Comments on: Marketing Acupuncture – The Power of Testimonials http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials Acupuncture Marketing and Advertising with Acupuncture Websites Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:03:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Frank Prieto http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials/comment-page-1#comment-60 Frank Prieto Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:14:45 +0000 http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/?p=140#comment-60 Eric, thank you for sharing your method. My friend you've got it down pat. As you say, the key is in the timing. Those couple of minutes you squeeze in the computer to draw it up before they leave your office pay off in a big way. I'd like to throw in my two cents about something else you say: "Also, patients aren’t trained to write “copy” like what you would want for your website. If you write it, you can make it succinct and readable." Here's a word of caution: It's true that we should write the best copy we can on our website, but when it comes to testimonials I have to differ with you a bit. Let me explain why-- It is very important that testimonials are believable. What makes your website's testimonials page so powerful is the social proof aspect of it. All the different patients "expressing" themselves about their experience under your care. When prospective patients see good, bad and ugly grammar, there's no question the testimonials are real. I have posted testimonials with poor grammar for that reason alone. Since everybody writes different, the different grammar (whether good or bad) confirms the authenticity. Just a thought for what it's worth. Thank you once again for your comment. You shared a great tip that will help others start working on gathering testimonials. I look forward to your comments on future posts. Eric, thank you for sharing your method. My friend you’ve got it down pat. As you say, the key is in the timing. Those couple of minutes you squeeze in the computer to draw it up before they leave your office pay off in a big way.

I’d like to throw in my two cents about something else you say: “Also, patients aren’t trained to write “copy” like what you would want for your website. If you write it, you can make it succinct and readable.”

Here’s a word of caution: It’s true that we should write the best copy we can on our website, but when it comes to testimonials I have to differ with you a bit. Let me explain why– It is very important that testimonials are believable. What makes your website’s testimonials page so powerful is the social proof aspect of it. All the different patients “expressing” themselves about their experience under your care. When prospective patients see good, bad and ugly grammar, there’s no question the testimonials are real. I have posted testimonials with poor grammar for that reason alone. Since everybody writes different, the different grammar (whether good or bad) confirms the authenticity. Just a thought for what it’s worth.

Thank you once again for your comment. You shared a great tip that will help others start working on gathering testimonials. I look forward to your comments on future posts.

]]> By: Eric Schanke http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials/comment-page-1#comment-59 Eric Schanke Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:56:08 +0000 http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/?p=140#comment-59 Frank, great topic. I use referrals alot on my website. Most patients are thrilled to give one if you ask at the right time. That time is when they remark at how miraculous their last treatment was. This can be on the second visit even. What I usually do is tell them that I will write one up based on what they've told me and then they can add, subtract, or edit anyway they want. I can usually squeeze in a minute or two on the computer before they leave and have them look over the testimonial I print out. Almost always, the only corrections they make are to make it even more positive! Having them write one at home has 2 problems. They often forget, then you would have to pester them again. Or they fret over the wording etc. and it becomes a hassle for them. Also, patients aren't trained to write "copy" like what you would want for your website. If you write it, you can make it succinct and readable. It's a win-win all the way around. Frank, great topic. I use referrals alot on my website. Most patients are thrilled to give one if you ask at the right time. That time is when they remark at how miraculous their last treatment was. This can be on the second visit even. What I usually do is tell them that I will write one up based on what they’ve told me and then they can add, subtract, or edit anyway they want. I can usually squeeze in a minute or two on the computer before they leave and have them look over the testimonial I print out. Almost always, the only corrections they make are to make it even more positive! Having them write one at home has 2 problems. They often forget, then you would have to pester them again. Or they fret over the wording etc. and it becomes a hassle for them. Also, patients aren’t trained to write “copy” like what you would want for your website. If you write it, you can make it succinct and readable. It’s a win-win all the way around.

]]> By: Acupuncture Practice » Blog Archive » Marketing For Acupuncturists Is The Key To Success. http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials/comment-page-1#comment-21 Acupuncture Practice » Blog Archive » Marketing For Acupuncturists Is The Key To Success. Fri, 01 May 2009 22:06:35 +0000 http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/?p=140#comment-21 [...] I was browsing the web yesterday looking for acupuncture marketing tips, I came across a blog with an interesting article about getting testimonials from your patients. [...] [...] I was browsing the web yesterday looking for acupuncture marketing tips, I came across a blog with an interesting article about getting testimonials from your patients. [...]

]]> By: Frank Prieto http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials/comment-page-1#comment-14 Frank Prieto Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:44:19 +0000 http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/?p=140#comment-14 Hi Kristen, The "marketing" answer to your question is very simple. When a patient gives you a testimonial, they are giving you permission to use it in your marketing. In other words, when you "ask" for a testimonial you are in fact asking for permission (from the patient) to use their testimonial in your marketing tools. You are also letting them know you will only post their FIRST name and city to protect their privacy. If they agree, they are giving you permission to use it. Obviously you want to have it in writing in the unlikely event it becomes an issue. That I know of, this has never been a problem. If your student is still concerned about the legality, they can check with the HIPAA website of the Office for Civil Rights at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/ Regards, Frank Hi Kristen,

The “marketing” answer to your question is very simple. When a patient gives you a testimonial, they are giving you permission to use it in your marketing. In other words, when you “ask” for a testimonial you are in fact asking for permission (from the patient) to use their testimonial in your marketing tools. You are also letting them know you will only post their FIRST name and city to protect their privacy.

If they agree, they are giving you permission to use it. Obviously you want to have it in writing in the unlikely event it becomes an issue. That I know of, this has never been a problem.

If your student is still concerned about the legality, they can check with the HIPAA website of the Office for Civil Rights at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

Regards,

Frank

]]> By: Kristen Porter http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/marketing-acupuncture-the-power-of-testimonials/comment-page-1#comment-13 Kristen Porter Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:49:39 +0000 http://www.newacupuncturepatients.com/blog/?p=140#comment-13 Frank, I teach Practice Management class to acupuncturists and just last night we had a dialogue about testimonials. A student asked how you address HIPAA when utilizing testiminials-- any thoughts? thanks! Kristen Frank,

I teach Practice Management class to acupuncturists and just last night we had a dialogue about testimonials.

A student asked how you address HIPAA when utilizing testiminials– any thoughts?

thanks!
Kristen

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