Thank you card etiquette

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Permalink Reply by Michael on October 4, 2011 at 8:41pm

I would first ask the client if it's ok to discuss his case with the doc, get that in writing so you cover yourself against breach of confidentiality. It might even be good to give the client a limited medical release to go on file with the doc giving permission to talk to you regarding the patient. The general goal is to be seen as a part of the "team".

As to the letter, use the phrase "your patient, mr non-smoker". This lets the doc know that you respect that he/she is the primary care person and that you aren't going to "steal" the patient. If you do get info release from the client, offer to share results or progress with the doc and ask for recommendations to include. Putting down the cigarettes is of course one goal, however, the doc may have other related recommendations for the client's progress. This way you can structure your suggestions to be in line with the doc's instructions. Apart from that, I must admit I would probably look for templates of business or referral thank you letters online and create my own using those as inspiration.

Michael Bueti

www.theintegratedperson.com

520-370-5185

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on October 4, 2011 at 9:01pm

Thank you, Michael.  The doctor sent this man to me and although smoking doesn't require a medical release I would like to thank the doctor for his referral.  Showing respect and deference is tremendously important. I would like to be sure the thank you is simple and straightforward, and that it leaves or invites the possibility of future work without sounding pushy.  I hadn't thought of looking for a template.  Thank you for such a thoughtful reply.

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on October 5, 2011 at 2:36am

Hey Jackie,

Congratulations on the unsolicited referral! This is a sign that you are gaining a positive reputation in your community.

You can invite future referrals without feeling you are being pushy by 1) doing as Michael suggests and offering to provide an update to the doc and 2) along with your thank you note, sending some business cards/brochures 3) offering a discount to the doctor's clients upon his referral

One of my referring MDs told me she was hesitant to send me clients who were on fixed incomes, knowing that their medical insurance would not pay for my services. I offered to give a discount to her patients who are in financial duress. It's worked out wonderfully!

When you get your thank you letter designed, will you please post it to share in the "Forms for Free" group? Or, you may even want to place an inquiry there, too...

Best, Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Michael on October 5, 2011 at 5:05am

Hey Jackie, you are absolutely correct, smoking cessation does not require a medical release. I was more thinking along the lines of general release of information or "permission to talk". Some doctors are very particular about patient information, as they should be. The trust and confidentiality with a client is important, and the same goes for us as hypnotists. By obtaining the clients permission to share information, both you and the doctor are showing the client that you respect their privacy and that you are both there to support them. It also lends you some of the doctor's credibility in addition to just the referral; in the mind of the client you become part of their care team, not "the hypnotist my doc sent me to stop smoking". This also lets the doc know you are acting in the professional realm, more treatment and less tea-leaves, as I've heard someone say; which means the doc might be inclined to refer out to you more. 

Keep up the good works you're doing.

Michael Bueti

www.theintegratedperson.com

520-370-5185

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Permalink Reply by Steve Andrade on October 5, 2011 at 5:50am

Hi Jackie,

Congratulations.

Your hard and smart work is paying off in a most wonderful way for building your business.

I know which ever way you choose for thanking, will be just right, you're in a good place for accomplishing when the excitement comes from something good.

 

Michael,

Kelley,

Good advice.

 

Steve

 

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on October 5, 2011 at 6:30am

Hey J-

 

Congrats -- "Good On You- Matey"- as we say in Spanish Harlem

I recommend holding off on the thank you note--

The most powerful way to impress a doctor is having a client thank his or her doctor for the referral and report being a non-smoker. Anoter way is to wait 30 days and call the client to follow up and insure his or her patient has stopped smoking. If the client has stopped smoking ask the client for permission to share the good news with his or her doctor when you send the doctor a thank you note for the referral. In the odd chance the client has not stopped smoking point out--- Most people stop after one hypnosis session, but some clients require two and even three sessions before becoming non-smokers... Blah, blah, blah...

Dear Dr __________

I am happy to report your patient ________________ has not smoked for 30 days since his or her stop smoking session.

Thank you for the referral!

Jackie Spencer

Medical Hypnosis

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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig - HypnosisAustin on October 5, 2011 at 8:37am

In his book Endless Referrals, Bog Burg recommends including the line, "If I can ever send referrals your way, I will."

 

Don't become so fixated on receiving referrals that you forget your value as a referral source. Doctors have to worry about the bottom line, too. 

 

James

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Jacquin on October 5, 2011 at 12:45pm

Thank people when they give you a referral. Thank them when it books. Thank them after it is a success. Give.

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Spencer on October 5, 2011 at 9:18pm

Wow, everybody.  You are all amazing.  There is much to consider that I hadn't.  

 

Michael - Your post had value in it this morning.  As I replayed it in my head a few times I saw much more wisdom than I initially realized.  Sometimes I'm slow on the uptake but I do eventually catch on!  Thank you so much.

 

Kelley - The discount is a great idea.  And I love joining your groups!  You are an amazing woman.

 

Steve - It's been awhile!  Whole Foods is calling.

 

Michael E. - That is perfect, thank you.  Just what I was looking for.

 

James - That is a fantastic ending.  My friend who is a massage therapist gets quite a few clients from the doctor to whom she also refers.

 

Anthony - There is not enough gratitude in this world.  A little extra is just thing thing.

 

My thanks to you all!

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Susan French on October 8, 2011 at 10:19am

Just an additional thought...I've had clients call me and tell me that their doc referred them but when I question them, it's sometimes more like "hypnosis is supposed to really help.  Why don't you google somone?"  

You can hear the little tinkle of the broken bubble (at least I do...lol) but always appreciated, still.  

 

Certainly better than having someone wave an article from the Guardian or the Inquirer about a hypnotist who groped someone AND lifted their wallet.

 

HMMM...I just had a thought.  I wonder how it would work if we just took physicians' names and addresses and sent them a thank you for the referral????  Hmmmmmm....

 

What do you guys think?

 

Susan

http://www.hypno4success.com

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