Published in Non-Clinical

18 Marketing Hacks Optometry Practices Can Do For Free

This is editorially independent content
4 min read

As the saying goes “You have to spend money to make money.” Well, what if I told you, that is not necessarily true?

There are all kinds of things you can do to market your optometry that cost nothing or next to nothing but still make a huge impact.

1. Get out and about

Community involvement will do wonders for the reputation of your practice.
  1. Have some level of presence at local events.
  2. Hand out marketing collateral at local health fairs.
  3. Present seminars at the senior citizens center.
  4. Hold lunch and learn seminars at local businesses.
  5. Participate in back to school events.
Not only are these free opportunities to promote your business, but it shows the community that you truly care about their health and wellbeing.

2. Share the wealth

Yes, I know, that sounds counterintuitive, but donating to local charities is an excellent way to give back to your community and will get people’s attention.
Don’t just toss those donation request letters in the shredder.
  1. Start donating gift baskets to fundraising auctions.
  2. Consider sponsoring that local 5K color run or other athletic events!
  3. Hold a weekly or monthly “Casual for a Cause” day and allow employees to wear jeans for $5.
  4. Hold a bake sale or a bar-be-que.
The charitable donations don’t have to be huge, but dollars spent supporting your community will go farther than dollars spent on newspaper and yellow page ads any day.

3. Be a social butterfly

It wouldn’t be a blog about marketing if there weren’t a section on social media.
If you don’t at least have a Facebook page for your practice, stop reading this and go create one right now.
It is that important.
Dedicate an hour or so each week to scheduling posts on Facebook. Snap fun photos of new frame lines or your staff with your iPhone and upload them to Instagram every other day.
Create Pinterest boards that tell about who you are as a practice. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it always keeps you at the top of the mind….for free.

4. It can’t hurt to ask

The best marketing tool you can find is a happy patient.
  1. Word of mouth will do more for your business than any advertisement ever will. Don’t be afraid to ask them to refer you to their friends and family.
  2. Send out a thank you email the day after their appointment asking them to review you online.
  3. Ask for testimonials when you get positive feedback.
Positive reviews from happy patients are valuable, but you often won’t get them unless you ask.

5. Make friends with your neighbors

Create a relationship with the owners of nearby businesses and collaborate on marketing and advertising efforts when it is appropriate.
  1. Have the clothing shop down the street display some of your sunglasses on their mannequins.
  2. Leave bookmarks with your practice information on them and the local bookstore or library.
  3. Offer a special discount to fellow business owners.
  4. Hold events together such as sidewalk sales or fashion shows.
You gain their customers as patients. They gain your patients as customers. Everybody wins.
This list of free or almost free ways to promote your practice could go on for days.
The key is to think outside the box. Ask your staff for ideas. Watch what other businesses are doing.

Believe me; with a little effort and creativity, you can get something for nothing. Feel free to ask me questions in the comments!

Christina Bonsall
About Christina Bonsall

With over 10 years of marketing, public relations, and sales experience in the beauty industry, Christina joined VisionArts Eyecare Center in Fulton, MO as the marketing coordinator and an optician in September of 2013. She's also a change agent for Transitions Optical and a writer for Covalent Careers.

Christina Bonsall
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