How to give back to the community

As a chiropractor, it’s important to do outreach in your local community.

Networking and connecting with those around your practice can have innumerable benefits, including getting new patients and collaborating with local providers.

1) Participate in local events

The best way to get your name out there is to participate in local events. What events are available to you may vary from community to community but some options are health fairs, job fairs, farmers markets, or street festivals.

You’ll want to customize your booth or offering based on the event. But it’s a good idea to create interest with either a giveaway or a free initial assessment. You want to make what you’re offering appealing enough that people want to stop and talk with you but not give away so much that they feel they don’t have to come into your office.

Outline what your goals are for each event you participate in and tailor your presence there. This ensures that you have metrics on whether an event was successful for your practice and should continue doing it in the future.

2) Join the local chamber of commerce

Get involved with your local chamber of commerce or other business focused organizations. It’s a great way to network with other local businesses and also learn first hand of local community events. If they have open seats on their committee, run for a spot.

You would be surprised at how naturally referrals come when you just participate in local events. By connecting with other businesses, you become the first referral if someone asks them if they know a good chiropractor.

3) Get involved with local sports

Local sports is often an easy way to get involved with your community. Although it’s sometimes difficult to get into schools, think outside the box for other sports-related options.

Sponsoring local sports events or teams is a good option to get your name out there. It costs a little up front, but it often pays for itself in name recognition and establishing your practice for area athletes. There are many teams that may offer sponsorship at the school-age or recreational levels.

You can also host a sports-related seminar or training class for local athletes. Topics like taping, stretching, preventing sports injuries, etc., could be of interest to athletes of all ages and could help bring in new patients.

4) Community outreach and charity events

When you are more involved with your community, they will be more involved with you. Look into what local charity events are happening in your area. If you have multiple employees at your practice, plan a day each month to go do a service project as a team.

Run a drive for food, clothing, school supplies or toys in your practice. The more you get involved with the people around you, the more your name will get out there and therefore drive new patients into your practice organically.

5) Hold your own community event

A great way to get to know your own community and to create patient referrals is to host your own community event. Depending on your community’s needs, there are many different types of events. You can hold an educational event where members of the community learn about a particular health topic. You can also hold a community-building event that involves a charity or local networking. You can partner with other local businesses to have an open house or other type of meet and greet.

Get creative with your event and don’t be afraid to source ideas from your patients. As with participating in external local events, be sure to outline your goals for each event and tailor your event to meet those goals. Do you want patient referrals? Have a giveaway for patients who refer. Do you want new patients? Make sure to have something specific for those who have never been to your practice.