Marketing: The Benefits of Positioning, Football, Food, and Chiropractic

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Edward Petty

“Chiropractic just makes you feel so much better… as long as I see the chiropractor, I feel like I’m one step ahead of the game.”
Tom Brady (7× Super Bowl Champion, 5× Super Bowl MVP, 3× League MVP, 15× Pro Bowler, Considered GOAT.)

For those of you who are Patriots fans, Sunday was a tough loss.

But Seahawks fans (the 12s), you’ve got to be feeling pretty good. That was a clinic in defensive strategy.

I enjoyed the game, but here’s what caught my attention – nearly half the country watched the Super Bowl. That’s significant — not because of football, but because of what people pay attention to.

And that brings me to the subject of positioning.

Positioning is a marketing concept that means borrowing meaning from things people already trust, admire, or desire—and letting that meaning transfer to your service.

This weekend gave us two very relevant examples.

2 THINGS PEOPLE CARE ABOUT
(That Relate Directly to Chiropractic)

1. Sports

People of all ages love sports. Sports require physical health, mental focus—and I’d even say spiritual discipline. You must be healthy to perform, and health is your department.

There’s also a reason every professional football team has a chiropractor. If you haven’t looked into it, check out the Professional Football Chiropractic Society:

https://www.profootballchiros.com/

2. Healthy Food: RealFood.gov

During halftime, a public-health PSA aired promoting real food and warning about ultra-processed diets. In the spot, Mike Tyson spoke candidly about his own struggles with obesity and the tragic loss of his sister, who died young from a heart attack linked to obesity.

His line was blunt (and memorable):

“We’re the most powerful country in the world, and we have the most obese, fudgy people.”

The ad was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, currently headed by RFK Jr., who has attended chiropractic conventions and spoken at chiropractic colleges.

These are not fringe ideas. These are mainstream conversations.

WHAT THE RESEARCH TELLS US

This shift isn’t anecdotal. The data supports it:

U.S. adults using at least one complementary health approach nearly doubled, from 19.2% in 2002 to 36.7% in 2022.*

Among adults aged 50–80, 66% report using at least one integrative health strategy.*

People love sports. Real food is being promoted nationally.

And more Americans are using natural health care.

So the question becomes: How Do You Join the Party?

There are lots of ways. Here are a few proven ones.

1. Be the change.
As Gandhi is said to have put it—be the change you want to see. Exercise. Eat well. Get adjusted.

2. Make it a core value.
Support your team in practical ways to help them move better, eat better, and stay healthy.

3. Communicate it relentlessly.
Table talk. Newsletters. Social media. Don’t assume people “get it.” Repetition builds positioning.

4. Create health allies.
Build relationships with owners of athletic businesses—golf courses, gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit boxes—and with coaches at schools or special programs. Cross-refer appropriately. Relationships matter.

5. Provide workshops.
Education beats advertising.

Include consultations and screenings. Partner with a pro or business owner when possible. Share a couple of success stories—with photos.

For example, we’ve done this successfully with golf workshops, co-hosted with chiropractors and a golf pro. Titles included:

Golf and Back Pain – Reducing Back Pain in Golf
Generating Increased Power in the Golf Swing
Improving Distance and Accuracy

We had strong turnout, immediate new patients, and more followed.

Golf season is right around the corner—and I’ve been told golf is a sport (lol).

Here are other natural workshop opportunities:

Gyms
Runners / Endurance sports
Cycling / CrossFit
Recreational & youth sports
Organic food stores

Sports. Real food. Good health. Your chiropractic services.

For the win!

Keep Drivin’,

P.S. If you’d like help applying this in your practice, you know where to find me. 🖐️

References:

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-analysis-reveals-significant-rise-use-complementary-health-approaches-especially-pain-management

https://ihpi.umich.edu/national-poll-healthy-aging/national-findings/use-and-interest-integrative-medicine-strategies

https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/american-football/articles/how-many-people-will-watch-super-bowl-lx-2026-02-06

Tom Brady – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The Hidden Power of Patient Testimonials in Chiropractic and Healthcare that Go Beyond Marketing

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Edward Petty

women healthier and pain free after chiropractic In this newsletter I was going to show you some neat tricks to improve team accountability. Accountability is a powerful and positive trigger that drives excellent practice performance.

But something happened just before I started the article.

I received a patient success review from a doctor we work with.

It read it and…WOW! What a success! What a Win! (It is below!)

And I thought – boy, this is really good for marketing. But reviews like this also have other practical uses in your practice that may be overlooked.

Mostly, these are marketing tools—patients give reviews to let the community know what you do. They’re legit and one of the absolute best methods to sell your services. I’m sure when you buy products on Amazon, you look at the reviews. Right?

But patient reviews have 2 other very powerful benefits that may be overlooked.

Two Hidden Benefits of Reviews in Your Chiropractic Practice

First, they reinforce wins for your patients. A patient comes in barely able to move. You adjust them. They get better. And then—they start to forget how bad it was. It’s human nature. We adapt to our new normal fast. Or their wins come on so gradually they don’t even notice the change.

