Think of starting a new PT practice?
There’s only one place to start: why
This one word is the key to unlocking your whole practice, but especially your marketing.
I’m sure your mind is buzzing with where your clinic is going to be and who you are going to see and how you are going to find patients.
But before you do any of that, ask yourself why?
Why did you get into PT?
Why did you decide to start a practice?
Why did you think you could succeed on your own?
Why did you think you could do it better than the big guys?
Understanding your why is the key to building a successful business that provides for you family and doesn’t strangle the life out of you.
Not just because it will keep you motivated when things get tough.
Your why is what points you in the right direction for all the other decisions you have to make.
Trying to figure out your target market?
Wasn’t the reason you went into PT was to help people like yourself (or a parent, etc) or the reason you chose your specialty because you enjoyed the people or the challenges or the financial security or the results you could see?
Trying to figure out your service offerings?
Didn’t you hate some part of working for other PTs that you know you could do better or something you loved that you think you can imitate?
Didn’t you see some need that wasn’t being met or people who weren’t being well served by the existing healthcare system?
Didn’t you know that you could make a difference for them?
Trying to figure out how to sell to patients?
Haven’t you gained knowledge and expertise that you know can help people?
Haven’t you had a thousand conversations with patients who wanted something more but couldn’t get it where you worked?
Haven’t you been through the system and know how to guide patients to better results?
Isn’t all that why you decided to start your business?
All the answers to the big questions are contained within your story, if you take a little time to think about it.
Before you start planning your business, trying to figure out EMR systems, and getting your tax forms filed, get out a journal and write down your why.
Money and independence and flexible scheduling are nice side benefits, but why are you really starting this business?
Go from there.
And good luck!