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Do You Or Don't You

Where the Blogs at? 86% of You Aren’t Making the Most of Your SEO

Most businesses seem to be too busy to try this.

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Published

2 years ago

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THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:  Do you maintain a regularly updated blog on your website?

YES: 14%

  • Once every other month.  — Susan Miller, Bright E Vision, Hartsville, PA
  • It doesn’t have a special name, just the “blog” link on our website, but I post monthly. Have had many marketing companies approach to make content for our blog, but I think it’s much more genuine and applicable to generate the content in-house.  — Caitlin Bruno, Binyon Vision Center, Bellingham, WA
  • Ours is mottoptical.com and we post monthly.  — Kaleena Ma, MK Vision Center, Forest Hills, NY
  • Originally the idea was to call the blog Eye Guy New York. Instead, it’s fallen into just being the Eye Designs Blog but there’s always a chance it will revert back; eyedesignsofwestchester.com/blog/.  — Harris Decker, Eye Designs Of Westchester, Scarsdale, NY
  • We post several times a month.  — Cindy Henderson, Eyear Optical, Hixson, TN
  • It’s Eye-Q. It started off weekly and now it’s monthly. Ideally, it would be weekly but it takes a fair amount of time to post and write SEO for it. It is really important for SEO and adding fresh content.  — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
  • We update at least monthly.  — Jocelyn Mylott, D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Inc., Lancaster, MA

No: 86%

  • No time. Too busy seeing patients. Hopefully, this will change with the addition of a new doctor.  — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, Monroe, CT
  • I am a homeschooling mother in the mornings and an optometrist in the afternoons. I just don’t have time. When I get home it’s back to my role as mom. If I am lucky I will have time to relax and read before I fall asleep.  — Pauline Buck, OD, Behavioral and Developmental Optometrists, Miami, FL
  • We are a small office and my other two co-workers could care less about social media and it’s the last thing on my mind.  — Betty Aretz, The Eyecare Boutique, Wexford, PA
  • Not enough time.  — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
  • No website.  — Jill Sweig, OD, Oyster Bay Optics, Oyster Bay, NY
  • We have one but don’t post regularly.  — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
  • No. We are trying but it always takes a back seat!  — Katie McElvaine, OD, Springfield Family Vision, Springfield, MO
  • Not enough time because I update and keep our social media on point.  — Heather Harrington, Elevated Eyecare, Denver, CO
  • We are just getting started with our website, going to EHR.  — Sand Slang, Ophthalmology Associates, Cudahy, WI
  • It’s all about time. I don’t make the time to do it as I am running a business, seeing guests, answering guests questions, etc.  — Ted McElroy, OD, Vision Source Tifton, Tifton, GA
  • Time doesn’t allow it.  — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South GA, Valdosta, GA
  • We do not have the personnel to take care of it.  — Pablo E Mercado, Mount Vernon Eyecare, Dunwoody, GA
  • There’s enough stuff to maintain! And, honestly, who reads eye doctors’ blogs?  — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
  • Sadly, I’m not at this time super computer savvy.  — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
  • I don’t want one unless we can have it updated regularly with content we create. Since that isn’t happening right now, the blog isn’t happening right now.  — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
  • We are currently updating our website and it will have a blog that I will be contributing to at least once or twice a week.  — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA
  • We have an “auto posting” blog but we rarely do much more. Time is a big factor. We mainly want a new blog post to help keep our SEO good but very few people read them so investing time in them just does not pay right now. Keeping the SEO good is what matters and the auto blog posting is good for that.  — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
  • Too busy seeing patients sent to our office by word of mouth and word of YELP (ugh).  — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
 

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Do You Or Don't You

35% of You Actively Keep Tabs on Your Competition in Creative Ways

The remainder of you are pretty confident you don’t have competition … or don’t have the time to keep track of them.

