My view of govt. managing the new healthcare system.

The more you read this information and understand just how valuable it is to your practice and dreams, the more you will think about implementing  this important income producing process, and enjoying all the benefits it brings to you.
           
  

Marketing Articles

Labels placed on business ventures, if done with marketing and attracting patients in mind, are very effective in areas of value, interest, and benefit. 

A friend and associate of mine in practice moved from obstetrics and gynecology, to allergy, to "Environmental Ecology Specialist."  In the 1970s there were only 200 in the whole USA.  He actually increased his practice flow using that EES label for what he was, and still is, doing.  He stepped out of his comfort zone and made a difference.

How to use fees and pricing to position yourself:

Fee strategies used by doctors have never in the past been able to overcome their fear of losing patients or never having enough patients in their practice to make their medical practice financially stable.  It's a myth which has been perpetuated for decades in medical circles.  The only area in our profession that seems to have overcome that barrier is in plastic surgery. 

However, a small number of physicians have managed to beat the odds in their cash only medical practices by residing in affluent neighborhoods.

It is clear that any business dependent on "lowest prices" concept alone are prone to fail for many business and economic reasons.  

To illustrate how you might look at this process, let me ask you a question.  Would you rather serve 100 patients at 20 dollars a visit, or serve 1 patient at $2000 a visit?  The latter, of course.

By understanding the dynamics of money, you recognize that you are not selling price in your medical practice.  You are selling your services, expertise, skills, and knowledge.  These are unique to you alone--no one else.  They are worth a lot more than most physicians attribute to them.

One of the most powerful dynamics of marketing any product is what's called "scarcity."  So if you raise your fees well above what comparable doctors are charging, what happens?  You would think you'd lose most of your patients.  Not true.

Human nature says that the harder it is to find a product, the more it's worth to you.  People naturally fear missing out on deals, bargains, and products in short supply.  Doctors who begin to restrict their practices by raising their fees find that they become even more in demand.  This has proven to be true in all aspects of the business world.

I firmly believe that most financially stable medical practices are linked to the highest quality medical care
by doctors.

The low end price conscious practice patients shopping for the doctor having the lowest fees are the least loyal to your practice.  Actually, loyalty is an illusion nowadays.  Patient retention must be earned, and can't be obtained by lowering fees.  So, don't lower your fees, ever.

A scary thought: You are selling your services for less than you need to.

A scarier thought: You're selling less of your services at a lower price than you would at higher prices.  A fact.

Why is this true?  Because business owners are so fearful of raising prices.  The same is true for physicians. 

One well researched factor is that fees are not linked to your patient's actual knowledge of what your fees should be or what the comparable fees locally actually are.  It leaves you with far more flexibility and freedom than you probably take advantage of to set your fees at a level which pleases you.

The more effectively you use your marketing skills, the less your fees will matter to your patients.

The Harvard Business Review contains examples showing that raising the prices on goods increases demand for the more expensive item.  Net profit may be more for sales of the higher priced product.

The fear of losing patients as a result of increasing fees is a myth.

It's generally accepted that if you want to be perceived as a successful trustworthy physician, you must be the image of a successful doctor.

You can deliver a profound and motivating speech in your jeans and a T-shirt knowing the high value of what you are saying.  Your attire, however, will have everything to do with how that speech is received.  People judge you by your looks in spite of what you've heard. 

Dressed up physicians creates an authoritative look and avoids the psychological barriers for acceptance patients have for the doctor in jeans.  If you'd rather be rich than right, dress professionally.

How to become an expert:

Simple, just be one!  Being an expert does not require approval by any person or organization, nor does it have requirements that must be met first.  If you have ever read Robert Ringer's book, "Winning By Intimidation," you'll understand his concept of "leap-frogging" to the top.

You want to get out of that group of doctors at the bottom of the line who are waiting for permission from somewhere to move higher in the hierarchy. 

Expert positioning is all about self-promotion and declaring yourself as an expert.  As a physician there are areas of skills, knowledge, and expertise that no one else has and makes you unique.  No other physician knows all the same things you do, nor has all the skills you do when you get right down to it.

Among those skills is the need to retain certain amounts of modesty and appreciate that others have the right to be important.

To position yourself and your medical business it's necessary to clearly determine who you are, and drive that home in every marketing effort you do.  Don't short-change yourself as most doctors do.  If you feel like an expert then, it follows, that you will act like an expert. 

You act like an expert because there are things you know and do, that no others can.  It's a reality that you develop a mind-set for.

