Monday, September 22, 2008

Chiropractic Marketing - New Patients from Social Media and SEO

By Matthew Loop, DC


Chiropractors are among many who have seen their businesses take a turn for the worse in today's economic environment. Many of these doctors are looking for way to generate new business, but they lack basic marketing skills and often rely on outdated methods.

The same old outdated marketing that your consultant is shoving down your throat had its place in the past and is actually hurting you. Are you still wasting thousands on postcards, newspaper drops, and telemarketing per month? On top of that, are you wasting massive amounts of time trying to meet people at the "Chamber" with very minimal referrals and results? Believe it or not, the best form of marketing and advertising is 100% free now because communication dynamics have made a drastic shift in the last 3 years.

Only recently (3 years after I let the cat out of the bag), have many doctors begun inquiring about what we classify as fresh Web 2.0 / SEO marketing strategies. I was the first and only one in the chiropractic profession to bring social networks to public awareness, as I was getting massive amounts of new patients coming into my office from Myspace, Facebook, and YouTube.

The very first time I logged on to a social networking site, I was convinced that there had to be a way to make this amazing tool work for me in my practice. I spent countless hours working out methods for generating new contacts and increasing my business online-and I found success!

During my research I observed how other chiropractors were approaching online marketing. They immediately signed up for their own profile and began spamming other members with their advertisements. Not only will this get you kicked off the website (since it is against the user agreement), but most people hate spam and the result will be the exact opposite of what you intended when you sent it in the first place. The only real way to make the most of these sites is to find a mentor; someone who has been there before and knows how to navigate the waters of Web 2.0.

While the profession and 95% of chiropractors are playing catch-up, I've been on the cutting-edge discovering new, and even more powerful ways to leverage these Web 2.0 technologies to create a steady stream of new patients and multiple sources of income for me and my hundreds of students. Last month was a great example, as I made over $5,000 in one month from just one video that I posted on YouTube. With returns like this for minimal time investment, many are crippling themselves by not learning how to market the proper way with social media.

Similarly, when using a site like YouTube where members can post their own videos, you have to be able to create content that is useful and fun. There is a lot of competition on YouTube, but for those who can garner a following, the benefits are extraordinary.

There has never been anything like Web 2.0 in the world of marketing. To understand how to use these sites, it is vital that you understand both the spoken and unspoken rules of participating on them. You will see immediate benefits when you finally understand how they work. The best way to do this is to find a mentor or a guide who can give you the support you need while you make yourself a part of this exciting new environment.

About the Author:

No comments: