My reviews on Google are the # 1 reason for new patients finding me. Apart from referrals from regular referral sources- physicians who know and trust me- my 100+ 5 star reviews is why new patients seek me out.
When you google my specialty in my town, I show up at the top of the page. Thanks to the reviews.
I don’t set a ton of store by reviews. I believe it reflects the reviewer as much as the reviewee- but good reviews are certainly a great marketing tool.
It took time to build up to more than a hundred reviews. I can’t remember exactly how long after opening the practice I started doing this- but at the end of every office day, my virtual assistant sends a text or secure message to every patient seen that day, asking for a review.
I have a saved template for the message- so its just a matter of copy/pasting the message 15-20 times, once for each patient.
And because I don’t want to bother patients who have already taken the time to review me, we have a list of patients on the “DNSRR” list- the Do Not Send Review Request list. And we skip those patients when sending out the messages.
Also on that list are patients who, for some reason, give me a vibe like they may negatively review me. I let my virtual assistant know and she puts those patients on the list and doesn’t send them a review request at the end of the day.
I still need to set up a system to collect reviews for other platforms, such as Healthgrades, and the like- but for now, Google is plenty.
Google is where patients begin their search for a doctor when they need one.
Google is where patients go to first when their doctor recommends another doctor.
Whether or not you’re on any other platform, you need to show up on Google.
You start by setting up your Google My Business profile.
You send Google some basic business information: business name, address, phone number, etc.
Google verifies the information, usually by sending you a postcard with a verification code, at your business location.
Once that’s done, you’re all set to show up on Google.
Put up some nice pictures of yourself and your office- and get to work collecting reviews!
Patients are happy to oblige when they like you.
But, like all surveys reviews, expect only about 10-15% engagement. That’s good enough.
So, do you have phenomenal reviews? Apart from being stellar a what you do, what helped you get there? Let us what you know!
And if you haven’t been asking for reviews, what’s stopping you?
You’re a business owner, an entrepreneur- asks have gotta be YOUR THING.
If it helps, I’m happy to send you my template for requesting a review. Comment below or send me an email!