You don’t have to be a Fifth Avenue ad agency to do marketing. After all, you market your own business.

Modern Medicine recently remarked how the recession has cut into patient visits, especially by those who have lost their health insurance along with their job. Less visits means less income and medical firms have learned clients just aren’t lining up outside their door anymore. They’re competing for them.

But, we know health care providers aren’t always the best business people. They’re worried about saving lives, not coming up with some slick ad campaign. But, you’re used to pitching clients so pitching them to their clients isn’t that difficult.

Maybe they only need some simple touches like a Facebook page or updating a website. Perhaps it’s a small ad in the local paper. The point is it’s the same type of thing you’re already doing.

But, professional marketing materials always help and ClaimTek Systems can help. Give us a call at 1-800-224-7450 to discuss how to add yet another revenue stream.

A pretty good video on the basics of cold calling. Everyone hates it, few actually do so. But, these tips can help grow your business.

We’ve been hearing social networking is the cure-all for getting new business. Well, sorta.

In-person networking at social events clearly works. It’s a time-old proven system. Press the flesh and eventually you’ll meet the right people.

But what about the social networking we’re always hearing about on the internet? Facebook, Myspace, Twitter . . . it’s all you hear. They’ll get you business.

Frankly, we think it’s a bunch of hooey. Maybe one in a million and the advocates talk about the one, but they don’t talk about the 999,999,999 that waste your time.

Until now. Here’s an excellent story on the reality of social networking for real estate people. The message is the same no matter your industry, though. We advocate networking, but understand this internet stuff is largely a waste of time.

Social media can be a sinhole for real estate

At the end of the work week, sometimes I have a few hours remaining to catch up on whatever. Instead of finding an early happy hour, I look over my business and think what else can I be doing? What should we rework? What needs updating?

This YouTube video is a motivator who’s a little full of himself, but we all know confidence goes a long way in business. More than talent, unfortunately. He talks of business cards and makes a good point. You have them our by the dozens, but does anyone remember them? They will if you listen to this guy.

You get the pitch all the time — if it brings just one customer the ad pays for itself. And then no one calls. And even if they did, why do you want to spend money just hoping it might break even?

This video discusses how to effectively advertise so it makes money for you.

We’re about to make you break into a cold sweat.

Cold calling. You know, “Hi, this is John and I represent ABC Billing. I’d like to talk to you about your billing needs.”

You’re either good at this or you’re not. But, everyone usually tries it at least once because it only costs your time and no money so let’s go over some tips to increase your success.

First, mail your marketing materials to the offices a few days before calling. Hopefully, they’ll have seen them and you won’t be a stranger on the phone. Indeed, ask if they have received your letter so that it doesn’t seem like a cold call, but a followup.

One of two things will now happen – they’ll either hang up or start talking. If they hang up, don’t take it personally. We all do it. If they want to hear more, focus on getting an appointment. Don’t tell your life story, just get to the point.

Ask for an appointment on a certain day – “Would Monday at 8 a.m. be good for you?” It will make them concentrate on scheduling rather than whether they even want to meet you.

By working with ClaimTek, you’ll receive professional phone scripts that help you know what to say during the calls. Our scripts give you confidence and supply specific wording when responding to objections. These scripts were developed by professional sales people and are an invaluable asset.

Also, ClaimTek allows you to offer doctors free or discounted software plus many unique services that provide fresh approaches to telephone conversations.

Everybody promises results, very few deliver. But if you’re ready to spend some money advertising, here are 5 proven means no matter where you live.

No. 1 – Yellowbook.com. You remember that yellow book. Now it’s online and the clear most effective online search method for the money. Google is bigger, but much more costly. Include your company name, town and phone number. If working from home, get a post office box.

No. 2 – Medical society newsletters. Many medical associations accept advertising. These are your prime circle of potential clients.

No. 3 – Community associations. Church newsletters, school yearbooks, homeowners association newsletters are all low-cost means to reach your neighbors. After all, doctors attend church, have kids in school and belong to neighborhood associations.

No. 4 – Local cable TV. Thirty-second commercials are as little as $15 per spot.

No. 5 – Websites. You have a website. Trade ad links with other websites of medical service providers that aren’t competing with you. It’s free and you might refer business to each other.

Money’s tight so advertising needs to work. You can’t afford to waste money just recklessly mailing to anybody with an M.D. next to their name.

How effective is your direct mail campaigns? One out of a hundred? You’d be just as lucky shaking hands with people in parking lots and it would cost less. Two percent? That’s the norm for most junk mail, but you want more than an average return.

One out of 20 – still sounds low but you’re getting there. Most companies would kill for a five percent return.

Entire books are devoted to direct mail, but my 26 years experience in the subject lets me boil down the matter to one simple, effective way.

Oversized postcards with attention-grabbing photos get noticed and are the least expensive tactic. Postcards grab people’s attention because they just have to flip it over and can read it in a few seconds. Conversely, most envelopes are never opened.

First, make one side a funny photo or thought-provoking message. The back side should say something like, “Having problems with your accounts receivables? We can help bring in your cash.” Another one is “Is your cash flow nil? Give us a call, we’ll show you the difference?”

Be sure to include your company’s name, address, phone number, website address, logo and any motto used by your business.

Equally important is the mailing list. Hopefully, you’ve kept all those business cards you’ve received while networking. Use those first. Then, buy a mailing list from the state medical board for less than $100. ClaimTek Systems also supplies doctor lists as part of our support package.

Use an unusual stamp and handwrite the address. It makes people notice. To save money, ask your postmaster before mailing about their rules for bulk mailing permit. It saves a few dollars with the same service.