Frustrated With Health Care

One of the absolute best ways to gain credibility and presence on the internet is by writing articles.  What do you write about?  You write about what you know.  While the purpose of a Press Release is to announce an event or something new, the purpose of an article is to share information.

You can write about what’s important in your life or business.  You can share a simple “How to” or “Why to”.  For example, as a healthcare provider you can offer advice relative to your specialty that would benefit your patients and the community.  As an internet marketer one of the best ways to attract followers is by providing information to let people know that you are a leader.

That all said, to capitalize on your articles and to gain the most exposure, it is important to submit a minimum of three articles weekly; some authorities suggest that if you can’t submit ten or more you’re not getting full benefit.  The impact your articles have on the search engines is exponential.  If you submit three weekly you might have a 2x impact on the search engines.  Submitting five weekly would give you an 8x effect.  Whereas submitting ten articles weekly would increase your exposure 100 times.  This is definitely the case where more is better, and while quality is important, quantity wins out over quality; as long as the information is worthy.

Another strategy to get your article recognized is to have a title that is of interest to people; something that is being searched for.  You can check this by going to http://www.freekeywords.wordtracker.com.  Type in a few key word and see what comes up.  You might want to choose a title based on what is searched for most.  Once your title is set you will want to mention your title within the article 3-4 times as a normal part of your article.

You can do a Google search for article submission sites, but the two that I like are http://www.ezinearticles.com and http://www.goarticles.com.  You can submit each article to as many article submission sites as you like, but you can’t submit the same article to the same site more than once.  They don’t like this and it could jeopardize your account with them. 

Thank you in advance for providing your comments and opinions about this post.  Please let me know if this has been helpful information for you, AND if you were able to implement these strategies to a positive result.

Do you have a presence on the net? 

Even though I was perhaps one of the first chiropractors in my area with an office website, up until recently I didn’t really believe, nor did I notice that we ever got any new patients from the internet.  I always thought of my website as providing information for my patients and the community, if they happened to stumble upon it.  My website is also part of a service that provided a monthly e-Newsletter that is distributed to my email list.  It happens to be a great service, but that’s another story altogether.  The point I am trying to make is that even though I have had an internet presence for many years it wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I started to notice an increase in my referrals from the internet, and it has been increasing ever since.

What do you get when you Google your name?  Are you within the top ten?  Are you on the first page, the second page?  Do you show up at all?  Obviously the higher up you are on the list, the better your presence.  You know I always thought, “this thing is called the www, which stands for the World-Wide Web”.  What good is that to me when most of my business comes from within a 15 mile radius of my office?  However, there are more people going on the net every day and they ARE within your sphere of influence, and they can, and do, search for local business.  So . . . what do you get when you Google your profession and your town together, say, “Dentist Poughkeepsie New York”?  Again, are you in the top 10?    Also, did you know there are “Geo-specific” searches so that in many cases you do not even have to include your location; you can just Goggle “Dentist”.  The results will by different from zip code to zip code. 

Increasing your presence on the net is a great, and often times free, way to advirtise.  All it takes is a little creativity and the know how, and before long your name will appear at the top of the list.  The first step, however, is determining how you want to “Brand” yourself.  So here’s what I want you to start doing.  Think about how you want to be branded, how do you think people will look for you?  By your name?  This is always a good start, but how else do you want to be found?  By your business name?  How about by your profession?  How about by what conditions you typically treat?  Once you have all the searches in which you want to be found try doing the searches to see what comes up.  Vary your searches.  For example, search for your profession with and without your town, with and without your State.  Also, using quotes provides a more specific search so try searching with and without quotes.  For example, “Your Name” and Your Name.  What you want to do is take notes on the total number of hits with each search, as well as whether you come up in the results and if so, where you come up.

Before moving on to discuss internet marketing strategies that would be helpful for any business, including businesses that are dependent on local traffic, it might be important for you to know where I gained my expertise to offer this information.

