By Michael Dorausch, DC

Read the related news post on becoming a member of the California Chiropractic Association. The associated video featured Doctor of Chiropractic, John Bueler, Jr. speaking at a CCA event on June 10, 2006. The video is available here and text from the video has been transcribed and provided below.

June 10, 2006
John Bueler, Jr., DC — At some point in time we’re going to have to learn to disagree without dividing. At some point in time we’re going to have to replace bickering and complacency with gratitude and thanksgiving for those that have paved the way for us to experience the beauty and miracles of chiropractic, and then use that gratitude as fuel for us to make it a little easier for the generations to come. At some point in time we’re going to have to trust each other because we are all we’ve got. At some point in time I’m going to have to say to you how can I help you because I cannot and will not let you fail. At some time the 10,000 chiropractors of this state are going to have to stand united, despite our differences, despite our philosophies, despite our techniques, and despite our conflicts, and rise up and shout once and for all that we will no longer stand at the back of the bus. I say that time is now and I say that place is here. Thank you.

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By Michael Dorausch, DC

Tonight, Google launched their new social application called Friend Connect. According to the information page (only launched within the past hour) “Google Friend Connect lets you grow traffic by easily adding social features to your website. With just a few snippets of code, you get more people engaging more deeply with your site.”

I’m super excited about the features being offered by Friend Connect and I’m hoping to add the functionality to parts of Planet Chiropractic. I think it’s perfect for sites like ours, that are not social networks but may still want to be social. What I’m excited about most is there is no programming required to make it all happen.

I really think this will be great for many types of sites that are not yet socially enabled. Friend Connect provides a bunch of social gadgets like member management, a message board, reviews, and ways to share photos.

Mussie Shore, a seasoned inventor, and product manager for Google Friend Connect created this video as a preview release. Check it out.

I am signed up for the Preview Release and hoping to hear from Google soon. How will you use Friend Connect?

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

I was cleaning my home office desk on Sunday and noticed an abundance of business cards have piled up from various conferences and events I’ve been attending during the past three weeks. I picked up about one hundred business cards from chiropractors attending the DCS California Jam in Orange County. I was handed a couple dozen business cards while at Barcamp San Diego last weekend. I got cards at the Santa Monica Mixergy event, and I picked up a few more cards at the after-hours Tweetup Meetup in the Viceroy hotel. What to do with all these business cards?

I like to begin the week with an organized desk but I’ve been traveling the past couple of weekends. The Sunday task took a little bit longer than normal. Chiropractors hand me business cards all the time. I’m beginning to think this is an inefficient way to collect chiropractic office data. I mentioned last week that chiropractors should be posting their office information to the comments of this blog post so that my staff can collect the data and get it added to the appropriate local chiropractic directory. I’ll keep chiropractor business cards for a while, but I will likely begin discarding them at some point in the near future.

Business cards from online marketers, search engine folk, and other people doing activities that involve an active online community, are going into a separate pile. I’ve been organizing these in mixed categories. I received a card from Jonathan Lieberman, the CEO for a company called Deal Locker, (oodles of free online coupons) when I was in La Jolla last weekend. Great website resource, definitely a card worth saving.

I noticed I had a card at the top of the stack for Tamar Weinberg of rustybrick.com and I remembered it was there because I’ve been collecting some more Schwag for her. Tamar is a fantastic person and she’s quite a connector of people in the online social space. Great person to know.

I had two cards from Dr. Russell Kun of Evergreen Chiropractic Center. Got one from him while in Las Vegas at the roundtable, and then again in Orange County, California at the DCS CalJam. Dr. Russell recently moved to Seattle from Northern California and we’d like to send him some new clients.

I’m also had a card on my desk since attending SMX West. It is the card of John Carcutt, president of Applied SEO. I’ve been meaning to steal borrow the design on the back of his business card. My next search marketing related card will include my Digg profile, Twitter profile, Facebook ID, Linkin URL, and a few others. John is a super smart guy and I at least know him an In-n-Out Burger for applying his card design to mine. They will come in handy for our search marketing intensive events in Los Angeles.

