Medical Billing Forum
Starting a Medical Billing Business => Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business => : QueenAlicia February 07, 2011, 11:45:29 PM
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Besides email marketing what forms of marketing have worked for you business owners? I have read the book from solutions billing on marketing but I would like to get other ideas on what has worked for you personally. I hate cold calling but I know I will have to get over this.
Also has anyone tried the newsletter approach eithr online newsletter or mail newsletter.
Thanks! :)
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My first marketing technique is my website. I created it to be eye catching for those providers who seek to find a billing service.
There are tricks you can do to help your website show up first when googled
I market to my current providers, doing discounts for referrals
I solicit leads from others, I network with other members of my association (got one client from a member) who no longer wanted to do that type of billing.
Everything you do is marketing.......THIS FORUM is marketing!!
However 75% of my marketing is simply replying to ads for medical billers. I use a variety of employment sites, however most don't have any information so its blind marketing to me. Not to big into sending information via websites etc.
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I agree with Charlene that your website is your best marketing tool! So many people have found me just by searching on the internet.
I hate cold calling too, and only made three cold calls before I realised it wasn't for me. Newsletters are a great way to get your name out there! It gives the providers something of value while showcasing your knowledge. I highly recommend it.
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Yes Keli, EVERYTHING you do is marketing. Some good, some bad. I write a newsletter, and articles for other magazines, so yes exposure is excellent!!
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I've read a few of your articles, Charlene, and I always learn something. :-)
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Midwife...please forgive me, I just realized that you were CPMB!! Thanks for the compliment, I try to give something exciting in each newsletter.
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Anyone care to share how they landed their first client?
Does anyone use lead generators?
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Wow, long time ago! We landed our first client in 1994 by using a list back then that Medicare had of all paper billers. We contacted them with a letter telling them all about electronic claims submissions. That won't really work any more though. Marketing is the toughest part of this business. But it is not something you learn, it's something you do! (Dan Kennedy). There are some great suggestions on some older posts in this forum. I would read some of them. Also, Alice & I have started a marketing program. The first package was mailed out on Tuesday. The first month is free so if you sign up for that you can get a preview at no cost. You have until March 15th to decide if you want to stay!
Info on the marketing program: http://www.solutions-medical-billing.com/marketing.html
Good Luck!
Michele
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I had a very unique piece of luck. Back in 96, I didn't set out to start my own billing company, I was perfectly happy making good money as a claims examiner for one of the major insurance companies where I lived. My kid's pediatrician who was also MY pediatrician growing up, suddenly lost his office manager to a fatal heart attack and he called me, knowing my experience with claims and health insurance. I got him setup and all computerized (was using old peg board system!) and before long I was working at his office a few times a week after work. Next thing I know he had a colleague of his call me and I did same thing for him only working from my home. After a few months and yet another referral I knew it was time to stop working full time and get my business going. By March of 1997 I had left my job and started up my own company. I did same thing Michele and Alice did. Back then those lists from Medicare were great. They gave you lists that were of all providers who were not filing claims electronically. Back then the lists were still a little outdated but for most part were accurate! I did fliers, postcards, and of course used my resume and obtained a few more clients. I had the most success visiting offices and for the really hot leads I would actually take them to dinner or lunch .. always worked nicely!.. that was just the beginning. Even though i do not want any more billing clients, I am always making connections for consulting work. (just more money) I don't do as much marketing, more than 90% of the consulting jobs I land come from word of mouth and networking. I network with medical billers all over as well as with my local chamber of commerce.
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"Can't wait to get my very first client and can hardly imagine what that would be like"
Hope one day I will be able to say that, I too am not looking for other clients!!!!!!
I will check out the marketing ebook!
Anyone tried a lead generating service?
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We haven't used a lead generating service in a long time. In fact they've changed considerably so I can't even comment on them.