By this time it should be secret that my second passion has been network marketing.  Over the years I have been involved with a couple of really great companies.  Unfortunately, no matter how great the company their business model has always been to compile a list of names and then attack those people on your list; friends,  relatives, loved ones; it doesn’t matter, no one is spared and no one is sacred!  Well, if you happen to be one of those friends or family members, it is no fun to be put in that position – trust me, I understand.  However, as the network marketer we are trained to believe in our product and our mantra becomes; “Some Will, Some Won’t, So What, Someone is Waiting”.  Sounds good, but it has the potential to get downright ugly!

For this reason, I have decided to study internet marketing and the newest craze, Social Networking on the Internet.  Believe it or not, there is a right way to do it, and there is a totally wrong way; I believe I have come across the right way.

That right way started with a company called CarbonCopyPro (CCP).  CCP is an online marketing platform and business sales system with a first-class, top-tier product line.  This product line is called Wealth Masters International (WMI).  WMI was started and is run by Kip Herriage and Karl Bessey.  WMI is a wealth creation and management education system.  Quite simply, they teach wealth strategies and wealth mind-sets.  These are strategies that are typically not taught in schools, but should! 

So . . . CCP teaches internet marketing strategies specifically for WMI.  However, their marketing strategies work for any business.  In fact, I am applying them to promote my practice as well.  And, I welcome the opportunity to share what I have learned with you in future posts on this blog.

By the way, you might want to take a look and see if CCP/WMI might be right for you, http://www.oneyearplan.net/pahdc.

<a href=”http://technorati.com/claim/n86aqs4f2n” rel=”me”>Technorati Profile</a>

Even if we are doing “everything right” in practice to stay the course by keeping a positive attitude, thinking abundance, doing outside talks, and asking for referrals, you’d have to be some sort of “superchiro” not to be feeling the affects of the down economy.  And of course we still have health care insurance companies “beating us up”; it would appear that us New Yorkers aren’t the only ones affected.  So really now, how much of this can we take?!  It would seem that us chiropractors are the new second class citizen.  

The truth is that from my perspective our current healthcare situation doesn’t make me a happy camper.  You see, I have always had aspirations of being wealthy; yes, even in my decision to pursue chiropractic.  Not withstanding this, you know that I did, and still do, have a strong attraction to the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic.  However, when I decided to become a chiropractor, this was just icing on the cake, since I felt that I could make a good living as a chiropractor, which I thought would be parlayed into “fame and fortune”.  Let’s face it, as a self-employed chiropractor we are taking risks, which we are supposed to be rewarded; the question is, are we?

Early in my chiropractic career I dreamed that the money would begin to roll in, which would give rise to investment opportunities.  Then of course, at the end of the trail, I’d have a great practice that a young and aspiring chiropractor would purchase from me for at least $250K . . . my how times have changed?!

Again, not withstanding this, I still dream . . . you see, I happen to be one of those crazy people that believes that while money may not bring me happiness, it is a whole lot easier to be happy with money than without.  In fact, for the most part, I don’t believe you will find too many rich people saying that money doesn’t bring you happiness.  Think about it for a minute, if money was not a consideration, how would you live your life; how would your life be different?  Wouldn’t you be happier doing the things you enjoy doing?  Well . . . I’m sorry to say, but to live the life of your dreams it takes money.  In fact, wouldn’t you agree that as a rich person you would be a much bigger asset to society, to your community?  You bet you would; I know I would!  Not only would I contribute greatly to the local economy, but I would have more time and resources to give back to my community.  I happen to be an active member of our local Lion’s Club; they would benefits dramatically.  Historically, I have given unselfishly to our church; they would also reap the rewards of my good fortune.  Think of the civic organizations you can help; how about your church?  This is something I have thought about for quite a while, and I still do.

While I love serving my community with quality chiropractic care, I no longer have the delusion that it will fulfill my financial dreams.  This is why I have diversified.  This is why I have pursued network marketing over the years, and this is why I have turned to the internet to study Internet Marketing!

Since I no longer feel the need to continue venting, which just perpetuates negative energy, I feel the need to transition this blog to a more positive direction of solutions to the healthcare frustration.  In this vain, it would be my pleasure to share internet marketing ideas that I have learned that would benefit you in any product you would like to market, including chiropractic.

