Before we dive into today’s topic, let’s review some startling statistics. According to Richard Telofski, Principal Consultant of a New Jersey based social media research company, “Less than one percent of American chiropractors blog and, of those that do, over one-third of chiropractor blogs are inactive and look like sad puppy dogs abandoned by the side of the road. Blogging as a marketing tool is not regarded seriously by America’s chiropractors. In fact, their absence from blogging is just downright astounding.”
The above quote was the catalyst that propelled me forward to start next generation chiropractor. I was not only shocked by the statistics but also oblivious to reality. Being a techno geek, my world has always revolved around computers, the Internet and technology. I am what Geoffrey Moore calls an early-adopter. Therefore, I naively assumed everyone used and benefitted from technology. Boy was I wrong!
I never stopped to think that the majority of chiropractors either didn’t get it, simply ignored it or faced multiple hurdles in getting started due to a lack of understanding. It was this epiphany that stirred me up and motivated me to help educate, inform and teach chiropractors the benefits of blogging and social media networking.
For those chiropractors who have grasped the importance of blogging and social media networking, I commend you! You are light years ahead of your colleagues and will reap the rewards if you stay committed to the cause. Nevertheless, its just like anything else in life. If you don’t commit to refining yourself, you’ll grow dull and ineffective. Stephen Covey refers to it as Sharpening the Saw. If you can’t take care of yourself, you’ll never be able to take care of others.
Sharpening the Saw encompasses not just your personal life but also your professional. You need to view yourself as a CEO and run your chiropractic practice like a Fortune 500 company. Just the idea of being held accountable to stockholders should cause a paradigm shift on how you do business. If you take your chiropractic business that serious, you’ll go places.
Now I realize blogging is just one avenue of marketing for a chiropractic office. However, as time goes by, it is one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to get your message out into your community. Your chiropractic message can literally go viral and reach millions by connecting your blog to social media networks. But, please understand, if your blog posts don’t have effective headlines, you’re screwed.
This is why most chiropractic blogs SUCK. Chiropractors forget to take off their doctors’ hats and exchange them for layman terms when writing headlines and content. The simple fact remains that 80% of your readers will move on and not even read your blog post if your headline isn’t enticing. So, you’ll need to immediately hook them with your headline.
For example, instead of writing a headline like this …
Chiropractic Care is Natural and Safe
… try this:
5 Reasons Why You Should Seek
an Alternative to the Flu Vaccine
See the difference?
The first one is boring and doesn’t stimulate people to read the content. However, the second one makes people curious, uses a popular keyword (flu vaccine) and lists potential solutions to a major health crisis.
This is critical. A blog’s lifeblood is its content. If you can’t stimulate prospects to read your posts, then you might as well not have one.
Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a professional copywriter. However, I’ve sought training from the best. Two that come to mind are Brian Clark from CopyBlogger and Sean D’Sousa from Psychotactics. There’s no question about it — if you spend time studying their content, you WILL take your blog to an entirely different level.
To get you started, I encourage you to read the following post by Brian Clark titled How to Write Magnetic Headlines . Within his post, he also provides you with eleven other posts that specifically focus on headline writing. It should be bookmarked, sent to Evernote and reviewed on a consistent basis as you grow your online presence.
In addition to Brian’s information, I’m also including a FREE PDF ebook written by Sean D’Sousa titled “Why Do Some Headlines Fail: How to Write Headlines that Get Results Every Time!” If you’re interested in receiving this FREE gift, you’ll need to complete the following three things:
- Tweet this blog post on Twitter.
- Leave a comment requesting your FREE gift.
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Later this week, all email newsletter subscribers will receive the download link so that you can grab your FREE copy of this incredible resource. If you’re not a subscriber, then I encourage you to do so. If you don’t, then you’ll miss out!
So, become a subscriber TODAY! You have no excuses … besides it’s FREE! 
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About Dr. Patrick MacNamara
So true! And, I was one of them! Until May 2009 I didn’t even know what a blog was let alone RSS etc. And, I am not in the least bit ‘tech savvy’! But Once I found Next Generation Chiropractor (on Twitter) I’ve learned so much! I of course request the FREE PDF ebook by Sean D’Sousa. Looking forward to the email!
