The people, healthcare providers, and organizations that refer clients to you are a crucial part of your home care marketing strategy. Recommendations from trusted professionals are extremely valuable, and every home care agency should work to build these relationships.
Your relationship with referral sources should go beyond just exchanging information. Get to know them as both people and professionals.
Here’s how to make these relationships beneficial for everyone involved.
How to Build Strong Relationships with Your Home Care Referral Sources
Creating and maintaining strong relationships with your referrers can ensure your sales funnel is always filled with warm leads.
Follow-Up Quickly
When a referral source makes a recommendation, both your agency’s reputation and theirs are on the line. If a geriatric care manager sends you a potential client, and that lead never hears from you, it reflects poorly on both of you. Therefore, when you receive a client lead, follow up quickly.
Responding to a client lead within an hour makes it seven times more likely that you will reach the key decision-maker and sixty times more likely that you will have a meaningful conversation. Don’t waste these opportunities.
Listen to Their Needs
Referral professionals have their own responsibilities and clients to care for. Part of their job is making helpful recommendations for home care services. Ask them about the challenges they face when making referrals.
Show empathy and compassion not just to your clients but to your business partners as well. If their requests seem unreasonable or urgent, consider the pressures they might be under.
Build a Referral Kit
Make it easy for your referrers to talk confidently about your agency. Create a referral kit with comprehensive information about your agency and the services you offer. Provide both print and digital versions.
Include the following:
– Your value proposition
– Information about the home care services you offer
– Details about insurance and Medicare coverage
– Qualifications and certifications of your caregivers
– Awards and certifications your agency has earned
– Details about your service area(s)
– Information about your agency leadership
– Multiple contact methods with specific names attached
Treat Them Like the Experts They Are
Your professional referral sources have a wealth of information about your potential clients. They support them through significant life changes, help them make tough decisions, and are with them just before they need your services.
For example:
– Local physicians’ offices and primary care providers can share medical histories and key events.
– Facility discharge planners can advise on how to prevent hospital readmissions.
– Residential care representatives know the balance between in-home and on-site care.
– Insurance providers and Medicare coordinators can help manage long-term issues and cost savings.
– Existing clients can offer insights into improving your sales process and care delivery.
To deepen relationships with these sources, schedule regular check-ins, invite them to client meetings, seek their advice and feedback, and involve them in your client care plans.
Demonstrate a High Standard of Care
The quality of care you provide reflects on your referral sources. They need to trust that the agency they recommend maintains a consistently high standard of care.
As you implement quality control measures and enhance your caregivers’ qualifications, keep your referral sources informed. The more expertise you can demonstrate, the more likely you are to receive enthusiastic referrals.
Return the Favor
You’re asking your home care referral sources to send you warm leads. How can you make their jobs easier?
Ask your sources what you can do to help them, what problems you can solve, and how you can be a better partner in caring for their clients. Be prepared to send referrals their way as well.
Ready to Convert More Leads from Home Care Referral Sources into Clients?
The experts at Home Care Marketing Pros can help you manage your client referrals, track their progress through the sales funnel, and convert more leads into clients. Our CareFunnels power your marketing strategies from contact to conversion. Get started by scheduling a demo with our team.
