Managing the Down Time at Your Practice
Due to COVID-19 containment measures, you may be experiencing some down time at your practice. Here are some tips to use this time to continue working on other aspects of your business.
Posted in Marketing on Wednesday, May 6, 2020
If you are dependent on a steady income from a regular patient base—and who isn’t—what can you do if you're not treating as many patients?
Here are 5 ways to use the time for practice success.
- Network. While you may not be able to meet to directly promote yourself or your practice, you can join groups online to get to know others, build friendships and invest in your community.
- Increase your marketing and public relations efforts. This could include investing in paid promotions (e.g., print or digital ads) sending out mailers, or initiating public relations efforts. Consider reaching out to local publications and pitching something unique about your practice that they could write a story about. You could also offer to write articles for them on health-related topics.
- Build a loyalty program. A great way to encourage patients to come back is to build a loyalty program. This could be based on the number of years the patient has been coming to your practice or the total number of visits to your practice. Give them a small gift as a token of thanks for their loyalty. When patients feel appreciated, they are more likely to return and refer others to you.
- Expand your online presence. If you’re not on social media, develop a practice profile on various platforms. Don’t use your personal social media accounts to connect with your patients, as this can cross boundaries and HIPAA guidelines. Social channels can be used as a way to share valuable content with your client base and potential patients. Develop a strategy to share information and connect with your patients.
While these efforts may not immediately bring in new traffic, they will pay off in the long run. You may see more peaks during busier times to offset any future slow season. And you are likely to develop a strong client base who will proudly share their experiences with others.