When patients write their reviews, they reconnect with where they were and recognize where they are now. That testimonial becomes their documented “why” — why they’re investing in care and why they’ll stick with their treatment plan.

Second, patient reviews keep the WHY in mind for you and your team.

The daily demands and deadlines that are required working in a practice, for the chiropractor and staff, can bury the reason you work in this profession: to help people heal.

Reading chiropractic patient testimonials reconnects you and your fellow team members to your purpose and the purpose of the office. When Mrs. Johnson writes about finally holding her grandson without pain, or the athlete describes returning to their sport—that’s not marketing copy. That’s meaning. That’s impact.

That is the essence of health care.

The Joy of Practice

If you can stay connected to the wins of your patients, I think you’ll find that practice stressors, or “onset burnout,” will start to melt away.

So,

Keep generating patient reviews. And if you aren’t, do so.

Get them posted so your community can see what you do: website, social media, Google Business profile, and your newsletters.

Read them. At weekly team meetings, staff and doctors can take turns reading one or two patient successes. I have seen patients how up at team meetings and at spinal care classes to talk about their wins!

Patient testimonials aren’t just marketing assets. They’re memory landmarks for patients who might take their wins for granted.

They’re purpose statements that remind the entire team what you all are really doing there. They’re the antidote to the sometimes-dreary aspects of practice management.

So yes, get the reviews for marketing. But also share them with each other. Let them be the thing that brings everyone back to why you all do this work.

And stay driven to enjoy the wins,

The public patient review I just read.:

Doctor Max is an absolute miracle worker. He is the best. I went to him a month ago basically as a last resort. I had tried everything else, and I mean everything. When I went to see him, I could barely walk. I had to use a cane. Getting in and out of vehicles was soooo very painful. I had sciatic pain, lower back and hip pain and could not bend my knee at all. Regular doctors told I would need a knee replacement. Nope..,not doing that. Doctor Max took X-rays of back, neck, hip and knee. Immediately he had a course of treatment. Now, after 1 month of treatments, 3 times a week, the change is a true miracle. I feel like a new woman (and that is tough to do at 80 years old LOL). I’m still going in for treatments to continue healing to make sure my body stays in great condition. I am convinced, if I had not found Doctor Max I would be in terrible shape and facing a knee replacement I did not need to have. Not only is Doctor Max great, but his staff is wonderful.” Cindy B

Kickstarting Your Patient’s Health and Their Referrals In Chiropractic and Healthcare Practices

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Edward Petty

A healthy start for 2026 in your chiropractic practice

Now is a perfect time to connect with all your active and inactive patients.

If you haven’t yet, compliment them for working on improving their health last year. Express your gratitude for trusting you with their health.

Then, as their Health and Wellness Coach, encourage them to set some health goals for the first quarter of the year.

You can be a little forward about it…you want them to win! Patients appreciate chiropractors and other doctors who genuinely care about their results.

You can also encourage them to invite their family and friends in to see you if they’re dealing with back pain, headaches, or other conditions you can help with.

Below is a sample coupon you can personalize then use or modify to suit your situation.

Wishing you, too, a healthy start to your New Year — in business and in life!

== ==

2026 “HEALTHY START” COUPON

We want to help you start your year off as healthy as possible. Use this coupon:

If you are active on your chiropractic program, bring this coupon in to enter a drawing for a [healthy gift, which could be a gift certificate to a local health food store, restaurant, yoga studio, sky-diving, etc.]
If you haven’t been in for a while, bring this in for a free update exam and x-ray if needed.
If you know someone who might benefit from chiropractic care, give them this coupon for a consultation, exam, x-ray if needed, and report of findings for $25 as your guest.

Pain is the Last to Show and the First to Go in Chiropractic Healthcare

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Edward Petty

Previously published on The Goal Driven Business

An Important Chiropractic Patient Education Tip

I recently visited a highly successful practice that had its usual issues and wanted to expand to the “next level.”

What did they need? More marketing, more staff training, more associates!

Sure.

But they also needed to tend to the basics, and here is one that is simple but easily overlooked:

Chiropractic Patient Understanding of Symptoms

I learned this early on: subluxations and other dysfunctions of the spine and joints can be present long before pain or other symptoms show up.

Finally, the individual drags themselves in to see you, and you begin care. After a few visits, the pain subsides. Yahoo!

Are they fixed? Probably not.

They have moved from acute care to corrective care. (You may call it something different, but the idea is the same.)

Your patient may not be familiar with this distinction. Hence, the report of findings and the importance of future patient education.

“How are You Feeling?”

So it was with some dismay that, visiting this office with excellent doctors, I kept overhearing them greet the patients with “how are you feeling?”

What!! What did you say?

Nooo!

Patient thinks, “Hey, I’m feeling pretty good. No need to come in anymore. Bye!”

Two months later, they hobble back in: “Doc, I have the same problem.”

So, what should you say? You want to be nice and show interest. You do care, and would like an update, right? So what do you say?

