February Newsletter: Your Monthly Dose of Mindset and Meetings

FEBRUARY 2024

dpm newsletter

NEWSLETTER UPDATE REMINDER

We have divided our standard newsletter into three publications for DPMs, Vendors/Exhibitors and Meeting Planners. You are on the DPM Newsletter list. If you want to receive our Exhibitor Newsletter and/or our Meeting Planner Newsletter, let us know below:

Which additional newsletters would you like to receive?

I want the Exhibitor/Vendor Newsletter.

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I want the Meeting Planner Newsletter.

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I want both the Exhibitor/Vendor & the Meeting Planner Newsletters.

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RE-RUNS ARE A GOOD THING

You Heard It Before... But Now It Means Something Else

If you are a creature of habit (like we all are) you probably go to many of the same meetings each year. No agenda is ever copied & pasted from year to year, but when you continue to hit the same events, you will likely start to hear some recycled lectures.

That's not always a bad thing!

I was reminded of this when I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts (The Daily Stoic with Ryan Holliday) and he was discussing "Meditations" from Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius. "Meditations" is a set of, basically, journal entries from Aurelius about his applications of and reflections on the Stoic philosophy.

Anyway - Ryan Holliday stated that you "go in and out of it [Meditations] and you grow with it." Which reminded me of another text that I read several years ago (and that I have mentioned before in this monthly newsletter) "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson. In that text, Olson recommends returning to books or lectures that you've read or listened to before and read and/or listen to them again.

Olson explains that when you go back and read or listen to something again at a later date, you are now taking it in with a brand new set of experiences and ideas; which makes the way you interpret the text/lesson in a brand new way.

I have to admit that I hadn't embraced that concept initially, but recently have decided to give it a shot. Shocker... it's true!

We can employ this concept to meetings. One personal example that came to mind was in relation to a meeting I used to help implement and every year there was a dermoscopy workshop; and the workshop was presented by the same person every year.

At first I thought, "why would anyone want to sit through the same workshop again; wouldn't that be frustrating?" But after some consideration, I realized the workshop a second time around would be a completely different experience because they have likely used the methods they learned last year for several months. Now, they can come back to the "classroom" with a stronger understanding of certain techniques and can even contribute to the conversation with personal cases or troubleshooting questions.

So, if you are writing off a meeting, hands-on workshop or cadaver lab because you've "been there, done that," give it another thought. You may be surprised with what you didn't hear the first time around or how you can newly digest the information having personal experience and the ability to ask more critical and/or useful questions.

Thoughts? Questions? Email Me!

Sarah Breymeier: beheard@podiatrymeetings.com

PRACTICE PARTNER PEARLS

PROVIDED BY PODIATRY MARKETING SPECIALIST, SHAUN ZAKEN

PICK YOUR "PAIN IN THE CHAIN"

Below, learn about the digital marketing services that Blue Orchid Marketing (podiatry marketing experts) provide and then select which areas of your digital marketing plan are stressing you out!

At Blue Orchid Marketing, we believe your practice’s digital marketing strategy requires the same level of expert precision and attention to detail you bring to a patient's foot and ankle care. That’s why we’ve spent the last 23 years focused on understanding the intricacies of podiatry and how to effectively promote the conditions you treat.

As you’ve invested in new technologies, services, and products to stay at the top of your field, we, too, have evolved our processes and developed new solutions to better educate, promote, and attract more patients to your practice – all while holding your hand in partnership and delivering measurable results.

Below you will find five of our most popular digital marketing services, each of which has been thoughtfully designed to improve your visibility, boost credibility, and keep you connected to the community with a consistent flow of new and returning patients.

1. WEBSITES & SEO

Your practice’s online presence is tremendously important; it’s often the first opportunity you have to introduce yourself and your practice to a prospect. Therefore, the user-experience on your website, along with your searchability online (how close to the top of page one in a Google search your practice listing appears, for example), can often determine whether a new patient decides to entrust you with their foot and ankle care.

Naturally, we all consider a patient’s in-office experience, but they may never visit your practice if they’re underwhelmed online.

Sleek, sophisticated, custom design

Safe, secure, and ADA compliant

Always responsive and mobile-friendly

MY PAIN IN THE CHAIN: WEBSITE AND/OR SEO

I am ready to roll with something new! Please send me details with pricing.

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I might be ready for a change, but I'm not sure. Please send me some more info.

Select

2. EMAIL MARKETING

Stay connected all year long with our revenue-generating program. Unlike any other agency, we actually connect directly to your EMR to help you better understand your patient data and send personal communications that resonate with patients to build brand loyalty and add value every month.

Our average client ROI for B.O.M. Recall Campaigns in 2023 was $74,350, or 1,090%!

HIPAA compliant, personalized campaigns (Recalls, New Patient Welcomes)

Newsletters, eBlasts, Holiday Greetings, and Birthday Wishes

Monthly performance reports and account management

MY PAIN INT THE CHAIN: EMAIL MARKETING

I am doing some email marketing, but it needs improvement. Contact me.

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I have a patient email list, but I'm not sure where to get started. Help!

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I want to try this out, but I am starting from square 1. Tell me how.

