How Retention Becomes Your Hidden Profit Engine

In this week’s Coach’s Corner, Jennifer Gligoric and Tracey Sundkvist break down the essentials of patient retention and how it can drive $10,000 in value for your clinic—in just 10 minutes. The duo explores the difference between getting patients through the door and keeping them engaged for the long haul, sharing real-world tips to maximize lifetime value, boost referrals, and build a practice that grows organically (not just through paid marketing).

• Patient Retention vs. Acquisition:
  
  Tracey explains that retaining patients saves marketing dollars and boosts referrals. When you’re the go-to provider for your patients’ problems, you become their first call—every time.


• Two Funnels to Master:
  
  Jennifer highlights the importance of building two systems:
  
  
  • Acquisition Funnel: Bringing in new patients (ads, front desk process, initial touchpoints).
  
  
  • Fulfillment Funnel: The patient journey after they enroll—rewarding clients, keeping them committed, and ensuring they achieve their desired outcomes.
  
  
  
  
• Follow-Up is Forever:
  
  Don’t stop follow-ups once someone becomes a patient. Continue reminders, send emails about upcoming visits, and share videos or resources to keep them engaged throughout their care plan.


• Communication & Experience:
  
  Tracey emphasizes the importance of every touchpoint: from handling billing issues to rescheduling calls, and even sending birthday wishes. Make the journey simple and pain-free.
  
  
  • Pro Tip: Keep your patient lists clean and up-to-date to avoid awkward mistakes (like sending birthday emails to former patients or, worse, deceased patients).
  
  
  
  
• Lists Are Business Assets:
  
  Jennifer underscores that your patient list is a core asset. Regularly update and scrub it—not just for better service, but because it impacts your clinic’s value if you ever want to sell.


• Referrals & Reviews:
  
  Ask for referrals and 5-star reviews regularly, but do it with purpose.
  
  
  • Tracey suggests connecting the ask to your clinic’s mission (“Help us reach more people and improve lives”) rather than just for business growth.
  
  
  
  

1. Audit Your Patient Lists:
   
   Clean up outdated or incorrect contact info. Remove patients who shouldn’t receive communications.


2. Map Your Fulfillment Funnel:
   
   Outline every step from patient onboarding to ongoing engagement. Where can you add value or reminders?


3. Set a Review/Referral Goal:
   
   Track your 5-star reviews and referrals. Make it a team goal (e.g., ask every patient on their 4th visit).


4. Refine Your Ask:
   
   Frame reviews and referrals as a way to help others, not just your clinic.

• “Retention saves you on marketing and grows your clinic organically.” – Tracey Sundkvist


• “Your patient list is a business asset—treat it like one.” – Jennifer Gligoric


• “Don’t stop follow-ups once someone becomes a patient.” – Jennifer Gligoric


• “Frame your review ask around your mission, not just your business.” – Tracey Sundkvist

• Visit superclinicproject.com for more resources, free trainings, and to join the community.


• Like, share, and leave a 5-star review to help us reach and educate more clinic owners.

Ready to turn your clinic into a super clinic?

Apply these retention strategies and watch your patient value—and your impact—grow.