4 Ways Connecticut Podiatrists Can Improve Their Practices
4 WAYS CONNECTICUT PODIATRISTS CAN IMPROVE THEIR PRACTICES
Marketing should be a top priority for podiatrists. Even if you feel as though you have enough patients, a simple marketing plan can strengthen the reputation of your practice, help you retain patients, increase your name recognition, and benefit your community. Here are four ways to effectively market your podiatric practice in Connecticut.
1. BUILD AN ONLINE PRESENCE
Patients increasingly research, select, and review healthcare services online. An appealing, user-friendly website makes it easy for prospective patients to learn more about your practice and schedule an appointment.
To retain and engage current patients, an online newsletter and a regular social media presence can make a significant impact. You can use these platforms to share updates about your practice, promote events, and feature blog posts and video clips. These regular touch-points build long-term relationships with patients.
2. HOST OR VOLUNTEER AT AN EVENT
Events provide an opportunity to both give back to your community and spread awareness for your practice. You might host a business anniversary celebration, a holiday gathering, or a fundraiser for a cause you care about.
In Connecticut, there are also many ways podiatrists can partner with an existing nonprofits. CT organizations including The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Riverfront Recapture, Save the Children, and many more accept business partnerships.
Additionally, Connecticut podiatrists can volunteer their time a few days each year to give foot exams at events. Footwear with Care, a program associated with the CPMA Foundation, donates durable shoes and boots as well as offers medical foot exams to homeless children and adults in Hartford. CPMA also sends volunteers to Special Olympics Connecticut.
3. REQUEST AND INCORPORATE PATIENT FEEDBACK
For better or worse, online reviews can make or break any business. By requesting and acting on feedback from your patients, you take a proactive approach to bettering your practice.
To gather feedback, send a follow up email with simple questions after appointments or share a survey through your newsletter. You can make these forms anonymous to foster transparency. To encourage responses, you might enter participating patients into a raffle for a prize, such as a gift card to a local shoe store. You can also ask patients if you can feature their feedback on your website in the form of testimonials.
If you receive negative feedback, whether solicited or unsolicited, make an effort to respond mindfully. If the feedback is not anonymous, personalize your message. Whenever possible and appropriate, act on the feedback you receive and share the improvements you make with your patients.
4. JOIN THE CPMA COMMUNITY
If you’re not already a member, consider joining CPMA. You’ll benefit from advocacy, educational recourses, networking opportunities, and more.
Podiatric events, such as CPMA’s Annual Symposium, offer a unique opportunity to make connections with colleagues, including former classmates and recent graduates. Through the close-knit community here in Connecticut, you can connect with both new and established podiatrists, receive referrals, and build lasting relationships.
By making marketing a priority, you not only benefit practice and its reputation, you make meaningful connections in your with your community. Beginning with just one of these steps can make a profound impact on your podiatric career.
