marketing Archives - Page 2 of 2

Shabby isn’t Chic!

When was the last time you looked around your office with a critical eye? It may be time to take down those 1980s drapes and silk flowers, and put on a new vibe with cool paints. It doesn't take much to bring your office up to date, but when you fail to do it you look like you are "Stuck in the Past". Your office reception room should look sharp and up to date, and give the feeling of a comfortable room in your home -- Good lighting, good reading, and a sense of friendliness. Get on board and get with the new generation of color and splash for your office. If you don't, your image will be tarnished and your patients just might see you and your practice as old and out of sync. That doesn't say much for you, does it? Get with it - We are 10 years into the new millennium - does your practice show it?

By Judy Capko|2022-01-01T22:52:57-08:00October 25th, 2010|

The Lunch Hour Debacle

If you shut down the phones during the lunch hour you are on the fast track to losing potential new patients and aggravating existing ones. It also results in greater phone traffic when the lines open up again, resulting in chaos.Other service industries would never dream of closing down their phones at lunch. Why? Because being available opens the door to serve their customers better and to gain new business. If you lose 2 new patients a week it could cost you more than $36,000 in lost revenue a year. Employees can stagger their lunches to give you telephone coverage. So stop the lunch hour debacle!Judy Capko is one of America's leading practice management and marketing consultants and author of the runaway top-selling book Secrets of the Best-Run Practices now in its second edition. Check it out by clicking on the book icon at www.capko.com

By Judy Capko|2011-03-13T12:22:56-08:00May 29th, 2010|

Marketing on a dime in a turbulent economy

Medical practices are feeling the impact of the looming recession, as patients become more concerned about personal finances. They thiink twice before scheduling an appointment and put off treatment that doesn't seem urgent. Yep, with gaps in the schedule, revenue starts to slide and practice economics become uncertain. So how can you fill those gaps and pump iron into practice revenue without spending big bucks on marketing? Read on...1) Mine your data base. Find those patients that are overdue for an annual visit, follow-up care or screening tests the practice offers. E-mail or give these patients a jingle. Don't just remind patients to schedule appointments, offer each one a specific time slot to increase your odds for filling the schedule. Be sure to confirm appointments 48 hours in advance with verbiage that accentuates the importance of keeping appointments.2) Be visible. Participate in community social and fund-raising activities. The more you (and your staff) are in front of people, the more you remind them of who you are and what you do.3) Be a media darling. Get to know the writers focused on healthcare for local newspapers and regional magazines. Become the "go to" person when they are seeking physicians to quote. It's easier to do than you might think. Go on line to their websites and e-mail the writers that cover features on healthcare business and clinical issues. Invite each one to contact you when they need a source, and direct them to your website so they can check you out. When a medical topic becomes of interest to the community and you can offer solid advice, e-mail your media contacts. 4) Be active with the hospital and local medical association. Communicate your interest in being their media source for information and interviews.5) Be responsive. When someone needs something from you or makes a query, respond without delay, whether its the media, another medical practice or your patients. Be timely and dependable. Now watch your practice thrive!Contact Judy Capko, one of America's best known practice management and marketing consultants: www.capko.com

By Judy Capko|2022-01-01T22:52:59-08:00February 24th, 2009|