Networking with other health professionals in the same area can be a valuable tool in obtaining new patients for a practice.  If you have a specialty area or would rather work in one specific target area then network toward that goal. For example, if you specialize in treating patients who have headaches or TMJ problems, network with dentists in the area. Try to set some time aside to meet with them and explain to them how your treatment works. Many who work with western medicine or dental practices are happy to have avenues to offer patients who are not responding to traditional treatments.

Another way to network with others in your area is to think about joining local organizations such as the chamber of commerce or civic clubs who work within communities. This is an excellent way for you as a practitioner to meet others who can and will refer you patients once they find out what you can do.

Another way of networking is to educate the public on what treatments you have to offer as an acupuncturist.  Offer to give talks or demonstrations at luncheons or meetings of these organizations. This will help other professionals see how you work and what you can do for your patients. It also helps the general public to be more knowledgeable as to how alternative therapies work and how they can help them in case a need arises in the future.

One of the biggest problems that acupuncture practitioners face is keeping their appointments scheduled with patients consistently. Many health practitioners find after practicing for some time and building up a steady practice of regular patients, they still are not seeing enough new patients coming into their practice. This can lead to empty appointment times in their future. The only way to keep a practice healthy and thriving is to have an influx of both new and returning patients on the books consistently.

This leads to acupuncturists scratching their heads to find ways to entice more new patients in their doors. Something effective that is frequently overlooked is to get their existing patients to help them do this. Basic marketing courses will tell you that word of mouth advertising is one of the best ways that a business or practice can use to become successful.

So how do you get existing patients to help you get new people in the door? One successful acupuncturist sends out a nice Christmas card with two vouchers for a free exam and consultation to his existing patients each Christmas season. These are to give to friends or loved ones as a gift. He only asks that these be given to people who have not been seen by his office before and could benefit from his services. This has been a very successful marketing campaign for his practice.

Another great way of keeping your office and practice in the front of your patient’s mind is to keep up with your patient’s birthdays. Send them a nice birthday card. If the patient has not been seen in some time, offer a visit at a reduced rate as a birthday gift to them. You can include a voucher for a friend or a loved one at that time as well. Patient’s love to give away things and will tell others how great you are when they give these out as gifts. It is an excellent example of two ways you can market your acupuncture practice in an effective manner without having to pay for expensive advertising that may or may not give you the results that you are looking for.

An acupuncture practitioner is only as good as the staff that is behind him or her. If an acupuncturists have excellent staff that works in conjunction with them, that practice will thrive. However, even a good practitioner with a lazy or unproductive staff will definitely feel the pinch in the wallet when things do not go well.

So the first rule of patient retention is to have all staff members on the same page. Have regular meetings with staff and let them know what is expected of them.  Tell them what you expect from them and show them how to be proactive with patients rather than reactive.

Here is an example. Mr. Brown leaves the treatment room and has been instructed to return in two weeks. The receptionist should say to Mr. Brown, “I see you are returning in two weeks, I have Thursday at 3:00pm available.”  If the patient hedges, she should say, “I know you like the late afternoon appointments and they do book very quickly” to let him know this time might not be available later.

That is an example of how a patient should be handled. An example of how it should not be handled would be the receptionist asks Mr. Brown when he would like to come back.  This offers the patient an easy way to postpone booking the return appointment.

Another way to improve patient retention is to have your staff take down the names and phone numbers of patients who do not rebook for the next acupuncture treatment at the time they are in the office. Have them call to remind the patient that they need to come in if they have not scheduled and get them to schedule at that time. This has proven to be much more effective than sending out postcards or other correspondence.

In order to have a successful practice, a acupuncturists must have a steady influx of regular and new patients coming into their practice. There are several marketing strategies that can be utilized in order to make this a reality for any practitioner. Here are some strategies that are proved to be working.

First, give new patients the personal touch. Send them a hand written thank you card for using your services. Have someone from your staff call them to inquire as to how they feel after their treatment. This makes the patients feel special in your eyes, shows that you care about their health, and want them to feel better. This goes a long way toward keeping patients on your table.

Second, in a struggling economy some patients may have issues with paying out of pocket for CAM treatments. Since most acupuncture treatments are ongoing or long term, it might be wise to offer your patients a discount on a set number of treatments or on a monthly basis for payment up-front. This is a win-win situation for you and the patient. You receive money up-front and are assured of bookings by that patient. The patient will definitely use the service if they have paid for it.

Give satisfied patients cards or coupons to give to their friends or loved ones. This with their world of mouth referral will go a long way in bringing in new patients, thus improving your patient numbers. Word of mouth advertising is still the best way to sell anything today so do not hesitate to use it as a marketing strategy. You can also ask satisfied patients to give you a testimonial to use in a newsletter or quarterly email newsletter.