Some nephrologists and urologists spend decades honing their craft before deciding to open their own practice. Others take the entrepreneurial route as soon as they’re licensed. No matter which path you choose, one thing is certain: running a medical practice isn’t easy. Operating a business requires a certain skill set. How can you ensure you’ll hit the ground running? Use these 5 strategies to grow your nephrology or urology practice from the get-go.
1. Hire Smart
Hiring a capable staff is paramount. Begin by mapping out which roles you’ll need to fill, then identify qualified candidates using staffing agencies, recruiting websites, and recommendations from respected colleagues. When conducting interviews, remember that whomever you hire will routinely interact with patients, so personality matters. When all of your hires are in place, be sure to thoroughly train them. The better they perform, the more satisfied your patients will be. Happy patients are likely to spread the word to their friends, which can generate new leads.
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2. Build Your Brand
Nephrology and urology are competitive fields, so you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Identify what you do better than your competitors, then market that advantage to your target audience. Create a logo that represents what you do, then place it on all of your marketing materials. Craft messaging you want every patient to be aware of and integrate it in everything you do from business cards to email signatures. Be sure to keep your branding consistent and you’ll position yourself for success.
3. Launch a Website
Websites enable you to reach new patients, showcase your expertise in your specialty, and even simplify tasks such as booking appointments. Despite its advantages, 45% of small businesses still don’t have a website.1 That means you have an opportunity to get a leg up on a large chunk of the competition just by launching one. Update your website frequently with quality content and you’ll boost your search rankings and make it easier for patients to find you.
4. Master Social Media
Among nephrologists and urologists, social media is very popular. In fact, 74% of urologists use some form of social media.2 Sign up for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other popular social media sites, then use these platforms to share health news and updates about your practice. Be sure to post relevant content that affects your patients. They’ll appreciate having useful news updates in their feeds.
5. Respond Politely to Online Reviews
When you receive a review on Healthgrades, Yelp, Vitals, Facebook, or elsewhere, try to respond in a timely fashion. Whether positive or negative, you should write an original, brief, and polite response. Never lash out at a negative review – though it may be tempting, you’ll look unprofessional and anyone who reads it will likely avoid your practice.
Provide quality care and implement these strategies and you’ll attract new patients for your practice right from the start.
References
- Rosenbaum E. You’ll be shocked to learn how many small businesses still don’t have a website. CNBC. June 14, 2017. Accessed July 9, 2018.
- Rivas JG, Socarrás MR, Blanco LT. Social media in urology: opportunities, applications, appropriate use and new horizons. Cent European J Urol. 2016;69(3):293-298.