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Published

1 week ago

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February 10, 2020

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Yes: 35%

  • We have a PE chain in town, and another competitor who has been here for 30 years. We don’t keep a close eye on them, but we’re cordial and friendly with them. Mainly just keep an eye on what they are selling, as we don’t want to carry the same lines. We request the reps not sell the exact same lines, but they don’t always follow through. But that’s how it goes in the small towns. — Jim Williams, Eye to Eye, Mexico, MO
  • Follow on social media. We are the only optical shop in the area. So our clients come from the competition after their eye exam. We hear from our clients what or what not the others in the area are doing. — Julie Kubsch, Specs Around Town, Bloomington, IL
  • We do A LOT of Facebook stalking in our downtime! — Jess Gattis, Thomas Vision Clinic, Leesville, LA
  • I secret shop stores, visit their websites and Instagram postings. — Mitchell Kaufman, Marine Park Family Vision, Brooklyn, NY
  • I only keep tabs on competitors by picking my drug and frame reps brains. I always ask what my competition is up to. I ask who is busy, who is using their products, who is updating their office, etc… — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
  • I physically talk to them. — Kenneth Weiner, OD, Livingston, NJ
  • Shop sales and inventory. — Ann-Marie Weaver, Optimal Eye Care, Lewis Center, OH
  • Visit incognito. — Mickey Bradley, Patrick Optical, Fort Worth, TX
  • Honor competitors pricing if feasible. — Yen Nguyen, Black Optical, Dallas, TX
  • We are a member of Vision Source, so rather than keep tabs, we share information between our Vision Source practices that may help boost all of us up. We have regional quarterly meetings and that’s where I find I get the most out of being a VS member. Those conversations with other local opticals can be absolutely priceless! I’ve also found a lot of great advice on the Opticians on Facebook or ODs on Facebook groups! — Tiffany Firer, Lifetime Eyecare, Jenison, MI
  • Check media, online promotions, walk through. — Bob McBeath, Edina Eye, Edina, MN
  • Watch online activity/advertising. — Pam Peters, Midwest Eye, Downers Grove, IL
  • We believe it is very important to know what our competition is up to. In no order of importance we: Check their reviews on Google, Yelp, etc. Review their social media platforms and websites. Pay a visit to see what’s new in the store be it frames, people, or décor. We do announce ourselves when we visit our competitors, we don’t try to play 007. We are also very open and always invite our competitors to visit us. We actually invite them for coffee. Funny thing.. they never show up especially opticians which surprises us to no end. How can NOT have an interest in your competitors store, inventory, etc.? — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
  • Periodically. — Ron Catterson, Clear View Optix, The Villages, FL
  • Small community, we try to work with the smaller boutiques and compliment frame lines rather than carry the same styles. Larger clinics in our area need to keep up with us! — Deb Jaeger, Eye Center of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND
  • “I have friends in low places…” — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, LLC, Monroe, CT
  • Check advertising. — Pam Neagle, Austin Eyeworks, Austin, TX
  • We watch what they do for promos. We try and separate ourselves from other eyecare offices. — Theodore Sees, OD, Rockford Family Eyecare, Rockford, MI
  • It is always a good idea to see what others are doing, even if you have no intention of copying it. Knowing what others do can show what could work (or not) in your practice. — Pablo E. Mercado, Optima Eyecare, Alpharetta, GA
  • Follow their social media and keep tabs on their Google marketing. — Travis LeFevre, Krystal Vision, Logan, UT
  • What collections are they carrying? Who just was bought out by MyEyeDoctor? — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
  • Sales, promos and marketing. — Laura Trudeau, Cornea and Contact Lens Institute, Edina, MN
  • I like to keep tabs on prices and their promotions. I sign up for their FB/IG news too so I know what they are doing. — Kim Hilgers, Monson Eyecare Center, Owatonna, MN
  • Just basic information to make sure that our office is not out of line with other private practitioners. — Leisa Lauer, Dr. H. Michael Shack, Newport Beach, FL
  • Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Cold call and see what the competition is offering and prices. — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
  • Keep eye on ads… price shop. — Rob Goedken, Fuerste Optical, Dubuque, IA
  • Stay informed on products and specials that they are offering. Try to compete by matching prices or giving better product. — Becki Martin, Harrington Vision Center II, Florence, SC

