The quick answer is “yes!” They really do bring patients into your office. But we don’t want you to have to take our word for it. We’d much rather you hear from a fellow podiatrist who launched a book campaign in spring of 2014: Dr. Evan Merrill.
Dr. Evan Merrill has seen significant interest in his book by bringing it to and marketing it at running events, as well as on his website. In the first year that the campaign was active, he saw multiple patients make appointment and come to see him specifically because they had requested his free book.
Books to Create New Patients: How Educational Books Help Podiatrists Grow Their Practices
Most podiatrists think of marketing in terms of websites, referrals, advertising, social media, or community events. While all of those strategies can be effective, one of the most overlooked tools for attracting new patients is educational books.
Books to create new patients work differently than traditional advertising. Instead of asking someone to schedule an appointment immediately, educational books help establish trust, demonstrate expertise, and educate prospective patients before they ever contact your office.
At Top Practices, we've seen educational books become a powerful patient acquisition tool for podiatrists looking to build authority in their communities and attract more qualified patients.
Why Educational Books Are Effective Marketing Tools
When someone receives a book written by a podiatrist, they view the doctor differently.
Rather than seeing another healthcare provider competing for attention, they see an expert who has invested time and effort into educating patients about foot and ankle health.
Educational books help podiatrists:
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Establish credibility and authority
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Educate prospective patients
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Build trust before the first appointment
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Generate referrals from existing patients
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Differentiate their practice from competitors
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Stay top-of-mind when patients need care
Unlike many forms of advertising that disappear quickly, books often remain in homes, offices, and waiting rooms for months or even years.
How Books Create New Patients
One of the most common misconceptions about book marketing is expecting immediate results.
Books rarely generate large numbers of appointments overnight. Instead, they create a steady stream of new patient opportunities over time.
When prospective patients read an educational book, they become familiar with the doctor's philosophy, expertise, and approach to care. By the time they schedule an appointment, much of the trust-building process has already occurred.
Books also have a unique advantage because they are frequently shared.
A patient may read the book and then pass it along to a spouse, friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member who eventually becomes a patient.
This extended reach allows a single book to influence multiple potential patients.
Dr. Evan Merrill's Success Using Books to Create New Patients
Dr. Evan Merrill experienced firsthand how educational books can support practice growth.
At the first running event where his practice promoted the book, the response exceeded expectations, generating approximately 90 to 100 book requests. Following the event, the practice continued receiving requests through the website on an ongoing basis.
More importantly, new patients began mentioning the book when they scheduled appointments.
Some patients reported finding the practice directly through the book, while others learned about Dr. Merrill from friends or family members who had received a copy.
The results did not happen overnight. Instead, the book created a consistent flow of patient interest that continued long after the initial promotion.
A Successful Book Marketing Campaign Is More Than Just a Book
One of the biggest lessons learned from successful podiatry book campaigns is that the book itself is only one component of the strategy.
Many doctors assume they can simply publish a book, make it available on their website, and wait for patients to appear.
The most successful campaigns involve a comprehensive marketing system that helps distribute the book and keep it working for the practice.
A complete educational book marketing campaign may include:
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Website book request forms
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Community events
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Email marketing
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Patient newsletters
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Direct mail campaigns
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Referral marketing initiatives
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Social media promotion
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Follow-up communication sequences
When combined, these strategies help maximize the impact of the book and create ongoing patient acquisition opportunities.
Educational Books Support Referral Marketing
Educational books are also highly effective referral marketing tools.
Patients often feel more comfortable sharing a book than recommending a doctor directly. A book provides useful information while naturally introducing prospective patients to your practice.
As books are shared throughout the community, they can generate new patient opportunities without requiring additional advertising expenditures.
This makes educational books a valuable long-term marketing asset for podiatrists.
Why Educational Books Work for Podiatry Practices
Foot and ankle conditions often involve confusion, misinformation, and delayed treatment.
Educational books allow podiatrists to answer common questions, address misconceptions, and demonstrate expertise before a patient ever enters the office.
As a result, patients arrive more informed, more confident, and more likely to trust the doctor's recommendations.
For practices looking to build authority and attract more qualified patients, books can become one of the most effective patient education and marketing tools available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Books to Create New Patients
Do educational books help podiatrists get new patients?
Yes. Educational books help build credibility, educate prospective patients, generate referrals, and establish trust before a patient schedules an appointment.
How do books create new patients?
Books educate readers about foot and ankle health while positioning the podiatrist as an expert. Over time, readers often become patients or refer others to the practice.
Are books better than traditional advertising?
Books serve a different purpose. While traditional advertising often seeks immediate responses, educational books focus on building long-term trust and authority that can generate patients for years.
What should a podiatry marketing book include?
A podiatry marketing book should educate patients, answer common questions, address common conditions, and demonstrate the doctor's expertise in a helpful, patient-focused manner.
Learn More About Educational Books for Podiatrists
Educational books have helped many podiatrists establish authority, strengthen referral marketing efforts, and create a steady flow of new patient opportunities. Through the right strategy and supporting marketing systems, books can become a powerful part of a podiatry practice growth plan.
If you'd like to learn more about Top Practices book campaigns and how books can help create new patients for your podiatry practice, contact us at answers@toppractices.com or call (717) 725-2679.
