1. Identify and promote a unique point of difference for your business (or a distinct competitive advantage) – this helps people have a reason to choose your business over others. What is it that you feel people do, or would, like most about your services, or working with your business?
2. Offer a superior level of customer service – follow up quickly, go the extra mile to look after people really well, give a bit more than others do. Checking for feedback and ensuring that your client is happy will help to show your dedication. This will help you get noticed and build up a good reputation.
3. If you have a shopfront/outlet, try to either be
a. co-located in an allied health, GP practice or other community organisation/business (with non-competing services) where you will naturally build good networking relationships with your neighbours and receive many referrals, or
b. Be in a convenient location for clients – close to services and shops with accessible parking.
4. Collaborate with other providers who share your target market, but don't compete in the same service, to create a referral network. This could be co-locating, sharing an Expo stand, delivering information sessions, cross-referrals, sharing knowledge and providing mutual support. Don't try to go it alone, there's strength in numbers! Find NDIS Registered providers by
Using up the NDIS Provider Finder on the NDIS website. You can then search by area and service type. You can then export this list onto a spreadsheet and use it as a contact list.
Go to a Directory of NDIS Providers - eg. Clickability, Ideas.org.au
Google NDIS Providers and the service type in your area
5. Become well-known, with a great reputation. Find ways to get involved in the community, give back (eg. Volunteer for an aligned cause or service), attend events (such as Expos, Interagency/Community Services meetings), so you get your name out there. Write for newsletters, speak on Podcasts, present at Carer's Groups or Charity services (such as Rotary, Lions Club) with the aim of helping people.
6. Get found more easily – with your own website, social media, YouTube, SEO, Directory listings, signage, brochures/posters at locations where your clients will go.
7. Gather testimonials and reviews – as people like to read about the providers to get independent assessments of their service levels and outcomes. Just ask your happy clients if they'd be willing to write down how well the service has met their needs and what it was like working with you. You can then publish these on your website, brochures, social media.
8. Read as much as you can about the NDIS and stay up to date – Newsletter, books, websites, articles, newsletters – “knowledge is power”.
9. Seek out sources of referrals – work out who is best for you to connect with. Support Coordinators are one of the best people in the NDIS to know you and have your contact details, as they are looking for supports for their clients. They want to know what services are available in their client's area. Build up good networking relationships with a variety of NDIS stakeholders and provide them with brochures and business cards.
10. Make referrals easier by having downloadable forms on your website or social media that are tailored to your key referrers.
Which of these tips have you found most helpful? I'd love to hear your thoughts on you have found makes an NDIS business successful, please leave your comments below, or tag me on social media @nurturingndis, or connect with me on social media.
If you’d like help getting your business off the ground, or to grow with referrals, reach out today for assistance! I offer a free 15 minute call to discuss your needs and see how I may be able to assist you. Call today - Jacquie Tewes, Nurturing Your NDIS Business on 0432 693 384.
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