Messages on hold for Home Care Agencies in Connecticut

Messages on hold for Home Care Agencies in Connecticut give you the opportunity to “start the conversations” so you can help more patients.  Before being able to provide care for a loved one, your agency must progress through the process known as “Know, Like, Trust.”  What can you do to efficiently begin this process?  Here’s a proven idea.

Messages on hold for home care agencies start the process

Your website is great, but it’s just the first step in the process of helping a new client.  The real work starts when your telephone rings, and there’s a concerned voice on the line.

Reassurance

Your office is busy: Clients, caregivers, medical professionals, and suppliers are calling throughout the day.  There are assignments and situations to handle.  Meetings and training are taking place.  So it’s inevitable that some telephone calls may not be handled immediately.  Some you’ll call back.  Many will have to wait on “hold” waiting for assistance.

Make the most of every opportunity.

Your phone call is your first, and possibly only, opportunity to begin your most important conversation.  It’s your chance to make a great first impression: that’s important, because you only get one chance.

What do your telephone callers hear when they have to wait on hold?  Silence?  Some kind of “beeping”?  The “default” music that came programmed on your phone system?  Most phone systems (PBX, Hosted, Hybrid and VoIP) in Connecticut play something on hold)

Why not give them something better?

Your clients choose you because they have come to “Know, Like, and Trust you.”  That happens when you do more than is required.  You explain the value of everything you do.  You give prospective clients everything that they need to take the next step with you, and feel confident when they do.

Why not start the process, even when callers are on hold?

Even the best hold music can’t do the job.  Instead, you can deliver your message with a professional voice using an on hold system that works at successful agencies.  It works on most business telephone systems every time you place a caller onhold.  Custom messages that talk about the ideas that are most important to your clients.

Samples

Here are samples of actual Informer Messages

Informer Messages on hold are the marketing tool that works for home care professionals.  You can find out more about how the process works, or call for a no-obligation “Home Care Marketing Conversation” today: in Connecticut call (203) 655-3920.  Nationwide call (800) 862-8896.

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Pent Up Demand after the COVID-19 Shutdown: are you ready?

Pent up demand could be coming your way.  After weeks of enduring the stay at home guidelines, economists and publications are predicting a strong surge in demand in the coming weeks.  This is a chance to start making up for lost time.  Are you ready?

Reopening after such as long shutdown won’t be easy: discussions of customer and employee safety are the headlines.  But once you clear these hurdles, you’ve got to take the right steps for the survival of your company.  That’s important, because CNBC predicts that

• up to 7.5 million small businesses are at risk of failing in the coming five months
• up to 3.5 million small businesses might fail in the next two months

What you do in the next few weeks could make the difference for your company

Pent Up Demand: what will you do to benefit

Are you ready for reopening?  Here are steps to take now.

1. If you haven’t already, communicate with your existing customers.  Communicate every way you can, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media, in blog posts and on your website.  If you have a storefront use signage.  If most customers call you, create a special edition of your phone greetings and messages on hold.
   After the shutdown, old loyalties and habits may have changed so…
   1. remind customers why they loved you
   2. let them know what your plans are
   3. let them know what you’re doing to keep them safe
2. How will you handle the surge?  It’s too risky to hire extra workers, so plan on making your current resources work better.  Customers will start by contacting you by phone (restaurants report 10 times the number of phone calls as before the shutdown).  Callers will be asked to wait on hold, so make sure they hear about your business with informative messages on hold.
3. Give customers a reason to come back: even a small promotion will go a long way towards bringing them back to your business.
4. Start a “Reopening Marketing Campaign.”  Who are your customers?  If they’re local, consider EDDM direct mail, and “Geofencing” ads online.  If they’re outside your local area, consider Facebook or LinkedIn advertising, targeted at your typical client
5. Don’t forget “social proof.”  It’s just as easy for your competition to lose customers.  88% of all consumers research businesses online first.  How are your reviews?  We trust online reviews as much as a referral from our best friends.  Ask customers for reviews, or for a more efficient approach, ask the ReviewsHelpDesk.com.

