How to Shape Your LNC Vision - Expand it.
How do you develop a clear vision of your LNC business? How do you figure out where to head and how to get there? Don't you hate the feeling of wandering in the forest looking for the path?
Learn All You Can
Read
For many, learning begins with reading, and it will benefit you to read about starting a business and about marketing. Avoid a hit-or-miss approach. If you read everything you see, you could end up feeling overwhelmed.
Books by other LNCs most immediately help you to shape your vision into a practical plan, so look for those. (Check out the ones in our webstore). Also, browse with discernment on an online book site. Note the book's rating, read some reviews, ask if this book sparks ideas for you.
Browse the Internet
- Look at the web sites of other LNCs.
- What do they offer?
- What are their specializations?
- How do they market themselves on their sites?
- Take notes
If you like the site, and it provides free downloads, get them. Please don't copy them, but do read them to get ideas for what you could offer. However, don't be surprised if you can't find any downloads on LNC sites. In July 2020, when I looked at the 10 top legal nurse consulting websites, only one offered downloads. It is Med League, the company I founded, grew, and sold. LNCs are missing a critical step in building their businesses by not offering opt in reports.
Also, go to the sites of attorneys you'd like to target. Pay special attention to how they present themselves. This way, you can get to know a lot about them even before you call or meet them. You will understand their specializations and also some ideas about their success levels.
Meet Your Peers, Potential Colleagues, and Possible Clients - Virtually
Look for online groups related to your profession. You may learn a lot from the conversations that take place online, as well as make new contacts.
Tell people—obviously without being obnoxious or intrusive—what you do. Many people don't know what we do and many people know attorneys who need our services.
Stay Away from One-Track Thinking
Some new LNCs have a narrow perspective about what people in their field do. They may know about testifying and being an expert witness. The idea of being publicly exposed may frighten them away from adopting this aspect of their profession.
Go back to the list you compiled when you explored other LNCs' sites. You'll see that you have many options.
- You can work as a behind-the-scenes consultant for attorneys.
- You can review bills for usual and customary fees.
- You can provide documentation and medical expertise.
- You can work in the area of patient advocacy.
Most LNCs who come from a clinical background find this to be a natural evolution from their original commitment to patient care.
This might mean addressing issues like workman's compensation, Medicare, and Medicaid. The laws are constantly changing in these areas. An LNC can help attorneys wade through the fortress of legislation.
Being a patient advocate can also mean going to the doctor with a patient and coordinating among a patient's various doctors to make sure, for instance, that the patient isn't taking a combination of medications that could have dangerous side effects.
You may not want to work as an expert witness, but you can become skilled at finding and providing them. Attorneys highly value this service.
You can get certified in and work as a life care planner. This is also very valuable to attorneys.
Many possibilities are available to you, and the field is always growing larger. Consider a wide range initially until you've found your most exciting and lucrative specialties. Focus on them, and you'll find that networking and marketing become more comfortable and more enjoyable.
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Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs to obtain more clients, make more money, and achieve their business goals and dreams.
Pat's related websites include the LNC business coaching services she offers through LNCAcademy.com, the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.
Get all of Pat's content in one place by downloading the mobile app, Biz Edu at www.legalnursebusiness.com/bizedu. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blogs, watch online courses and training, and more.