The best way to build a medical practice is not an ad or even a great Web site (although your Web site is important). No, one of the quickest and most effective ways to build your practice is building and sustaining relationships with potential and current referral sources.
And while your staff can certainly help in this regard, to be truly effective, your individual physicians must put some skin in the game. Of course they should keep their referring physicians informed and take good care of their patients, but go a step further:
- Call them.
- Write a thank-you note.
- Send a text.
- Invite them for coffee.
- Do something unexpected.
Physicians need to personally let their referral sources know they notice and appreciate them. And they need to do it more than once a year. Your practice will reap the benefits. It’s like watering a seed and then watching it grow.