Author Topic: Start up Marketing  (Read 24146 times)

QueenAlicia

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Start up Marketing
« on: September 24, 2009, 04:23:12 PM »
Hello Everyone, My name is Alicia and I am starting my own home based medical billing service.  I was wondering if anyone has sent out any postcards or flyers to providers and practices to generate business.  If so how many did you send out?  Also if anyone has one they could send to me as an examply I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks in Advance...  ;D

Alicia

Michele

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2009, 11:13:10 PM »
This is hard to answer since mailings can vary so much.  We did mailings when we first started.  Some work well, some don't work as good, but there is no magic formula.  I believe, and I think it is the consensus on this forum is, that a mailing works best if you send them out in batches and followup with a phone call. 

Good luck
Michele
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melissa_2004

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2009, 11:58:38 AM »
I agree.  I just sent my second set of 25 marketing materials this week and called on the first 25 from the week before.  Even though the number sounds low just keeping my contact list and tracking together took some time.  (OK I like organization) I plan on targeting a few office buidlings next week for a in person cold call.  Good luck!

Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2009, 05:02:32 PM »
Back in 1992, I sent out more than 1,000 mailings.  I received one reply and went to the interview.  I wasnt hired because they weren't looking for a male candidate.  The female that had her appointment after me was hired instead.  We both had the same qualifications and certifications.  The only difference between us was our gender. 

I didnt complain because I answered a newspaper ad the next day and was hired in a hour after the inteview.  Th job I was hired at paid 3 times the salary of the job that responded to my mailer.  My fellow candidate came to where I was working, almost a year later, to apply for a job. I spoke wih her.  She said the job we went to was terrible.  They demanded she upcode visits and bill for visits that never took place.  She said the practice closed after the provider and office manager went to jail for fraud.  Based on my recommendation, she was hired as my replacement as I had to quit to move. 

My mailings were made using a program called Enable.  I no longer have the program or those disks from that time period.  They were on a huge floppy disk 5 times the size of a normal floppy.  Just follow the advice of those responding.
I'l have a double chubby chuck, a mexicali chilibarb, and two cherry cokes
Left hand Blue, Right Leg Green
You got your peanut butter on my milk chocolate.
Dont cut the blue wire! 
I love spam.

Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2009, 05:04:31 PM »
OMG that is old.......the floppy!! *wink* I remember those myself :-)

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2009, 05:04:31 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2009, 09:23:08 PM »
What's a floppy?  <g> ??? ::) :o
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2009, 11:02:39 PM »
What's a floppy?  <g> ??? ::) :o

Don't even try it .... ::)

rachel

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2009, 10:56:10 PM »
I just wanted to throw my two cents in as I am a newbie myself and love reading about other peoples successes and efforts.  I researched this business and spoke to many people before starting, as well as getting some of Michelle and Alice's books, which I loved.  I was advised by successful medical billers to cold call bc a lot of dr's want to do something about their situation but forget or do not have the time.  I came up with a script and made less than 200 calls and picked up 2 dr's.  For what its worth, it was scary at first but after the first round of calls it became very easy!  Best of Luck and stick with it!

PMRNC

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2009, 09:44:53 AM »
Me too, I've always had good luck on the phone and even better luck going into the office, talking with the staff, offering to troubleshoot, etc.  Another thing that is important is when you mail your direct mailings, you have to follow up. If you send out 1000 flyers or postcards at once and can't follow-up on them, do not expect to get anything out of it, you must follow up, that's why it's best to send mailings in pieces of 50-100 at a time, there's also a cost-savings involved because you find out early in the game what's working before having sent out hundred's or thousands.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

rachel

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2009, 09:18:49 PM »
I am curious bc I have considered going to offices but am a little afraid...do you attempt to speak with the dr or the office manager, person in charge????  I am nervous about getting over that initial hump of them feeling threatened!!!! 

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2009, 09:18:49 PM »

jcbilling

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2009, 01:11:54 AM »
When I went to offices, I walked up to the receptionist area and asked "I was wondering what the majic word is to talk to the office manager" with a friendly smile and EVERY time they would smile and go try to find the office manager. Sometimes they were unavailable or at lunch, but 7 out of 10 times, the office manager would come back with them and talk to me.

I brought a small plate of goodies nicley wrapped and tied with ribbon, along with a booklet regarding the Red Flag Rules the the FTC has published. You can order free copies from their website www.ftc.gov

I then asked the office manager if there were aware of the RFR and chatted with them, offered to provide more information later by email or fax. I then asked them about their billing. If it was done in-house or not, if they use an EMR, If there were any problems we could help them.

I suggest going on Tues, Wed, or Thurs - Monday & Fridays are extremely hard days to talk to the OM. And that is really who you want to talk to, because the doc will be seeing patients. Unless you go to chiropractors or mental health providers - sometimes they are sole-staffed and handle all the office area. Also, try to avoid goin between 11:30 & 1:30 - alot of office managers are at lunch.

Also, if you stick close by to your local hospital, there are alot of doctor's offices and that way you can spend less time driving, less money on gas, and get more stops in. I mapped out my stops the night before - but if I saw one on the way, I usually stopped too!
Anyway, I went to about 25 offices in a 3 hour period and landed a family practice.
ing to add that to my marketing ideas.

Thanks,
Charity
If you wouldn't mind sharing your cold call script - I would love to see it. I have tried caold calling to no avail. I am try in the past, but

jcbilling

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2009, 01:14:03 AM »
Wow - my typing on the previous post was pretty rough!

Hopefully, you can understand it :)


PMRNC

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2009, 10:04:25 AM »
Charity, I completely agree with your method, it's never let me down either, whether it was on the phone or in person. The office manager or billing manager plays one of the most important roles in the office, it only makes sense that they would be the first contact person.  Education is the key, they love to learn new things because it makes them look good. I always tell them if they think they look good now, wait till we get going, they will get the glory and kudos and that's fine with me.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Steve Verno CMBS, CEMCS

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2009, 12:03:26 PM »
MY successes at getting clients were as patients.  While undergoing a physical, the doctor asked me what i did for a living.  That led to, can you take a look at my AR?

I was in post heart surgery recovery. The nurse said, I heard you were a coder/biller.  My husband is a doctor and just fired his for incompetence.  I'll bring you an EOB, can you do an appeal?  No problem.  

While sitting home watching ghosthunters, an old office manager friend called and asked me if I could take on a teaching position at the local university.

I quit my job at a billing company, word got out and a doctor called to ask if I would go to work for him.

I got another job after attending a billing conference where I was a speaker.  

The opportunities are out there, you need to grab them when they surface.

I went to an family practice office that was advertising.  I presented my 5 page CV and copies of my credentials.  I was declined when told my credentials werent acceptable and I didnt appear to have the training and experience they were looking for.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2009, 12:06:04 PM by Coding4aliving »
I'l have a double chubby chuck, a mexicali chilibarb, and two cherry cokes
Left hand Blue, Right Leg Green
You got your peanut butter on my milk chocolate.
Dont cut the blue wire! 
I love spam.

Pay_My_Claims

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Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2009, 02:16:07 PM »
Yes, I have done them all. Via visits, word of mouth and marketing. Persistence is the key I would believe. What gets you in with one physician may not work on the other. I will use a term Linda likes to use a lot *think outside the box*

Don't commit to doing just one type of marketing, and don't settle on doing what everyone else does. If you find your comfort level, and your zone, you are more than half way there.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Start up Marketing
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2009, 02:16:07 PM »