I talk to a lot of chiropractors every year at each of the many seminars I speak at around the country. I find that every year these chiropractors come to me with the same complaints about practice management consultants. These poor DC's are spending horrible amounts of money and still see their businesses hit rock bottom. Are all practice management firms a scam? Honestly, most of them are. They're sucking many chiropractors dry with their old cookie-cutter tactics that they've been using for over 30 years. They have no interest in changing their ways, and every interest in taking your money.
Hey, I'm not saying don't spend a lot on a consultant! When you spend a good deal of money on someone with experience and acumen that surpasses your own, and that person gets your business working at whole new heights, then that money is absolutely worth it. But this just isn't the case with pretty much any of these consultants. They don't live up to the amount of money they're being paid, and chiropractors are suffering. These groups try to scare you into utilizing their services, only to leave you with nothing in return. It's fraudulent, and it's got to stop.
When you decide that you need one of these practice management groups, you have to start by asking yourself specifically what your business needs. If you pass-up this hugely important step of the process, you risk working with someone who charges you an arm and a leg and has no expertise in your specific problems. I've seen too many businesses fall into this trap, and I don't want to see it any longer.
Secondly, you want to look for someone that has many satisfied clients, testimonials, and has established social proof. Beware of scripted testimonials and videos that don't look like they're from average chiropractors like you. A few chiropractic consultants have been busted for false and misleading testimonials, trying to trick vulnerable and desperate DC's into buying their programs.
I recommend doing an in-depth Google search to find accurate information. For instance, if you were looking for a consultant that just specialized in strategic and proven Web 2.0 and Social Media marketing for chiropractors, you would put the keywords "social media chiropractic marketing" or "internet chiropractic marketing" in quotation marks. This will bring you back highly-targeted information you are looking for, making your life much easier.
The most important element when looking for a consultant that can take your chiropractic practice out of the dumps into soaring new heights is whether they're using the most innovative strategies of today. We live in tough times, and the only way to survive and thrive is to be an innovator. You need to be at the forefront of what's going on with the changing times, or you're simply left in the dust. Web 2.0 and social media marketing are really the only way to find any success right now. While some chiropractors are sinking in their old tactics, there are small percentages that are finding tremendous success as they tap this rich and undiscovered resource. And social media is growing by the second!
It's time to no longer be a victim of outdated practices and get your business booming, even in these difficult times. 95% of chiropractic practices are failing to learn about the important marketing technique that uses Web 2.0 and social media, but there is that 5% that is succeeding. You could get countless new patients walking through your doors if you can change with the times.
No one can experience the benefit of your expertise and practice unless they know you exist. There are probably countless people in your area right now who need your help but don't know you're there. Web 2.0 and social media marketing have the power to spread the word to these people, and increase your success during these hard times.