YOU get a Welcome Gift, and YOU get a Welcome Gift

by Shawn Tryce, Em Dash Communications

If your new clients don’t walk away with a bit of swag, you miss a great marketing opportunity. A welcome gift is relatively inexpensive compared to the goodwill and loyalty they generate; loyal clients are more likely to stay with your practice, be compliant caregivers to their family pets. and recommend your practice

The three most essential client visits are new kitten, new puppy, and new client. Instead of handing over papers, brochures, and gifts, deliver in a branded plastic bag. If you have the budget, purchase shopping totes that can carry groceries. Remember, the goal is to create impressions of your practice's brand.

Give away items like:

• Practice welcome message from the owner(s)

• Puppy and kitten care and training literature

• Branded bandana

• Branded refrigerator magnets with emergency instructions

• Coupon for grooming and/or boarding services

• Window sticker pet alert for emergency responders

• Vaccine cards

• Poop bags with dispenser

• Litter scoops

If you don't have the budget for bags and folders ask your local sales reps. They may have free bags, or you can inquire about having them sponsor your tote in exchange for adding their brand.

There are popular and readily available items that could be a legal risk. An example is pet food and treats. You may get free samples of prescription food from your local rep. If a pet gets sick after eating, it does not matter if the sample was the culprit. Your client will return to your practice, and you will likely be extending free exams and treatment. You may even need to respond to legal action. Keep food, flea and tick preventatives, and pharmaceutical samples in your exam room to be distributed by a clinician.

Avoid items like:

• Dog and cat toys

• Food measuring cups

• Leases

• Finger toothbrush and toothpaste sample

Offer your regular clients a small token when they visit. Complimentary pens are not an out-of-date marketing practice. A cup filled with branded pens on your counter helps with transactions and imply, "You can take one." You want your practice's name floating around their car, home, and yes, even their junk drawer. These pens are making valuable impressions. When somebody says "Vet," they will immediately remember where they last saw that pen.

Next to human resources, marketing is the most important investment you will make in your veterinary practice. If you are ready to execute traditional marketing methods with professional expertise and enter the digital landscape with confidence, Em Dash Communications is here to lead the way and show you how to "Stay Pawsome." Let's start the conversation.