Business Tip: Before You Market

Some Questions to ask yourself before your begin your marketing.

Most businesses open up and assume people will come. This is especially true of health care practices. After all, everyone needs health care services. But don't fool yourself. Just because your shingle is up, it does not mean that people will flock to your front desk.

And of those that do find their way to your door, are they the ones that you really want to see? In other words do they fit your scope of practice? Do your health care philosophies match? Are you in day a match or would they be better off served with a different kind of provider?

There are five essential questions about you and your practice that you must ask yourself. By the way these questions aren't some that you should ask yourself repeatedly as your business and health care evolves.

1. Goals: what is it you want to accomplish? In other words what are your goals?

2. Purpose: Why do you want to accomplish those things? What is your big "why", your purpose?

3. Strategy: What sets you apart from other businesses? What makes you and your service, product, or business unique? Why is your business appealing, and therefore preferred in your marketplace?

4. Ideal client: Who do you want to serve? Who is your ideal client? It's imperative that you get so clear on who this person is, that you should be able to visualize this person, and be able to sit down and chat with them over tea.

5. Public-relations: How can you communicate with Mr. Or Ms. Ideal Client? How can you talk with them about who you are, what you offer, and why they would want and prefer your services?

Answering these questions will give you a clear message that you will want to address in any marketing that you do.