Just be genuinely interested and ask them how they are doin’? Or better, try these:

“How are you moving this week?
“What improvements have you noticed?”

I am not a doctor and would not presume to suggest care procedures. But this is a matter of patient education, marketing, and business development.

You want to improve their function, structure, and health. Maybe their mindset as well.

And of course, you want them pain-free.

Just remember that pain shows up last, and usually leaves before your work is done.

Get this on your chiropractic and healthcare patient care checklist and for a reminder, review it often. I bet you’ll see an improvement in outcomes and retention. Even a 10% increase in patient retention can significantly impact your practice outcomes and bottom line.

If your goal for your patients includes pain relief AND better function, this can help.

Stay Goal Driven,

2025- Health Never Takes a Holiday – Complimentary Posters

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Edward Petty

health never takes a holiday signature promotion for december in chiropractic offices

Health Never Takes a Holiday is our signature holiday post for many years. It has proven to be very helpful for many offices to keep their patients on schedule during the holiday hustle and bustle.

For this program we offer free downloads of posters and tent posters you can use in the office to remind patients that we believe “Health Never Takes a Holiday” and it’s important to keep their schedule of care to stay well.

Please visit https://www.goaldriven.com/post/health-never-takes-a-holiday-in-chiropractic for this year’s complimentary posters.

2026 Marketing Habits for Your Chiropractic and Healthcare New Year

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Edward Petty

social media marketing for consistent marketing in the Chiropractic Practice for 2026

2026: The Year to Make Your Healthcare Practice Thrive

2026 will be a make-or-break year for healthcare business owners—potentially your best ever. More details in future newsletters, but for now: build unbreakable marketing habits starting today.

Trust: The Core of Healthcare Marketing

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle (via Will Durant)

You’re selling the invisible—outcomes patients can’t see upfront. That’s why trust is everything. Build it through:

Consistency
Empathy
Proven Results

Your brand = how you consistently show genuine care and deliver excellence.

The #1 Killer of Momentum? Stopping What Works

I’ve seen it repeatedly:
Q: “What were you doing when patient numbers were high?”
A:

“We sent newsletters.” → Not anymore.
“We called new patients post-visit.” → Nope.
“We did thorough financial consultations.” → Are you kidding? No!”

Stopping proven tactics = death by roller coaster.
You lose trust, momentum, and the systems that made it effortless.

Your Fix: The Recurring Marketing Checklist

Discipline is hard—but checklists make it stick. Systems atrophy without them.

Monthly Discipline Hack:

List your top 10 internal + external marketing actions (70–80% of your total efforts).
Assign ownership to your manager.
Review at every staff meeting.
Grade % completed—full accountability.

Layer In: Special Promotions

With recurring actions locked in, plan 2–3 months ahead for:

Facebook ads with a partner
Food drive with a local pantry (especially needed now)
Health talk at a yoga studio

Deliverable:Monthly Marketing Planner
→ % of recurring actions completed
→ # of special promotions scheduled

Let’s Make 2026 Your **Best Ever**

Download Free Tools:[LINK]
— Ed

The 4-Hour Fix for the Chiropractic Healthcare Practice Roller-Coaster

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Edward Petty

One Simple Role to Streamline Chiropractic Marketing and Growth**

Chiropractic practices often face inconsistent growth due to a Practice Roller Coaster, where marketing drives patient numbers up, but attention shifts to patient care, staff management, and other tasks, causing marketing to stall. This leads to fluctuating growth. To address this, assigning a trusted staff member as a part-time Marketing Coordinator (4 hours/week) can ensure consistent marketing efforts. Their role is not to handle all marketing but to keep systems like recalls, referrals, and metrics tracking active.

The Marketing Manager System, developed by Edward Petty in the early 2000s, emphasizes four key issues: marketing fails when it’s not done, no one is in charge, insufficient time is allocated, and the coordinator needs support and accountability. To succeed, the clinic director should schedule weekly marketing time, hold monthly planning meetings, track metrics with charts, and ensure accountability through written plans and reports. This approach eliminates marketing bottlenecks, sustains momentum, and reduces stress, helping practices grow steadily.

Note: A Monthly Marketing Manager Program to support coordinators with training and systems is planned for launch soon.

Building a Practice Through Relationships

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Edward Petty

a happy bus driver like a chiropractor with happy people on their bus

Advertising has always been important. When we grew our Wisconsin network to 25 offices, we invested heavily in newspapers, shared mailers, radio, and even TV. Today, the focus has shifted to social media, SEO, and now Artificial Intelligence — positioning your practice for AI discovery will soon be essential (more on that later!).

But advertising is expensive. What truly sustained our growth was relationship marketing — connecting authentically with patients, referral sources, and our own team.

What Is Relationship Marketing?

Relationship marketing involves creating trust-based relationships with patients and referral sources, generating loyalty and organic referrals through genuine care and ongoing connection.

