Attracting the PERFECT Patient!
It’s probably not the first thing you thought about when getting into the health and wellness space, but if you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance that you already know the importance of attracting your ideal patient.
You wouldn’t go to a physics professor for a demonstration of contemporary dance, would you? Of course, not! You’d go to someone who is an expert teacher at contemporary dance! Much better to go to the specialist than someone who is just a “jack of all trades.”
Positioning yourself as a general wellness provider doesn’t leave much room for your passion to attract your perfect patient type.
And believe it or not, if your goal is to sustain a thriving and prosperous practice, you need to focus on attracting patients that you genuinely enjoy helping. When you’re passionate about the work you’re doing, you’re more productive, creative, fulfilled, and your patients’ will most likely see better results in the long run.
And guess what? You shouldn’t have to look very hard for your ideal patient. They are already out there waiting for you; you just need to let them know you’re the perfect practitioner for them!
So how do you get the word out about the type of patients you really want to see? The first step might seem obvious but it’s so important that it warrants a quick commentary: get crystal clear about what you want to do. Think about your specialty (ex: women’s reproductive health, digestive complaints, thyroid support, children’s health) and what kind of patient cases make you sooooooo excited to work with them. What conditions or situations light you up when you think about them?
Once you’ve got that figured out, it’s time to dig a little deeper into what makes your practice unique. How are you different from everyone else? What is your vision? What are the values and goals of your practice? Why is it so important to you to help the people in your community? Once you figure out your WHAT, you’ll be able to articulate and feel the WHY.
How you frame ‘what you do’ and ‘why you are different’ than everyone else is what makes it YOUnique. Sending your message out into the world about who you are, what you are most passionate about, and why you do it will determine who decides to book an appointment with you.
One of the easiest ways to attract your ideal patients is to optimize the information you share on your digital platforms (your website, social media channels, etc.). Focus on creating content that emotionally connects with your patients and the pain they are feeling. Not owie-kind of pain, but the emotional pain that keeps them from living their best lives. How you articulate your passion and commitment to helping them feel better will determine whether they choose to work with you or with someone else.
Let them know that you understand their struggles.
Your perfect patient is looking for a practitioner who can genuinely empathize with what they are going through.
Key takeaways:
– Think about the kinds of patients that light you up with excitement
– Get clear about what you love to do
– Connect with your why
– Be vulnerable and honest; let them know you understand and want to help
– Utilize your digital platforms as a way to engage with your ideal patients
Deciding on a niche or specialty can seem intimidating at first, but once the word gets out that you are the go-to authority when it comes to X, your perfect patients will be flocking to your office, ready for you to be their rockstar! Be brave, create a plan of action, and show ‘em what you’ve got!
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