Optometrists interested in growing their practices know that word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach new patients. After all, your patients probably don’t have time to research local optometry services and determine which ones are best for them. Word-of-mouth marketing is also a great option if you don’t have a large advertising budget.
Why referral marketing is so effective
According to research by the University of Sydney, word-of-mouth marketing is the most effective strategy for building brands and driving sales. When someone tells you about a product or service they love, you’re probably more likely to buy it than if you were exposed to advertisements. This is especially true if you trust the opinion of the person you’re talking to. Word-of-mouth marketing also has a high retention rate; customers who hear about your business from friends and family are likelier to remain loyal to your services than others.
Community Events
By getting involved in events related to your optometry field, you can tap into your community and make connections that could result in new patients coming to your practice. For example, you can get involved by volunteering at fundraising events or conventions. You can also organize events like viewing parties or contests that tie into your profession.
How it’s done
If you’re not sure where to start, make a list of your hobbies and interests. Where do you spend your time? Which events do you attend? These are all great places to start getting involved in your community. You can also make it a goal to get to know your neighbors. Getting to know the people who live nearby is a great way to build connections that can lead to new patients.
Ophthalmologists marketing guide
Networking with current and prospective patients
Another way to tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing is to network with current and potential patients. It’s important to talk to your patients about your services and get them excited about returning to your practice. You can also ask patients to refer their friends to your practice.
When you make it easy for your patients to spread the word about your services, you can increase your patient base and help new patients find your practice. Patient-generated word-of-mouth marketing means asking your patients to talk about you to their family and friends. This type of marketing is extremely powerful, so it’s important that you make it easy for your patients to spread the word about your services. You can add check-in stickers to your front desk and offer patients who come in and talk to you the chance to write a review on your practice’s page.
Co-branded activities with local businesses
Another way to use word-of-mouth marketing is to partner with local businesses and host co-branded activities. This can be as simple as sitting at a table at a nearby coffee shop and passing out information about your practice to people walking by or hosting a viewing party for a popular TV show. When you pick a location, event, or show that appeals to your community, you create an opportunity for patients to come to you without having to go out and find them actively. When you host viewing parties and co-branded events with local businesses, you not only reach your potential patients, but you also make connections with people who have the potential to refer new patients to your practice.
Make Referal easy
Patients who want to talk about your practice should be able to easily direct their friends and family to you. Having a custom optometry website designed by professionals can be the first step. That starts with picking a good domain for your website.
Best Practices for Building Reputation to Get Referrals
As a healthcare professional and website guy myself, I know how vital word-of-mouth is for growing a practice. When patients rave about your care, that’s marketing gold! Who has time to research eye docs anyway? Referrals from people you trust hold so much weight.
I’ve picked up some proven tactics over the years to get patients spreading the word and referring new ones in.
Hit Local Events
Get involved with health fairs, fundraisers, conventions – anywhere you can connect with the community. Volunteer, sponsor events, and maybe even host your own contest or viewing party. It shows you care while getting the word out.
Talk to Patients
Chat up with your current patients when they come in! Ask how they found you, tell them about new tech and services, and get them jazzed up. Then politely ask if they could refer friends or family seeking care. Most are happy to spread the love.
Partner Up
Team up with neighborhood restaurants, cafes, gyms, etc., to host fun events together. Set up a table at a busy spot to chat with potential patients. Offer giveaways or fun activities to draw folks in. It builds local buzz.
Make it Easy
Have check-in stickers, review cards, and online review links ready to go. When people want to refer others to your practice, you gotta make it simple for them. A solid website helps, too – pick a good URL patients can easily share.
Wow Patients
Deliver exceptional eye care – that’s the heart of a stellar rep. Take time to explain things and answer all questions. Make patients feel heard and cared for. Train staff to provide top-notch service at every interaction. Learn more about factors that help you improve patient satisfaction here.
Build Doctor Networks
Network locally, especially with family doctors and pediatricians who can refer patients to you. Participate in community health events to connect with other providers.
Encourage Reviews
Ask happy patients to leave you reviews online – people checking you out will heavily weigh those ratings and comments. Just a friendly nudge can get more positive reviews flowing in.
How to put your website in focus
Use Social Media
Maintaining an active social media presence gives potential patients a window into your practice. Share valuable info, updates on tech and treatments, and generally useful eye health tips. Check our social media marketing solution.
Follow Up
Don’t just send patients off after a visit – proactively follow up to see how they’re doing. This simple effort means a lot and shows you genuinely care about their well-being long after they leave your office.
Dangle Discounts
Offer referral perks like discounts on future services or freebie giveaways. Even a modest incentive can motivate patients to tell all their friends about you!
Bottom line – actively encourage referrals, make it super easy for patients, and consistently wow them with care. Do that, and you’ll have more new patients coming in from word-of-mouth than you know what to do with!
