helping healthcare organizations grow

Welcome to The Healthcare Marketing Connection! This week we are looking at ways to connect with prospects on an energetic level. Here's a hint - it's not by sitting in your office putting direct mail packages together. This week's feature article tells all...

On another note, it's been unusually warm here in Denver the last few weeks, but I am excited because my yearly supply of firewood arrived today. One of my favorite things in the world is having a warm fire with the smell of pinion floating through the house on a cold day. I am ready for the snow! One of the greatest things about working from home is that my laptop is mobile and I can bring it up by the fireplace to work. Here's to all of you bringing your favorite things to reality.

To your success!

Kelly

Meet your future patients on an energetic level

As a practitioner, whether your practice is thriving or you are just starting out, it's important you get out in your community and connect. Some of those ways include  networking, speaking, volunteering, and teaching.

Most of us get involved in the health care community because of a passion to help others - we have a passion to heal. I fully and deeply believe that the  key to a successful and happy life is by finding, and then more importantly, following your passion. It's also important to have the skills necessary to "live your passion". That means marketing your products and services. That means marketing yourself.

One of the easiest and most natural ways to market yourself is simply to get out and meet folks. It doesn't have to be getting up on stage and speaking to hundreds of people. It can be networking with a small group of people at a leads group such as BNI or your local chamber. In my area there is a group of women that get together for happy hour every Tuesday.

Informally they get to know each other, discuss projects they are working on, and share stories of clients. I know this informal group swaps leads and refer each other constantly. There is another group of women that get together and have coffee on Friday mornings. Again, very informally making friends and business contacts.

On another level, I believe you really connect with people when you physically meet them. Energetically you share something, positive or negative, it's there. People are able to connect with you on a much deeper and personal level than through a mailing or even a phone conversation.

If you are a chiropractor it will be natural for you to congregate with other chiropractors. I challenge you to push yourself past that and find a group of people that are not in your field. Find a group of people that are diverse and possibly interested in anything else. This could be a group of parents from your child's school. A group of citizens involved in bringing art to the community – whatever interests you.

Don't stand in your office waiting for the patients to show up. Don't put all of your energy into costly direct mail pieces and expensive advertising. Just get out there, be yourself, and meet some people in your community. Businesses are built on relationships, not advertisements.

(c) 2007, A Marketing Connection

Want to use this article in your e-zine or web site? No problem! Just let me know at info@KellyRobbinsLLC.com. I'll send you a short bio to include at the end of the article.

For my corporate friends, or those that can get together a group of five or ten marketers: If your copywriting is not quite up to par - or your staff could use a refresher, I have a course that might be right for you - Copywriting 101. This is a full-day on-site course customized to your company's needs.   If you'd like to learn more, drop me a note at kelly@kellyrobbinsllc.com. I'm happy to tell you all about it.

This week Kelly recommends Google Docs and Spreadsheets - Are you looking for a place online to store some of your important documents safely and securely. Do you use different computers and want to access documents virtually? Check out Google Docs and Spreadsheets (it's fr.ee and easy to use)

If you have any other great resources you'd like me to share with everyone, let me know and I'll check it out. kelly@KellyRobbinsLLC.com

To learn more about healthcare copywriting and marketing, visit my Web site at www.KellyRobbinsLLC.com/article_archives.shtml. There are tons of fr ee articles on a variety of helpful topics.