COVID-19 has impacted us all personally and professionally. In an effort to flatten the coronavirus curve, veterinary practices have had to alter their office hours, staffing structure, cleaning protocols, and more due to federal and state ordinances. Understandably, this has had a massive impact on business, staff, your clients, and yourself.
As a veterinary professional and Cat Friendly Practice®, cat caregivers look to you as a reliable source of information. Our cats are family, and determining whether or not they need medical attention is stressful. Now is a great time to reach out to your clients and share important feline health and wellness information. Use the following tips to communicate with your client base and offer assistance and words of encouragement.
“Pin to Top” – Put What’s Most Important First
Nearly all social media platforms allow users to pin a specific message to the top of their page. This feature is perfect for conveying important information and increasing its visibility. For those of you who utilize social media for promotions and communications, we highly recommend you put together a post explaining the current status of your practice. The following information should be included:
- Whether or not your Cat Friendly Practice® is currently accepting routine, in-person appointments.
- Safety protocols for routine, in-person appointments.
- Any updates/changes to regular hours of operation.
- The best phone number and/or email address at which to reach your practice.
While Instagram requires a photo or video for each post, a basic text post (no image) is perfect for conveying this information on the platforms which allow them, such as Facebook. Remember to keep it short and concise.
Once you’ve published this informational post, pin it to the top of your profile. This helps ensure clients who visit your practice’s page are getting the most prevalent information first, and their most pressing questions answered.
If possible, this same information should be called out at the top of your practice’s website and/or landing page as well.
Phone Follow Up with Regular Clients
This pandemic has been a shock to all. It seems like only yesterday we were living our lives as usual, never expecting self-isolation and quarantine would become the new normal. Help assure your clients you are still here when needed; overseeing their feline friends’ happiness and health.
Without a doubt, there are many cat owners who had appointments booked, expectations of annual veterinary exams, refills of their cats’ medications, vaccination appointments, and more. Now, many of them are afraid that they have to go without.
A quick phone call can make a world of difference. You’ve spent years developing relationships with your patients and their owners. Checking in to see how they’re holding up, or whether they’re experiencing any difficulties, will inspire confidence.
Spread Useful Information – Utilize Your Platform and Credibility
As we’ve mentioned before, the internet never stops. Every day there are thousands of reports, articles, and news headlines hitting peoples’ feeds and inboxes. Staying connected and current is important, but this influx of information makes accuracy and credibility difficult to verify.
In times like these, the veterinary medical community is more important and impactful than ever. Society looks for your advice and holds your opinions in high esteem. Whether it’s via email or social media, we encourage you to promote verified feline medicine.
Feel free to share the AAFP Feline Practice Guidelines, Client Brochures, and Feline Welfare Statements. Engage with your clients, the general public, and help others to understand how they can best look after themselves and their feline companions!