In an earlier blog, I wrote that part of my marketing plan is build relationships with neighborhood medical clinics in the hopes that they will be a referral source. I have been working on this for three weeks and this is what I’ve learned so far.

1. When you call medical clinics and ask to speak to the clinic manager, be prepared to have a concise explanation as to why you are calling because the receptionist is screening the manager’s calls.
2. I am getting the impression that a request to introduce oneself to the medical staff and hand out business cards happens often because most managers already have a system in place to accommodate this request.
3. Some clinics are quite flexible as to when I am invited in, especially the newer ones with a small staff. Other more established clinics are more structured, such as one who invites outside parties in for ‘lunch and learns’ on Wednesdays only and the presenter is expected to bring lunch for the staff.
4. A small gift for the staff left with the business cards is met with appreciation. I leave stacks of business cards and a written explanation of who I am along with a treat.
5. Doctors have very little time to chat during their workday, and so I cannot stress enough how important it is to be able to explain your service and the salient details in as few words as possible.

I take doctors’ business cards from each clinic that I visit so that when clients tell me that they were referred from their doctor, I can keep track and revisit those clinics more often both to replenish my cards and leave more tokens of appreciation.

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA