In rural towns, it can be hard to break into the market and earn the public’s trust as a new business.  People can be set in their ways, skeptical, and hesitant to try new things.  They often won’t try it until someone they know has tried it and had good results.

This mentality requires creative marketing and sheer perseverance.  One of the ways I’ve sought to educate people about TMS therapy here in Montrose is by attending local health fairs.  While not necessarily creative, it allows me to talk with people face to face in a public setting outside the clinic, and helps get exposure for TMS Solutions.

We opened our clinic in November of 2019, and I attended the Montrose Memorial Hospital Health Fair the following January.  I invited a fellow technician from the Grand Junction clinic to join me so we could have two people sharing at once.  It was a good event, and we got the exposure we were looking for, but very few leads, and even less commitments to treatment in the following weeks.

This year, I decided to change tactics and invite a former patient to join me at this year’s health fair.  Shana had amazing results from her TMS therapy here in Montrose.  Ever since she found herself in complete remission from her depression and anxiety post-treatment, she repeatedly told me she would happily talk to anyone I sent her way to share her TMS experience with them.

At the recent health fair on February 28th, I can’t describe what a privilege it was to stand back and watch Shana run with the ball!  Sure, I talked with tons of people that day, but Shana had people enthralled.  It was her personal story that made all the difference: people hearing that she was out of work, as a nurse, because of her depression.  That she was overweight and didn’t even know where to begin to tackle it.  That she was just surviving day to day.

Then, to hear her tell them she’s been in remission since July, 2019.  That she was able to get off ALL her antidepressants.  That she’s lost over 40 pounds since the fog of her depression lifted and her energy levels returned to normal.  That she’s actively searching for work again, and enjoying quilting, gardening, and spending time with her husband outdoors.  People were genuinely touched on more than one occasion, shedding tears and hugging her, thanking her for sharing her story.

The week following the health fair, our clinic lit up.  Rachel, our Senior Patient Coordinator, called and asked what had happened because she was getting bombarded with patient inquiries for Montrose!  I’d like to say it was all from Shana on Saturday, but TMS Solutions had also been featured in our local paper a couple weeks prior, in which Shana was interviewed and able to share some of her story.  And, Chris came down from Grand Junction to present on TMS before our Rotary club during that same time.

As technicians, our primary goal is taking care of our patients.  Depending on how busy your clinic is, you may hardly have time to get lunch let alone think about how to draw in more patients to get the help they need.  But if you’re in a slower clinic, or one that’s new, don’t be afraid to find positive, creative ways to reach out to your community.  In time, you’ll get amazing success stories of your own.  Make a concerted effort to pursue those patients post-treatment!  Ask if they’ll write out their testimony, or do an interview with your local paper or news station.  See if they’d be willing to talk with hesitant prospective patients.  Invite them to join you when you talk to local doctors, counselors, and other’s who can refer patients to you.

At the end of the day, statistics are usually cold and don’t connect with the heart.  As humans, we’re wired for story–it’s in our DNA.  When facts don’t stir the brain into action, the emotions of the heart will.  And while patients who’ve had TMS success may be shy, remind them of the courage they found to get treatment in the first place.  As Maya Angelou said, ??here is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.??nbsp; Their willingness to share their story could save someone else’s life.

Have a great Monday, and thank you for being present with our patients each and every day!

Your heartache is someone else?? hope. If you make it through, somebody else is going to make it through. Tell your story.

??Kim McManus