So what would you suggest I do with all of these business cards? Throw them all up on the blog with links? Toss them in the trash? Wallpaper my walls with them? Hand them out as my own?

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

The DCS California Jam Was A Smash Hit! Thanks to everyone for coming and making this event possible. Next year’s date is March 7, 2009 (DCS California Jam 2009). Pre-sale registration tba soon on the events pages. Mark your calendars now!

Everyone is still talking about the biggest California Chiropractic party that ever hit the stage! Meet the technological wizard that worked behind the stage at the California Jam. Join DCS for an evening of Multimedia Magic and Re-live the Sights and Sounds of this one of a kind Chiropractic Extravaganza! We will replay all video Rockumentaries.

Presented by: Dr. Olman Mata Chiropractor - Inventor - Movie Maker - Magician
Dr. Mata is a world class magician and a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA. One of his inventions was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as one of her favorite things for the home in her famous “O” list. He has directed and produced creative short films. He is also recognized as the “Chiropractor to the Stars” Adjusting just about everyone in Hollywood with a celebrity list too long to mention.

Over the past decade Dr. Mata has gathered the largest collection of television shows portraying the chiropractic profession, from serious dramas like the West Wing to sitcoms like Seinfeld and the Simpsons. Prepare for a truly one of a kind presentation of memorable video clips and open discussion on what it all means.

Wednesday May 21, 2008 — The Dead Chiropractic Society Clubhouse in Newport Beach at 8pm
For registration and information visit deadchiropracticsociety.com. Pre-Registration $39 DCs - $20 Students - $59 At-The-Door

Other DCS related posts can be viewed here. Check out Not Done Talking DCS, Attendee Testimonials, OC Chiropractor Conference Photos, and the DCS LiveWire Tour 2006.

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

This post most definitely goes into the thoughts category. It’s not intended to be of any benefit to anyone, but you never know what you can learn by reading somebody’s Whiteboard (a.k.a. dry erase board).

It’s Saturday and it’s time to clean the board so I can prepare for the week ahead. It seems no matter how large a Whiteboard I get, the space fills up rather quickly. Still, I enjoy the feeling of getting up from the computer and writing things out on the board, checking off tasks as they are accomplished.

If none of the info here makes sense to you, no need to worry, as this post is primarily intended for me. Account information has been smudged.

A much larger version of the above photo can be viewed here. I’m going down the list…

Linkbait by May 16 (Audio, video, photo, or post, to be completed before that date)

Vitamins (I do daily checkoffs on vitamins to make sure I’m staying on target)

Intro to Search Marketing | CCCLA / DCS / CCA (question for myself as to which local Southern California groups would be interested in my chiropractic centered search marketing talks — Cleveland College, Dead Chiropractic Society, California Chiropractic Association)

News and Blog (the goal is two news posts per day and one blog post per day — for planetc1) Saturday not yet complete.

Blog Post: How I got USA Today - Digg - Mixx - Sphinn - Reddit

Screenshots Article - Army Social Media

Relentless Content Creation *

That links to DCNearMe pages, chiropractors NearMe > form post, Forms, Scripts, Spotlight

Photo in Every Post

Local Linking

Address Data

Spotlight Series

build form - create first posts - blog examples - e-mail to chiropractors (spotlight series becomes articles for planet chiropractic)

Most Influential 2008 blog/news — Cleveland, Clum, Fabrizio, Technique, ACA, ICA, WCA

Linkbait - celebs chiro - screenshots - neck cracking

Mother’s Day - Memorial Day - Father’s Day - summer - July 4 - Labor Day (upcoming events to add to the mental tickler file)

June 1 articles

link out .info template

post, post, post (that means get some stuff posted)

Local Chiropractic - news 2x weekly - office profile - image - address - school - primary DC - how to participate

Where tattoos? Vacaville? (wondering where temporary tattoos were ordered)

San Diego WP (postal codes, cities, classifieds, news clip, local news)

Chris W. gift (what to get for Chris?)