Examples:

Host a community event like a holiday food drive — invite patients and their families to participate and offer consultations in exchange for donations.
Encourage patients to refer loved ones with a personal touch (“Let’s check your spouse before their next soccer game!”).
Build partnerships with local professionals — massage therapists, trainers, or nutritionists — and support each other through referrals or shared promotions.

Your Most Important Relationships

Don’t overlook your team. When doctors and staff work together with shared purpose and positive energy, patients notice. It’s almost magnetic — phones start ringing and old patients return.

As Stephen Covey reminds us in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, success comes from empathy, communication, and a win-win mindset that creates synergy — or, as some might say, Universal Intelligence at work.

GETTING AND KEEPING PEOPLE ON YOUR BUS

As a doctor and clinic director, you are like a bus driver. You aim to make sure you are on time and complete your shift according to schedule.

One day, you turn around to look at the back of your bus and wonder why there are so many empty seats. “Where is everyone?”

Well, maybe you missed some stops and the people never got on! Or, you didn’t take time to say “hi” when they boarded, so they all left at the next stop. Or, you were so busy driving, you didn’t ask about your assistant’s new workout routine.

Take time to connect with people.

More than anything, you are in the people business.

Enjoy the ride!

Don’t Get Left Behind

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Edward Petty

3 children playing football. Their goal is to play, win and have fun

Football Season, Chiropractic, and Winning Strategies

Football season is here—and it’s a perfect time to highlight chiropractic. Every professional football team has a chiropractor, proving that even million-dollar athletes rely on it to perform at their best.

Top athletes agree

Aaron Rodgers credits chiropractic (and his chiropractor father) for helping him stay at peak performance.
Tom Brady says adjustments make him feel taller and better aligned.
Joe Montana calls chiropractic a key part of his game.

If chiropractic works for them, imagine what it can do for local athletes and weekend warriors.

How to Market Your Services with a Sports Theme

Position your office as the place for athletes of all ages to boost performance, recover faster, and prevent injuries.

Ideas to promote chiropractic through sports:

Workshops:
- The Injury-Proof Playbook: 8 Moves That Keep Athletes in the Game
- Weekend Warrior Survival Guide: 8 Strategies for Active Families
Business Talks: Offer lunch-and-learns, screenings, or mini-chair massages.
Athlete Recovery Days: Host Monday Morning Quarterback Recovery sessions for post-game soreness.
Community Partnerships: Team up with schools, youth leagues, and local teams for education, sideline care, or screenings.

Promotion Tips:
Use your newsletter, office fliers, social media, and table talk. Assign a part-time Marketing Coordinator (3–5 hrs/week) and hold monthly planning meetings so every staff member contributes.

Build Your Own Winning Team

Think of your practice like a football team:

Have a game plan.
Play 4 quarters each month.
Work as a team.
Keep score (track progress).
And most importantly—keep it fun.

Chiropractic helps athletes win on the field. With the right marketing and team mindset, it can also help your practice win in the community.

Improving Case Acceptance and Patient Follow-Through in Chiropractic Care

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Edward Petty

chiropractor discussing patient finances and treatment plan with patient

Seven tips to help others achieve their health goals.

I often read promotions from other chiropractors emphasizing the importance of “Day 2.”

And I have no argument about this.

However, I have known chiropractors who did well with a 3-day onboarding process, as well as a 1-day process.

Everyone does what they feel comfortable with. You should, too. But you should always strive to improve. This will show up in your statistics;

First Visits to New Patient Percent
Patient Visit Average (Retention – Visits/New Patients)

We routinely monitor these with our clients and discuss them monthly in our management meetings where we set up monthly strategies for improvement.

There are many details involved in setting up the best practice for onboarding patients. Again, everyone has an individualized approach.

I want to highlight seven factors that are sometimes overlooked.

In Chiropractic, It Starts With Trust

Day 1. Before working on your Day 2, review your Day 1.Your prospective patient wants to know that you know them. Seek to really understand them and their complaint. It’s OK to go off script – what are you curious about?The byproduct of this, aside from learning about their condition, is establishing trust. By reason of your genuine curiosity, you demonstrate that you care about them as an individual, not just as a “new patient.”
Specific. After day 1, you know them, their subjective complaint(s), and have discovered the objective cause.In your Report of Findings, you want to be specific about what is causing their issue. “Right here, Mrs. Jones, you have a subluxation at L-4, irritating your low back and hip.”This may not be the words you use (or might not be clinically correct). But your patient wants to know definitely what is causing their issue. Be as specific and as objective as possible.
Certainty and Confidence. Communicate clearly with confidence your ability to help them get better. This begins the healing.
Patient Financial Consultation: Prepare chiropractic payment agreement forms in advance, using insurance or cash details. Ideally, staff should meet with patients before treatment to outline payment options, agree on the best form of payment, schedule appointments, review procedures, and provide information about available family discounts. *(Contact Lisa for tips on this procedure. She’s an expert!)
Flow Chart. List all the key procedures on Day 1, Day 2, and each day thereafter that you and your team will do to start a patient on a care program and keep them coming back to complete their care plan. Review this list with your team every two months, or more as needed.
Practice. How does every athlete or musician maintain their edge, let alone improve? They practice! Set aside your ego and practice with one of your doctors or a staff member. Let everyone participate in improving the procedures. Use the flow chart as a guide.
Manager. Your practice manager should work with you regularly to ensure that these steps are in place. We cover this on our Practice MBA this October. Consider enrolling them in this program.

