Issue 3 - March 2004

Quick Marketing Tips

Cooperative marketing

Promotion doesn’t have to be a do-it-yourself project. Instead, involve area businesses and do it cooperatively. We give each new

patient a gift bag loaded with valuable health information, money-saving coupons and gifts — akin to a Welcome Wagon basket.

The bag includes:

• Health information. We include our newsletter, a health booklet, stickers, a sports bottle with our practice’s logo on it, a testimonial booklet and a savings certificate for products in our office.

• Discount coupons from area businesses. We select businesses that support the five keys of health. These include a health food market, gymnasium, spa, florist, dance studio, travel agency, bookstore, video store and ice-skating rink.
The cooperative marketing effort provides reciprocal opportunities for all of the businesses and spurs referrals from within those businesses. And, by giving rather than asking, we find that patients are more willing to comply with our policies and recommendations.

— Kim Klapp
First Choice Chiropractic
Ann Arbor and Northville, Michigan

Distribute customized publications

A fun way to get your name in front of potential patients is to purchase and distribute customized puzzle books. Available from International Puzzle Features, you can get these books with your practice’s logo on the front cover and your practice information on the back cover. The book is appropriate for both kids and adults.

Give these booklets to patients, put them in your reception area and distribute them to local businesses — such as hairdressers, dentists, medical doctors, car-repair shops, banks, attorneys, podiatrists, day spas and local hotels — to keep in their waiting areas.

— Dr. Joyce Battaglia
Huntersville, N.C.

Editor’s note:
Contributors of these Quick Tips were winners of our annual marketing tip contest. Watch for more winners in future issues.