Michele
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Company who did my website is offering website SEO package for 1000.00 /year. Pakage includes
Guaranteed number of Keywords/ Phrases 5 to 10 Keywords
Step One 1
- Website Analysis and Competitor Analysis
Step Two 2
- Keyword Analysis and Suggestion
Step Three 3
- On-Pages optimization-Canonical Issue Fixing-Make SEO Friendly URL Structures-Internal Link navigation-Structures and Filenames-Use SEO Friendly Codes-Unique Titles Tags-Description Tags-H Tags Optimization-Keywords Segregation URL wise-Dynamic Components-Keywords Density Set-Images and Alt tag-Xml Sitemaps-Robots.txt-Google Analytics Install-W3C Verified
Step Four 4
– Content Optimization-Web Content Rewrite-Article Writing-Press Releases Writing-Blog, Hub Pages and Google Knol Writing
Step Five 5
– Linking building-Press Releases Disputations-Directory Submissions-Article Submissions-Social Bookmarking-Local Business listing-Classified Ads submissions-Blog Commenting-Link Exchange [ Relevant Bolg and Website links]-The challenge is to seek links from good pages that are related to the keywords
Step Six 6
– SEO Monitoring-Rank monitoring-Website monitoring-Uptime monitoring-On page monitoring-Analysis monitoring-Position monitoring-Back links monitoring-Brocken link monitoring-Index pages monitoring-Link exchanges monitoring
Step Seven 7
– Reporting delivering (monthly once)
• Monthly keyword Ranking
• High quality PDF traffic reports
• Links building report
Is it Worth while? Experts Please advise me.
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Actually that is not a bad price really for all they are included. I would just leary for any guarantees, that's usually a red flag for me.
Now in all fairness.. just about everything they have listed YOU could do yourself, but of course it would require some work and research. There are many websites out there that will actually do each of the functions below, but almost never all inclusive, so again, think of the time saving factor. If money is an issue, however than look into the individual items listed below and see what it would take to complete them.
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Actually that is not a bad price really for all they are included. I would just leary for any guarantees, that's usually a red flag for me.
Now in all fairness.. just about everything they have listed YOU could do yourself, but of course it would require some work and research. There are many websites out there that will actually do each of the functions below, but almost never all inclusive, so again, think of the time saving factor. If money is an issue, however than look into the individual items listed below and see what it would take to complete them.
Thanks for advice, Linda. Actually I am very short in time. I asked Vista print for website optimization, but they said they can only submit my website and keywords to search engines but cannot do actual optimization if they have not created the website. They suggested to go with same company who did the website. I know I can do it but it consumes a lot time which is drawback for me. As a guarantee what should I asked from them besides contract?
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Before you do anything you should first make sure you or your webmaster has access to the site files, your web designer may charge you for this service as well. Also IF you have a template based website you need to ask them if it is capable of being changed (optimized) and if so, how (ie; ftp access, do they do it?, is there a control panel)
Also a lot of times I have seen people who have access to all those tools with their hosting company and never utilize them. So I would first talk to your hosting company/designer.
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Are there any other suggestions for marketing. I am in full swing with my marketing campaign and would like to tap into any resource.
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Linda,
My website is not template based. Can you look at www.aksharhealthcare.com. I will appreciate.
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QueenAlicia,
Have you read the other posts on marketing? There have been some great ideas in the past posts. Also, Alice and I started a Marketing program. The first month is free so you could try that to see if it is what you are looking for.
More info: http://www.solutions-medical-billing.com/marketing.html
Michele
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SEO can take time for you to see true results, sometimes well over a year. I would look into SEM (search engine marketing) more money but faster results you can track.
Company who did my website is offering website SEO package for 1000.00 /year. Pakage includes
Guaranteed number of Keywords/ Phrases 5 to 10 Keywords
Step One 1
- Website Analysis and Competitor Analysis
Step Two 2
- Keyword Analysis and Suggestion
Step Three 3
- On-Pages optimization-Canonical Issue Fixing-Make SEO Friendly URL Structures-Internal Link navigation-Structures and Filenames-Use SEO Friendly Codes-Unique Titles Tags-Description Tags-H Tags Optimization-Keywords Segregation URL wise-Dynamic Components-Keywords Density Set-Images and Alt tag-Xml Sitemaps-Robots.txt-Google Analytics Install-W3C Verified
Step Four 4
– Content Optimization-Web Content Rewrite-Article Writing-Press Releases Writing-Blog, Hub Pages and Google Knol Writing
Step Five 5
– Linking building-Press Releases Disputations-Directory Submissions-Article Submissions-Social Bookmarking-Local Business listing-Classified Ads submissions-Blog Commenting-Link Exchange [ Relevant Bolg and Website links]-The challenge is to seek links from good pages that are related to the keywords
Step Six 6
– SEO Monitoring-Rank monitoring-Website monitoring-Uptime monitoring-On page monitoring-Analysis monitoring-Position monitoring-Back links monitoring-Brocken link monitoring-Index pages monitoring-Link exchanges monitoring
Step Seven 7
– Reporting delivering (monthly once)
• Monthly keyword Ranking
• High quality PDF traffic reports
• Links building report
Is it Worth while? Experts Please advise me.