Posts Tagged ‘marketing’
What Have You Got In Your Hand? The Key to Your Thriving Health Practice in 2009…
January 6, 2009 | 
Author Don’t you love fresh starts? The chance to bid farewell to the old and create something new? That’s why I find new year’s so refreshing.
When shedding the old, the key is to hang on to what has worked well for you and discard, or change what hasn’t. I have to confess that I haven’t stayed in touch with people as much as I would have liked last year, but this year will see that change. Which brings me to the topic of this blog – what have you already got in your hand (seed) that if nurtured will make all the difference to the success (harvest) of your health practice this year?
Your existing database. Your database probably falls into one of these categories:
- Database? What database?
- I have some bits of paper with names and addresses somewhere…..amongst the rat droppings and cockroach poop…
- Incomplete database. I started one but got distracted by something much more fun….
- You have a database but don’t use it.
- You have a database and are regularly in contact with those on it.
I can relate to all of these, and have been at each point at different times. But, I promise you that those who answered number 1, will not have the success that the number 5′s are having.
Today I want to encourage you to bite the bullet and get your data base in order. Here is a simple checklist, so your can start planting that seed and reaping your harvest.
Create a manageable file of all leads and clients alphabetically. Ideally this will be on your computer into Outlook, Excell or Access. If you don’t have a computer, an card system from your office supplier will do. (If you are too busy, pay someone to do it for you).
Categorise you clients into A, B, C, D. This could mean your most active are A, or those that spend the most per session for example.
Create a marketing plan for each segment. Keep it simple so it doesn’t overwhelm. This could include sending a regular newsletter, sending a promotional postcard, or staying in touch for birthdays and Christmas.
Activate your marketing plan. Without it you won’t thrive, in fact you probably won’t survive.
If you are thinking you can’t be bothered or it’s too much work, ponder this: 68% of clients go elsewhere because of indifference. It also costs at least 10 times more to attract new clients, than work with existing ones.
Additional success tips when working with your database:
- Keep your lists as current as possible (sending a Christmas card to someone from 5 years ago probably won’t be effective, but may be insulting!)
- Make sure what you send is relevant. (Sending your male clients info about the latest womens’ festival is just plain silly!) Classifying your lists will ensure relevancy
- If using email be sure that you have permission to send otherwise it may be considered spam and is illegal and you can be heavily fined.
- Use an email and newsletter managment system such as icontact or aweber to create beautiful newsletters and email campaigns.
- Create personalised postcards and brochures at very low cost using Vistaprint. They offer a huge range of designs for a wide variety of stationery. I especially recommend their postcards which are very good quality. Looking professional at all times is important.
- Be consistent – regular contact ensures better results and more referrals.
Keep it simple, and enjoy regular contact with those you already know. Build relationships….it’s the way good business is done….and it’s enjoyable. If you don’t like interacting with people, you are probaly in the wrong industry!
To your health practice success….
Krishna
Posted in marketing | 
Tags: database management, Free Publicity, marketing, newsletters, promotion, success | 
No Comments »
What Have You Got In Your Hand? The Key to Your Thriving Health Practice in 2009…
Don’t you love fresh starts? The chance to bid farewell to the old and create something new? That’s why I find new year’s so refreshing.
When shedding the old, the key is to hang on to what has worked well for you and discard, or change what hasn’t. I have to confess that I haven’t stayed in touch with people as much as I would have liked last year, but this year will see that change. Which brings me to the topic of this blog – what have you already got in your hand (seed) that if nurtured will make all the difference to the success (harvest) of your health practice this year?
Your existing database. Your database probably falls into one of these categories:
- Database? What database?
- I have some bits of paper with names and addresses somewhere…..amongst the rat droppings and cockroach poop…
- Incomplete database. I started one but got distracted by something much more fun….
- You have a database but don’t use it.
- You have a database and are regularly in contact with those on it.
I can relate to all of these, and have been at each point at different times. But, I promise you that those who answered number 1, will not have the success that the number 5′s are having.
Today I want to encourage you to bite the bullet and get your data base in order. Here is a simple checklist, so your can start planting that seed and reaping your harvest.
Create a manageable file of all leads and clients alphabetically. Ideally this will be on your computer into Outlook, Excell or Access. If you don’t have a computer, an card system from your office supplier will do. (If you are too busy, pay someone to do it for you).
Categorise you clients into A, B, C, D. This could mean your most active are A, or those that spend the most per session for example.
Create a marketing plan for each segment. Keep it simple so it doesn’t overwhelm. This could include sending a regular newsletter, sending a promotional postcard, or staying in touch for birthdays and Christmas.
Activate your marketing plan. Without it you won’t thrive, in fact you probably won’t survive.
If you are thinking you can’t be bothered or it’s too much work, ponder this: 68% of clients go elsewhere because of indifference. It also costs at least 10 times more to attract new clients, than work with existing ones.
Additional success tips when working with your database:
- Keep your lists as current as possible (sending a Christmas card to someone from 5 years ago probably won’t be effective, but may be insulting!)
- Make sure what you send is relevant. (Sending your male clients info about the latest womens’ festival is just plain silly!) Classifying your lists will ensure relevancy
- If using email be sure that you have permission to send otherwise it may be considered spam and is illegal and you can be heavily fined.
- Use an email and newsletter managment system such as icontact or aweber to create beautiful newsletters and email campaigns.
- Create personalised postcards and brochures at very low cost using Vistaprint. They offer a huge range of designs for a wide variety of stationery. I especially recommend their postcards which are very good quality. Looking professional at all times is important.
- Be consistent – regular contact ensures better results and more referrals.