No: 65%

  • I only have time to worry about what I’m doing, never mind other people! — Larah Alami, OD, Hudson River Eye Care, Tarrytown, NY
  • We stay busy. — Fred Sirotkin, OD, Eagle Eye Care, Columbia, MD
  • No time. — Amy M. Farrall, OD, Vision Center of Delaware, Newark, DE
  • No time. — Susie Phillips, Dr. Brendon Johnson, O.D., Pekin, IL
  • Just doesn’t seem applicable. — Adam Doyle, Pearle Vision, Madison, AL
  • Our ‘competitors’ aren’t really competition. Instead we focus on product knowledge, customer service, and carrying gorgeous frames. — Kris Kittell, Torrey Highlands Optometry, San Diego, CA
  • The only thing I keep up with is what services other offices are offering to patients. That way, if a patient asks me about myopia control, I can refer them to a colleague. — Angie Patteson, OD Sunset Eye Care, Johnson City, TN
  • We do our own thing and we do it well. Our true competitors do the same, so I respect that. — Susan L. Spencer, Council Eye Care, Williamsville, NY
  • No time. — Nicole Heyduk, Eye centers of Northwest Ohio, Fremont, OH
  • Our boss doesn’t seem interested in knowing what the competitors are doing. — Joyce Paton, Village Eye Care, Raleigh, NC
  • Worry about your own circus. — Kevin Count, Prentice Lab, Glenview, IL
  • Too busy! Probably should though. — Kristina Swartz, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
  • Four Walls Theory. (Look inside your four walls of operation for the elements that contribute to success or failure.) — Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
  • I am so far ahead of them they would be slowing me down! — Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Vision, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
  • I seek quality and brands, they do not. — Sabina Krasnov, i2ioptique, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Not worried about them. — James Ernst, OD, Alexandria, KY
  • Busy running my own business. As we do not take insurance, we actually recommend our closest competitor for those Rxs. — Dianna Finisecy, Wagner Opticians, Washington, DC
  • I have no competition! Just businesses that think they are. — Dave Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
  • I can’t say I don’t check online advertising or see what Facebook has but that is pretty rare. I figure what they are doing should not alter my approach too much and sometimes you can chase a competitor down a wrong path. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
  • Don’t have time to worry about others. We just do what we do. — Andrea Schall, Armstrong Eye Care, Kittanning, PA
  • I just do the best I can. — Ivy Elaine Frederick, OD, New Castle, PA
  • They should keep tabs on me. Too busy seeing patients to care what other practices are doing. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
  • A lot of big box offices around us and we are private practice. Our frame offerings are not the same and our exams are full detailed exams on every annual not just a refraction. I don’t feel we fall into the same category as most offices around us. — Lindsey Pulford, Insights Eyecare, Manhattan KS
  • No time for that. Too busy being spectacular! — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
  • No need, do you job and don’t work about anyone else. — Kenneth D Boltz, OD, Dublin, OH
  • No time. — Ann Gallagher, Professional Vision, Ellicott, MD
  • Other eyeglass places in town are not our competition. — Dave Goodrich, Goodrich Optical, Lansing, MI
  • If we do things right, we don’t have any competition… — Annette Prevaux, The Visionary Inc, Allen Park, MI
  • We’re are our greatest competitor! — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
  • We are a downtown boutique style shop and have our own niche. — Elizabeth Hawkins, Summit Eye Health dba The Eye Station, Lees Summit, MO
  • Not sure how to do that. — Jessica Mitchell, Mitchell Eye Care, Starkville, MS
  • They need to keep tabs on me. — Michael Davis, OD, Opti-Care, Eldersburg, MD
  • We are such a small office that we don’t have time to check around. We do often asks patients, who purchase their glasses elsewhere, how much they paid for them. — Deanna Phillips, Clemmons Family Eye Care, Clemmons, NC
  • Many of the opticals have either closed down or have been bought out by corporate entities. Those changes have worked out well for us in the community. — Tim Gray, Visual Eyes, Huntingdon Valley, PA
  • We just don’t worry about our competitors. If we do our job well, then no need to worry. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
  • We may ask our reps if others in the area are experiencing similarities, but we don’t actively snoop. — Selena Jachens, Urban Eyecare & Eyewear, West Des Moines, IA
  • Once in a blue moon we mystery shop, but we have to be waaaaay out of town, as everybody knows everybody here. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
  • It does us no justice in comparing anything in life. You do your best and set goals. — Betty Aretz, The Eyecare Boutique, Wexford, PA
  • Not enough time in the day! — Stephanie Crowley, Sie Eyecare, Charlotte, NC
  • We don’t have much competition. — Nichole Montavon, Oskaloosa Vision Center, Oskaloosa, LA

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. eyecare business serving the public, you’re invited to join the INVISION Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting eyecare professionals. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

Continue Reading

Do You Or Don't You

When It Comes to Facebook Friend Requests, 65% of You Hit ‘Decline’ on Patients

Limited mixing of business and pleasure (or politics) here.

