It´s never too soon to start implementing techniques to help build your acupuncture practice. While you´re designing your business cards, applying for your business license and building your clinic website you can also include some additional and practical steps to ensure a successful start to your acupuncture practice:

• When starting your practice from scratch, consider renting from another health care practitioner for a few days a week for office space or join a group practice.


• Present yourself professionally to your patients by speaking positively about your health care colleagues and avoiding gossip.


• Review current TCM research and develop a specialty that addresses one particular disease. Create print materials, such as brochures and newsletters, for your patients.


• While focusing on high quality health care for your patients, refer for conditions you are uncertain about. Referrals to other acupuncture and allopathic practitioners can result in community networking opportunities.


• Begin with rates that approximate where you want to be in relation to competition with other local practitioners; future rate raises will then be more acceptable to the patient.


• If you charge more, be certain to provide more. Research and know your patients´ health conditions thoroughly before their arrival and be able to provide them with information about Chinese herbs, Chinese food therapy, tui na, and qigong that may be useful to them in the treatment of their condition.


• Have free promotional products available for give away. Patients will appreciate this and return the good will with free word of mouth marketing for your practice.


• Use Acufinder and other acupuncture-related websites that have a high hit rate for regular advertising of your professional services.


• Occasionally purchase print ads in the paper. Communicate with local editors regarding the possibility of a regular Q & A health column.


• An effective means of advertising your new practice is to rent a booth at all local health fairs and health-related expos. Giving free pulse analysis and providing health care tips can result in meeting a large number of potential clients. Fairs and expos can also result in networking opportunities with other health care practitioners.


• Build your business through public speaking about timely health care topics.


• Become involved within your community by joining local associations and organizations.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College´s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.