Loyalty

[Optical Roy]

Sitting reflecting over my 20+ years in this amazing field, I have had some very loyal patients, I have patients that followed me from my last office of 17 years to the one I have been at for the last 5, even changing doctors after all that time, just because I am here. Some still get their eyecare at the previous office, but come to me for their specs. I guess that is why I have shared some of my discount thoughts and what we have done for fun discounts. I guess the reason this has come to mind is, every year, for the month of December, everyone that purchases from me gets a handwritten Christmas Card, with my business card and a 20% discount card for them, or anyone they want to give it to.

I believe I do my job very well, but I also believe that part of that loyalty is showing I care, when I truly do, especially about their vision, and too some point, about their lives, kids, grandkids, etc.

This is what separates us from those big box cracker jack oh you flip burgers your hired sell glasses kinda places.

[optical24/7]

I agree, it’s very satisfying to have long term loyalty from our patients, especially when they refer friends and families. Over the years, it also adds value to your employer.

Many Opticians forget or don’t think about bringing up the fact of how many patients they can bring to a new employer when negotiating salary. ( I never forgot, and always was able to get better than offered pay.)

[Barry Santini]

Hmmm. And I thought the Doc was King.

[drk]

Superb business post.

[drk]

I guess penis envy is king.

[NAICITPO]

I guess penis envy is king.

[DanLiv]

That's great Roy. I have quite a few customers who seem to be partial to me, and I hope they would actually be loyal enough to follow me should I move elsewhere.

I love the personal card, well done. How did you market yourself to those customers so they were able to find you when you moved on? How did you maintain good standing with your previous employer without being seen as "poaching" customers?

Drk, how would you be comfortable with your opticians promoting themselves, without imperiling your future business should those opticians move on and customers possibly seek them out?

[Optical Roy]

That's great Roy. I have quite a few customers who seem to be partial to me, and I hope they would actually be loyal enough to follow me should I move elsewhere.

I love the personal card, well done. How did you market yourself to those customers so they were able to find you when you moved on? How did you maintain good standing with your previous employer without being seen as "poaching" customers?

Drk, how would you be comfortable with your opticians promoting themselves, without imperiling your future business should those opticians move on and customers possibly seek them out?

We advertised with a half page add, the previous office still will not tell folks where I am, it's been 5 years. I run into them in town most of the time, or they call around to Opticals in town. Keep in mind, we are a town of about 50k with only 5 optical shops in town. However, I have had patients 4 hours away call around, then come see me.

[drk]

Drk, how would you be comfortable with your opticians promoting themselves, without imperiling your future business should those opticians move on and customers possibly seek them out?

Sorry didn't see this.

Intriguing question.

I think it would be super, as long as it was a person promoting themselves via the current office's media.

Say, a website video of you, featured on "Denver Precision Eye Works" website. Or, a little bloggy on "Facebook page for Rocky Mountain Optics". Or, a hand-written card with the print saying "Daniel Livingston, Master Optician, Bronco VisionCare Boutique".

[wmcdonald]

Sir Richard Branson: Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to. Think about it!