Q:

Dr. M

My husband is just starting a practice (just licensed in March) and I 
am wondering what the answering machine should say when he is 
with patients and is unable to answer the phone as well as when the 
office is closed. Do you have a standard message?  We are unable to 
hire a person to answer phones at this time.

I am also putting together a letter to send with business cards to
friends & family to let them know that he is now practicing.  We 
don't want to look like we are begging for business.  Do you have a 
format that you like.

I just want to thank you for all your letters on your web page.  I find
myself reading these & getting more motivated each time I read.  You 
are a big help.  Thanks again.

A: Thanks for the e-mail. Unfortunately with new graduates so heavy 
in debt that cutting corners to save often cuts their business throat. 
For example .. not training a CA to do both PR and the front desk may 
seem cost effective at first but costs you dearly in the short and 
long run. I recommend hiring a part time CA at first .. at least .. but 
have someone. First .. the practice cannot run efficiently in every 
capacity .. gathering and maintaining new patients. It seems on the 
surface that there are not enough new patients and cannot pay for a 
CA but if they or you would have specific time set aside for office 
growth and promotion this would change soon. I realize that this 
answer may make little sense now .. but a new business takes time 
to develop but it also needs a kick start to get going. So to answer 
your question about what to say on an answering machine when your 
husband is not available to get to the phone .. the answer is simple .. 
you should have someone answer the phone. Okay .. but you can¼t so 
why not place this on your machine .. by the way have two message 
one per side so he can flip it when he is and is not available.

„Thank you for calling the Hobbs Family Chiropractic Center .. Dr. 
Hobbs is unable to answer the phone but will shortly return your 
call. Please leave a message at the tone.¾ .. or .. „Thank you for 
calling the Hobbs Family Chiropractic Center .. our normal office 
hours are äää Dr. Hobbs is unable to answer the phone but will 
shortly return your call. Please leave a message at the tone.¾

As far as a letter writing campaign to family and friends .. better 
concentrate on the total community. To rely on family and friends 
for new patients is as successful as starting an insurance sales job 
hoping you¼ll sign up your family and friends and explode from there 
.. if just never happens and breeds resentment.

Listen .. what you both need to do is decide if this is your primary 
business and the source of the bulk of your income. The potential to 
fall on your face or be incredibly successful is even both ways .. the 
difference really is how you both approach this game called building 
a practice and most importantly sustaining it.  As you will see .. 
some friends who graduated with and before you were successful 
from day one and others are floundering in associateships .. IC¼s or 
just not making it. The common denominator for each category is the 
individuals determination and planning. What steps were taken to 
assure success .. how far and with how much determination were the 
projects and ideas stimulated and followed through .. this is the 
difference between those that make it easier than others. Just 
remember one thing .. the general public has no idea of your grades .. 
if you are a great speaker .. if you adjust like the best .. all the are 
waiting for is for you to meet them in one capacity or another. 
Forget about the few or many that will reject your message .. 
instead concentrate on those that need to hear it.

With this .. I hope you have a Trip Tic towards building your new 
practice. For starters .. you should have my Smart Start Book 
available. This has all the scripts and planning you and your husband 
needs .. and then we can go over pages for specific help.

Listen .. this is a great profession but it is in a sector called 
Healthcare that is going through dramatic changes across all boards. 
Rather than dwelling on what others are doing (bad idea) dwell on 
the possibilities and potential of your marketing farm

Have a Great Day

Dr. M