There are certainly more steps involved — but they all rest upon the foundation of the trust you built on Day 1. If you have low conversion or if patients are dropping out of care, look to Day 1 first and then work forward from there.

Help patients achieve their health goals and…

Keep them Goal Driven,

*Shout out to Dr. Brad Glowacki and his seminar that goes deeply into Day 1 and Day 2. [Link]

Should Old Acquaintances Be Forgotten in Your Chiropractic and Healthcare Practice?

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Edward Petty

Tips for Your Patient Newsletter

Your healthcare practice is built on relationships, sustained through service and communication. Without ongoing patient engagement—active or inactive—your practice may struggle. A newsletter is a powerful, affordable way to maintain these connections, extending your office’s warmth, excellent care, and positive outcomes to patients’ homes.

A well-crafted newsletter keeps the doctor-patient dialogue alive, portraying your office as a friendly, health-focused space. It drives retention, encourages referrals, and serves as a low-cost marketing tool. While often overlooked or outsourced to generic pamphlet companies, a newsletter’s impact lies in its authenticity and simplicity.

Crafting a great newsletter requires some skill, but the key is to just do it! Here are practical tips to make it effective:

Keep it concise: Aim for under 600 words. Include a brief doctor’s note, a health tip, a simple recipe, and a promotion.
Make it personal: Write as if chatting with a patient during a visit. Share a story, case success, or health advice like recommending a lumbar cushion. Have a staff member transcribe your thoughts, then edit for clarity.
Stay informal: Think of it as a casual check-in, like catching up with a friend or neighbor. Share what’s happening at the office in a warm, relatable tone.
Show genuine interest: Highlight your passion for chiropractic care through patient success stories or testimonials. Include family and friends in your outreach to broaden the connection.
Be authentic: Avoid generic or overly polished content. Patients value real, heartfelt communication over artificial or spammy material.
Frequency: Send monthly, though more often is fine if manageable.
Assign a coordinator: Delegate newsletter management to a staff member to ensure consistency.

Newsletter Checklist:

Doctor’s Letter: A friendly note with a photo, written to one patient, tying into a case, event, or health tip.
Office News: Share updates like new equipment, staff achievements, or recent seminars.
Upcoming Events: Promote events like Patient Appreciation Day or a community 5K to show your office is vibrant.
Patient Testimonial: Include a written or video success story.
Recipe: Share a healthy, relatable recipe with a personal touch, like a family favorite.
Health Tip (Optional): Offer a simple, relevant health suggestion.
Use an Email Service: Avoid sending from personal email clients for professionalism.

Keep communicating with your patients to foster a thriving practice. Stay goal-driven!

Engage Your Chiropractic Practice with Your Community

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Edward Petty

Get Out and Connect with Your Community

Summer brings farmers markets, parades, festivals, and run/walks—perfect opportunities for your chiropractic or healthcare practice to engage with your community. Community events are a powerful way to build relationships through networking, a form of relationship marketing.

As Ivan Misner, founder of Business Networking International, says in The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret “You have to be visible in the community… It’s called networking. You have to work at it.” But with the right attitude, it’s fun, not just work.

Why Community Engagement Matters

Whether your practice is established or new, staying active in your community is crucial. Markets evolve, and without consistent marketing, your practice’s momentum can quietly fade, leading to unexpected drops in patient numbers. For newer practices or those needing a boost, community involvement is even more essential.

How to Engage

Join Local Events: Participate in festivals, car shows, or races. For example, one clinic sponsors the “Cheesehead Chase,” providing T-shirts to patients who join, creating a visible group of “ChiroHealth Cruisers.”
Set Up Booths: Offer consultations, screenings, or giveaways like pens, and greet people with friendliness.
Wear Your Brand: Sport clinic polo shirts and share your “Get to Know Me” attitude.
Plan with Your Team: Discuss upcoming events, schedule participation, and practice positive marketing attitudes (downloadable resource linked in original).

Build Trust Through Familiarity

People choose businesses they know, like, and trust. Break out of your routine, as Misner notes, and connect face-to-face. Community engagement makes your practice familiar and approachable, fostering lasting patient relationships.

Stay Goal-Driven

Get out there, have fun, and keep your practice thriving by staying active in your community!

—

Community Engagement Guide for Chiropractic Practices

Why Engage with Your Community?

Build Relationships: Networking at local events fosters trust and familiarity, encouraging patient loyalty.
Stay Competitive: Consistent marketing prevents gradual declines in patient numbers, especially in evolving markets.
Boost New Practices: Community involvement is critical for new or struggling practices to gain traction.

