I'm starting an in-home care agency for seniors & adults who need personal care assistance & companionship in their homes. I find it hard on the marketing aspect. I don't know what department in the hospital will I go to inquire on whether they have patients that needs our service. If anybody knows anything on how to go about this business, please help me on this. Thanks!
2006-11-08 16:21:33 · 4 answers · asked by baby s 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Hospials can be very daunting. Maybe an easier first step would be to speak with your own family physician. Call his nurse and tell him/her that you are working on a business model and could really use 5 minutes of Dr X's time. Have a business plan or summary of what you are trying to achieve and take it to the meeting with Dr. X. Tell him that you need to be in front of the local community folks who refer elderly to care programs. Can he recommend anyone for you to speak with. And if you know him fairly well, will he make a call or two in your behalf. The doctors are huge in referral business. I'd start there rather than trying to take on the hospitals. Also, if you look up the home care agencies in your area, go see them (and if you really want to get off on the right foot, take them a nice treat - bagels or cookies or something like that). Ask to speak to the director or the DON (Director of Nursing). Be brief, but explain your business idea and ask for her help. I think that you will find that homecare folks are very compassionate and willing to help. Ask her specifically for what you want. For example, you may want, referrals from her for clients that no longer require in-home care - maybe elderly who needed skilled care but are now well enough not to need nursing care. Or maybe you want her to introduce you to the folks at the hospital who could refer business to you. Be ready to offer her something in kind though. Like...if youhave clients who are no longer able to use your service, proactively promote the homecare agency to the family of the elderly that you serve. I think you've got a nice business idea, but you'll really learn a bunch if you spend some time with care providers before getting too much further down the road. All the best.
2006-11-09 00:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by alerrett 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You MUST know at minimum;
1) Who is my customer...
2) How do I reach my customer...
3) What benefit do I offer my customer...
4) How do I get from concept to first customer....
5) How do I get from first customer to multiple customers...
6) What additional revenue streams can I add with multiple customers
If you are asking a question like this, you are not ready to go out on your own. Work for another successful home care agency and pay close attention to how they market themselves. Without a detailed written business and marketing plan you will undoubtedly fail. Get help, attend trade shows, ask other business owners, find a mentor, join field related groups. There are many things you can do to give yourself the best chance for success,
fail to plan ---- plan to fail.....
2006-11-08 18:06:07 · answer #2 · answered by oksooner339 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local senior services program. Also check out the local AARP chapter. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
2006-11-08 16:24:42 · answer #3 · answered by Emm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out ( http://www.salesandmarketinghelp.com )
2006-11-09 03:09:12 · answer #4 · answered by marketingexpert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