Powerful conversations with potential patients is actually what social media marketing is all about. It’s about chatting with those who have followed or liked you and your business pages. From here relationships can result. This is a fundamental way to increase your patient list.
Powerful conversations are the ones which engage with those who like, comment on or share your posts. This shows an interest in what you’re saying. In social media speak, this is ‘engagement’ and tells you that they are inspired by what you have to say.
But how do we begin powerful conversations?
An excellent way is to ask questions. This helps people to stop momentarily and think about an answer. So one of the best ways of doing this is to ask ‘Did you know…?’ This works a treat because you can be educating and informing them about what you actually do. And in all likelihood they probably didn’t know the answer anyway!
Asking questions helps people to think about a response and it’s an easy way to get them nodding their head in agreement with you! Here’s some examples:
- Did you know that Osteopaths love to search for the REAL culprit of your pain?
- Did you know that Osteopathy is all about helping to bring you back to health?
- Have you been putting up with niggling pain?
- Have you considered Osteopathy as a solution to your pain?
- Are you worried that you’re taking too many painkillers?
It’s a good idea to do a brain download and scribble down as many questions as you can. You can ask them over and over again on social media as not everyone sees every post. You can also make them into powerful conversation starters on memes with quizzical, puzzled or questioning faces.
You can also use statements, tips, advice and talk about all those queries you get time and time again in Clinic. We are in the information age and you have an encyclopedic knowledge of the body. Sharing this knowledge in bite sized pieces and in simple terms will really help potential patients to understand better that you are an expert and how you might help them. Powerful stuff!
How do powerful conversations help grow your patient list?
I’ve been having powerful conversations with Osteopaths for nearly 3 years. Gradually I see those who are interacting are getting to know me. Then they might like me – and if they don’t then it ends there! But then a trust develops which means that if and when they want to expand or want to grow their patient list, they will join forces with me to create fast results.
There have been many who have hooked up with me who seemed perfectly skilled in social media marketing and who would never need my help. There have been some who are clearly very well established and are renowned locally. Then there are those who are highly successful and who will obviously never need my help.
Let me tell you that there have been many Osteopaths who fit those categories who have come to me and surprised me that they wanted my help! So all those tweets, all those memes, all those blogs and all those interactions on their posts have paid dividends. Because when they did need help, they knew I could deliver.
Some completely moved areas and needed to get off the blocks fast. Some opened a second Practice and wanted to fill it with new patients quickly. And many successful Practices have come to me when they want their patient numbers maximised and their Associates fully booked.
So all that time and energy you’ve put into your social media marketing is never wasted. But you must be consistent and still post – or reuse, repurpose and repost previous content – even when you’re busy in order to keep that flow of patients coming in.
One of my favourite Clients who had been tweeting with me for a couple of years, suddenly tweeted in response to my question about wanting more patients, “OK I give up – I DO need your help!”
So do keep building those relationships with your potential patients. There may be many who are just watching your social media pages from the sidelines, they may be considering you as an option for their issues and one day your question or comment will compel them to call and book to see you. And let me tell you, that is such a thrill!
This month you can nab two months’ topics for the price of one! My Inner Circle group are currently getting their social media sorted once and for all. PLUS they are getting clear on ‘3 Ways To Become A Patient Magnet’ – all for just £10! This monthly subscription club is perfect for you if you want to get some help with your marketing but don’t have a huge budget to spare. You can stay as long as you like; there’s no tie in. The materials are all downloadable so you can keep them and we have Q&A sessions within the exclusive Facebook group so you can start growing your patient list today. Why not try it this month and see if it’s for you?
