Benefits of VETtalk Radio for Vets, Vet Nurses and Receptionists

We recently interviewed by phone, a number of veterinarians, vet nurses and receptionists about their impressions of VETtalk Radio*
We've combined our known benefits with theirs. The responses below surprised even us!

Atmospheric Benefits
Better than silence
Less disruptive than commercial radio music/news which can be inappropriate
Distracts from sounds of distressed animals
Creates a calmer mood
Makes waiting rooms seem less intimidating
Provides friendly yet inoffensive background when clients are facing ‘difficult times’ ie euthanasia
Personable – clients feel like they’re having a 1-to-1 communication from an authoritative yet friendly person/people who want to help them help their pet

Time-related Benefits
Makes client waiting time go faster/appear shorter if an unexpected emergency delays appointments (10 mins is the ideal – but sometimes longer)
Saves staff time by providing answers to the commonly asked questions that drive staff nuts

Professional Image-related Benefits
Professional messages spell out to the client that they’re in an above-average veterinary facility 
Demonstrates to clients how much they’re valued by providing them with free information for the benefit of their precious pets
Provides an independent voice to detail why this facility and its people are so good/better than elsewhere - without putting anyone down or sounding like a show-off
Provides consistency in the information and advice being given to both clients and staff
Can be tailored to provide individual practitioner’s opinions or beliefs
Educational Benefits
Provides useful pet-related information that is relevant to veterinary clients
Translates technical veterinary terminology out of ‘vetspeak’ into everyday language clients can easily understand
Explains complicated topics such as pet insurance and its benefits
Teaches clients about early warning signs or symptoms that mean they should see their vet
De-mystifies and takes the fearfulness out of common veterinary procedures 
Keeps clients up to date with latest advances in veterinary care, such as new pharmaceuticals and procedures
Explains why using new diagnostic tools and new (sometimes expensive) technology will help ensure their pets stay healthier and live longer
Increases client compliance to treatment regimes through supportive information and examples
Reinforces the value of ‘health and wellness’ checks – especially since the change in timing of vaccinations
Explains in simple terms how nutrition impacts on pet health eg; how to counter obesity or how to manage dental health

Staff Benefits
Reminds reception staff to check each client’s current status re parasiticides and vaccines
Educates staff or reminds them about a wide range of pet-related matters
Promotes any special skills or services among staff
Encourages team building

Business Growth Benefits
Introduces clients to other services you provide which may be of use to them 
Introduces clients to other services you provide which may be of use to their friends
Provides reasons for clients to schedule regular return visits
Increases referrals/new clients through friendly direct requests to current clients
Gently reminds clients of products or services available for purchase in your clinic

Usage Benefits
Can be tailored to provide ‘live’ messaging for special occasions or events
Easily updateable
Message frequency can be altered to suit likely listening demographics, time of day or day of week
No hard sell (like commercial radio)
No competitors’ ads
No need to purchase or rent expensive satellite receivers/special ‘box’ receivers
Uses very little bandwidth to run the service
Service is provided by known pet media practitioners rather than mass media provider

* For the purposes of this survey VETtalk radio was being trialled under a different name by a large pharmaceutical company over a 3 month period.