What are your ideas?  Are you more into venting or solutions?  Certainly I can continue with the occasional bitch session, but I think this blog would be better served with constructive solutions.

Just when I think I’ve gotten it all out of my system and I’m ready to start talking about some positive, constructive stuff another article comes across my desk that I feel compelled to discuss.  This is yet another article that adds to my frustration, and yet, supports my moving forward plans.

The newest article was in this past weekend’s Parade; “Don’t Let the Economy Endanger Your Health”.  This hard-hitting story reports some sobering facts about how people are reacting to the economy relative to their health.  In fact, based upon conversations I’ve had with many other doctors these figures come as no surprise. 

Startling results of a survey from the American Heart Association reveal that 57% of those surveyed report that the economy has affected their ability to take care of their health.  The impact is obviously greater amount those with lower incomes, although 33% of those earning $75,000 or more say that they also feel the squeeze.  People are forgoing lifesaving care; 10% have reportedly stopped or reduced their medication for chronic diseases such as high cholesterol and asthma.  13% have elected to not get a flu shot, while 18% have avoided getting needed exams like mammograms. 

However, in reality the state of our economy may not be completely to blame for this; health care has just gotten to be so freakin’ expensive.  In 1970, Americans spent approximately 7% of their budget on health care.  At 17% for 2008, this represents a 2.4 trillion dollar outlay, which exceeded our spending on housing or food.  The truth is that the U.S. leads the world in advanced specialty care; as such, we spend more money on health care than any other nation in the world, and what do we have to show for it?  In spite of our huge price tag, the World Health Organization reports that the U.S. is ranked 31st in over all health as compared to all other industrialized nations; a very sad commentary!

So, what does the author, George Anders, recommend us to do?  He suggests that prevention must be our priority and that we should find creative efforts to encourage wellness; sound familiar?  To me, this sounds like it is right out of a chiropractor’s mouth, after all, isn’t this what chiropractic is?  All we need to do is demonstrate that our care is wellness orientated and that we are a great health care option; that’s all it should take, right?  Well, actually, I believe that because of the economy another part of this puzzle is to demonstrate affordability and possibly re-think our fees in these tight economic times.

Like most chiropractors my desire has always been to help as many people as possible.  In fact, in my career there have been times where it was not uncommon for me to see upwards of 90-100 patients a day in my practice.  Today, I’m lucky if I see 30-40 a day; clearly a significant drop.  So what happen?  Did these patient’s condition get better?  Do they all-of-a-sudden no longer require my services?  Obviously not!  The solution?  We just have to find newer more modern ways to communicate with our patients to bring them back in.  Lightening bolts in the Yellow Pages doesn’t work.

Today while listening to a popular talk show host I was inspired to discuss their comments on my blog, but I wasn’t sure which blog would be most appropriate, this one or my other one, www.HurryUpAndSlowDown.com, which is devoted to the Chiropractic Lifestyle.  I decided to post it on both.

While listening to him speak today his comments were much like those of a chiropractor.  He was saying that our government’s plan to cut costs by pushing preventative health care are misguided efforts that will not save money.  He went on to say that real preventative care is getting regular exercise and watching what you eat.  The government’s thrust and the focus of the medical profession is not prevention care, but rather it is based upon early detection and intervention.  Their goal is to get people into their system of taking drugs as early as possible.  On the contrary, their cost-saving efforts will significantly increase cost simply because of all the expensive tests and early intervention drugs they will dispense.  I wanted so much to call the station just to give him a big thumbs up.  Unfortunately, I did not have the time to hang on the phone; so I did the next best thing, I sent him an email.  Here is what I sent him.