Start right now.

There’s no time to be lost.  Reopening your business, ready to provide the best service during the Surge will help you make up for lost time, and help you survive.  Now’s the time to prepare for pent up demand.

More ideas

 

 

 

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Getting More Reviews Online: It’s how you’ll succeed in the future

Looking for more customers?  Getting more reviews is easiest strategy.

Did you know that 97% of Consumers in Connecticut read reviews before they buy?  Just like you, your customers and your best prospects want to make the right decision when they spend their money.  But these days, customers don’t get information from your advertising.  They trust reviews.  Your success depends on the reviews that your customers in give you.

While reviews aren’t the only way that customers decide to buy from you, all the research shows that they’re a major factor.

So, when consumers are searching are you making the right impression?

Getting more reviews increases revenues

Just Google your company name.  If Google recognizes your business, you’ll see their “Business Profile” on the right side of the results page.  It shows your company name, and contact details.

One of the most important features in your profile is your Google Rating and how many Google Reviews you have.  (Try it now…we’ll wait!)

Do you need more?

There are plenty of ways to request reviews.  Here are some of the most popular:

1. Ask customers when they make their purchase at your checkout
2. Include a reminder on your cash register receipt
3. Include a flyer in the package with your merchandise
4. Send a follow-up email
5. Send a follow-up text message
6. Add a “Leave us a Review” button on your website
7. Hand customers a card with a QR code
8. Add a Link to a review page in your Social Media

You can ask customers

You can ask your customers in Stamford or Greenwich one by one, or you can do it more systematically.  You can write and schedule a series of emails that remind customers to review your business.  That’s important because satisfied customers are often happy to provide a review.  But we’re all busy, so we can get distracted or forget.  A polite reminder will help them remember to write a brief review.

Want to attract more customers?

It’s a challenge that’s worth the effort.

Or, if you’d like to find out about the app that helps you get more reviews in less time call to learn how easy it is: In Connecticut call (203) 655-3920

 

 

 

 

Reviews Help Desk also gets the reviews you need for businesses in Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, and Hartford.

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Marketing Ideas to use during the Coronavirus Shutdown: 5 you should try

We’ve all had just about enough time out of the office in the past few weeks.  If you’re looking for something more interesting than another jigsaw puzzle or watching Seinfeld reruns, here are 5 Marketing Ideas to use during the Coronavirus Shutdown.  Now’s the time to try something new.  Let’s get ready for #reopening!

Marketing Ideas to use during the Coronavirus Shutdown

Things are getting better.  We’re on track to (carefully) get back to work.
With the PPP helping so many businesses, it’s time to invest in the future.  Harvard Business Review research shows that businesses that focused on future growth flourished fastest during the recovery.  “Companies that cut deeper had the lowest profitability when time get better” so think about the future before making serious cuts.  And try these affordable ideas:

1. Keep in touch!  Weeks of enforced “stay at home” have helped contain the virus, but they’re also hit a virtual “reset” button for business.  Habits and patterns have been broken, so before your customers forget about you, keep in touch.  You can do it in lots of ways: Social Media, Text Message updates, your Email List, Direct Mail, Signage in your windows, and a video chat on your website.  For special customers, you can reach out by phone.  Send notes with delivery or pickup orders.  Does your community have forums?  Spend time participating and connecting with others.  Remember to keep your Google Listing updated (have you ever done that?) with your “open” status.
2. Respond to reviews, even the old ones.  Everyone is spending time online.  Even if you’re not currently open, you have reviews that you’ve never responded to, so take a few moments every day to thank customers for their input.  It’s a good habit to get into and continue in the future.  If you’d prefer to get help doing this, it’s available.
3. Be a resource: everyone is looking for a distraction. Why not give helpful tips that your customers might enjoy: they don’t need to be about your products or services, but if they’re even related it could be fun (examples: recipes from a caterer or appliance store, walking tips or suggested trails from a personal trainer, or gardening tips from a home insurance agency).  They could be interesting and keep you “top of mind” with your client.
4. Get ready for the Surge.  We all need a haircut.  And to love the “Covid 19” (like the Freshman 15) we’ve gained sitting in front of the TV.  Decisions have been postponed, and needs have been pushed off.  When consumers know that you’re open for business, there will be pent-up demand.  Be ready before your customer is, and you’ll win new customers.
5. Provide helpful advice on social media where your prospects are: Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  Everyone is looking for good content to fill their day.  If it’s good, “likes” will get you as much exposure now as during “normal” times, and build interest in your company for the future.