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Published

1 month ago

on

January 19, 2020

By

Yes: 35%

  • I only friend so they don’t feel offended. I greatly limit what patient see on my FB. — Haley Menge, Hi-Line Eye Care, Glasgow, MT
  • Our doctor is not very active on Facebook and nothing is political, so anyone that adds him is accepted. — Kenny Meyer, OBC Insurance Billing & Credentialing Specialists, Macomb, IL
  • Only patients that I actually know! I don’t think any have “friended” me until they know me well, so I’ve never run into the problem of trying to limit what they see. — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
  • I have nothing to hide. — Bret Hunter, Sports Optical, Denver, CO
  • I do not like to, but I do. I have decided to seldom post personal pictures. — Charlene Gordon, Family Eye Care, Monroe, LA
  • It is important to me that my personal page is a place that I can connect with friends and I am open to people who are friends and are ALSO patients. I need to have a friendship outside of the office to become Facebook friends with someone. — Deborah Bosner, Northwest EyeCare Professionals, Columbus, OH
  • It really depends on the patient. If I know them from other things, then yes. For example, I have patients that volunteer with the non-profit I chair. I will friend them. But if I have only had encounters with them in the office, then no. — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
  • No limit, some become friends. — Sabina Krasnov, i2ioptique, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Only a very select few whom I consider family. — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South GA, Valdosta, GA
  • If and when I friend a patient, they are already a real friend. — Robert M Easton Jr OD FAAO, Oakland Park, FL
  • I would if they were about my age and they were likable. But, honestly, it’s never happened. — Bart Parker, OD, Vision Source-Fox Optical, Lake Worth, FL
  • I live in a super small town so being in business is almost like being a celebrity; people think it’s cool to know you. It’s kind of hard to say no to people. I don’t limit what they can see. I only pretty much post pics of my cat anyway. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
  • Many long term patients have become good friends. And I don’t post anything I wouldn’t want a patient to see anyway. — Kenneth D. Boltz, OD, Dublin, OH
  • Only if I know them real well. — Scott Felten, Fox Valley Family Eye Care, Little Chute, WI
  • It honestly depends on the patient, but I don’t put anything on my personal FB that I wouldn’t want a patient to see so I’m happy that they want to connect. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
  • Be an open book. — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
  • I do very little on my personal Facebook page so it does not matter. I live in a smaller community and see people out around town all the time anyway. — Kristina Swartz, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
  • I don’t limit what they can see. I just make sure I don’t post things I wouldn’t tell them in person. Vacations, birthdays, kids pics … no “dirty laundry” on FB. — Andrea Schall, Armstrong Eye Care, Kittanning, PA
  • A happy customer is a good customer, being friends with them is exposure for the business. No limit on what they see. — Jocelyn Anderson, National Vision Inc, Riverdale, GA
  • We are a small town, and we have nothing to hide! — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
  • If they have gotten to a point with me where they feel they could send a friend request, then why not? I don’t put anything on my FB page that I wouldn’t feel comfortable with people seeing. — Cynthia Sayers, OD, EyeShop Optical Center, Lewis Center, OH
  • Not everyone who asks is accepted as a Facebook friend; I have to know them quite well. — Ron Catterson, Clear View Optix, The Villages, FL
  • No .., but if they have become friends, all is good. — Susie Phillips, Dr. Brendon Johnson, O.D., Pekin, IL
  • I have been in this industry for 21 years now and have only worked at three different offices. I have patient friends that can remember when I planned my wedding over 15 years ago and when I was pregnant with both of my sons (now 11 and 13!!). Some patients have become very good friends! But I definitely have a hard think on their personality before I click the “accept request” button! — Renee Berry, Nappanee Family Eyecare, Nappanee, IN

