Networking to Build your Practice.
Networking with Physicians,
Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, other medical professionals.
One of the best ways to build
your business is through networking with Physicians, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists
and other medical providers.
Once you get a referral from a
health care provider, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to network
with that provider. You can do this in a few different ways.letter/postcard
·
Send an initial evaluation report after the first appointment
·
Send a progress report whether they request one or not
·
Send a letter to thank them along with a brochure, business cards
and/or a specific referral form.
·
Most providers will benefit from getting more information about
what kinds of conditions and problems that you work with. Most don’t realize
what massage can be used for. Educating them should be included in your
marketing plan.
·
Build a website so you can provide more information to the
providers about yourself and your business.
One of best ways to build
referral network is to pick out a few doctors or other health care providers
that you truly respect. Who would you go to if you were sick or injured? Who
would you send one of your clients or family members to for treatment? Working
with someone who you respect is the basis for building a solid relationship. I
believe it takes a team of health care practitioners to support clients who are
injured or ill. It is necessary to address all aspects of the mind, body and
spirit for healing. Working with a team of Naturopaths, doctors, chiropractors,
acupuncturists, physical therapists and psychologists who can all work together
and who understand each other’s work is essential.
I am amazed at the number of
massage therapists who accept referrals from chiropractors and they have never
been to a chiropractor, nor do they really understand what they do. It is also
important to respect that type of treatment. If you won’t go to a chiropractor
yourself, why would you want to work on someone who is seeing one? It will
usually cause conflicts in treatments if you start working with someone whom you
don’t respect or whom you won’t go to yourself for care. Learning about the
other providers’ theories on healing, tools and techniques can further support
the client.
Once you pick out a few good
practitioners in your area, start contacting them either by phone, email or
letter. The best way to contact them is to ask about them and what they do
first. Show that you are interested in learning about them, so that you can
refer clients to them first. Asking about the type of work they do allows them
to feel like they are accepted and needed. It opens up the doors for them to be
receptive of what you have to offer.
You can also start by asking the
health care providers that you do go to for referrals. I went to a chiropractor
when I first started out who just started referring people to me. I didn’t even
really ask. Building a network is not totally about building your practice – it
is about being of service to the client. Your practice will grow when you act
with integrity to build it. If your first concern is to only work with
others
that you trust and respect, your clients will have more respect for you.
