Starting a refractive surgery practice with limited funds might sound like climbing Everest barefoot, but hear me out—it’s doable. I’ve helped many surgeons face this challenge, and guess what? They nailed it. Here’s how you can, too.

1. Develop Public Speaking Skills: Become a confident speaker. Offer to talk at local events about vision correction surgery. Share your expertise and position yourself as a trusted expert in your community.
2. Pitch Local Newspapers: Approach your local newspaper and propose writing on topics important to your community’s well-being. Fun fact: I started writing at age 15 and got a weekly column!
3. Engage in Online Forums: Join online eye health forums or surgery forums. Participate in discussions. Answer questions. Provide valuable advice to establish your presence.
4. Join Local Business Groups: Seek out business associations or chambers of commerce. Attend events. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Share your knowledge. Do like Dan Reinstein, who found his first patients at BNI. Offer to speak if the opportunity arises.
5. Attend Local Community Events: Be at gatherings to meet people and introduce your services. Offer talks or write articles for newsletters.
6. Connect with Medical Associations: Attend their meetings. Network with fellow healthcare professionals who might refer patients to you. Offer to speak and share your expertise.
7. Engage with Optometric Associations: Build connections with optometrists who can refer patients to you. Offer to give informative talks.
8. Visit Every Local Optometrist: Learn how they educate themselves about vision correction. Connect with those who may (one day) refer patients to your practice.
9. Get Involved in Your Community: Engage in local charities or volunteer work. This shows you are committed to the community and can help you meet potential affluent patients.
10. Build a social media following among prospective patients. Most surgeons I see active on social media posts for their colleagues. I get it. Colleagues feed you lots of supportive engagement. Everyone likes that. Start posting for prospective patients, too. That’ll feed your budding practice.

Once you’ve established connections, don’t hesitate to ask for referrals. Word of mouth is a potent tool for expanding your network and generating prospective patients.

Here’s the magic: As you gain patients through these FREE efforts, reinvest your revenue into paid advertising and a professional website. Offer free appointments and lead magnets to attract more patients. With this strategy, you’ll always be ahead and never out of pocket because your patients will pay for your advertising.

Exclusive Video Insight: Attract Patients for Free: A Personal Guide by Rod

Building a network takes time, but it’s a solid investment in the future of your practice. Stay positive, stay enthusiastic, and don’t give up!