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3. GOOGLE ADS

The best and most cost-effective way to attract new patients with specific conditions in your area to your practice. Whether you want to promote Heel Pain, Fungal Nails, Custom Orthotics, or other cash-forward services, we’ll ensure your practice ranks at the top of Google when prospects in your community search for the right DPM.

Informed by modern analytics and powered by proven expertise, we track every impression, click, and conversion, so you’re never left wondering where your ad dollars are going.

In-depth, strategic keyword research

Custom ad campaigns that deliver results

Monthly analytics reports and client check-ins

MY PAIN INT THE CHAIN: GOOGLE ADS

Tried it. Didn't Work. I'm open to trying again. Contact me.

Select

Doing it now... it's OK, but I think it could be better. I want more ROI.

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I don't fully understand how this works. Contact me so I can make a decison.

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4. ONLINE REVIEWS

Thanks to platforms like Amazon, we’re all now conditioned to check user reviews before committing to a new product or service. The same is certainly true in healthcare. In fact, some estimates suggest 80+% of new patients consult online reviews before committing to a provider.

At Blue Orchid Marketing, we’ve developed a unique three-pronged approach to help you score more positive reviews onsite and online.

We’ll send review requests via email and text so you don’t have to

Boost positive reviews on your website and social media

Address negative feedback promptly to minimize long-term consequences

MY PAIN INT THE CHAIN: ONLINE REVIEWS / REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

I am not happy with my current strategy. Call me to see how this can improve.

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I have reviews, but I'm not really managing them in any way. Interested in more.

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I don't know where to start here. Please tell me what I should be doing.

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5. SOCIAL MEDIA & BLOG POSTS

Choosing the right team to create custom, informative content that engages patients in your community can make all the difference when establishing credibility for your practice and connecting readers on social media directly to your website for even more in-depth educational content.

Unique weekly posts and monthly blogs designed just for you

Drive community engagement on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Establish your practice’s expertise to generate leads and grow

MY PAIN INT THE CHAIN: SOCIAL MEDIA AND/OR BLOGS

I am working with someone on this, but I don't like the content. Call me.

Select

Been trying to do this on my own and it's too time consuming. Help!

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Never really got this off the ground. I'm interested in learning more.

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If you didn't select any options above, but are still wanting to learn more about Blue Orchid Marketing and/or how to enhance your marketing strategies contact their team of podiatric marketing experts below:

Call: 203-746-5901

Email: sales@blueorchidmarketing.com

Visit: www.BlueOrchidMarketing.com

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

Get Rid of Those Printed Materials!

One of my favorite things to (teasingly) make fun of, especially at conferences / exhibit halls because it's so prevalent, are the individuals that freak out when they think they're going to waste their collateral materials.

Oh no!!! I printed those materials for everyone to see, but I don't want you to take any!!

If you're not familiar with "collateral", it's simply a marketing term for communication materials.... flyers, brochures, postcards, hand-outs, etc.

GET IT OUT OF YOUR OFFICE AND INTO YOUR PATIENTS' HANDS!!

I've seen physicians spend thousands of dollars on materials that they never want to let go of. Guess what? It's not doing any good sitting on the end-tables in your waiting room or in a brochure rack in the treatment room.

Figure out a process so that every patient is forced to walk out of the office with materials in their hands that will do one or more of these...

Educate them about their current condition with all of their possible treatment option; even those that aren't covered by insurance, but could possibly be the best course of treatment for them (you owe it to your patients to let them know all pathways of care regardless of how it gets paid for).

Create awareness about a condition they might not be aware they have... have you looked at the bottoms of your feet to find an unsuspecting spot that could be melanoma???

Provide an opportunity to refer friends or family with materials that describe conditions your patient doesn't have, but their loved ones may... Do you have a friend who's pregnant? I bet her feet are killing her!

SPRING CLEANING TIME

Tomorrow morning, go to each room of your office and find the collateral that's been sitting there since the dial-up days of AOL. If any of the literature is still relevant, dust it off and use it! Simply have the back office staff include a brochure/flyer or two with each patient's paperwork that they are already taking home (i.e. compliance instructions).

Better yet, place a quick and simple order for plain white pocket folders (or go to Walmart and grab a stack) and stuff it with the collateral that is currently collecting dust in your office. Every time a patient checks in, give it to them to keep. When they check out, ask for it back and put their at-home instructions inside along with the literature you've given them to digest while they waited in the front office space, or in the treatment room.

Thoughts? Questions? Email Me!

Sarah Breymeier: beheard@podiatrymeetings.com

MINDSET MINUTE

MONTHLY INTERACTIVE FEATURE WITH PRIZES!

What's the Mindset Minute?

Each month, we are going to provide a one-question (maybe two-question) survey so we can gain a stronger understanding of the content you'd like to see - whether it be from us, from meetings, or from vendors.

BONUS!

For every survey you complete, you will earn a DPM download with useful information for your practice AND you will earn points to win our quarterly giveaway!

On April 1st, we will be giving away one of three items... winner's choice.

Click below to provide your answer and see what our Q1 prizes are!

February "Mindset Minute" Survey

What meeting(s) did you used to LOVE to attend, but it has lost its luster? On the flip side, which meeting(s) has stepped up their game or has introduced itself to the profession that is now on your list of favorites?