5 ways to improve your chiropractic networking, relationship building

Chiropractic networking takes many forms, one of which is expanding your personal and professional networks

Running your own practice takes an extraordinary amount of time beyond just the standard 40-hour work week. You aren’t just treating patients for that entire week. You are also managing your staff, tracking purchases, marketing yourself and your practice, and keeping up with current clinical trends in the field.

It’s all too easy to feel isolated when you are trying to juggle all these things. Having the ability to network not just with other DCs, but with other small business owners, can not only remind you that you are not the only professional facing the challenges of being an entrepreneur, but might give you a fresh perspective on how to improve your practice.

Read further to get five tips on how to improve your chiropractic networking and relationship-building skills.

Expand your networking scope

It’s easy to talk shop with other chiropractors and find ways to establish professional relationships. You already have an established connection through your shared profession. However, looking outside chiropractic could gain you fresh referrals.

As just one example, networking with dentists could get you referrals for patients who are suffering from temporomandibular joint pain. Another example might be to talk with coaches for local city youth sports programs. The added advantage is that you might gain referrals from professionals in other fields, once they see first-hand the benefits of chiropractic.

Start an informal networking group

While your local chamber of commerce is a fantastic networking resource, it can sometimes be a bit too formal for just having a place to exchange networking tips and suggestions.

If you find this to be the case, starting a more informal breakfast or lunch group might be a good option. Keep the group somewhat small and try to invite people across diverse business fields. The idea is to make the group a more casual environment for learning how professionals in other fields network to see if their methods might work for you, and vice versa.

You might be surprised to find that your best ideas for improving your marketing plan might come from somebody who owns a home tile business.

Polish your elevator pitch

An elevator pitch helps you hone your skills at selling your abilities and services as directly and simply as possible, within a limited period of time. The elevator pitch uses a scenario in which you and the person to whom you are targeting your pitch step onto an elevator at the same time. Because you have a limited amount of shared time to convey your information to the other person, your pitch must be short, direct, and persuasive. Aim for about 20-30 seconds to explain your skills and how the person can benefit from your service.

Of course, you should have a business card in your hand, ready to give them at the end of your pitch.

While it may be difficult to carve out time in your professional schedule for chiropractic networking, it can actually be one of the most rewarding parts of running your practice. In fact, it may end up being one of the things you enjoy the most.