Client Relations & Marketing

I think a lot of veterinarians see poor compliance because they ask clients to do things that are all but impossible. For example, say you're treating a dog that has a horrible ear infection, and you would need to manhandle the dog to get an ear drop in. And then you tell the client to give the dog three drops a day at home. The client can't do that.

More clients are complaining about their veterinary care because they expect more of you.

Pets still need care even when times are tight.

When it comes to veterinary spending, the issue isn't clients' income level but how pets fit into their lives.

We educate clients about pet insurance by putting fliers in puppy and kitten kits because it's too late to offer to help defray the cost of treatment once a chronic condition is diagnosed. We direct clients to the brochure or to a pet insurance company Web site.

You wish more of your clients had pet insurance, but do you know enough to help clients get the information they need?

Boarding and grooming can be a great opportunity.

Be wary of quick-fix marketing strategies. Even the most creative gimmicks often produce few or no results.

Here are 15 marketing tips that will yield results for your veterinary practice.

Different ethnic groups may share similar preferences, and learning them helps bond clients to your practice.

How to keep pet owners happy might seem like a mystery. But it's not. Learn the secrets to putting a smile on every client's face.

Capitalize on three things to increase visits by cat owners.

It's the elephant in the room. We all know pets are getting fatter, but just how fat? Until now, there was no concrete data.

Lakewood, Colo. - Associate veterinarians are jumping jobs faster than the average American worker, according to a new study, and salaries that don't keep pace with inflation could be partly to blame.

When clients face tough money choices, you'll need to be prepared to explain the care their pets need.

The use of green products is on the rise.

Keep these three things in mind to help stay complaint-free.

To reduce the risk for pets and people, the new thinking should be, "We're all in this together."

Cindy Adams, MSW, PhD, discusses techniques for excellent veterinary communication.

Client compliance does more than affect a pet's health-it directly affects your practice's bottom line. Are you doing all that you can to ensure clients follow your recommendations?

Fight that trend and attract cat owners to your practice.

The Pareto Principle is an observation (not a law) that most things in life are not distributed evenly. It could mean any or all of the following:

'Tis the season for creepy crawlies to worm their way into clients' and pets' lives. Remind clients of these disease prevention tips.

How should we handle aggressive clients who use foul language, throw invoices, or behave badly?

How do we tell clients we can't help them when they can't pay for the care their pet receives?

Review these techniques to help you prepare for your next encounter with aggressive clients.

Editor's Note: Understanding consumer behavior can help you as a clinician and business manager. DVM Newsmagazine asked five veterinary market leaders to join this year's DVM Newsmakers' Summit at CVC East in Baltimore. Following is the second of three excerpts from the panel discussion; the final one will be published next month.

Maintaining friendly eye contact often promotes trust, and can add emphasis to what we say.

These case studies show how to strengthen your relationships with clients and grow your practice.

How is the U.S. economy influencing your clients' willingness to seek veterinary care?