Grow your practice with these Valentine’s Day marketing strategies

Feb. 14 is a day dedicated to showing others how much we love and care for them. Some people do this through their actions, such as by taking on extra household chores or preparing a romantic dinner. Others show their appreciation with gifts, with the average person spending $185.81 on Valentine’s Day fare. 

One of the best gifts one can give is the gift of health. Here are several ways doctors of chiropractic can help their patients and others in the community provide this type of gift. 

Gift certificates for future visits

Most insurance companies cover chiropractic services. However, patients still typically have a deductible. Giving a loved one a gift certificate they can apply toward out-of-pocket expenses can reduce the constraints on their budget, easing their financial stress while also contributing to their physical health. 

Practitioners can offer gift certificates for one or more visits for those without any insurance coverage. For those with health insurance, another option is to offer certificates for specific dollar amounts. Let the gift giver decide how much they want to give and provide a certificate for this amount. 

Gift certificates for a health-related program

Maybe you offer a health-related program at your office, such as one designed to help patients get to a healthy weight or improve their sports performance. These programs are thoughtful gifts for Valentine’s Day because they enable the recipient to reach their desired goals. 

When creating these gift certificates, include the name of the program, the dates it is offered and steps the recipient must take to enroll. Including your practice’s name, address, phone number and website is also important if they have questions, in addition to helping you grow your brand. 

Product-based health gifts

Chiropractic Economics 26th Annual Salary and Expense Survey revealed 5% of the average DC’s income comes from retail sales. Nutritional products and supplements are the most common products offered to patients (49%), followed by hot and cold compresses (47%), educational materials (39%), pillows (38%), orthotics (37%), topicals (36%) and exercise products (33%). 

Any of these health-related products can make a good Valentine’s Day gift. One option is to sell these items at a reduced rate leading up to the holiday, potentially even adorning them with red and pink ribbons and bows so they’re ready to go. Another option is to offer a gift basket containing a variety of items. 

Promote your Valentine’s gift options

Whatever gifts you decide to offer, you want to get the word out that they are available. Mention them in your patient newsletters. Share pictures on social media. Get your community excited about the idea of gifting loved ones greater health. 

Encourage the gift givers and recipients to post pictures of the gift-giving in action to increase engagement with your practice online. Designate a specific hashtag for them to use when they create these posts and ask that they tag your office. Both of these can expand your reach online. 

Offer to help pick the perfect gift

Some people know exactly what gift they want to give the person they love. Others need a little guidance to find the perfect one. Offering to help pick the right gift for the people in their lives can go a long way with those who need help choosing. 

A simple way to do this is to share what gifts are best for which people. For instance, in your newsletter, talk about which nutritional supplements help boost immunity or what topicals are good for knee pain. This type of guidance can help them know which gifts may be most beneficial for the people they love. 

Final thoughts

Valentine’s Day, like any gift-giving holiday, is an opportunity for you to amplify the value of your services: You solve the gift giver’s problem of finding the perfect present for a loved one,  you offer your healthcare services to the one who redeems the gift, and, if that appointment goes well, you yourself gain a new regular patient.