How to Get Involved

Identify Local Events:
1. Farmers markets, festivals, parades, or charity runs (e.g., “Cheesehead Chase”). Check your town’s calendar for events like Olive Festival or Pioneer Days.
2. Participate Actively:
  1. Set up booths for consultations, screenings, or giveaways (e.g., branded pens).
  2. Offer incentives, like clinic T-shirts for event participants.
3. Be Visible:
  1. Wear branded apparel (polo shirts or T-shirts).
  2. Share business cards and a friendly, approachable attitude.
4. Plan with Your Team:
  1. Discuss upcoming events at team meetings.
  2. Schedule participation and practice positive marketing attitudes (resource: 8 Marketing Attitudes).
5. Follow Up:
  1. Track event outcomes and plan for future involvement.

Key Quote
“You have to be visible in the community… It’s called networking.” — Ivan Misner, The World’s Best Known Marketing Secret

Action Steps

Research local events for the next 3 months.
Assign team roles for event participation.
Order branded materials (T-shirts, pens, etc.).
Stay goal-driven and make networking fun!

Boost Patient Retention Through Genuine Curiosity

Posted on May 27, 2025 by Edward Petty

Why Patients Leave Chiropractic or Healthcare Practices

Patients don’t primarily leave due to cost, outcomes, equipment, or location. Studies reveal the real reason: lack of empathy and perceived indifference from staff.

Study #1: 68% of customers leave due to employee indifference, far outweighing issues like price (9%) or product (14%). Empathy fosters loyalty.
Study #2: Disinterested, unempathetic staff drive dissatisfaction and churn. Personalized, caring service is key.
Study #3: 59% of customers abandon a brand after one poor, unempathetic experience, while 73% stay loyal after a positive, caring one.

Patients value feeling cared for over clinical expertise. As Jimmy Parker, D.C., emphasized with “Present Time Consciousness,” staying fully engaged with patients is vital but challenging in a busy, high-volume practice.

The Solution: Stay Curious and Be Interested

Empathy starts with curiosity. Genuine interest in patients as individuals—not just cases—builds strong relationships and boosts retention. Ask about their lives, like their hobbies or unique traits:

“Betty, where did you get those blue shoes?”
“Frank, why’s your group called Kiwanis?”

This authentic curiosity makes patients feel valued and fosters loyalty.

Test Your Team’s Curiosity

To embed this approach, routinely quiz your team during case management meetings about patients’ personal details, like a new patient’s favorite sport or where an active patient shops. This friendly exercise keeps everyone engaged and curious, strengthening patient relationships.

Stay Curious and Goal-Driven

A practice thrives on relationships, not just clinical skills or billing codes. By staying genuinely interested in patients, you’ll enhance retention and build a loyal community.

Key Points: Patients leave due to perceived indifference, not cost or outcomes. Empathy, driven by curiosity, is the solution. Test and encourage your team to stay interested in patients’ lives to improve retention.

References

#1 Rockefeller Corporation Study (1999) CustomerThink, Help-Desk-Migration.
#2 Temkin Group Study (2016)
#3 PwC Consumer Intelligence Series, Experience is Everything. (2018)

Using offline and online tactics to grow your chiropractic practice

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Edward Petty

mothers day greeting with floral bouquet

Grow Your Chiropractic Practice with Online and Offline Strategies

Many chiropractic offices see success with online advertising, especially on social media. While effective, it often requires digital expertise, so many chiropractors hire agencies—some with better results than others. If you’ve worked with a good agency, sharing your recommendation could help others.

Online promotion isn’t new to chiropractic. B.J. Palmer, one of the profession’s pioneers, was a relentless advertiser who played a major role in chiropractic’s growth during the early 20th century. His legacy reminds us that consistent promotion is key.

However, in today’s tech-saturated world, offline engagement is more valuable than ever. Creating relationships with patients is critical. The relationship business in a chiropractic office revolves around building trust, fostering patient loyalty, and creating a community that supports long-term engagement and referrals. Chiropractic care is inherently personal, as it involves hands-on treatment and addressing patients’ pain, mobility, and wellness goals. The success of a chiropractic practice often hinges on strong relationships with patients, staff, and the broader community.

Your practice is essentially a network of relationships, sustained through communication and service. So:

Nurture current and past patient relationships
Use those to expand to new connections

Some effective offline tactics include:

Sending personal email newsletters with stories, health tips, and a touch of personality
Hosting in-office events (e.g., Mother’s Day giveaways or posture screenings for National Correct Posture Month)
Organizing a patient appreciation picnic or monthly spinal health talks
Visiting local businesses to give brief wellness presentations
Setting up a booth at local fairs for visibility and patient reactivation

Combining digital and personal outreach creates a powerful, sustainable marketing strategy. As Woody Allen once said, “80 percent of success is showing up.”

