Comments on: That Little Something Extra For Your Practice http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:58:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Johnetta Nobile http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-7469 Johnetta Nobile Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:17:20 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-7469 Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon! Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

]]> By: Tamara http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-1075 Tamara Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:54:48 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-1075 Welcome, Laura Beth! What a fabulous idea! That's definitely going to give your clients something to talk about! I hope you'll drop back in here often to chat AND let us know when you hang that shingle out! Best wishes to you as you get ready to open your practice! Welcome, Laura Beth! What a fabulous idea! That’s definitely going to give your clients something to talk about! I hope you’ll drop back in here often to chat AND let us know when you hang that shingle out! Best wishes to you as you get ready to open your practice!

]]> By: Laurie http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-1048 Laurie Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:13:52 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-1048 I'm in the planning stages of opening a private practice. A few years ago my husband got me a fancy massage chair (back, shoulders, feet, and arms...so relaxing!) for Christmas. I love it! I think my clients will too, so I'm going to put it in the waiting room. And I can still use it on my lunch! Hopefully my clients will see this as a perk! I’m in the planning stages of opening a private practice. A few years ago my husband got me a fancy massage chair (back, shoulders, feet, and arms…so relaxing!) for Christmas. I love it! I think my clients will too, so I’m going to put it in the waiting room. And I can still use it on my lunch! Hopefully my clients will see this as a perk!

]]> By: Tamara http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-825 Tamara Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:38:43 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-825 Thanks, Todd! I'm sure the readers the community here will appreciate your tips and your introduction! Looking forward to chatting with you here at Private Practice from the Inside Out. Thanks, Todd! I’m sure the readers the community here will appreciate your tips and your introduction! Looking forward to chatting with you here at Private Practice from the Inside Out.

]]> By: Todd Atkins, LCSW http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Todd Atkins, LCSW Sun, 04 Apr 2010 21:51:23 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-824 Well, I just started in private practice in May 2009, so no Katrina effects. As for a merchant account, be a good shopper. The better YOUR credit, the better the deal you'll get as far as percentages, etc. I would say avoid contracts, see if your local bank offers merchant accounts, compare percentages and fees, watch out for added monthly "statement" or "batch" fees, also I would recommend purchasing the machine rather than renting. As for the K-Cups, I've found the best deals to be had are at: http://www.coffeeicon.com Best wishes. Todd Well, I just started in private practice in May 2009, so no Katrina effects. As for a merchant account, be a good shopper. The better YOUR credit, the better the deal you’ll get as far as percentages, etc. I would say avoid contracts, see if your local bank offers merchant accounts, compare percentages and fees, watch out for added monthly “statement” or “batch” fees, also I would recommend purchasing the machine rather than renting. As for the K-Cups, I’ve found the best deals to be had are at: http://www.coffeeicon.com

Best wishes.
Todd

]]> By: Tamara http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-786 Tamara Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:41:13 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-786 Hi, Todd! Thanks for sharing your "little something extras." You are exactly right and I love the little <a href="http://www.keurig.com/" rel="nofollow">Keurig coffee makers</a>! My dentist has one and they are so easy to use! Do you have any tips to share on obtaining a merchant account for those credit cards? And, how has your business fared since Hurricane Katrina? Hi, Todd! Thanks for sharing your “little something extras.” You are exactly right and I love the little Keurig coffee makers! My dentist has one and they are so easy to use!

Do you have any tips to share on obtaining a merchant account for those credit cards?

And, how has your business fared since Hurricane Katrina?

]]> By: Todd Atkins, LCSW http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-766 Todd Atkins, LCSW Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:47:03 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-766 I have a Keurig single-cup coffee maker in my waiting room. Clients love it. They can make their own Tea, Coffee, or Hot Cocoa while waiting to be seen. Good investment. People expect and appreciate good customer service. I have a Keurig single-cup coffee maker in my waiting room. Clients love it. They can make their own Tea, Coffee, or Hot Cocoa while waiting to be seen. Good investment. People expect and appreciate good customer service.

