Let’s settle it.
Is it better to run your own private practice… or join the commercial optometry machine?
One side says: “Private practice gives you freedom, better patient care, and higher profits!”
The other side says: “Commercial chains have the brand, the marketing, and the endless supply of patients!”
The truth?
It’s not about which one you choose… it’s about how you run it.
Because whether you’re indie or corporate, if you’re not maximizing revenue per patient and building loyalty, you’re just grinding out exams until burnout hits.
And the easiest way to do that? Two words: Membership Program.
Story: Dr. Sam’s Private Practice “Survival Mode”
Dr. Sam ran a small private practice for 8 years.
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Loved his patients.
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Loved being his own boss.
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Hated the financial roller coaster.
He’d see commercial chains advertising $49 eye exams with 24-hour turnarounds… and wonder how he could compete. His schedule was full-ish, but profits? Thin.
The Shift
Instead of trying to out-discount the big guys, Dr. Sam played a different game:
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He launched a Vision Membership Program through BoomCloud™.
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He stopped selling on price and started selling experience and exclusivity.
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Every patient interaction became a chance to sell loyalty.
His membership offered:
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2 comprehensive eye exams a year
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Exclusive frame discounts
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VIP events for members only
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Easy monthly payments instead of big insurance deductibles
The Results
Before:
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Recall rate: 55%
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Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): $0
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Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $0
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Avg. spend per patient: $350
After 12 months:
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Recall rate: 90%
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MRR: $26,000
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ARR: $312,000
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Avg. spend per patient: $1,250
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Membership patients spent 3.5x more than non-members
It’s Not About the Model, It’s About the Monetization
You can win in private practice or commercial optometry — but you’ll lose in both if you’re running a “one-and-done” patient model.
Here’s what private practices have going for them:
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Personalized care → patients trust you more
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Pricing flexibility → you set the rules
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Stronger community relationships
Here’s what commercial chains have:
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Marketing muscle
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Operational systems
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Brand recognition
The real difference-maker?
Those who focus on recurring revenue and loyalty programs always outperform those who rely on “hope they come back next year” strategies.
Private Practice + Membership = Freedom
In a private practice, a membership program gives you:
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Stable, predictable income (MRR & ARR)
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Higher recall rates → fewer slow months
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Stronger patient relationships → more referrals
Commercial Optometry + Membership = Retention
Even in a chain setting, you can run a membership-like program:
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Keep patients from jumping to competitors
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Increase spend on premium products
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Build loyalty even when prices are standardized
How to Build a Membership Program That Works in Any Model ️
1️⃣ Design High-Value, Easy-to-Say-Yes-to Packages
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Include exams, cleanings, frame discounts, and “members-only” perks
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Offer monthly or annual payment options
2️⃣ Train Your Team to Sell Membership Every Day
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Mention it during check-in, exam, and check-out
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Use recall messages to pitch “VIP member” status
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Celebrate new member signups
3️⃣ Automate Billing & Tracking
BoomCloud™ handles:
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Auto-billing
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Tracking member spend vs non-member spend
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Sending renewal reminders
4️⃣ Market the Experience, Not Just the Savings
Patients don’t just want cheap — they want value and status. Make your membership feel like joining an exclusive club.
Case Study: Private Practice vs Commercial With Membership
| Metric | Private Practice (Membership) | Commercial (Membership) |
|---|---|---|
| MRR | $26,000 | $33,000 |
| ARR | $312,000 | $396,000 |
| Avg. Spend/Patient | $1,250 | $1,410 |
| Retention Rate | 90% | 88% |
Takeaway: The membership model works in both — the deciding factor is execution, not environment.
Fun Membership Marketing Ideas
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VIP Frame Previews → Invite members to private frame showings before new lines drop.
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Member Referral Contests → Winner gets $500 toward designer frames.
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Seasonal Member Events → “Wine & Vision” evenings or holiday gift frame fittings.
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Family Membership Discounts → Make it easy for the whole household to join.
Why This Wins in Any Economy
Whether you’re indie or corporate, recurring revenue means:
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You’re not dependent on insurance cycles
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You can forecast revenue with confidence
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Patients feel committed to your practice — not just their insurance provider
And when patients are part of a program they’ve already paid for, they use it — meaning more visits, more upgrades, more referrals.
Stop Playing the Price War
Whether you’re building your own brand or working in a corporate setting, you can:
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Create predictable income
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Boost patient loyalty
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Increase revenue per patient by 2–4x
…by launching a membership program with BoomCloud™.
The Bottom Line
The “private practice vs commercial optometry” debate misses the point. You can win in both — if you focus on monetizing patient loyalty instead of chasing volume.
With a vision membership program:
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Your revenue is predictable
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Your patients are loyal
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Your growth is in your control
Your Resources to Get Started:
