[NPInfo] Answering Julie's question

[David Mittman]

Here's what you can do. Have the receptionist tell the patients that call
that the reason Dr. R is so well known is that he works as part of a team.
That this team has a number of experts and that you are one of them. That
the patient will see Dr. R but not on every visit because other experts can,
and do, provide wonderful care also. And that if everything was done by Dr.
R only, they would have to wait 2-3 more months before getting seen.
That should stop it.

Also, when you say things like "I'm a terrible self-promoter and marketer"
you reaffirm YOUR belief that you are. After reading your posts and your
blog, I would truly say you are a very effective communicator. How about
transforming the thought into "I know I am a great communicator and need to
pick up a book or speak to someone about how to learn more about marketing".
I think you would be great.

About the NPs and PAs in your area, contact the state societies and ask if
there is a way you can find out some addresses by zip code or if they have a
membership directory? Also consider writing an article explaining you are
putting together an informal group for the area of NPs and PAs, and so, how
would you get their addresses?

Also for everyone here are some ways to market yourself. I had to put the
list together for my Coaching class but it works for many professions.

55 MARKETING IDEAS
1. WEB SITE
2.BUSINESS CARDS
3.STATIONARY
4. LOGO
5.BROCHURE
6.ARTICLES ON COACHING
7.JOIN TOASTMASTERS
8.JOIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
9.JOIN LOCAL COACHES GROUP
10.ATTEND COACHING CONFERENCE
11.TALK AT CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE
12.ADVERTISE IN PENNYSAVER
13.ADVERTISE IN LOCAL TOWN PAPER
14.ADVERTISE IN COUPON MAILINGS
15.BUY MAILING LIST OF TARGET GROUP-MAIL
16.ADVERTISE IN THEIR JOURNALS
17.ADVERTISE IN THEIR NEWSLETTERS
18.JOIN THE TARGET GROUP¹S PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
19.JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL GROUP¹S STATE AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
20.JOIN THE GROUP¹S INTERNET LISTSERVE, CHATROOM.
21.LECTURE AT PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS
22.LECTURE AT ADULT CLASSES
23.SPEAK AT YOUR CHILD¹S SCHOOL
24.SPEAK AT WEIGHT WATCHERS
25.SPEAK AT PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY.
26.WEAR A "COACHES" TEE SHIRT
27.DESIGN A COACHING GENERIC LOGO AND WEAR IT.
28.SET UP A BOOTH AT COACHING EXPO
29.WRITE A BOOK
30.WRITE AN ARTICLE FOR LOCAL PENNYSAVER, NEWSPAPER
31.TALK AT AARP MEETING
32. PLACE NOTES ON ALL OF THE NOTICE BOARDS
33.MEET OTHER COACHES
34.VOLUNTEER AT WOMAN¹S SHELTER, OTHER GOOD PLACES
35.AFFILIATE WITH A PSYCHIATRIST
36.EMAIL AN ANNNOUNCEMENT TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.
37.DIRECT MAIL ALL YOUR FRIENDS
38.PUT ON A WORKSHOP
39.SPONSOR A LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM
40.ADVERTISE YOUR WEB SITE
41.PENS,CALENDARS
42.CUPS, MUGS
43.PUT A SIGN ON YOUR CAR (NOT PROFESSIONAL).
44.EXHIBIT AT THE MALL ON ³HEALTHCARE² DAY
45.WRITE THANK YOU LETTERS
46.DO A COACHING VIDEO
47.HOST A RADIO SHOW
48.WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
49.LIST YOURSELF IN THE YELLOW PAGES
50.SPONSOR AN AWARD
51.SPONSOR A SCHOLARSHIP
52.GET TESTIMONIALS
53.MULTICULTURAL MARKETING
54.CLASSIFIED ADS ABOUT COACHING

Dave