    Visionary. Innovator. Genius.
    [Phone number deleted by staff]
  • Posted on 7/5/2009 at 10:09 PM Accepted
    Dear StumpedDC,

    Everytime I hear of anyone going to a chiropractor, myself included, it's because they got a recommendation from friends who would say, he or she is terrific! So, the "tell a friend" is an inexpensive way you can use your existing clients to promote your services to their friends. Reward your existing clients with an extra service or product you provide in exchange for their referrals. Give them your cards and ask them to carry around a couple to pass out. Make a big deal out of it, everytime they come in. They'll feel like they are helping you...and they are!

    This is usually not a quick process, so another avenue I would suggest you look at is speaking to or providing small services to groups that have back troubles due to age or activity.

    Hence, seeking out horseback riders, dirt motorcycle riders, trail bicyclers and weekend warriors who have a high chance of creating back problems with their activities is good place to start You would be zero-ing in on a group who has a high chance of being in pain.

    Where would you find these OUCH people waiting to happen? At the end of events for a specific sport (high school football) or a local park where a lot of the jarring one's back activity takes place. Or charity events people participating in these activities put on to raise funds. You can try everthing from setting up a table with your info and offering a small service (shoulder massage) to passing out special cards with an offer of a free first visit or free xrays. That way most of your "advertising money" comes out of your pocket when they show up for their first visit.

    Speaking at Senior Centers is also good, but you may find them very set in their ways and they can take up a good deal of your time bending your ear. If you have a specialty in older clients though, it would be a great place to go.

    While the restaurant dinner giveaway is cool, I'm not sure it would hone in on those that absolutely, positively need help now.

    As the old adage goes....go fishing where the fish are.

    Kathy Nunes
    Nunes & Associates

  • Posted on 7/5/2009 at 10:12 PM Member
    Dear StumpedDC,

    Everytime I hear of anyone going to a chiropractor, myself included, it's because they got a recommendation from friends who would say, he or she is terrific! So, the "tell a friend" is an inexpensive way you can use your existing clients to promote your services to their friends. Reward your existing clients with an extra service or product you provide in exchange for their referrals. Give them your cards and ask them to carry around a couple to pass out. Make a big deal out of it, everytime they come in. They'll feel like they are helping you...and they are!

    This is usually not a quick process, so another avenue I would suggest you look at is: seeking out and/or providing small services to groups that have back troubles due to age or activity.

    Hence, seeking out horseback riders, dirt motorcycle riders, trail bicyclers, football players and other weekend warriors who have a high chance of creating back problems with their activities is good place to start You would be zero-ing in on a group who has a high chance of being in pain.

    Where would you find these OUCH clients waiting to happen? At the end of events for a specific sport (high school football) or a local park where a lot of the jarring one's back activity takes place. Or charity events people participating in these activities put on to raise funds. You can try everthing from setting up a table with your info and offering a small service (shoulder massage), to being part of the football team booster club or sideline help...to passing out special cards with an offer of a free first visit or free xrays. That way most of your "advertising money" comes out of your pocket when they show up for their first visit.

    Speaking at Senior Centers is also good, but you may find them very set in their ways and they can take up a good deal of your time bending your ear. If you have a specialty in older clients though, it would be a great place to go.

    While the restaurant dinner giveaway is cool, I'm not sure it would hone in on those who absolutely, positively need help NOW.

    As the old adage goes....go fishing where the fish are.

    Kathy Nunes
    Nunes & Associates

  • Posted by MktgDirectorNC on 7/11/2009 at 2:50 PM Accepted
    StumpDC-
    Reading your post you stated that business is slow, which means at some point business was great and not slow. Some internal evaluating is needed to determine what the factors are that is causing it to be slow. Evaluating your staff, your lobby, your follow up procedures, hours of operation, pricing, etc... All the advice above is great, but you may want to start with simple evaluation of what may be going on internally. It may be as simple as customers are experiencing longer waits, or the new chiropractic center down the street has a super-friendly staff, with a flat screen tv in the lobby....etc..
    Once you've determined what needs improving internally, put your resources towards that. Also, encourage your staff to do some of your marketing for you. Run a contest that whomever brings in the most new clients for the month gets X amount of $, or some type of prize. The more involved they are with the marketing efforts, the more bought in to the program they are. If you lean on your staff to be creative, and help draw in the new clients, I think you'd be surprised at the results. Also, follow up with your client list who may not be visiting your office as much as they used to. Offer them a free service to get them back in the door, or send them refer a friend cards for free services.

    Hope that helps!
    Jason
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