This too shall pass

When we finally get past the “crisis” phase of this problem, we’ll move towards “the new normal.”  Be prepared by investing some of your new free time in the future, and it will be a better one.

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Zoom Meetings: After attending over 50 of them, here’s how to get it right

Zoom Meetings are part of “The New Normal” for businesses during COVID19.  While we’re social distancing, it’s one of the few ways we can still get together.  Observing far too many Webex and Zoom Conference Calls, it’s easy to see the mistakes that so many of us make, that are easy to avoid.  After over 50 of these in the past two months, here are 10 suggestions about how to get them right.

Zoom Meetings Don’t have to be terrible

You’re a professional.  You’re good at what you do, and you’ve improved your skills with years of practice.  But Zoom is still new.  Here are a few ideas that will help you skip the “learning curve,” help you look more professional, and make Zoom Cloud Meetings more successful.

1. Have you tried Zoom yet?  It’s worth doing, and after a few meetings, you’ll see how easy it is.  Simply download the Zoom Meeting App.  Remember: you can get the Zoom Free version: it allows you to set up your own meetings for up to 100 participants and up to 40 minutes.
   Tip: try a few 1:1 meetings first to get the hang of it.  And most people feel that 30 minutes is the perfect duration for a Zoom Video Conference.
2. Be Prepared.
   Tip: Download the Zoom App at Zoom.us.  This will make the process go smoother and faster, rather than downloading it while others wait for you.
3. Get there early: there’s a great quote in James Clavell’s Noble House that I live by: “5 minutes early is right on time.  On time is late.”  As with most technology, things go wrong.  URL’s don’t connect.  The internet is slow.  So plan on it.  Connect to the meeting and test your audio and video 5 minutes early.  If you’re trying to log in right on time, something will go wrong, and you’ll end up entering the meeting after it starts.
   Tip: Be there early and then relax and plan what you want to accomplish.
4. Know your computer: Zoom is a videoconferencing app. Does your computer have a camera?  While most laptops have cameras many desktops don’t.  If you don’t have a camera, you can still participate: your name will be displayed in a black box in place of your image.
   Tip: Look your best: don’t show up in pajamas.  Check your appearance in the mirror.  Wear plain, solid color shirt/top.  Watch the lighting: a bright window behind you can make you unrecognizable: the best lighting is from directly in front of you.  Simple backgrounds keep the focus on you.
   Then look at your image on the screen: don’t get too close to the camera or your face may appear distorted.  Lots of people seem to be looking over the audience’s heads: that’s because their camera is lower than their screen.  Know where your camera is: be sure to look at the camera, not just the screen (backing away from the camera a bit will help)
   Tip 2: Zoom offers virtual backgrounds that can put you in an office, or on a South Pacific beach.
5. Audio: while Laptop computers usually have cameras, speakers, and a microphone, many desktop computers don’t have microphones.  Many desktop users can be seen with a headset and microphone.  While this works, you don’t look as professional.
   Tip: If you don’t have a microphone, you can still participate using your phone for audio.  Invest in a high quality USB mic $15.99 (or a higher quality one such as Bluedesigns.com).  Evidently quality mics are in high demand, and many are currently sold out.
6. How’s your internet connection?  You’re probably working from home.  Your WiFi might not be “video streaming” quality.  This can cause your video to freeze or get “pixelated.” You might be able improve your internet speed by plugging in to your modem.
   Tip: Test your internet speed with any of the free Internet Speed tests like www.speedtest.net
7. Microphone: if you’re using a USB mic, you want to get the best sound possible.
   Tip: place the mic on your desk in front of you, at least 6 to 8 inches from you.  If the mic is too close the sound may not be clear.  If it’s too far away, your voice may be faint.  Use the simple on screen test before your Zoom meeting.
8. Now that your mic is working, make sure that you don’t distract from the meeting.
   Tip: Sit in a quiet place with little ambient noise.  When you’re not talking, mute yourself to turn off your audio.  If you’re the Zoom organizer, you can mute everyone to avoid annoying background noise.
9. Keep your comments brief and focused.
   Tip: Try limiting your input to short 30 second comments unless you’re the featured presenter.  Longer than that and you risk losing your audience’s attention.
10. Are you presenting?  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Zoom Screen sharing lets you display what’s on your screen for everyone to see.
    Tip: Have your graphic ready (Power Point works well), but rehearse your presentation with these slides.  Use a stopwatch to time your presentation.  Don’t use more than 10 words on each slide.  10 Slides is considered the maximum length, especially while using Zoom.  Zoom also has a “whiteboard” feature?  https://youtu.be/T1F5sBMWZyk  Just be sure to practice using the feature before trying it in a meeting.  Remember to “un-share” your screen when you’re done.