MichaelDorausch.com (profiles with icons and links)

White Board > purchase eight-foot by 5 foot Whiteboard for other wall so posts like this don’t have to be made when erasing what’s on the current board.

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

It’s been nearly 7 years since I’ve hosted a chiropractic seminar in Orange County or Los Angeles (California Focus) but that will soon be changing. While I have continued to speak at chiropractic events during these past seven years, I’ve been holding back on some of the Jewels of information that I have regarding marketing and the Internet, search engine optimization (as it applies to this industry), traditional chiropractic marketing, call tracking research, local business listings and mapping optimization, and a number of other topics I’m discovering chiropractors are increasingly seeking to learn.

It’s unfortunate but there is a lot of mis-information out there, and I’ve been witnessing chiropractors taking a beating both off-line and online. Those that are beginning to figure out how to better market online are dominating search results in their communities, and it’s going to become increasingly more difficult for a chiropractor’s Web presence to take hold.

I’ve spoken to a number of experts in the field of search marketing, social media, local search, and other online endeavors that have information chiropractors should be paying closer attention to. I’ve been communicating with some of these professionals on a daily basis and I’ve been holding back on aggressively educating chiropractors and passing this information on simply because I feel the majority don’t get it (yet). That has to change.

After nearly 3 dozen people at the California Jam asked me about helping with their web sites, their local search marketing, questions they had about pay per click advertising (PPC), and other online related topics, I figured it couldn’t hold out much longer. (Mind blowing chiropractic conferences will do that to you - you just want to give back more.)

So let’s turn it up a notch or 10, let’s get you the tools that will turn your community into a an army promoting your chiropractic business both off-line and online, let’s get into the secrets of gaining major national press about your practice, let’s cover everything we possibly can to get you up to speed on becoming a driving online force that’s promoting chiropractic in your community, in your city, in your state, and across the planet. What do you say?

We have the experts that can get you the critical information you need to succeed in your online efforts. We are still working out the details as to whether this will be a single day intensive (Saturday) or a weekend event (Saturday Sunday). The first will be held in Los Angeles, California (likely nearby LAX) and I’ve been speaking to a few conference room managers at hotels to coordinate dates.

Were looking at a tentative date in August or September for the Los Angeles event. We’re also actively checking out Orange County, Seattle, and either Chicago or New York for future locations.

Don’t be fooled, this is no introductory course to the Internet brought to you by a chiropractor that’s managed to do well with their office website. No way Jose. We’ll be talking about stuff you haven’t heard at any chiropractic conference, seminar, or event, anywhere (unless you spent time with me in the bar this past year).

Some things I can already tell you, you’ll definitely have to possess a laptop with WiFi Internet access for the event. We will be working with our computers nearly the entire time, with heavy interaction. There will be a number of things for you to do online before you attend the event, but that information will be shared at registration.

We are undecided yet as to whether staff will be able to attend, as currently everything we’ve been working on is specifically geared towards the chiropractor in the office. Were also planning on limiting attendance to a select number of chiropractors.

Details so far… held in Los Angeles, weekend in August or September 2008, must have laptop with WiFi, must be prepared to learn a boat load of new stuff.

Regardless whether you’re planning to attend or not, if you’re a chiropractor, get your name, address and business information added to the chiropractors post.

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

With all the tech related conferences I’ve been attending (and speaking at) these past few months, I’d begin to think that the smarts and energy of people like Chris Winfield at 10e20.com would begin rubbing off on me.

When your efforts begin manifesting themselves physically it’s a pretty neat feeling. Things begin to feel as if they are following along a well developed plan rather than a mumble jumble of organized chaos.