Holy cow!  When I tuned in today you were talking about how preventative care, as the government sees it, is all wrong; that it is NOT about prevention, but rather early detection and treatment.  This is called “sick care”, NOT health care, and this model of care will never save money!  As you so eloquently put it, preventative care is about exercise, and a good diet, which definitely cuts cost.  This is the exact message I have been preaching for the past 20 years.  In fact, when you combine it with a periodic tune-up of your spine and nervous system with a chiropractic adjustment, this is what we call a chiropractic lifestyle.  And, now that the government has gotten themselves involved they are further spending excess money by supporting medicine and big pharmas message that all you need are drugs, a whole bunch of expensive tests, and perhaps a little surgery.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  This is NOT health care and people ARE better off staying as far away from them as possible.  By doing this they will not be required to poison their bodies with expensive drugs, AND they will save lots and lots of money.

Here’s some sick stats: 

            80-90% of all disease is related to lifestyle stress.

            Years ago when the doctors went on strike in Canada, the death rate went down!

            The medical profession kills nearly 100,000 people each year; that’s like 500 fully loaded jumbo jets crashing every year!

A great prescription for preventative care: 

• Take responsibility for your health
• Watch your diet, and most people knows what that means; see item 1.
• Get moving. Exercise is NOT a 4-letter word!
• Get appropriate rest.
• Stop your stinkin’ thinkin’. A negative attitude will kill you and all those you touch
• Get your spine and nervous system checked by a chiropractor.

Think about it; taking responsibility for your health = fewer symptoms = fewer visits to the MD = fewer expensive medical tests = less need to take expensive drugs = a more efficient, cost-effective, productive member of society.

 THIS is the chiropractic lifestyle; THIS is true Health Care!

No matter what you call it, network marketing, home-based business, MLM or multi-level marketing, they’re all the same.  You have a business and a product that you believe in, are passionate about, and want to tell others all about it.

If you haven’t had any experience with network marketing before you might be interested to know that people from every walk of life are into it; lawyers, doctors, businessmen and women, students, teachers, housewives . . . the list can go on and on.  Suffice it to say that the network marketing bug knows no boundaries and the fact of the matter is that in our current economy more and more people are in to it today than ever before.  Let’s face it, the thought of being your own boss and owning your own business is appealing to many, and with the extremely low start up costs with network marketing its appeal is that much greater.  Think about it, compared to a brick and mortar business a network marketing business has no office and no employees.  This alone saves you up to $100,000 and more per year, and the income potential is just as real.

So, how does a new network marketer get their business off the ground?  Historically, new network marketers are required to make a list of 100 or 200 people they know to call; just to tell them about their opportunity.  This means that no one is sacred; your mother, father, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, business associates, pastor, hairdresser, mailman; the list can go on and on.  There have been stories where network marketers would call in a plumber for something insignificant just to pitch them on their opportunity.  ANYONE within arms length is not safe with a network marketer who is worth their salt.  And, admittedly, I have been guilty of many of these tactics; no, I never called a plumber, but I have given my card to a waitress.  Like I said, no one is sacred.  Unfortunately, many network marketers become members of the NFL, “No Friends Left”.  There’s got to be a better way to build your network to create your residual income.

“Stay tuned” to my next post where I will go into another ”Solution” to my frustrations with health care.

Peter A. Holst, D.C.

Have I mentioned lately that I love being a chiropractor?  If I love it so much than, really, is the exchange of time for money a bad thing?  After all we’ve been doing this for time and memorial.  It has been the American way! 

Unfortunately, creating a secondary residual stream of income is now more important than ever for a number of reasons. 

1. The state of our economy, which has been a concern for years, although has no doubt become worse.

2. The less than stellar time for money exchange for chiropractic services.  Granted this varies greatly from State to State, and even from County to County, but overall the exchange could be better for most.

3. Intimately tied to the first two reasons has to do with our nest-egg.  Let’s face it, our ability to retire, to rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor, comes with having a large enough nest-egg.  For chiropractors this has traditionally been linked to the value of our practice and our investments; both of which are for the most part not in the best shape.  To the best of my knowledge practices are just not selling for the same dollar amount that they did just a short ten years ago and I dare say that many of us have seen better days with our investments.

So, yes, the time is right to consider a supplemental income that has a residual component, which will allow us to retire before we expire.

The truth is that there are a myriad of reasons that we as chiropractors would want to supplement our income.  If this is something that has crossed your mind than I do have a number of solutions that we can explore together.  This post is actually My Solution #1 to the time for money dilemma that was discussed in my previous post. 