]]> By: Todd Atkins, LCSW http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-756 Todd Atkins, LCSW Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:40:48 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-756 I am a social worker in private practice in Baton Rouge, LA. I believe that we are now in a very "customer service" based society and that people expect/recognize/appreciate those "little something extras". Here is what I have done: I purchased a Cuisinart/Keurig single-cup coffee maker (Bed Bath & Beyond - if you register with them online you get a 20% off coupon so instead of 199, I got it for 160), and I maintain a gourmet coffee station in my waiting room. There is very little mess because the client just selects the little "k-cup" flavor they want (I have a little display wheel with hot cocoa, tea, and many different flavor coffees), puts it in the machine and drops a cup below and presses "brew". No grounds to clean up and so forth. It really impresses people and the clients love it. I must say I drink my share as well! I do private pay only, and I have a credit card machine as well which makes things simple for a majority of my clients pay with credit/debit cards. Sincerely, Todd Atkins, LCSW Baton Rouge, Louisiana I am a social worker in private practice in Baton Rouge, LA. I believe that we are now in a very “customer service” based society and that people expect/recognize/appreciate those “little something extras”. Here is what I have done: I purchased a Cuisinart/Keurig single-cup coffee maker (Bed Bath & Beyond – if you register with them online you get a 20% off coupon so instead of 199, I got it for 160), and I maintain a gourmet coffee station in my waiting room. There is very little mess because the client just selects the little “k-cup” flavor they want (I have a little display wheel with hot cocoa, tea, and many different flavor coffees), puts it in the machine and drops a cup below and presses “brew”. No grounds to clean up and so forth. It really impresses people and the clients love it. I must say I drink my share as well!

I do private pay only, and I have a credit card machine as well which makes things simple for a majority of my clients pay with credit/debit cards.

Sincerely,

Todd Atkins, LCSW
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

]]> By: Kristene http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-749 Kristene Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:28:25 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-749 If this is an on-going support group vs a free one-time educational presentation for the community, I think you should consider even a small fee per person. Yes, the group can be open (vs closed) but you are incurring expenses for your office space, time, expertise, insurance, materials, and marketing. Don't sell yourself short. You have valuable info to share and you are providing a service. People expect to pay for this type of service. Signed, Been there, done that :) Kristene If this is an on-going support group vs a free one-time educational presentation for the community, I think you should consider even a small fee per person. Yes, the group can be open (vs closed) but you are incurring expenses for your office space, time, expertise, insurance, materials, and marketing. Don’t sell yourself short. You have valuable info to share and you are providing a service.

People expect to pay for this type of service.

Signed,
Been there, done that :)
Kristene

]]> By: Tamara http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/that-little-something-extra-for-your-practice/comment-page-1/#comment-748 Tamara Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:43:38 +0000 http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/?p=5373#comment-748 Great idea, Robyn! Thankfully, you are clear about your niche! Don't forget to talk it up / ask for suggestions on the <a href="http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/build-your-reputation-with-online-discussion-lists/" rel="nofollow">online discussion lists</a> that you are a member of. And, of course, all of the <a href="http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/23-reasons-to-join-your-professional-associations-today/" rel="nofollow">professional associations</a> in your area can help you get the word out. And, before you actually begin advertising, you may want to <a href="http://www.allthingsprivatepractice.com/4-things-you-must-know-before-you-decide-to-advertise/" rel="nofollow">read my post here</a>. I hope you'll check back in with us as your group builds to let us know what did and didn't work with advertising for your group. We can all learn from you! Great idea, Robyn! Thankfully, you are clear about your niche! Don’t forget to talk it up / ask for suggestions on the online discussion lists that you are a member of. And, of course, all of the professional associations in your area can help you get the word out. And, before you actually begin advertising, you may want to read my post here.

I hope you’ll check back in with us as your group builds to let us know what did and didn’t work with advertising for your group. We can all learn from you!

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