Zoom Meetings can help keep the personal touch

Emails are great for sending information.  But Zoom Meetings help you keep more of the personal connection with your customers and prospects.  By following these simple steps, your next video conference can be more successful.

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Marketing Invisalign In Connecticut – PPC might not be the right choice

Marketing Invisalign in Connecticut seems to be a brilliant strategy for increasing your Connecticut dental practice’s untapped potential.  Dental Economics^® wrote about earning $300,000 in just the first 9 months of incorporating Invisalign into a practice.  With results like these, it’s tempting to advertise Invisalign heavily.

If there’s anyone who loves Invisalign, it’s probably Google.  PPC might be the #1 way that dental practices try to grow their aligner business.  The high profit potential makes pay-per-click advertising seem like a good investment.  But is it the right choice?

Marketing Invisalign in Connecticut should start with your existing patients.

Trying to attract more Invisalign patients with Google Ads is popular: in fact it might be the most popular advertising strategy that dentists use, despite the cost:  the Google Keyword tool estimates the cost of a click for the top keywords:

Keyword	Low Bid	High Bid
marketing Invisalign	$6.21	$35.62
Invisalign near me	$6.90	$71.96
Invisalign doctor	$6.84	$75.00

A large digital marketing agency studio looked at a $1500/month budget in Hartford, estimating about 20 clicks per month at an average $57 per click, or about $1140 spent on your advertising.  They estimated 1-2 potential patients would visit the practice to find out about the treatment.  That sounds fair, based on $1500 to $3000 profit when a patient signs up, right?

Invisalign has a better idea

Visit provider.invisalign.com, and you’ll see a more profitable suggestion:  “74% of the population could benefit from straighter teeth (Journal of Dental Research).  If you see approximately 72 patients per week, may have over 1,100 Invisalign candidates” already loyal to your practice.  You’re not competing with every other dentist in Connecticut to help them.

These 1,100 candidates represent your highest potential and most profitable potential Invisalign users, and “could expand your practice by approximately $500,000 every year” (according to Invisalign.com).

Starting the conversation

What’s the best way to start a conversation with your patients in Bridgeprt about Invisalign?  As a trusted professional, “selling” is unacceptable.  The best case is when your patient asks you for advice about Invisalign.