“80 percent of success is showing up” (Woody Allen)

Stay Goal Driven,

References:

*(B.J. Palmer, Achievers Magazine, 1989)
*Brad Glowaki
*(Woody Allen (Quote Investigator)

Boosting Service and Retention Through Daily Case Management in Chiropractic Practices

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Edward Petty

planning for a winning day Start the Day with Purpose

A quick, structured case management meeting each morning can significantly enhance patient retention, referrals, service quality, and team morale.

The Morning Case Management Routine

Spend 20 minutes before seeing patients to meet with your team. Review the day’s patient schedule—focusing on individual needs, progress, or concerns. You don’t have to cover every patient, especially on busy days, but focus on those needing special attention.

Key points to discuss:

What’s the goal of today’s visit?
Do they need therapy, rehab, or a progress exam?
Have they voiced any concerns?
Do they need educational materials or financial consultations?
Should a family member attend?

Also, go over new patients—who referred them, what to expect, and how to create a warm welcome.

Keep the Energy Up

Beyond planning, these meetings set a positive tone for the day. Encourage team bonding with short activities like stretches, planks, or even a daily “bad dad joke” to keep things light.

Set achievable goals for the day—such as new patient intakes or completed cases—and review a motivational quote or revisit your practice’s core mission.

Make It Routine, Make It Stick

Assign responsibility for leading the meeting, but ensure it has leadership support. These meetings only work if they happen consistently—don’t let them fade away.

Ultimately, the purpose is to better serve patients and help them reach their health goals—this is what great case management is all about.

Seize the future!

Master Your Craft First: The Key to Success in Chiropractic, Healthcare, and Service Businesses

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Edward Petty

chef Jiro Ono, mastering the skill of making sushi

Marketing Starts with Service Quality

A chiropractic clinic once asked for help boosting patient numbers and improving their marketing. While we did touch on marketing strategies, the real game-changer was getting back to the basics—refining the way they practiced.

Each visit, we reviewed patient interactions, discussed specific cases, and role-played challenging scenarios. This hands-on, continuous learning approach helped the doctors improve their confidence and communication. The result? Within a few months, new patient numbers nearly doubled, and total visits increased by 50%, driven by better retention and reactivations.

When Business Slows Down, Go Back to the Fundamentals

If your numbers are dipping, the first step isn’t better marketing—it’s better service. Start with yourself and your team. Are you genuinely present with each patient? Do you “really” listen and connect?

One of the most successful doctors I worked with approached every patient with deep empathy and curiosity. She didn’t rush into treatment—she listened, observed, and connected both emotionally and physically. Her retention and referrals were outstanding.

On the other hand, her associate, while friendly, lacked that same depth of connection. As a result, her performance—and the clinic’s growth—suffered. Unfortunately, without proper training or mentorship, her skills never reached the necessary level.

Excellence Is Contagious

Great service isn’t just about the doctor. Every team member needs to be aligned in delivering exceptional care. It’s a group effort.

Consider sushi master “Jiro Ono”, whose small Tokyo restaurant had a waitlist over a year long. He dedicated his life to perfecting every element of sushi, constantly refining and improving. His commitment to excellence became his best marketing tool.

As Jiro said: “You must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. That’s the secret of success.”

The Takeaway

Before pouring energy into marketing tactics, ask yourself: “Have I mastered my craft? Are my team and I truly delivering top-tier care?”

A good business, like a good restaurant, eventually fills itself up—because mastery, presence, and consistent quality attract people naturally.

Keep mastering your skill

Overcoming the Barrier to Consistent Marketing

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Edward Petty

The biggest challenge in marketing is inconsistency. There are a few key reasons for this:

No one is in charge of marketing.
Time constraints. Many businesses struggle to find time for marketing.
Uncertainty about how to plan. It can be difficult to know where to start or how to structure marketing efforts.

The Community Education Program addresses these issues, drawing from the experience of managing over 20 offices in Wisconsin. This program provides a clear, actionable framework for marketing your services consistently.

Marketing Principle: Newton’s Third Law

Marketing works like Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when you promote something, you will get a response. By setting up a monthly marketing plan in advance, you ensure something is always going out, even if you add extra activities later.

How the Community Education Program Works

Project Manager: Assign someone (typically the marketing coordinator) to oversee marketing efforts, ensuring everyone is involved.
Central Theme: Select a theme for the upcoming months, focusing on proven marketing tactics and common health concerns your services address.
Targeted Promotions: Tailor your efforts to different groups:
- Active Patients: Use word-of-mouth, posters, coupons, and workshops.
- Inactive Patients: Reach out via newsletters and social media to re-engage them.
- Community Referral Sources: Engage gyms, dentists, and other local professionals with emails, flyers, and direct contact.
- Non-Patients: Use ads to attract new patients.

Example for a Chiropractic Practice

February: Neuropathy Awareness Month

Event: $29 screening exam and consultation.
Workshop: “Nature’s Remedies: Six Holistic Approaches to Easing Neuropathy” at your office and senior centers.

Marketing Channels:

Active Patients: Posters, coupons, word-of-mouth.
Inactive Patients: Success story newsletters.
External Referral Sources: Posters at senior healthcare facilities and workshops.
Advertising: Social media.

