Lightness Boosts Professional Referrals 17%
The doctor’s secret is simple: when a referred patient arrives at his office, he helps them select a humorous greeting card from among a collection on hand. The card’s cover usually is drawn by a popular cartoonist, like Boynton or Jim Davis (“Garfield”), or features a popular character like Kathy or Dilbert.
No matter which card is selected and signed by the patient, it’s a funny and memorable note which gets big attention. And think about it—since the advent of e-cards, haven’t “real” printed cards seemed more special to you? Since R.G. converted to these funny and distinctive cards, professional referrals have increased by nearly 20 percent. (Of course, the humor in all the cards is in good taste, but highly creative.)
“I Couldn’t Say It Better Myself.”
R.G. asks his new patient to sign inside the card or even write a brief personal note. Something like “thanks for referring me to (your name)” is recommended. In addition, standardized words of thanks have already been prepared for the card by the talented writers of Hallmark or American Greetings.
R.G. takes care of all the rest himself. He and his staff replenish card supply, address and stamp the envelopes, and handle posting after the patients have signed them. To keep the cards fresh and always different, R.G. makes a continuing effort to keep his stock current with newly released and highly humorous cards.
“Your Card Made My Day!”
Referring physicians’ reactions to the cards have been beyond R.G.’s expectations. And he goes even further when the referral is unusually rewarding. That card is sent with a floral arrangement.
His previous thank-you notes had never provoked comments. But now, with a personal thanks signed by the referred patient, he gets comments—and 17% more referrals.
No matter which card is selected and signed by the patient, it’s a funny and memorable note which gets big attention. And think about it—since the advent of e-cards, haven’t “real” printed cards seemed more special to you? Since R.G. converted to these funny and distinctive cards, professional referrals have increased by nearly 20 percent. (Of course, the humor in all the cards is in good taste, but highly creative.)
“I Couldn’t Say It Better Myself.”
R.G. asks his new patient to sign inside the card or even write a brief personal note. Something like “thanks for referring me to (your name)” is recommended. In addition, standardized words of thanks have already been prepared for the card by the talented writers of Hallmark or American Greetings.
R.G. takes care of all the rest himself. He and his staff replenish card supply, address and stamp the envelopes, and handle posting after the patients have signed them. To keep the cards fresh and always different, R.G. makes a continuing effort to keep his stock current with newly released and highly humorous cards.
“Your Card Made My Day!”
Referring physicians’ reactions to the cards have been beyond R.G.’s expectations. And he goes even further when the referral is unusually rewarding. That card is sent with a floral arrangement.
His previous thank-you notes had never provoked comments. But now, with a personal thanks signed by the referred patient, he gets comments—and 17% more referrals.