18
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to promote your successful practice is by creating a photo album of satisfied patients. Think about it. Few people will take a pitchman's word for how great a product is until they know someone else has tried it and liked it. The same goes for potential patients. They may not take your word for it, but they will listen to others who have gone through your office with a successful outcome.
Whether you are an allergist, an ophthalmologist or a gastroenterologist, you can create an album showing your patients leading healthy and active lives after being treated by you. All you need are some photographs and even a few quotes.
The best photographs depict your patients in such a way that you can clearly tell that they have overcome some type of ailment. For example, if you are a rheumatologist, ask patients who have rheumatoid arthritis to bring you pictures of themselves playing a sport or engaging in some activity that they were unable to do before you treated them. If you are a cardiologist, a patient who beat heart disease may bring you pictures of himself playing with his grandchildren or tending to his garden. Always make sure the pictures are clear enough that someone viewing them can tell what is going on.
Along with photographs, get quotes from the patients in the pictures. Let them tell you how they felt prior to being treated and how they have been doing since being treated by you. Insert these quotes next to their photographs.
Before you begin this type of endeavor, you must protect yourself legally. Since you are using the exact likeness of your patients, as well as their quotes, have patients sign a release that they have consented to have your practice use their photograph and any other information they have provided you.
Once you have completed your photo album, leave it in your waiting area where it is easily accessible. When new patients come in for a consultation, make sure they see the album. This way, they not only get to hear from you, but they get to hear from dozens of patients who are extremely satisfied with your practice.
