Most of the acupuncturists I have coached over the years are not really clear what they need to do to ensure a long-term, stable, and successful private practice. It's very common that their practice feels like a roller coaster ride. Some weeks are great. Some are horrible. This can be a very stressful way to run a practice.
The main problem that most acupuncturists have is that they don't have systems in place to market their acupuncture practice. Because of this, they struggle with instability and stress. A system is something that you implement or do that will give you a predictable and measurable result. Below are 5 proven acupuncture marketing systems to help your practice grow and stay busy year in and year out:
1. Internet marketing systems: You absolutely need to have a strong online presence so people searching online for acupuncture can easily find you. A marketing system here would be to post twice a week to your blog, add one article per week to your website, or to set up a Google AdWords account and regularly check and refine it.
2. Online newsletter/ezine: You need a way to maintain contact with ex-patients, current patients, and prospective patients. This is the power of an ezine. It enables you to maintain constant contact with your community by sending out valuable information. Your system would be to send out 1 ezine to your list per month online.
3. Networking with other practitioners: The system here is that you commit to making one new connection per month with a complementary practitioner like a chiropractor, massage therapist, or nutritionist.
4. Targeted lecturing: Set up one public speaking event per month in your community. This is a proven system that works great (if you know how to do it).
5. New patient follow up cards: In this system, you send out new cards to all new patients welcoming them to your practice. This is a great way to build rapport and greater patient retention.
If you follow these 5 systems consistently, you should have a very successful acupuncture practice. The key really is consistency and rhythm. Do these things every single month, whether you're busy or not and they will pay off.
I invite you to get a FREE copy of my Conscious Acupuncturist Starter Kit with a practice building audio and a bi-monthly practice building ezine. Go to http://www.ConsciousAcupunctureBusiness.com to get this valuable information today.
Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS is a licensed acupuncturist and practice development coach to acupuncturists all around North America. Kevin has helped many acupuncturists overcome a variety of obstacles to success. He has personally built 2 successful private practices and now coaches others to do the same. Kevin is also the author of Build Your Dream Practice and The Purpose Principle.
