If you don’t ask you won’t get…

Article written by Jane Buswell on 20 Sep, 2012 in Articles by guest writers, Professional practice | 0 comments

Feedback that is. So do you use feedback forms with your clients? If you don’t you could be missing a trick.

I’m actually not talking about the traditional use of feedback in terms of finding out whether they are pleased with the treatment. I’m talking about feedback forms with a marketing twist.

What do you need to know?

So, think carefully about your questions – what would you like to gain from this form? How about asking a question that would generate some helpful claims like:

“Of those surveyed 85% said therapy with me had immediately made my clients feel better”

For that you need to ask a question like: Did therapy with me help you feel better immediately? Yes or No.

How about:

“95% of my clients would recommend me to their friends”

For that you need to ask. Would you recommend my treatment to your friends?

You get my drift I am sure.

So start with the answers you’d like and THEN devise the question!

Now how about finding out where they heard of you? Was it worth putting the ad in that paper? Ask the question:

“How did you hear of me?”

Then analyse the responses, if your ad is not working pull it or change the ad. If no-one is finding you via Google you may need to look at your search engine optimisation or SEO. (What does SEO do?)SEO refers to the things you can do to improve your website's ranking in a list of search results e.g on Google or Bing, such as adding particular keywords etc

Are you doing it yet?

Why not ask clients what social media they use? You might find that so many are on Facebook or Twitter that you are missing a trick in terms of using them. (Take a look at my previous article on social media to find out more).

People are funny, so remind them that you offer more than one treatment, otherwise you miss an opportunity to re-engage with them. Use a device like:

“Please tick if you would like more information on……”

Are you struggling to identify and articulate your all-important USP?

Your Unique Selling Point is what distinguishes you from the competition; it could be the types of therapy you offer or the specialist training or experience you’ve had etc. And finding your USP will help potential clients find you!

Your USP could well be defined via a question like:

“May I ask why you chose us?”

And it may also generate a super testimonial. One client asking this question was rewarded with the fabulous response: “Others promise, you deliver”.

Wouldn’t it be great to get the chance to keep in touch with people who only pop in once in a blue moon? It would remind them that you exist for themselves and their contacts! A simple tactic would be to ask:

“Would you be interested in receiving our regular newsletter?”

 

Want to know more about marketing?

Marple Cross will be running a marketing workshop for therapists later in the year. If you’d like a say in the topic, please complete our quick and easy survey.

 

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Tags: Feedback, Marketing, Professional practice

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