Keep it simple, and enjoy regular contact with those you already know. Build relationships….it’s the way good business is done….and it’s enjoyable. If you don’t like interacting with people, you are probaly in the wrong industry!
To your health practice success….
Krishna
Posted in marketing | Tags: database management, Free Publicity, marketing, newsletters, promotion, success | No Comments »
If Business is Quiet It's NOT Because of the Recession
Why are some businesses flourishing and others floundering right now? Whilst we live in uncertain times, your health business has the potential to be the best it ever has.
Lately, within just a few moments of small talk, the topic inevitably turns to the current economic climate. Often, I can tell how someone is already doing before they even say so – the way they carry themselves, the tone of their voice and their energy has already given them away. Imagine how potential clients are receiving them? Not terribly well I imagine. In most cases these are the people who try to compete using a cheap price, and don’t differentiate themselves from other practitioners. The truth is, if you continue to treat your business as a flourishing enterprise you are passionate about, and take active steps to build momentum – success is already yours.
Steps to ensure your ongoing success:
1. Be positive. Know that there are always people who want and need your service, regardless of circumstances.
2. Determine a niche market you love working with and focus on them. Don’t try to be everything to everybody. Everyone does that! It makes you just another fish in the ocean. Discover what your best at and take it to the ‘world’.
3. Don’t be cheap to compete. Competing on price doesn’t win clients, just short term bargain hunters.
4. Don’t be complacent. Even if things are challenging at times, it is usually for a season only. Don’t throw your hands in the air and give up in despair! Instead decide what needs to be done and do it.
5. Do have an action plan. Achieving what you want with your business requires more than just intent. Your intentions must be matched by actions. Have you recognised what actions need to be taken? Write them down and include a timeline. If you haven’t planned for the upcoming Christmas season, do so by the end of the week, and begin to implement it step by step. Once you’ve done that, plan your new year approach. Don’t over analyse it, just do it!
6. Consistently promote yourself and your business. Are you guilty of promoting yourself only when your have nothing to do? By constantly doing something to let others know about you, you will find that your business peaks and troughs are not so volotile. If you want to have a more consistent cash flow, keep your marketing activities ongoing. Create a simple marketing plan for the yearso it is not only done ‘when you feel like it’ or when you have the time. Consistent marketing builds a stronger client base and a foundation for success.
7. Check your mindset. Are you getting carried away on the wave of doom and gloom? Are you surrounded by people who continually speak negitively? Then you need some new friends. Surround yourself with positive influences and network with likemined and positive associates.
8. Do learn new things. If you know something needs to be done, but aren’t quite sure how to do it, get help. The web is full of wonderful ‘how to’ resources.
9. Don’t go it alone. Even solo businesses need others they can bounce ideas off. Buddy up with a friend and encourage one another as you explore new territory.
Many businesses that are suffering at present have had their head in the sand and are drowning now in deep water. It doesn’t have to be that way. It is not too late to turn things around. In the coming posts I will look at some different marketing approaches and how you can use them confidently.
To your health practice success….
Krishna
http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com/
If Business is Quiet It's NOT Because of the Recession
Why are some businesses flourishing and others floundering right now? Whilst we live in uncertain times, your health business has the potential to be the best it ever has.
Lately, within just a few moments of small talk, the topic inevitably turns to the current economic climate. Often, I can tell how someone is already doing before they even say so – the way they carry themselves, the tone of their voice and their energy has already given them away. Imagine how potential clients are receiving them? Not terribly well I imagine. In most cases these are the people who try to compete using a cheap price, and don’t differentiate themselves from other practitioners. The truth is, if you continue to treat your business as a flourishing enterprise you are passionate about, and take active steps to build momentum – success is already yours.
Steps to ensure your ongoing success:
1. Be positive. Know that there are always people who want and need your service, regardless of circumstances.
2. Determine a niche market you love working with and focus on them. Don’t try to be everything to everybody. Everyone does that! It makes you just another fish in the ocean. Discover what your best at and take it to the ‘world’.
3. Don’t be cheap to compete. Competing on price doesn’t win clients, just short term bargain hunters.
4. Don’t be complacent. Even if things are challenging at times, it is usually for a season only. Don’t throw your hands in the air and give up in despair! Instead decide what needs to be done and do it.
5. Do have an action plan. Achieving what you want with your business requires more than just intent. Your intentions must be matched by actions. Have you recognised what actions need to be taken? Write them down and include a timeline. If you haven’t planned for the upcoming Christmas season, do so by the end of the week, and begin to implement it step by step. Once you’ve done that, plan your new year approach. Don’t over analyse it, just do it!
6. Consistently promote yourself and your business. Are you guilty of promoting yourself only when your have nothing to do? By constantly doing something to let others know about you, you will find that your business peaks and troughs are not so volotile. If you want to have a more consistent cash flow, keep your marketing activities ongoing. Create a simple marketing plan for the yearso it is not only done ‘when you feel like it’ or when you have the time. Consistent marketing builds a stronger client base and a foundation for success.
7. Check your mindset. Are you getting carried away on the wave of doom and gloom? Are you surrounded by people who continually speak negitively? Then you need some new friends. Surround yourself with positive influences and network with likemined and positive associates.
8. Do learn new things. If you know something needs to be done, but aren’t quite sure how to do it, get help. The web is full of wonderful ‘how to’ resources.
9. Don’t go it alone. Even solo businesses need others they can bounce ideas off. Buddy up with a friend and encourage one another as you explore new territory.
Many businesses that are suffering at present have had their head in the sand and are drowning now in deep water. It doesn’t have to be that way. It is not too late to turn things around. In the coming posts I will look at some different marketing approaches and how you can use them confidently.
To your health practice success….
Krishna
http://www.healthpracticesuccess.com/
