Week 12: Additional Tools

What four additional online marketing tools do you believe could be important to the growth of your business? 

How could you integrate them into your current strategy?

If you choose to create a new account in GooglePlus, or create a location on a Google map, let us know. 

Think about a coupon deal you could develop. What product or service do you think would be one that would increase traffic to your business? 

Having additional tools in your toolbox never hurts, unless they are not for the job you are working on currently. At that point, it just becomes unnecessary extra weight you are dragging around with you from job to job. You grow tired, weary, and can't find anything. Don't let that happen...Keep the tools that will help you get the job done! 

The tools I think will benefit LoBue's offices include:

Google+ 

It's one of those. Did Google+ become the revolutionary new social media magnate it was billed as? No. Was it the about the equivalent of Geraldo uncovering the "mystery" of Al Capone's vaults? Yes. Does having a Google+ account still get your name and business to show up when searching for "eye doctor murrieta" ? Yes. Pretty much, that is the greatest reason to have it. 

Yelp

I will admit it...I'm a Yelper. I Yelp the good and the not so good. And I check Yelp whenever I am making a decision on where to take my business. I judge. Businesses should utilize this tool as an introspective tool. Is your receptionist really nasty to people, or is she doing the job of three people and needs help? Why is your average wait time 47 minutes? Continuous improvement is the key. While the customer may not always be right, they are the ones providing the review. You should know where you stand.

LinkedIn 

I will also admit that I check LinkedIn. Especially for doctors. Do your colleagues find you difficult to work with? Does your work profile say that you graduated from Emory and were a Tri-Lamb when LinkedIn has zero reference and connections? Yes, I know that is weird to pick up on, but did you know that 60% of hiring managers have caught lies on people's resumes? I can vouch for this, as my previous career in HR showed me the light. 

Google Maps

Having been to LoBue's offices, I can say that Google Maps would be an EXCELLENT function to have available to patients, especially given the demographics of LoBue's patients. In addition, because the surgery center and 3 offices are all located within about 15 miles of each others, it would be best to know where you are going and where you have been. Nothing says fail like having to tell a patient they are in the wrong location for their procedure. 

Coupons

Ahhhh, coupons. Personally, I love them. I love saving money. I'm not quite the Extreme Couponer status but if there is a deal, I am intrigued. Because this is a doctor's office, sometimes you don't have the luxury of shopping or waiting for a coupon to come. I am not a fan of Groupon for business (for personal use, sure. Bring on the $15 dollar massage!) because I think it not only cheapens the brand, but is a headache for both the business and the consumer if something goes awry. But I do believe that LoBue could offer specials to entice customers to get their yearly eye exams. 

One special that I think is great is Back To School Eye Exams. Nothing is worse than getting the phone call 2/3 of the way through the school year to hear that your child is failing and come to find out, they can't see. A simple problem that could have been caught with an beginning of the school year eye exam. Again, as a person requiring corrective vision, I can't tell you the exact point between ages 7 and 8 when my vision started to blur. I can tell you that I remember the day when I put my glasses on and realized that I had been in that blur. That is a hugely important area to capitalize on. 

So there you have it. My recommended tools for the job at hand.