ARTICLE
Figure 8 . Most common ways of attracting new clients to natural medicine businesses
Most effective way of attracting new clients to respondents ' pratices Exhibiting at events and conferences n = 2 , 0.2 %
Attending events and conferences Print advertising
Presenting workshops ‘ Find a Practitioner ’ on the ATMS website
Emails Brochures
Paid online advertising ( e . g . Google Ads ) Practice visibility ( e . g . walking past my clinic )
Other ( please specify ) Social media ( e . g . Facebook or Instagram )
Referrals from other health care practitioners Business website
Google or another search engine Word of mouth
• For the statement , Learning more about how to successfully use online and internet ( digital ) marketing and promotions would increase the success of my business , results were different . Almost two-thirds of respondents indicated they agreed or strongly agreed with this statement ( n = 703 , 64.7 %), only 7 % ( n = 77 ) disagreed or strongly disagreed , and just over a quarter neither agreed nor disagreed ( n = 306 , 28 %).
Respondents ’ suggestions for how ATMS can support members in gaining relevant business skills
Question 13 asked respondents to list suggestions for how ATMS can support members in gaining relevant business skills in order to run a successful business . This was a free text entry question and was analysed thematically .
Marketing Many members requested webinars on marketing skills that focussed on areas such as social media , communication skills , websites , ethical and legal marketing , advertising guidelines and networking with other practitioners . n = 3 , 0.3 % 3 n = 3 , 0.3 % n = 6 , 0.6 % n = 9 , 0.8 % n = 11 , 1.2 % n = 12 , 1 % n = 14,1.3 % n = 18 , 1.7 % n = 38 , 3.5 % n = 55 , 5.1 % n = 56 , 5.2 % n = 61 , 5.6 % n = 87 , 8.1 % n = 706 , 65.3 %
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Number of respondents / 1081 total responses
Members also recommended that the ATMS take action to maximise exposure through investing in advertising initiatives like Google ranking and Google ads , TV , radio , etc . as well as provide templates for advertising with stock images that practitioners could edit and use for themselves on Google ads or social media . A considerable number of members mentioned how fiercely competitive the traditional therapies world is and tthat extra support is needed for practitioners who feel that they have no chance of growth .
Running a Business Many of the responses emphasised the big shift to a digital platform and noted that their technology skills needed improvement . Their answers overlapped with question # 5 but were given here in more detail . Members requested that courses or webinars be offered on skills such as basic computer skills , accounting platforms , patient file software , communicating with patients , bookkeeping , tax , GST , understanding health funds , payment options , and clinic management software . Some responses indicated that there were a lot of unknowns in terms of knowing what fees to charge , how to add employees and subcontractors and how to expand their business . Some members suggested that ATMS could serve its members best by investigating whether local governments / councils may already be running small business workshops and informing members of these courses , and whether they might be free . Other members requested that updates be sent from ATMS on changes to any laws , regulations from government bodies or major insurers that might affect a practitioner ’ s business .
Mentorship A lot of respondents asked ATMS to offer mentorship or coaching , either one-onone or in group on-line courses . It was suggested that mentors could also assist by giving feedback on practitioners ’ websites and social media accounts . Graduating and new therapists could do apprenticeships in already established businesses so they could gain experience in running a natural therapies business .
Sometimes it would be so useful to have someone appraise your website , Facebook page etc and give feedback .
Lobbying the Government and Credibility Members were concerned with the lack of support from the government and the abolition of health fund rebates . The recommendation was that ATMS advocate for natural medicines with the government , especially during a pandemic , when businesses may already be struggling . Some mentioned that focussing on research and evidencebased practice will help give natural therapies more credibility . Other members suggested that ATMS should better support those who wish to do a Masters or PhD , possibly to extending funding and providing seminars on how to get started with doing research .
By promoting natural therapies with scientific , evidence-based material will change current dismissive reputation of natural therapies as " quackery ".
JATMS | Winter 2021 | 73