No: 65%

  • I do not personally do Facebook. — Bob McBeath, Edina Eye, Edina, MN
  • It is too personal for a patient to know my private thoughts and family and friends. — Jessica Brundidge, Clarity Vision, Clayton, NC
  • My personal Facebook is totally blocked, only used to get Facebook access. All interaction is done on our business Facebook. — Dave Schultz, OD, Urban Optics, San Luis Obispo, CA
  • I do not accept these friend requests. I do not address it with the patient, I just ignore it. If they actually ask in person, I tell them I need to keep professional and social separate. — Michael Davis, OD, Opti-Care, Eldersburg, MD
  • I’d like to keep the relationship professional. — Chris Lopez, OD, Roberts Eyecare Associates, Vestal, NY
  • Many of my friends have joined my business page but not vice-versa. — Dave Goodrich, Goodrich Optical, Lansing, MI
  • I do not address it. If they are not close outside of work friends I just don’t respond. Most people don’t even remember they sent the request and I feel it is good to keep an arms distance from patient friends who are not yet friend friends. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
  • I have accepted a few personal patient friend requests but mainly try to steer them to my business Facebook page. My personal page is a battleground of politics and religion which are like Voldemort and should not be spoken about at work. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
  • Hasn’t happened yet, but I try to keep my private life, well, private. — Mark Perry, OD, Vision Health Institute, Orlando, FL
  • I tell them if I am not invited to your kids birthday you are not in my personal circle. — Annette Prevaux, The Visionary Inc, Allen Park, MI
  • I’ve never received one, but I struggle to leave work at work as it is, and I keep my Facebook circle very tight. — Erin D’Elia, 3 for 1 glasses, St. Catharines, ON
  • I feel Facebook is very personal and only use it for family and friends. We do have a Facebook group we use to communicate with staff at work but this is a secret group that patients can’t see. We had to make it secret because patients kept requesting to join daily. Which makes us consider having a Facebook group sometimes for the practice. — Diana Canto Sims, OD, Buena Vista Optical, Chicago, IL
  • Pretty sure no one ever tried, but if they did, I just wouldn’t respond. I only friend people that I consider within an inner circle and delete plenty of friend requests. — Larah Alami, OD, Hudson River Eye Care, Tarrytown and White Plains, NY
  • Our office has a Facebook page. That is enough for me. — John LaShorne, Brown County Eye Care, Nashville, IN
  • Luckily, I don’t usually have to address the issue as I do not have my last name on my FB page so patients cannot easily find me. I like to keep my personal and professional life separate. — Erika Tydor, OD, Shoreline Eyecare, Shoreline, WA
  • No. I am way too honest on Facebook. I call it like it is and if you don’t like it then f**k off. And yes, I can cuss like a sailor when I’m pissed off. — Dennis Iadarola, OD, Center For Vision Care, Monroe, CT

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. eyecare business serving the public, you’re invited to join the INVISION Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting eyecare professionals. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

Continue Reading

Do You Or Don't You

With Only 37% Answering ‘Yes,’ Sending Holiday Notes Seems to be a Dying Tradition

But some of you have gotten creative, sending Thanksgiving cards or texts patients can respond to.

