Apps, Gadgets, Tablets,
and Widgets
It’s a whole new world of business, and embracing the latest productivity gadgets can make your practice easier to run than ever before. Whether you’re a longtime tech junky or just looking to dip your toes in the water, there are many easy ways to incorporate technology into your practice without making a huge investment. A decade ago, you might have kept track of your accounts in longhand with a paper ledger. Today, your credit card processor can be linked to your accounting software, with all the data stored in the cloud, accessible on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, and ready to send to the IRS at the click of a button. There’s no doubt that new technology requires learning new skills, but the time it takes upfront to learn your way around the systems will pay off again and again in terms of time saved and money earned.
At Your Fingertips
Many practitioners use iPads or other small tablet computers to enhance their sessions. Auden Ledahl in Colorado is one such tech-savvy businesswoman: “I like to use an iPad for SOAP notes, anatomy demonstrations, looking up contraindications, and bookkeeping. It’s easy to keep with me, and everything is cloud-based so I can access info from my phone or home computer.” One of the biggest advantages of the Internet is the ability to look up any information you need at a moment’s notice. “I have Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, many massage therapy books, and a trigger point app on my Kindle Fire tablet,” says Susan Coyle Clingman of Colorado. “It’s portable, and I can show clients things much easier than flipping through pages in a paper book.” Apps like Pocket Body or Muscle & Bone Anatomy 3D give you a vast library of information in the palm of your hand.
Make Scheduling Easy
Allowing clients to view your scheduling availability and choose their own appointments on their own time with an online scheduling service can sometimes mean the difference between booking another appointment, or sitting around for an hour wishing for a paying client. Most schedulers allow you to approve and manage your clients’ requests, automatically send appointment reminders, and some can even take a credit card number at the time of booking in case of a no-show. “I have recently added online scheduling through Full Slate and absolutely love it,” says Diana Kane of Maryland. “No more losing a client because they kept calling around while I was busy with another client on the table!”