Running and Marketing a Physical Therapy Practice needs some careful thought and consideration. First you want to begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear vision of how you want your life and ideal practice to look and feel before you take action on marketing or get clients into your physical therapy practice. This may save you time, energy, heart ache and a lot of cash in the long run.
Instead of just trying to get a full practice of clients, some of which may be energy zapping clients, decide who it is you want to work with, (the common characteristics or profile of your ideal client). In addition, how you can offer your services in unique ways to differentiate yourself in your community and stand out as the obvious ‘go to’ expert.
When you are marketing as a physical therapist you need to keep your vision in mind; why you do what you do and how you can help add value to clients’ lives. You want to use words that clients get, leave the jargon and marketing material that is all about ‘you’ on your desk. Get to know what your potential clients want and then tell what is in it for them if they decide to hire you. Explain all the benefits of hiring you as their physical therapist.
The next step is to create an effective step-by-step, easy to follow marketing plan that feels authentic to implement. This can help you to run a vibrant practice what ever stage you are in your practice building. Many physical therapist practice owners never use a marketing plan and don’t know what strategy to use to get more new clients because they do not think of the ‘bigger picture’.
You will not need me to tell you that the high of getting clients, is the one thing that tells you the pain and sacrifice is all worth while. The added bonus is when you get more clients, you can pay the bills and have peace of mind whilst you make your difference in the world, helping others feel better.
This approach of putting your client’s needs a head of your own is all well and good and that’s what most physical therapists are happy doing. But what about the times when you do not get more new clients, what happens then? If you don’t work you don’t get paid! So using a new strategy and beginning with working out therapy marketing strategy that suits you, so you know where your next client is coming from is a wise move.
You have to take a step back; you want to look at your practice from an objective short-term and long-term perspective (the bigger picture).
So how does a therapy marketing strategy differ from traditional pushy, salesy marketing approaches and how would a physical therapist put it in to practice to create say, one marketing strategy that can change the way they get more new clients?
A therapy marketing strategy can be used for any physical therapy practice and used over and over for the life time of your practice building. To often are there people out there giving you ‘quick fix’ solutions and never have walked similar shoes and have no idea what it takes a service based business owner to get more new clients.
It is a common challenge that many physical therapy practice owners face and marketing holds a large percent of therapist back from doing more of the work they love and reaching out to get more new clients.
Physical Therapy Marketing does not have to be so hard, or so much of a struggle. Have you ever heard the saying it is easy once you know how? I am sure you have had experiences that at the time seemed impossible to grasp, like when you first learnt to ride a bike or drive a car. You actually believe you will just never get the hang of it, or you just about get ready to quit and then, suddenly something just clicks!
A Therapy Marketing Strategy is just like that. You may not have known what the best marketing strategy is for your physical therapy practice but today you can take action on one marketing strategy. Ask for 2 referrals from10 people in your immediate network. It does not cost anything and you are more likely to generate business through recommendations, that on say advertising. It’s authentic and you can do it right now, get on the phone, write a letter, ask a past client for a referral. Make this part of what you do naturally as a rule of thumb.
If you want more help and support with how to create a customised therapy marketing plan using strategies that suit service based business owners and tailoring it to suit the stage of practice building you are now, get in touch. You can do it with the support of a group of ‘like minded’ others in our new teleclass and action group, we can give you new ideas, insights and act a source of motivation as you build your ideal physical therapy practice.
Iona Woodmore is a Vision and Life Purpose Business Coach. She is the founder of International Holistic Practitioners Leadership Alliance. IHPLA helps Holistic Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Healers, Holistic Coaches and Spiritual Entrepreneurs nationally and internationally create a clear vision for their vibrant practice using, life business and making strategies. The aim of IHPLA is to support Holistic Practitioner to overcome fear, resistance, money blocks and getting more clients. At the same time, assist them in creating a fun balanced lifestyle whilst making their difference in the world.