Once you get your office space settled, it’s time to think of a few other logistical needs. I would suggest you should get some business cards printed. I know there is an anti-business card wave and I do understand the argument that business cards are dead in a digital world.
However, for many therapists that I know, we market our businesses with these cards. In my office, we use our business cards as a dual-purpose tool. Yes, our cards has the necessary contact information such as name, address, phone, fax and email and on the backside of the card, we have the upcoming scheduled appointment and a reminder of the 24 hours cancellation policy.
When we put the cancellation policy on the back of our card, it reduced our cancellation rate by 2%. That may not sound like a lot but for my group practice that was about 12 client cases and if you do the math 12 (number of no shows) x $150 (cost of a session) = $1800/per month. That is a significant amount of money to leave on the table, therefore reducing the no-show rate has a positive gain for us and I would think your business too. Now, of course, your results will be dependent on the cost of session.
Might I suggest that the client may come to more sessions if we set the cancellation boundary and stick to it?
We know that if the client attends sessions consistently, there are more favorable outcomes. There is nothing like having clients show up for only a few sessions and then complain they aren’t getting better.
Therefore, having business cards to give to our clients and others helps our bottom line. I know that many therapists still use cards in networking events, and I find that helpful when I am meeting someone for the first time. I always write on the back of the card where we met, date and a couple of things we spoke about. I save that information to be used in the future when we have contact again. I find that it’s helpful for me to remember the person easier and how we may be able to help each other.
When speaking at public events, I am always asked for my business card. The upside is often I do get one or two clients from speaking, so to carry extra cards is a no brainer.
There are many companies that design business cards. Some cards have a picture of the therapists on them. Other cards are the traditional rectangle, some are square cards, others have rounded edges, or raised letters and they come on a variety of paper types and weights. The biggest must-have for me is to have our business cards branded with our business logo and colors.
We have our cards printed in colors that we use throughout the office and on other types of stationery. We have our business logo on it and each therapist has their business information on the front side of the card in the same typeface and ink color that is part of the business branding. Budget can be a significant consideration when you are starting out but also if at some point you start hiring staff, they too will need their business cards. Let your budget be your guide and you can always upgrade later. Fancy business cards get thrown away as easily as budget one, so you must also bring out your personality and begin to build a relationship; that is how to get your business card to stand out, not the printing on your card.
Check out also my video on Logistics Business Cards
For more information, please go to my website for other helpful tips and videos. Therapistbox.com.