Q: We are doing a spinal screening at Wal-Mart. We are actually doing a community outreach program where we are collecting donations in the form of back-to-school supplies and for their donations, they receive a free initial exam. Do you have any input or marketing ideas that I may use. Any information you may give me will be helpful-Thanks for your help! A: Thanks for your e-mail and question. I recommend you visit my webpage: www.chirosmart.net and open up the Cyberconsulting area. You will have to scroll down quite a bit but there are more then one answer to screenings there. I would read or copy and paste some of the Q&A you find. Also .. check under Practice Tips .. there may be a few there as well. The key is to ask them for a table and two or three chairs. You should have pamphlets and anything that they can take with them on the table. Use a goldfish bowl or something like that for people to place a survey in to win two tickets to the movies or something. The idea for you is to gather as many names and phone numbers to contact after the event. There are people shopping that do not wish to get checked but may wish to win two tickets and will complete a simple survey that you should have printed on card stock paper so they can write on it while standing. Survey should have their name .. address .. phone number and e-mail address. In small print mention that this information will be kept confidential and not shared but used for communications between your office and them (HIPPA) ask questions concerning their health and back like a case history form. Ask if they wish a complimentary spinal exam .. worth whatever your exam is. If they know of others that may be interested .. if you can provide a workshop on health and wellness or ergonomics to their work or social or church group etc. Have enough pens and business cards. I recommend you have a set fee .. say $10-20 .. to take advantage of the office evaluation. This fee is written or cash given to a local charity or a charity that WalMart endorses. This will insure that the people that scheduled their exam in your attends. You can also use cans or food for the same purpose. I hope this helps