Thanks Dr. MacNamara !
Dr. Heins :: As an avid reader of my blog, you can guarantee you’ll receive a copy of Sean’s ebook. Thanks again for your comment! I greatly appreciate it!
Dr. MacNamara,
Thanks for the great post and I would love get the FREE ebook by Sean D’Sousa.
Dr. Sullivan :: Thanks for your comment. I do appreciate it. Also, don’t forget to tweet the post on Twitter and make sure you’re registered for my email newsletter. The download link will hit on Friday.
Take care!
Thanks for the mention. Glad I could help to “catalyze” this site.
Mr. Telofski :: I’m honored that you stopped by the site! And, yes, I hold you entirely responsible for propelling me forward.
I agree completely! That is one of the reasons I started my blog. I wanted to read something that didn’t exist. So I created my blog and began writing what I wanted to read.
Another invaluable blog to check out, obviously, is problogger.net. Darren Rowse is a stud when it comes to blogging and making money blogging. He’s my blogging hero.
Great blog post Dr. MacNamara!
Dr. Harshe :: You are correct. Problogger is a MUST read for serious bloggers. Matter of fact, he’s #1 on my list of seven bloggers I recommend everyone to read. Darren Rowse does an incredible job educating us all on the power and purpose of blogging.
Also, make sure you read Problogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income and spend the small amount he requests for his incredible workbook, 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.
Hey Dr. Mac! This is Jamie writing for Dr. Kim. I’m prepping to get her launched online for 2009 and was wondering if I could get that free PDF ebook that you’re so generously offering. Thanks for all your hard work in sharing this wealth of knowledge and expertise. I, for one, really appreciate it.
Jamie :: Thanks for stopping by the site. I’m glad you and Dr. Anderson are enjoying the material. Regarding the free eBook, it’s on its way. Take care!
Dear Dr.
Please send a FREE PDF ebook written by Sean D’Sousa titled “Why Do Some Headlines Fail: How to Write Headlines that Get Results Every Time!”
I have enjoyed you articles. Thank you.
Mr. Roach :: Thanks for stopping by the site! Please check your email because I just sent you the link for your free copy of Sean D’Sousa’s PDF ebook. Enjoy!
I just went through and changed my post headings! Good tips thanks!
Dr. Pryjma :: Great job! Now, how can I convince you to move from Blogspot to a self-hosted blog? If you need more insight on what I’m talking about, let me know. I’m here to help!
Oh, and thanks for stopping by the site!
AAhhh yes you can – in the process of branding and launching my own website this year. I would love some more tips!
Thanks!
I’m glad to hear that you’ll be launching a new site this year. I look forward to seeing what you put together.
My concern with your current setup is that you don’t own the domain or information you’re currently distributing through your Blogspot blog.
Therefore, you need to move to a self-hosted blog and purchase a domain name that you own. This way you’ll retain ownership of the domain name and can totally control the content that’s published to your site.
I’ve written about this in various post but if you need a good starting point, I recommend Hostican.com. They are exceptional for beginners and novices alike.
If you need something more robust, then my next recommendation would be LiquidWeb.
At any case, let me know if you get tripped up. As you probably know, I own Developing Others which focuses exclusively on building professional blogs for chiropractors.
Matter of fact, I’m working on a new site right now for a group of chiropractors based in Marouba.
Thanks! I didnt realise i dont ‘own’ the content. I have bought my web address. Checking out Developing Others now. Cheers!
Dr. Mac, I think that writing a blog is the simplest way to stay in touch with your patients. David Meerman Scott wrote a great post about blogging in real time. A few weeks ago, I had a patient with an MRI filled with big scary words. I blogged about it, and sent her a link…talk about impressed, she couldn’t believe it.
Thanks for the great info.
Dr. Kevin
Dr. Harrington, you’re absolutely right!
And, you can’t go wrong with listening to David Meerman Scott either. That guy is right on the money when it comes to blogging and building a successful presence online. If you haven’t read it already, I highly recommend his book The New Rules of Marketing and PR.
Congratulations on the patient’s kudos and thanks for stopping by the site!
By the way, I like your blog’s design … nice, clean, and built on Thesis. Two thumbs up!!