Thanks to Chris, there will be some upcoming news about this chiropractor, appearing in a print newspaper (and online) in the next week or so.

I’m not yet mentioning the name of the publication, but that shouldn’t be too tough for you to figure out. There is a number of people I hang out with that have been talking a considerable amount about getting press in the media, and they’ve been extremely helpful in assisting me whenever they can.

Just in the past month I’ve gotten ideas from or assistance from Nicole Jordan of the Rubicon Project, Neil Patel of Quick Sprout consulting and branding service, Andrew Warner of Mixergy.com, Elmer Thomas of thinkingserious.com, Brent Csutoras (thanks for the awesome steaks in Long Beach), and a number of others.

It’s great having friends that are so positive in their nature, all openly helping each other to move forward and succeed. Thanks everyone and expect to see a boat load of twitters from me, IMs from me, and e-mails from me, during the next week or two. Going to be a story to promote.

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

I was doing some preparation on a news article that posted today regarding a Las Vegas 5K running event put on by Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstar and five-time UFC Champion Randy Couture. I knew Planet Chiropractic had posted running related articles in the past (not running ones practice) but I hadn’t realized there had been so many.

There is a charity 5K being held in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 17, 2008. The event is intended to raise funds and awareness for US servicemen and women who have received injuries while serving their country. More details are available here… Mixed Martial Arts Champion To Host Las Vegas 5K

On the topic of running, I found previously posted articles related to chiropractic and the Los Angeles marathon, Nike women’s marathon San Francisco, and the 2007 New York City marathon. I also located an earlier post authored by myself with my thoughts on chiropractic care and marathons and found some other related articles.

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of running. Living in Venice beach, I have the freedom to run the sand in Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica, on a four-day a week schedule. I’ve written about Dolphins in the Marina, GPS fitness trainers (I still use a Garmin), running to reduce writer’s block, and getting blue balls when running on the beach.

I also came across an orthotic foot scanning post involving Adidas locations across the United States. I don’t know if the locations still offer these scans, I was hoping to see one set up in the Las Vegas facility on the strip, but there was not at that location (I was last there in April 2008).

I also found a related post regarding traveling to San Francisco and Oakland for the Nike marathon (and an Oakland Raiders game the next day). I suspect there is even more articles related to running buried in the chiropractic news archives but I was delighted to find those that I did. Here is to hitting the beach and getting some exercise this summer!

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By Michael Dorausch, DC

Chiropractors… This Post is All About You!

This past weekend I collected more than 100 chiropractic business cards while attending the DCS Jam event in Southern California. Many chiropractors that handed me cards mentioned they had address changes, phone number changes, or other changes, some of which differed from information listed on the Local Chiropractor pages.

It has been a week since the continuing education event and there are currently 3 stacks of business cards from chiropractors (with practices in numerous states) sitting on my desk. Neither my staff or myself have much time set aside to add new business listings and update the information we currently have displayed in chiropractic directory databases. I want this information available to the public as much as you do.

Planet Chiropractic receives e-mails every day from people seeking chiropractors in different parts of the world, and also receive requests by telephone and e-mail, in my LA chiropractic office. I know that hundreds of chiropractors also get requests from existing patients to help find a chiropractor in a specific area. I figured if we’re working together on this, we can get all of those 100 chiropractic locations (and potentially many more) added to the address databases in a shorter duration of time.

It’s real simple to participate. All it will take is for you to add your chiropractic office information to the comments below. You don’t have to create an account. You don’t have the register. All you have to do is add the name of your chiropractic practice, your name, your business address, business telephone, website URL (if you have one), and possibly a brief description about your office (that will be optional).

We will pull the address and phone number information from the comments and have them added to the directory pages (which are receiving a lot of search traffic), which will be easier on my staff than manually adding information from business cards.

