Doctors Dee Koloski and Kathryn Plummer are very conscious of their image reflecting on their medical profession and their business. They came to Full Circle Marketing & Design for marketing advice to increase their exposure when they first opened their practice in Loveland.  Actually, Full Circle Marketing came to them first, as patients!  Our previous doctor in Colorado Springs referred us to the Sage doctors when we moved to Loveland.

The general public does not always understand the difference between naturopathic and Chinese medicine and Western medicine, so the doctors started with a brochure explaining the basics of holistic medicine and what they provide at their office. They also needed to promote Sage Holistic Health, which they did through several powerful advertising campaigns, educational workshops and networking groups and events.

Now approaching their 6th year, they’ve learned a lot about marketing and what has worked for their business. Without breaking any vows of confidentiality, the doctors have agreed to share their marketing secrets with you!

1. Creating a professional image was very important to their business. It helped differentiate them from competitors and helped give them credibility with clients.  They needed an image unique to their practice to effectively distinguish them from the next holistic practitioner.  

 2. Relationships are key. Meeting people and networking with other doctors and business professionals has helped them grow their customer base.  But it is more than going into the public realm and shaking hands.  The first rule of marketing emphasizes that businesses are in business for their customers.  No buts!  Sage takes this to heart.  Their connection to their clients is obvious from a personal level and from a business model. They have created a thriving practice in a short period of time in a difficult market (naturopathy, Chinese medicine and holistic care, although very effective, are not well known and are still becoming understood in the Loveland and Northern Colorado region).

 3. They watched their advertising dollars.  What was effective, what wasn't.  After tracking where their clients were coming from, they realized that their business is found mostly through referral. They are now doing less print advertising, except for the yellow pages, and more internal marketing to their existing customer base. Examples: contacting customers with newsletters, birthday cards, holiday specials with discounts.  

 4. Hiring of an office manager and working as a team.  Now the doctors have more time to focus on patient care instead of administrative tasks, and can be away from the office and still have the clinic open. Patients feel comfortable with the manager and it lends more credibility to their business.

 5. Sage takes a holistic approach to their business, both with their patients’ medical needs and their marketing.  They don’t just “treat the symptoms” when marketing.  They look at the whole picture of their business. Sage Holistic Health takes the time to do their homework, understand their business and listen to others.  And they realize the value of working with an advertising agency ( to help them in their quest for success.

 
Editor's note: When we first approached Sage about a profile of their company they were patient and forthright. We asked them to review the brief article and they made their suggestions. They then sent us this comment: (Do you consider yourself an “advertising agency”? To me that term means, uh, a bunch of cubicles and people on phones trying to sell advertising to you. I think of Full Circle more as a marketing department, a full service promotions company to bring in more money and save more money.”)

Thank you Sage Holistic Health.