You either have to spend time or money to build a new practice. If you have time, but not money, these items are all free or mostly free. You can absolutely build a patient base for a new practice for less than $100 if you are willing to invest time.
- Create a blog. Blog about general topics that people care about. Nutrition, general health, exercise, stress management. Include seasonal topics like allergies and flu prevention.
- Create a Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Post useful information that people care about. Don’t self-promote.
- Send out a press release to local papers and upload where possible announcing your practice. I have a list I can share.
- Get involved in your community church, your kids’ school, gym, clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis, VFW, etc. Be friendly and what you do for a living will come up. When it does, share in a non-salesy way.
- Offer to do free health talks for employers (nice commercially insured base) and community groups. Keep the talk to 20-30 minutes and allow time for questions. Give a topic handout with pearls of wisdom that has your contact information discreetly on there.
- Write health articles and give them the local publications, employers (for newsletters), and community groups (for newsletters) for free.
- Introduce yourself to local school nurses.
- Go introduce yourself to any other providers that might be a potential referral source – PTs, Pain Management Docs, Orthopedic Surgeons, Primary care docs.
- Participate in community and employer health fairs. Offer some kind of free screening to engage people. Even if it’s just blood pressure checks.
- Attend local Chamber events. Sometimes they are free. If you can afford it, join and take advantage of all the membership perks.
- Update your information anywhere it can be found on the internet. This is VERY important! Upload pics and information that makes you unique.