By Staff
Thursday, August 11, 2022 8:15 AM
NORWALK, Conn.—In June,
IDOC launched two new resources for eyecare professionals: the Eye Own a Business podcast, and the IDOC Optometric Specialty Community on Facebook. IDOC’s new podcast,
“Eye Own a Business,” teaches independent ODs how to grow a thriving practice while wearing the hats of both a doctor and a business owner. Hand in hand, the IDOC Optometric Specialty Community on
Facebook is designed to support ECPs interested in making specialty services a more meaningful part of their practice, according to the group’s recent announcement.
By Staff
Thursday, July 28, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Without a doubt, it’s vital for businesses to have a good social media presence in today’s world. But for small businesses owners, independent ECPs included, managing social media can fall to the back burner when there’s so much other work to do. Fundamentally, social media allows ECPs to keep in touch with their patients and communities, and to connect with them from anywhere. Important social media tasks range from responding to comments and questions to posting stories and checking analytics.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—
Forbes has officially opened
nominations for its prestigious 30 Under 30 feature for 2023. The feature is made up of 20 categories—Art & Style, Consumer Technology, Education, Energy, Enterprise Technology, Finance, Food & Drink, Games, Healthcare, Hollywood & Entertainment, Manufacturing & Industry, Marketing & Advertising, Media, Music, Retail & E-Commerce, Science, Social Impact, Social Media, Sports and Venture Capital—and nominations are now open for all of them.
By Staff
Wednesday, June 22, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Interacting with current and prospective new patients via social media has become a valuable way for one practice in California to maximize its implementation of the Frames Data My Frame Gallery tool.
Clarion Optometry Group in Yucca Valley, Calif. has been making use of the website’s pop-up banners, navigation bars and buttons to fully incorporate the Gallery into their website in a way that feels organic. Julian Valenzuela, in charge of professional relations for the practice told the Frames Data
blog that implementing the Gallery has been very effective for the practice.
By Staff
Monday, June 6, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Increasingly, inspirational and attention-getting backdrops and interiors are elevating the in-store experience for many customers. Ideas for selfie stations, pop-up shops that can extend an independent practice’s reach or raise an optical location’s own profile in its local market have become essential. A great resource that can help on all of these counts is
The Lionesque Group, an award-winning pop-up and “experiential” and influential retail trend agency. Headed by co-founder and CEO
Melissa Gonzalez, the firm’s work and perspectives are multi-dimensional and offer ideas for small businesses in all categories.
By Staff
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Many of eyecare professionals’ challenges are faced by independent health care providers of all types. One unique resource which offers some general but pertinent insights which can be easily applied by independent ECPs is from a firm called
NinetyNineHealthcareManagement. The agency offers a range of resources, but one interesting component of the website is its blog, found
here. A range of tips and guides are shared on the blog, for example,
“8 Ways a Virtual Assistant Benefits Your Practice.”
By Staff
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 8:15 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—National Sunglasses Day 2022 is coming up next month. The commemorative, annual day, brought to life by The Vision Council, takes place on Monday, June 27 and celebrates the importance of wearing ultraviolet (UV)-protective sunwear and eyewear. Just in time for this year’s holiday, The Vision Council has launched a new Vistaprint ProShop with National Sunglasses Day marketing materials available to print at a discounted rate. Users can click
here to create an account and start ordering right away.
By Staff
Thursday, April 21, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Eyecare is of course a unique field, but many independent health care providers and professionals are facing similar challenges today. One resource that could inspire ideas to be utilized among eyecare professionals is a site called
Elation Health. The site is about providing EHR services to primary care doctors, but we found a range of resources and ideas that can be adopted for vision care as well.
By Staff
Monday, April 11, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—It’s time for independents to prepare for Small Business Week, which is May 1-7 and don’t forget that May is also Small Business Month. There are many resources available to tap into in order to benefit your specific type of optical shop or eyecare practice. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering many free resources for National Small Business Week during its own entrepreneur-focused Virtual Summit scheduled for May 2-5. Details and registration are posted
here.
By Staff
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—As many eyecare professionals know, the month of March is "Save Your Vision” month, and the
AOA is one of the many eyecare organizations which supports this awareness-building initiative with special themes, social media support, and campaigns to help more patients appreciate the value of getting comprehensive care. This year’s emphasis is on digital eye strain.
By Staff
Friday, March 4, 2022 8:15 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
The Vision Council recently announced it is offering its members a new benefit. As part of the organization's mission to support consumer outreach and education, The Vision Council will be providing members with monthly social media content calendars that can be used for consumer-facing social media marketing. From workplace eye wellness month to digital eye strain and kids’ fashion, the March calendar includes suggested concept overviews and specific language tailored by major social media channel and links to resources you can include in posts.
By Staff
Friday, February 18, 2022 7:15 AM
NEW YORK—In many cities and towns around the country this month, customers are finding their way back to stores again, heading to local main streets and shopping districts. You’ll want to make sure that if they’re not familiar with your business that your displays, product merchandising and window ideas are as intriguing as they can be. A great blog at
Vend is one such source of inspiration on this topic. In the blog’s Retail Tips & Trends section, a recent piece by writer Francesca Nicasio offers 15 Window Display Tips to Captivate Shoppers and Drive In-Store Traffic.
By Staff
Thursday, February 3, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Effective and consistent messaging to patients and customers has evolved into a daily, weekly business essential for independents, but not everyone has the bandwidth—and staff resources—to really stay on top of these. However, there are a few services which could be helpful to manage those ideas and workflow for independent ECP emails, social media platform posts and appointment follow-ups.
By Staff
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—While more and more independent eyecare practices and optical shops are recognizing the essential nature of taking part in social media to build connections with patients and prospective customers, many feel paralyzed with what it takes to navigate social successfully—and leverage the distinct differences and structures of the different platforms out there, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, TikTok and more.
By Staff
Thursday, January 6, 2022 7:45 AM
NEW YORK—The new year is the time to usher in a new mindset. And after the two years everyone’s been through, courtesy of a still expanding Covid-19 pandemic, planning remains essential. To help ODs maintain practice success this year,
VisionWeb has reintroduced its “5-Year Plan for Optometrists.” The free digital guide includes actionable advice for creating: an 8 step business plan; key optical metrics to measure (with formulas); staff organizational charts; essential insurance and performance reports; and top tools and technology.