Messages on hold can start the conversation for you

Messages on hold are a proven, low pressure tool for educating the patients who call your practice and are asked to wait “on hold.”  In fact, more than 69% of telephone callers to your practice as placed on hold.  Many of these callers will hang up within 45 seconds unless listening to something interesting.  85% of callers prefer on hold messages over silence, and 15% of callers studied as about the information that they hear on hold.

What’s the right approach for your practice?

Should you tell patients about your new Invisalign services on hold?  You’re helping about 72 patients each week.  That has the potential to start 10 new conversations every week without high $1500/month pay-per-click fees.

Invisalign can significantly increase your practice’s revenues.  Profitability is different.  How much of those new revenues you keep depends on minimizing advertising fees.  The Informer is a Dental Marketing Expert, helping practices from coast to coast promote better ideas for oral health, and the financial health of dental practices.

For information about how Informer Messages on hold can start more conversations for your Connecticut Dental Practice click here to email us, or call, in Stamford, Greenwich, and Norwalk: (203)  655-3920.  In Hartford and throughout Connecticut call (800) 862-8896 today

   5 Year Stamford Chamber Ambassador

The Inforer has serviced dentists throughout Connecticut for 25 years: Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, Wilton, Hartford, and all through the state.

Still interested in PPC?  Ask us more about it.

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Marketing for Dentists in Connecticut: helping patients better

Marketing for Dentists in Connecticut has a specific job: to educate your patients about the services you offer, and how you can help them best, while helping you grow your practice, and increase revenue.

There are really only 3 ways to increase revenue:

1. Help more patients
2. Help each patient more frequently, and
3. Help each patient in more ways.

Most dentists focus their marketing strategy on finding new patients.  Unfortunately, that’s also the hardest way to do it.  You’re probably doing the same thing.

In fact, dental practices spend about 94% of their marketing budget on finding new patients (typical of most businesses).  That doesn’t leave much for anything else, so it’s not surprising when revenues “decay.”

That’s why dentists, from Greenwich to New Haven, and Danbury to Hartford, have such an opportunity: to rethink their approach, and grow your practice more efficiently.

Marketing for Dentists in Connecticut can be more profitable…

You have goals for your practice…to help your patients and increase profitability.  When it comes to marketing and advertising, most dentists invest in attracting new patient for services like Invisalign, implants, whitening, cosmetic dentistry.

But you’re just competing with other dentists in your area who offer these same services.  So what can you do?

…when you focus on existing patients

Focus on existing patients.  You’ve served them for years.  They’re loyal because they like you and value your care.  They’re also the most receptive to your advice.

But as a dentist, you can’t “sell.” So what can you do to help them in new ways?  There are proven approaches, and you can use them all:

• Marketing Materials: most dental suppliers (e.g. Invisalign, Zoom Whitening, Cerec) offer in-office brochures and posters for your waiting room, or your front desk. Be sure to use them
• Staff: make sure that your entire team is familiar with all the procedures you offer so that they’re always ready to help with patient inquiries and set up a patient consultation with you
• The telephone: It’s your first point of contact with every patient. Coach your front desk team with a script so that every patient receives the same high quality.
  Your office is busy. When patients call your office to book their examination or follow-up procedure, they can often be asked to wait “on hold” (up to 69% of calls are placed on hold: AT&T).  The patient should be politely asked for permission to place them on hold.
  While the caller is on hold, make sure they’re listening to something more interesting than the default “elevator music” that came with your phones.  Give them custom messages, focused on their oral health…as well as providing helpful ideas about your most important treatments.  Did you know that 12% of callers ask about the services they hear about while on hold?
• Create a professional, organized presentation for your most profitable procedures. Invest time in explaining the procedure, and the benefits, and your conversion rate will rise with practice.

Focusing your efforts on your existing Connecticut patients is both more economical, and more successful.  So before you look for ways of attracting new patients, remember your first priority…helping your existing patients best.

         5 Years Stamford Chamber Ambassador

For more ideas call us: In Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Westport call (203) 655-3920
Throughout Connecticut and Nationwide call (800) 862-8896

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