Why Meaningful Relationships Matter
Strategic partners are not only important sources of referrals – they can add value to your patients, and if you’re in business, adding value will be one of your top priorities.
Developing MEANINGFUL relationships with referrers has a massive impact on the long-term success of your practice.
Often, the practitioners we work with look for a silver bullet in the latest and greatest “trendy” marketing strategy.
The reality is, 99% of Allied Health business owners have not yet scratched the surface of their potential to get more professional referrals from other health practitioners (including GPs) – and referrals can be one of your most successful marketing strategies.
What does a meaningful relationship look like for you in your personal life?
For most people, this includes spending time face-to-face. It would also mean asking the other person questions about themselves, rather than just talking about yourself.
It’s the same with developing referrer relationships for any of your referral marketing activities.
Build Trust With Potential Referrers Before Anything Else
Rather than just asking referrers to ‘send you patients’, make sure you take the time to find out about your potential referrers’ challenges and think about how you might be able to solve one of their problems.
Build trust with a new professional referrer – discuss their pain points with them and listen to their business challenges.
Talking and listening about other people’s business opens up opportunities and general chit-chat is a great way to look for pain points and referral opportunities.
Remember, like a personal relationship, care about what happens on the other side. Seek first to understand.
People are naturally drawn to people they like and trust. Showing interest and having a knack for friendly conversation goes a long way to building a solid relationship.