It's fascinating how those around you will usually accept the position you choose for yourself and present to others.  Look at the doctors around you every day.  You have a perception of each of them relative to their strengths and abilities.  Your perception of them is what they present to you about themselves, and you
pick-up on.

You know....... the doctor who takes it on himself or herself to take over the discussion in every committee meeting he's a member of.  There's more than one on every medical staff.  Is he a leader with real knowledge, or is he a blow-hard with little to add.  Your perception is the same as everyone there about this person. 

Use this track to develop and promote who you really are and how you want to be perceived.

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Article #2

May your abundance increase,

Curt

Curt Graham, M.D.
Physician, author, speaker, copywriter, marketer.

Deut. 8:18
http://www.healthcare-toolbox.com
http://www.hushed-upweightlosssecrets.com 
http://www.healthcaresecretsrevealed-finally.com 
http://www.marketingamedicalpractice.com 
http://www.online-homebasedbusiness.com  

Books that have incredible value to your practice business--not just about marketing:

"The E-Myth: Physician"  by Michael Gerber

"The E-Myth: Manager"  By Michael Gerber
 

1. Dr. Roger Bailey provides a practical marketing program designed for professionals which is affordable and can be done in your easy chair while watching the computer screen....... ..Clickhere                                                                                                                                                                     
2. Ian Traynor, the white haired expert, offers a unique marketing course for professionals starting from the ground floor up, is reasonable cost to you, and since I know him well I have to compliment his teaching talent and ability........Take a look here: 

What will never change..........well, maybe:

"I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit,
which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go"
Isaiah  48:17

1.  "Hushed-Up Weight Loss Secrets"  by Dr. Graham
            Click Here to check out the ebook.

2.  "Healthcare Secrets Revealed-Finally!"  by Dr. Graham
            Click Here to take a peek at this ebook.

3.  www.healthcare-toolbox.com   A medical website your patients will thank you for referring them to.

Upcoming   

New Physician Marketing Products Coming:

First: Please be aware that I am presently working on a "medical practice marketing kit" for physicians.  The focus will be primarily for physicians in solo medical practice who have never done any kind of intentional marketing of their practices.  Content will include a workbook, detailed instructions of how to get started with each appropriate marketing strategy, implementation ideas, references to supplement marketing tactics, and other helpful choice information.

Second: "How To Market Your Medical Practice Yourself" is a book I am writing which will be available in a couple months.  I am almost too compulsive in my writing process, trying to include about everything I can think of, which means I take longer to whittle down the useless jabber, get rid of sentences that say nothing about the topic, and delete my extraneous biases.  I'm not sure whether I will have it published in hard or soft cover or just allow digital download of it from your computer.  I expect it to be 300 pages or so in 10 or 12 pt. font with images and charts, as well as my usual humor.

If you have a desire to contribute to my efforts----please email me!

 
Curtis Graham, M.D., FACOG, FACS
CEO-Owner: L & C Internet Enterprises, Inc.
2404 Mason Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Email = cgmdrx@gmail.com
Business Phone = 702-258-0415 (voice mail)
Fax = 702-258-0415

P.S. Please feel free to give me constructive feedback on my newsletter.  I'm particularly interested in what you really want or need to know related to improving your medical practice income.  You certainly should subscribe to marketing newsletters with many points of view.  At present, I'm unaware of any other physician publishing a marketing newsletter directed at physicians. 

My expertise at marketing doesn't mean I know everything about marketing, but I assure you I do know marketing strategies and tactics that always make a difference to you (physicians) who need an ally to boost your incomes consistently with a minor investment of cost and time. 

If you have already had experience with the NON-physician marketers who don't understand the mindset of physicians, and charge outrageous fees most doctors can't afford, then you will understand there must be a better and easier way that I can show you.

If you know how to attract high quality patients, you won't have to increase your patient load so much you never get home before 8:00 PM every day.  If you know how to avoid short-changing your patients with quickie office visits, attending only one medical problem on each visit so they come back multiple times to get the rest taken care of, and know how to become the preferred doctor in town and among your peers, then you'll see your income increasing rapidly.

To see where my heart is, take a look at my websites and judge for yourself.

http://www.MarketingAMedicalPractice.com
http://www.Healthcare-Toolbox.com
http://www.Hushed-UpWeightLossSecrets.com
http://www.HealthcareSecretsRevealed-Finally.com
http://www.Online-HomeBasedBusiness.com
http://www.FreeAdsMonthly.com
http://www.OnLearningGolf.com