*This article contains no spoilers. It is no secret that movies based on comic books dominate the box office, but a new standard was set when Avengers: Endgame opened on Friday, April 26, and finished the week with a global gate of $1.2 billion. (The total box office numbers have since passed the $2 billion mark.) Anytime we hear of a success story, regardless of industry, we automatically ask ourselves if there is something to be learned from it. Can we learn anything from Marvel's success that will benefit our practices? We think so! Let's take a look at three things Marvel has done to set themselves apart and produce a series of movies that have obliterated records at the theaters and created raving fans across the globe. Play the Long Game
At first glance, it appears as if this movie was one massive swing by Disney, who purchased Marvel Entertainment on August 31, 2009, for $4.24 billion, that resulted in a huge home run. However, a closer examination of the Marvel Universe films tells a much more complex and compelling story. The Marvel Universe films premiered back in 2008 with Robert Downey Jr. in the first Iron Man film. Now, almost 11 years later, Marvel Studios has produced 22 movies that weave together to create a historic series. We all know that a plan is necessary for success, but have you thought through your practice's next 22 moves? Imagine the studio leaders, producers, and writers mapping out this elaborate scheme to produce a series that would change the industry forever. The Marvel team decided to play the long game in 2008. They developed a plan, invested the necessary funds to execute it, and had the patience to see it to the end. And who benefited? Both the audience and the studio! In the same way that we have been able to watch great films while Marvel Studios has reaped a great reward, we, too, can develop a long-term plan which will only benefit our patients and our practice. Appeal to a Wide Audience If you have watched the Marvel movies, you have noticed there is something different about them. It is no secret that moviegoers love a good action film, but what Marvel began to do early on was develop films that would appeal to a wide audience. They did this by targeting key demographics that drive movie sales-teenagers, fans of comics and action films, and adults (parents included). Many movies today fence themselves off to large portions of the audience by including a certain amount of bad language, violence, or other inappropriate content. Marvel took a different route by incorporating humor and just enough action/violence to tell the story while capitalizing on everyone's love for a hero. This is an important concept to keep in mind for our practices. Are our services and products appealing to every viable market? Are we missing out on revenue opportunities by being too focused on a particular age group? Perhaps the most important question is: Do our practices have a long-term plan in place to appeal to and acquire new customers as our existing client base gets older? Marvel has been able to appeal to every moviegoer from the teenager to the senior citizen and the results have been remarkable. This is the approach every practice should be taking. Tell a Great Story Marvel's success doesn't exist without a great story. We probably know what you're thinking: "My practice isn't a comic book. This is apples and oranges!" While your practice isn't a comic book, there is still a story to be told and it is the story of your patients. Just as we love to see Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Steve Rogers (Captain America) struggle and overcome adversity, your community loves to see your patients do the same. The success of your patients is the success of your practice and not telling their stories is a missed opportunity. Dr. Paul Batson notes that he kicks off our Birmingham office's staff meetings by "having our staff share patient stories every morning and how we've impacted our patients in a positive way. It's a good reminder and creates a connection with our team. People always want to know that what they do matters and it's a quick way to do this." Whether you do this in the exam room, through a blog, YouTube videos, or a podcast, commit to letting the story of your practice be heard. When someone in your practice hears how you resolved the same problem they are struggling with, they will walk into your practice seeking the same treatment. Conclusion Creating a long-term plan, appealing to a wide audience, and telling a great story doesn't mean your practice will earn $1 billion, but it is a proven formula for building a successful business. The true challenge here is taking the time to develop a plan and executing it with consistency and patience. What are the next 22 moves your practice can make? What results could you see? These are questions we believe are worth asking.
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11/6/2023 12:40:28 am
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AuthorThe staff and doctors at VisionAmerica are committed to providing relevant information for you, your patients and your practice. We hope you find the information in our blog post helpful. Archives
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