Improve Patient Retention and Grow Referrals for Your Audiology Practice through Loyalty Programs

for audiologists

•	homegrown patient newsletters that keep patients abreast of new technology, and help build trust and loyalty toward you and your staff
•	appreciation events (such as holiday parties and anniversary celebrations)
•	discounts on hearing aids and assistive listening devices
•	free batteries
•	invitation only presentations for patients, their family members and their friends
•	preferred-patient membership cards
•	discounts on optometry, and other related medical services
•	discounts at local restaurants and other retail locations
•	contests and prize giveaways
•	awards for referrals

Surveys Are Essential

During the planning phase for your program, survey your patients to determine exactly what they are most interested and not interested in. You may find, for example, that your patients do not want to receive an award for referring friends to your practice but would be pleased if you would make donations to charities in their names. Therefore, listen to your patients carefully. NEVER SKIP THIS STEP AND DECIDE WHAT COMPONENTS TO INCLUDE WITHOUT PATIENT INVOLVEMENT. TO DO SO MAY CAUSE CAUSE SOME OF THE COMPONENTS YOU INCLUDE TO BE LOOKED AT NEGATIVELY, THUS CAUSING HARM TO YOUR RELATIONS WITH YOUR PATIENTS.

The more you let your patients help you create your program the more likely they will have an enthusiastic attitude about participating. You should even allow your patients to name your program! If you listen to your patients carefully, you can virtually guarantee your program’s success.

Plan thoroughly and Launch Your Program Prudently

How you launch and present your loyalty program is also an essential consideration. To be effective, your program must:

•	be tastefully introduced
•	include well-articulated promotion that motivates patients to join
•	put enough effort into the program to ensure you expeditiously deliver on each and every promise

More than anything, the success of your loyalty program will be dependent upon the quality of the services you deliver and the effectiveness of your patient relations.

If you place into existence a well-received patient loyalty program, you will greatly increase your chances of growing your practice despite a sluggish economy. Contact us, if you would like our assistance.

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Article written by Marc Aronson. Copyright © 2012, Business Builders. All rights reserved. No portion of this report may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means (including e-mail or fax), without written permission from Business Builders.