| Just starting a business often means that money is | | | | Check out the local newspapers. If there are |
| short. If you are a new acupuncturist, chances are | | | | specialty papers, check those out as well. Some |
| you have some student loans to repay as well. This | | | | newspapers, particularly smaller ones, allow you to |
| often means trying to do things as cheaply as | | | | place a small business advertisement for free when |
| possible. Marketing is one of the most important | | | | you open your business. If they allow photos, send |
| business expenses, however there are some free | | | | one. Be sure to use as much space as they allow so |
| marketing tips that you can use to boost your | | | | that your information has the best chance of getting |
| exposure. | | | | noticed. Often, if they allow business announcements |
| Visit other healthcare providers and bring business | | | | for free, you can make any sort of announcement, |
| cards. Make it a practice to visit four or five massage | | | | such as adding another practitioner. Sometimes you |
| therapy clinics, chiropractors, physical therapists or | | | | can announce adding a new class or service as well. |
| anyone else who might be able to refer to you each | | | | Remember that you are always marketing. If you |
| week. If you're really outgoing, then do four or five a | | | | love to do something, then talk about what you do |
| day. The more places you give out business cards, | | | | when you are socializing. If you love yoga, talk about |
| the more likely you are to get referrals. | | | | acupuncture in the studio. If you love skiing, then talk |
| Don't just walk into each office and hand out | | | | about it on the lift and at the ski shops. If you're in a |
| business cards. Walk in and ask questions about their | | | | book club, then talk about it there. Churches and |
| practice. Find out the types of patients they want to | | | | other spiritual groups are another social setting that |
| see. See how you feel in the office. If you really | | | | can be good to talk about your practice. |
| don't like an office, you might not want to refer | | | | Who do you see during the day? Do you go to the |
| there. You'll also know that they aren't as likely to | | | | bank? How many people do you suppose your teller |
| refer to you. While you want to talk with the | | | | sees? Talk to him or her. Talk to your barista. They |
| practitioner, don't look overlook talking to the | | | | see a lot of people. Talk to your hairdresser, your |
| receptionist, if there is one. He or she is the person | | | | printer, your favorite restaurant owner, the |
| who talks with the clients first and has just as much | | | | bookstore clerk and your veterinarian. Each of these |
| opportunity to pass out your business card as the | | | | people sees many other people during any given day. |
| practitioner. | | | | They have unlimited abilities to potentially market |
| Visit fitness clubs, grocery stores, yoga studios and | | | | your services. They have to know who you are |
| nutrition stores. All of these types of places | | | | though. If they ask for a card, give them several. |
| frequently have community bulletin boards. Look for | | | | You never know who they might meet. |
| them. Find out what their policies are on posting | | | | None of these ideas is likely to jump start your |
| business cards or flyers. Then make sure you do it. | | | | acupuncture practice. However, using each of these |
| See if you can offer a free class at any of these | | | | ideas in a way that fits the style of your practice can |
| places. Locally, our nutrition store offers space on | | | | help build up the number of potential new patients. |
| Sunday afternoons for talks. They promote these | | | | Not everyone needs acupuncture immediately. The |
| talks because Sunday is a slow day. This brings | | | | more often people see and hear your name, the |
| customers in for them and it helps the practitioner | | | | more likely they are to call you when they do need |
| build a patient base. | | | | acupuncture. |