Fun Future Themes

March: Kids Health Month – “Leprechaun’s Health Month.”
April: Summer Fitness – Include a golf workshop.
May: Women’s Health – Focus on pregnancy and new baby care.
June: Back Pain Awareness Month.
July: Headache Awareness Month.
August: Athletics for Kids – Concussion prevention and recovery.

By planning monthly themes in advance, you can ensure consistent marketing, even if other programs are running throughout the year.

Marketing Principle: Quantum Physics

While Newtonian physics explains marketing’s action and reaction, Quantum Physics suggests that we are all connected and that our emotions and energy influence our outcomes. Stay positive, stay energized, and keep a good vibe in your marketing efforts!

Delivering Kindness in Your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Edward Petty

young lady with older lady showing kindness and caring

The article emphasizes the importance of kindness in chiropractic healthcare practices, suggesting that kindness is the core “business” chiropractors are truly in, rather than just focusing on adjustments, marketing, or insurance. Kindness, defined as acting with concern for others without expecting reward, enhances relationships with patients and within the team. This, in turn, leads to improved patient referrals, retention, and overall satisfaction.

Kindness also has personal benefits, improving the well-being and mood of both healthcare providers and patients, while creating a positive ripple effect in the community. The article concludes with a poem, Let Us Be Kind by W. Lomax Childress, reinforcing the idea that kindness is a priceless and transformative force in life and business. The message encourages practitioners to stay driven by kindness, especially during challenging times.

Read the Full Article Here: https://www.goaldriven.com/post/delivering-kindness-in-your-chiropractic-healthcare-practice

Chiropractic End of Year Marketing and Business Checklist

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Edward Petty

goal driven checklist to prepare for the New Year

This article provides a comprehensive checklist for chiropractors to prepare their practices for the end of the year and the upcoming new year. With 2025 just around the corner, the focus is on winding down advertising and shifting toward internal marketing strategies during November and December. Key ideas include:

Holiday Promotions: Offer Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, special promotions for veterans, donation drives, and patient appreciation events like gift exchanges or holiday parties.
Referral Programs: Encourage patient referrals with giveaways such as poinsettias and gift certificates, and express gratitude to external referral partners with thank-you gifts.
Newsletters & Reminders: Send personalized practice updates and reminders to schedule appointments through the holidays.

Planning for the Future:

Spend time with your team reflecting on 2024’s achievements and brainstorming goals for 2025. Consider creating a unifying theme or project for the year ahead.

Business Essentials:

Financial Review: Meet with your accountant to assess finances and tax strategies.
Employee Benefits & Contracts: Review employee benefits, consider bonuses, and evaluate insurance contracts for profitability.
Compliance & Licensing: Ensure adherence to HIPAA and other regulations, and confirm that all licenses and malpractice insurance are in place for the coming year.
Budget Planning: Set a budget aligned with your practice goals.

Start with a clear vision and remain focused on both immediate tasks and long-term objectives for continued success in the new year.

What Makes You and Your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice Special?

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Edward Petty

statue of liberty in a display of fireworks, life, liberty and happiness, petty, michel, goal driven

Celebrating Health and Business Freedom

JULY 2nd

1776, Philadelphia.

The weather was cooler than usual, with intermittent rain showers. Some 50 members of the 2nd Continental Congress met at Independence Hall and finally agreed, after months of discussion,

“That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States…”

We celebrate this declaration on July 4th in the USA as our Independence Day.

Aside from the summer cookouts, barbecues, parades, and festivities, we celebrate freedom – freedom from tyranny and freedom to pursue “Happiness.”

= = =

It could be said that multinational investment corporations, along with Bill Gates — whom Google Search offers up as the most powerful doctor in the U.S.*, have colonized the healthcare system in the U.S.

You and your team are independent chiropractic and healthcare businesses. You are not a colony of Big Pharma, Medicine, or Food. They have fought and marginalized you, but you have won and remain free. (**)

And it is not too big of a leap to point out that this is what you do for others: you help your patients and clients to become freer from pain, discomfort, and dysfunction. You help them become more independent from drugs and the toxic influences of our world.

As the July 4th celebration is for American Independence, I invite you to see this time as also a celebration for independent businesses and health care providers — like you.

= = =

Freedom is never free, and each of us at Petty, Michel & Associates appreciates your efforts to maintain and grow your business and help your patients and clients seek happiness.

So, THANK YOU!

Thank you for staying free and helping others do the same.

Ed and Dave, and all of us at Petty, Michel, & Associates

References:

* Screen capture of Google: “First search result when asked: “Who is the most powerful doctor in the U.S.”

** Contain and Eliminate, Howard Holinsky

Most powerful doctor according to Google.

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If your practice building efforts aren’t taking you to your goals, there are reasons — many of which are hidden from you.

Find out what they are and how to sail to your next level by getting and implementing my book, The Goal Driven Business.

Observations

observations from our travels in the world of chiropractic

Category Archives: Chiropractic Marketing