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Published

3 months ago

on

November 16, 2019

By

Yes: 37%

  • Secular. — Charlene Gordon, Family Eye Care, Monroe, LA
  • Both secular and non-religious. — Richard Frankel, Atlantic Cape Eyecare, Wildwood, NJ
  • I sent cards that fit my relationship with my custfriends (customer/friend). — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
  • Secular. — Cassandra Brackmann, Danville Family Eye Care, Danville, IN
  • Secular. We want to share our celebration and good wishes of the season and the New Year but we do not want to offend anyone who may not share in similar traditions. — Deborah Bosner, Northwest EyeCare Professionals, Columbus, OH
  • Secular by email. — Jeff Grosekemper, Casa De Oro Eyecare, Spring Valley, CA
  • We send Thanksgiving cards. — Bethany Cassar, Complete Eye Health, Holland, MI
  • Just a standard well wished holiday email for those with emails on file. — William Chancellor, Eye Can See Eyewear, McDonough, GA
  • Text from weave. People love it and often text back. — Kristina Swartz, The Eye Site, Mishawaka, IN
  • Secular. Only because I don’t think the company we use for the postcards has a religious option. — Angel Miller, Cynthiana Vision Center, Cynthiana, KY
  • Secular, we focus how grateful we are for the relationships we build with our patients. — Selina McGee, OD, Precision Vision, Edmond, OK
  • Some religious cards to new customers and people we have not seen in a while. — BJ Chambers, Carrera Optical, McQueeney, TX
  • Secular with a hint of religious. I feel our office keeps with a flair of both without being over the top on either. — Susan Frein, Ames Eye Care, Ankeny, IA
  • Non-religious. Usually some type of cute or funny card. — Texas L. Smith, OD, Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates, Citrus Heights, CA
  • Non-religious. — Adam Ramsey, OD, Iconic Eye Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
  • Religious but not overtly. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN
  • We have a notecard designed specifically for our clinic to send to patients for any reason/occasion. It features custom artwork and metal sculpture featured in our clinic. We also give gift packages of those notecards to our patients to use. — Deb Jaeger, Eye Center of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND
  • Not sure, whatever my practice management software sends! I guess I need to pay more attention to that aspect although my staff may know. — Marc Ullman, OD, Academy Vision, Pine Beach, NJ
  • Secular. Typically we use it to send out a “customer appreciation coupon” and advertise upcoming trunk shows. — Jenna Gilbertson, McCulley Optix Gallery, Fargo, ND
  • We send both. — Deanna Phillips, Clemmons Family Eye Care, Clemmons, NC
  • Secular. — Caitlin Bruno, Binyon Vision Center, Bellingham, WA
  • Non-religious. — Tabitha Fuller, Thomas Eye, Palmetto, GA
  • Secular. — Robert Hillman, Hillman9, Waltham, MA
  • Cards are “Happy Holidays and Happy New Year” so it covers every religion and those that might not celebrate are not offended. — Anja Jakupovic, OPTIK! European Eyewear, Saint Petersburg, FL
  • Secular. — Leisa Shack, Westcliff Optometry, Newport Beach, CA
  • Religious. — Renee Berry, Nappanee Family Eyecare, Nappanee, IN
  • We have done both. — Selena Jachens, Urban Eyecare & Eyewear, West Des Moines, IA
  • I just tend to send out little “thank you for supporting the shop” notes if anything; something that could honestly be sent at any time of year but might mention how gift certificates are a great gift for any occasion! — Siobhan Burns, The Eyeglass Lass, New London, CT
  • We do for one office but not the other. The ones we do are to a small group of local businesses and are religious but not over the top. The main limit to not doing more and at both offices is the cost. Not sure what the ROI really is on it. — Zachary Dirks, OD, St. Peter and Belle Plaine Eyecare Centers, Saint Peter, MN

No: 63%

  • We really only do postcards for exam reminders and sometimes cards for patient that have spent a large amount of cash or thank you for being a patient if there was a circumstance that was unusual. — Caitlin Wicka, San Juan Eye Center, Montrose, CO
  • Too much contact can be just as bad as too little, people get burnt out. — Steve Geis, Metro Eye, Milwaukee, WI
  • Not religious but we do decorate for the holidays. We celebrate all. — Cindy Harmon, Sonoma Eyeworks, Santa Rosa, CA
  • Lazy. — Alexander Saper, Great Glasses, Houston, TX
  • People hate that stuff. It’s spam. — Jen Heller, Pend Oreille Vision Care, Sandpoint, ID
  • I always make super creative Christmas ads for the local paper and social media. I decorate and LOVE Christmas time but I am not religious and don’t want to offend anyone. I just want to keep it easy too. I honestly don’t have the time or energy to send cards. I can barely get it together to send cards to my family. — Nancy Revis, Uber Optics, Petaluma, CA
  • It is sadly a tradition that has gone by the wayside. Very few send personal cards anymore. We think communication should be pertinent to a message. — Steve Nelson, Eye Candy Optical, Westlake, OH
  • I got to be honest, laziness. — Ted A. McElroy, OD, Vision Source Tifton, Tifton, GA
  • No, just not enough time in the day. — Scott Keating, OD, Vision Trends, Dover, OH
  • It would be lovely if we could. There’s just not enough time or manpower to do it. — Frances Ann Layton, Eye Associates of South Georgia, Valdosta, GA
  • It’s me and a part-time secretary…no time for that. Although, we do send hand written thank-yous to every first time buyer, ones that have returned after a few years absence, and condolence cards when there’s a death in the family. — Jennifer Leuzzi, Mill Creek Optical, Dansville, NY
  • I never saw any benefit to it. — Kimberly Riggs, OD, Ligonier, PA
  • Time and staffing. — Chris Lopez, OD, Roberts Eyecare Associates, Vestal, NY

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. eyecare business serving the public, you’re invited to join the INVISION Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting eyecare professionals. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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