As previously stated, aside from chiropractic, one of my passions is Network/Internet Marketing.  From the time I was introduced to Amway some 35+ years ago I have been looking for a business/product I could get excited about.  Over the years I came close a couple of times and in fact, I still recommend SHAKLEE to my family, friends and patients.

The first company that held my interest long enough for me to profit from is Isagenix.  The reason for this is the combination of product quality, company integrity, and the business plan.

First, the quality of the product is unsurpassed.  Isagenix is a wholebody nutritional cleanse that works at the cellular level.  To give you an idea of the quality, the meal replacement whey protein shake is made from cows that graze in Australian and New Zealand.  They are raised without pesticides, hormones, or anti-biotics.  The protein goes through a cold-process, which maintains long protein links.

The company heads are a husband and wife team who both come from the networking marketing industry.  They were both retired when they met Dr. John Anderson, a bio-chemist who had invented a wholebody cleanse.  The three combined forces to create Isagenix; their mission is to improve the health and wealth of the world.

The business plan is second to none.  If you would like information about it please do not hesitate to contact me at Dr@HolstChiropractic.com. 

Isagenix works by removing toxins that build up in our liver and fat cells.  Depending on your health goals and how toxic you may be, there are a few different Isagenix programs that can be followed.  Over the past few years I have enjoyed coaching patients and friends through their cleansing experience.  The result is increased energy with the added side-benefit of rapid-safe weight loss.

What has been most rewarding has been telling others about Isagenixwho go on to establish their own businesses, thereby helping even more people to become healthy and vital by cleansing toxins from their bodies.  This program works synergistically with the chiropractic lifestyle.

For more information about Isagenix products or the company please go to my web site at www.HolstChiro.Isagenix.com.   Should you have any desire of using Isagenix in your practice, it would be my pleasure to assist you; we have a turn-key solution to reducing the bio-chemical and physical stress on your patients.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have regarding Chiropractic and Isagenix; Dr@HolstChiropractic.com. 

While at a chiropractic convention I was first introduced to Solution #2, which I feel equally passionate about . . .

Trading time for dollars is not necessarily a challenge exclusive to chiropractors or healthcare workers; any service oriented business has the same problem. 

For those who provide a service and are not bothered by this exchange they either really like what they are doing or they are making a lot of money doing it; maybe both.  If I had to be trading time for dollars I can’t think of a better vocation to do this with; I love being a chiropractor.  My challenge is as the business of healthcare continues to be more absurd with each passing day, the infamous “Burn Out” becomes more and more imminent!  With burn out comes depressing thoughts of trading time for dollars.  Actually, as much as I DO love chiropractic, burnout has occurred for me.  It actually started to rear its ugly head at about year number 17 or 18, 2002 or 2003.  Not too bad; I lasted about 18 years!  For the many chiropractors I have spoken with, burn out can come as early as after 3 or 4 years.  The question I have is, is burn out a by-product of length of service or is it just a sign of the times?

Are you burned out?  I suspect that if you are reading this that you maybe, in fact, at least on the verge of burn out.  What is your precipiting factor, or factors?  Heck, just the thought of needing to be in the office to actually be making money could be a factor for many.  You know in years gone by a chiropractor, or any other healthcare worker for that matter, could make a decent living.  No question that there maybe some who may still be doing that.  However, I dare say that the vast majority are making less, BUT the big second question is where are you putting your money to create that “nest-egg”?  Investment are clearly challenging, risky, and often times much less fruitful than they once were.

Again, I love what I do, but it would be nice to tap into a program that creates a secondary stream of passive income, money you make while sitting on the beach or while sleeping.  Imagine that!

In fact, over the past 4-5 years I have learned a lot about this industry and I can’t wait to share it with you.  Go ahead and click through MY Dream and My Solutions to see the journey I have had and where I am heading.

And, Click Here if you are really interested in pursuing YOUR dreams.

Thanks for visiting . . . until next time at Frustrated With Healthcare.