Health Fairs -- Hate Them

Every year I find myself at a health fair or two. I hate these things. While my methods have improved over the years at increasing leads, they are invariably poor producers. Why? Mostly, I think, because people come to these for freebies rather than for any real health advice. You might as well kiss your expensive brochures goodbye, as people take them for two reasons: 1. because it is a freebie and 2. because it creates the avenue for people to leave your table saving face.

Why do I go to them if I hate them so much? Partially, I see health fairs as public education time. This is something I think every acupuncturist should dedicate him or herself to. The more outreach we have with the public, the more people who try a free acupuncture needle at one of these events, the more future business the entire industry can expect. My free needles rarely pay off directly to myself. But I hope that everyone who tries a needle and says "oh, that's all" will one day go see someone in this field. If enough of us did this, perhaps there might one day be a personal payoff. What goes around comes around.

Things to make you feel more successful at a health fair:

1. give people free needles and use #01 or #00 Japanese style. Make it painless. Meet lot's of brave people.
2. offer free pulse diagnosis. This is interesting to people and creates an opportunity for personal touch. Personal touch is a good way to build a professional bond.
3. Make a mailing list. Most of it will be useless. But a few winners might emerge.
4. Don't forget to ask people if they want to sign up. Most won't. But if you don't ask 99% of people will disappear forever.

Ethan