12 Tips to Get Massage Referrals from Doctors
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| 1. |
Every time you get a new client ask them for the name and address of their chiropractor, dentist, naturopath, family doctor etc. Contact the physician (with the client's written consent) just to let them know that their patient is under your care.
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| 2. |
Follow up by sending a copy of your initial report to the client's family doctor, naturopath or chiropractor with a cover letter introducing yourself (unless they already know who you are). Even if they know who you are, don't assume that a busy physician will remember until you have forged a relationship.
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| 3. |
In addition to the above, if your client has a specific medical condition, contact any appropriate physicians and ask them if there are any contraindications that should be considered or any particular protocols within your scope of practice that would be helpful.
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| 4. |
Send regular progress reports to the doctors of all your clients. This doesn't have to be lengthy, just enough to give them a brief update, and invite them to give you feedback.
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| 5. |
Attend conferences that your local physicians will be attending (some will only be for doctors, but others will be open to other health care practitioners). You may have to pay an attendance fee, but you will most likely find it well worth the investment to be able to network closely with the doctors.
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| 6. |
If there is a physician that you would really like to network with (perhaps because they serve the same target market as you) show respect for their time by scheduling and paying for an appointment to see then.
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| 7. |
Call a local family doctor, naturopath, chiropractor or other physician and tell them you are looking to create a referral network to refer your clients to. Ask if you can come in and talk to them to learn more about their work. Most will be happy to oblige. Then DO ask them. Find out why you would want to refer to them versus another physician in town. Don't just talk about you or this will put them right off.
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| 8. |
If a doctor you would like to meet has a "lecture night" for patients and prospects, attend it and introduce yourself.
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| 9. |
Send short monthly newsletters to all the doctors on your growing list with appropriate articles you think they may find interesting. You can even purchase newsletters that are written just for chiropractors or other doctors (similar to the ones available for massage). All you have to do is insert your business label or a brief note, and mail.
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| 10. |
Offer to give a special discount to all of their patients. You can make discount coupons, postcards or even ask the doctor to do a mailing to their patient list to let them all know about your discount.
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| 11. |
Offer to trade or barter services with a physician so that you both get familiar with each others work. Also, a doctor is more likely to refer a patient to you if they have personally experienced your work. And if they receive from you on a regular basis, you will be forefront in their mind when it comes time to make a massage referral.
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| 12. |
Offer to do a workshop or do a "brown bag lunch" in their office. This is a wonderful way the doctor can "add value" to his patients. Think of topics that you feel comfortable with and that would be complimentary to the physicians work. Many physicians like to provide ongoing education for their patients, but it can be time consuming for them. So lighten their load by offering to provide this service for their patients on occasion. Think of all of the things you can talk about that would set you up as an expert in YOUR field.
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