Archive for November, 2010

Do you offer coupons, specials and discounts on package at your practice? Many patients thinking about cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, cosmetic dentistry and other cosmetic enhancements are looking for the best price in their area. Some are willing to go the extra mile to shop around and get quotes for the best packages and pricing options.

Since cosmetic procedures aren’t covered by insurance, many patients are good candidates for patient financing programs and an attractive discount on services could be the “deal breaker” they’re looking for.

Some doctors hesitate to issue coupons or promote a special offer because they think it will take away from their brand image or reputation. The truth is, a well-executed marketing plan that includes special offers can actually attract more patients and put you in a very competitive position in your market.

Few people can resist a coupon, special offer or discount — especially if they’re very price-conscientious to begin with and are already prepared to undergo surgery or get a treatment. In order for your coupon strategy or promotion to work, you?ll need to do the following:

1. Issue coupons and special offers online. Maximize your online presence by offering a coupon on your Folio page, and also on your website. You can promote this is as “web-only” special so that patients understand they are getting a great deal for finding you online. This strategy also makes it easy for the patient to share the offer — and your contact information — with friends and family members interested in the same service.

2. Track your discounts and promos. Keep track of your specials and discounts by making sure each item has some type of tracking code. This will help you determine how much it actually cost to obtain a new patient — your cost per acquisition (CPA).

3. Make sure the coupon has an expiration date. Expiration dates will help close the sale and will prompt the patient to take action immediately. You need to advertise the coupons and offers as a limited time offer to maximize your response rates.

Does your practice name and contact information show up on the first page of Google search results when someone runs a search for procedures you offer or clinics in your area? If the answer is ‘no”, you need to allocate some of your marketing dollars towards business directory listings.

Established online directories, such as LocateADoc.com, make it easier for patients to find you when they do a basic search for a procedure you offer, or when they are looking for doctors in their area.

Adding your practice to sites like these helps to increase your online visibility by making it incredibly easy for patients to find you.

According to a recent survey from Nielsen Online and WebVisible, many businesses are failing to connect with customers at the local level. The survey polled 4,000 Internet users and business owners, and the results revealed that consumers now use search engines 72% more often than they did two years ago.

Patients are turning to the Internet to find doctors in their area, and many will only look at the first couple of pages of search results.

If your practice does not appear on the first or second page, you could be losing patients to other doctors in your area.

The best way to overcome this challenge is to get listed on local business directories, especially niche directories that are designed specifically for doctors, physicians and medical professionals. These directories can connect you to hundreds, even thousands of patients, and an enhanced listing — your Folio page — will help patients learn more about you at a glance.

Set aside some of your marketing budget funds for local business directory listings so that you can attract more quality patients and build a successful practice with minimal effort.