How to Build an Empire With Alternative Health

Building an alternative health empire can be a challenge. Everyone seems to have advice on how you can best succeed. It can be overwhelming and exhausting trawling through all that info. So we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s some of the best advice we’ve found online for building your health empire.

Use Your Online Platforms

Don’t know what we mean by online platform? That’s okay, all empires start somewhere. Let’s run over the basics. 

1. Have an Awesome website - In 2020 having a fantastic site for your business is non-negotiable. Your site should be beautiful and functional. Consider your website your digital ‘waiting room’ as it were. A website is one of the first interactions with your business that clients will have, and what they’ll base their first impressions from. Do you have a cluttered site? Do your pages load painfully slow? Full of broken links and outdated information? Can healthcare providers complete an e-referral on the website? Can customers book their appointment online?  These questions may seem fairly minor, but overall addressing these areas helps to present your business as a professional, skilled practice.  
   
2. Social media marketing - Don’t underestimate the power of social media. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are wonderful tools to grow your business with if used well. Consider where most of your clients are likely to hang out and make sure your business has a presence there. Interact with your clients and consider running targeted ads to reach new clients. This is a way to keep your business relevant and engaging with clients, even when they’re not inside your clinic. 
   
3. Use other digital strategies - There are a whole host of other strategies you can use to empower your business. Look into SEO (search engine optimization) and consider starting a blog on your website. These are just a few ways to give your business the best chance of being discovered online. When customers can find you, and use your site easily they’re a step closer to using your business. 
   

When it comes to online platforms, the sheer number of potential strategies you could implement can feel overwhelming. Rather than feeling like it’s all too hard, consider what you already have in place and focus there. Maybe you already have a website - consider updating it or looking at new ways you could use the site. Tackle one area at a time, and focus on getting it right - rather than doing everything. 

If you have the money, some businesses find it worthwhile investing in a social media manager. But even if that’s not an option there are some great apps available to help you manage your businesses online presence. Tailwind and Preview are two options to consider. 

Consider your existing client base

Growing your practice into an alternative health empire starts small. Look at the clients you have already attracted thus far. Consider ways you can further assist these clients. Increase loyalty and value for consumers who are already invested in accessing your services and or products. 

1. Do you incentivise your existing clients to refer more clients to you? Loyalty programs, giveaways and discounts can be a fantastic way to leverage your existing client base to attract new clients. 
2. Identify and fill gaps. What do your existing clients need next? Anticipate and respond to the needs of your clients. Consider adding to or extending services that exist within your business already. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve seen that businesses who were able to quickly adapt their services have been able to survive and in some cases, flourish. 

Streamline where possible

Don’t get weighed down by marketing and administrative duties. Wherever possible, streamline these activities. Though they’re necessary for your business, they take up valuable time. You could spend that time strategising and exploring options for growth. 

1. Where is your business spending more time? Take stock and evaluate where time is being used in your business. Are there programs that would be worth investing in, for the time they’d save you? What systems could be streamlined for efficiency. 
   

Build a community around your business

Alternative health businesses that have a flourishing community around them are well-positioned for success. Why? Greater access to support, referrals and the ability to retain customers.

1. Build loyalty in your customers - Customers who are loyal to your business are an asset. Why? Because these customers will often bring in new clients. Word of mouth is still one of the most successful methods of advertising. People trust their friends and family to refer them to a good business. Encourage loyalty in your clients by engaging with them online, and offering added benefits where possible. Loyalty cards? Sample products? 
2. Engage with other businesses - Other allied health practitioners don’t have to be your competition. Connect with other businesses to see what value you can offer one another. Perhaps you can begin a referring relationship, perhaps a speaker is needed for an event and you have expertise. Take these opportunities and use them to build exposure and credibility for your business. 

Educate yourself

Building an empire in alternative health isn’t easy. It’s an industry that is developing quickly. Therefore, it’s important that you stay on top of the latest technology and practice developments in your field. 

Stay connected to what’s happening in your industry. This will help you to respond and adapt to changes as they arise. Continuing to educate yourself will also allow you to become an expert in your field, as your knowledge base continues to grow. Here are some of our suggestions to help you educate yourself on an ongoing basis.

You can also educate yourself when it comes to developing your business and practice. Evaluate and attempt advice from other successful people in the alternative health/CAM field. 

1. Subscribe to journals relevant to your practice and business. Regularly reading what the top authorities have to say on topics relevant to your scope of practice and business will allow you to be aware of conversations happening in your field. This can assist you in preparing your business for changes prior to them occurring. 
   
2. Attend conferences and other events - Educational events have a lot of value for your business. Not just for the learning (though that’s important too) but because of the opportunity to meet and have a voice amongst your professional peers. Gain exposure and build your reputation by networking at these events. 

Want to read more on this topic?
https://healthtransformer.co/seven-strategies-for-health-entrepreneurs-to-adapt-to-a-covid-world-ca17e48452c6