You’ll get a link to your web site in the comments section, you’ll get a link to your web site on the directory pages, and your office address and phone number information will be displayed as well. There’s no marketing involved. I’m not going to try and sell you anything. I just figure working as a group we can get a lot more information added (a lot faster) than if the task was left to just myself or my staff. Sound good?

Lets Make This Exciting!

Beginning on June 1, 2008, Planet Chiropractic will feature articles written about local chiropractors from all over the world, with featured offices being selected exclusively from the comments section of this blog post.

That’s right, myself, Planet Chiropractic staff, or hired writers will be contacting chiropractors that participate by adding their information, with questions and interviews about where you practice, how you practice, how long you have been in practice, what you love about being a chiropractor, the people being served in your community, and other information you’d like to share with people seeking chiropractic practitioners.

The plan is to feature a different chiropractor at least one time per week until we’ve gone through the entire list. Our chiropractic news articles are typically read by thousands and they provide an incredible opportunity for chiropractors all over the globe to share their stories about the wonders of chiropractic care.

Think you want to participate? Here is what I ask. Add your office information in the comments below. I’ll be adding my office first to provide an example of how to properly post a comment. If you post comment spam, expect to have your comment deleted and sent into akismet purgatory. One comment per chiropractic practitioner. If there is more than one chiropractor practicing in your office, I’d prefer to have the owner of the practice listed. Associates are welcome to participate as well.

If you are a chiropractic student or the patient, practice member, or client of a chiropractor, you may want to pass this information on to them. I greatly appreciate that and will be seeking out a way to reward you for doing so.

This post will be updated based on questions asked, so that we are providing the most relevant and up-to-date information.

Ready, set, post your comments!

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by Michael Dorausch, DC

Marketing materials sent to chiropractors by mail, fax, and e-mail continue to show up in my chiropractic office (and thousands of other chiropractic offices across North America). There appears to be a new trend in marketing materials arriving the past two months. Gone are the direct-mail campaigns for nonsurgical spinal decompression with offers to fly myself and my family to Hawaii or Florida to attend a sales presentation.

Now that chiropractors decompression units are appearing for sale on auction web sites and our chiropracticclassifieds pages, it’s becoming clear that those marketing to chiropractic offices have moved on from pushing decompression therapies and are now in the business of selling wellness.

So while various spam e-mails targeted at chiropractors continue to appear in our PC inboxes (woo hoo, the rate is going down) direct-mail pieces seem to predominately be focused on selling chiropractors on wellness based marketing tactics. I came home from BarCamp San Diego today to find a direct mail piece sent from a chiropractic marketing company in Florida that boldly states How to attract more women into your practice!

I did some research online to check what kind of terms were coming up when someone did a search for “wellness” with the image to the left showing the top eight results.

Turns out wellness is a brand of dog and cat food. Good to see people are also searching for “health and wellness” and other wellness related searches.

I wasn’t too impressed by the numbers and it has me thinking that perhaps people are searching for something else besides the general term.

Not to worry though, looks like 2008 is going to be a summer of marketing wellness to chiropractors, just like the summer of 2006 was for marketing spinal depression.

Do you want to put all your chiropractic marketing dollars in the wellness basket (so you can attract more women into your practice)? What about chiropractors that adjust children or focus on pediatrics? Is that wellness? How about those focused on sports performance, is that wellness based or injury based? Then there’s the manipulators, marketing manipulation under anesthesia, is that therapeutics or wellness? One thing is for sure, I’ve received no direct-mail, unsolicited e-mail, or faxes sent to my office, by people marketing the correction of vertebral subluxation as something chiropractors could be doing in their practice.

I’m looking forward to see what direct-mail marketing pieces I receive next, not. Hold the presses, I was about to close this post when I noticed another piece of mail from a different chiropractic marketing company based in Tustin, California. Maybe wellness isn’t the only thing we will be reading about, as the piece of mail talks about a recession in the United States.

Wellness Revolution or 2008 Recession, which topic do you think is going to be focused on more in materials being marketed to chiropractors this summer?

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