Patient incentives...that lead to referrals

I take the time to do referral thank yous and include a short blip in our monthly email newsletter thanking them. Teach your staff to use their business cards and ask patients for referrals. Some ideas on thank you gifts: an instant lottery ticket, a $25 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse, or an American Express' gift card called the "Be My Guest Card," Sonicare toothbrushes, BreathRx starter kits, Kodak cameras, and a day at a spa.
Corine,
Official Townie

My patients all seem to have good things to say about us, but we just aren't getting the number of referrals I'd like. I write a personal note to each new patient and to the person who referred the new patient. The referrer also gets a pair of theater tickets. It seems these patients like our practice, but they need to be prodded into referring new patients. What do you have to do to get them to start referring?
jmm209,
Official Townie

You are doing the right things. Don't get discouraged. My practice is 5+ years old, and I'm just now beginning to see the results of writing notes, sending mugs with tickets in them and giving free bleachings to referring patients.
marshall_white_dmd,
Official Townie

Here's what I've found after 12 years of experience. You will get more referrals if you reward the folks who send you patients. If you reward them with something extraordinary (Nordstrom's, day spa, Ritz Carlton dinner) they will regard you as some kind of high class person or practice and they will refer more. If you reward them with something that is cute or cuddly, or perceived to be "special" they will appreciate it and refer people to you. (Personalized coffee cups with balloons, teddy bears, croissants, etc. sent to their workplace).

If you reward them with NOTHING or with something that is perceived to be cheap, then they will resent you. Not only will they not send you anyone, but will drive people away. A handwritten note of thanks, while it has no monetary value, is often perceived as more valuable than any trinket, but sometimes a pair of $7 movie tickets is viewed as cheap and tawdry.
howieh,
Moderator