Does your practice feel a little chaotic sometimes? You’re not alone. Each week in Calm the Chaos, I share actionable strategies, real-world stories, and simple tech solutions to help you take control and create a better experience for your patients and team.

Growing your practice should not drain your budget. This edition focuses on patient attraction, showing how a handful of smart, low cost moves can bring more people through your doors and turn first timers into loyal patients.

STORY TIME:

How a $1,500 Marketing Boost Filled Empty Appointment Slots

BEFORE THE FIX

A solo ENT clinic relied on word of mouth. Three afternoons a week had empty appointment slots while a new multispecialty group down the street filled up.

THE SOLUTION

The clinic invested just $1,500 to refresh its Google Business Profile, add online booking options, run a $10 per day Instagram video ad on “quick fixes for chronic sinus pain,” and trained the front desk to send same-day “wow” text messages to every new patient.

THE RESULTS

Within 60 days, new-patient calls rose 38 percent, daily visits jumped from 18 to 27, monthly collections climbed by $45K, and soon people were inquiring about allergy shots.

ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Four Simple Strategies to Attract and Retain More Patients

1️⃣ Turn on live web chat – Add a HIPAA-compliant widget to your website and designate staff members to monitor the inbound live chat. Watch your new patient appointments soar. 

2️⃣ Run a NAP (Name-Address-Phone) audit – Be sure your name, address, and phone number match everywhere patients search for your practice. 

3️⃣ Batch social media posts – Schedule two weekly posts (one educational, one a success story) with Meta (Facebook) Business Suite.

4️⃣ Text-for-feedback loop – Send a two-question SMS after each visit and invite happy patients to leave a Google review. These can often be automated through your EHR. 

TANIA'S TECH TIPS:

Boost First Impressions with Seamless Online Support

My Practice Bridge – HIPAA-compliant web chat that drops onto any site.

💡 Pro tip: Pre-load answers to top FAQs so staff can respond in one click or quickly escalate to a phone call. To learn more about adding web chat to your website, click HERE to set up a walkthrough.

WHAT I’M READING:

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Small, unexpected gestures turn routine visits into stories patients rave about so treat every guest as if they’re the only one in the room. “Service is black and white, but hospitality is color.”

SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS

Give your team the training they deserve. Unlock Everyone’s a VIP: Mastering Patient Communications for Excellence and discover how a few smart tweaks can turn first-time visitors into loyal patients.

TRAIN THE TEAM

P.S. Missed my recent masterclass, "How to Hire Superstars for Your Medical Practice (and How to Keep Them)"? You can catch the replay and learn step-by-step strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. → Watch the Replay