Good healthcare marketing is essential for the growth of any business, and the healthcare/medical practice is no exception. With around 30 new patients every month required to grow a practice, building a practice offering high-quality services at reasonable prices is essential to achieve this target. While there are several established marketing techniques and referral programs, there are also several other ways healthcare practitioners can use to grow their practices. Let us take a look at some of the best healthcare marketing tips you can use:
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1. Maintain a Good Relationship with Existing Clients
While the main focus is attracting new patients, following up on existing patients and keeping them happy with the service is essential. Effective word-of-mouth advertising is one of the best ways to attract new patients. A satisfied patient will share their positive experience with family, friends, and colleagues. Nurturing existing patients has positive effects on both your practice and patients. It is not only the most efficient and cheap way of advertising, but it also makes patients feel valued and appreciated.
2. Send Reminders via Mail or Phone
Sending reminders of upcoming regular checks or an invitation to an event organized by the practice is a good way of showing patients that you care while providing added value. Ensure to choose the right channel (email, text message, or phone call) for each group and keep the communication brief and positive.
3. Know Your Target Audience
Knowing the specific demographics around your practice location is essential to attract more patients. Analyzing the region’s records will help determine your target audience’s average age, gender, location, and occupation, influencing your marketing strategies and channels.
4. Develop a Marketing Strategy
Once you know your target audience, you can create a marketing strategy to attract new patients. A diversified approach is necessary if your practice is in an area with a diverse population. In addition, create a media kit containing all the information about your practice with valuable links and contact information that patients can distribute to family and friends.
5. Get Listed on Local Directories
Registering your practice on local directories like Google Places, Yahoo Local, and Bing Places is a good way of letting people know you are there for them. Business details will be visible, and prospective patients will be able to locate your practice and get the contact details they need.
6. Use Visuals to Attract More Interest
Visuals in all the practice’s materials grab prospective patients’ attention and help properly present your vision and mission. Use consistent, high-quality images across all channels to offer and advertise your practice.
7. Create or Improve Your Website
Since a website is the digital business card of your practice, ensure it is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and easy to use. It should contain relevant content, patient and staff reviews and a helpful blog. Regular articles help rank your practice better on search engines, making it more visible to potential patients.
8. Use Social Media
Social media is a great advertising tool with many potentials. Being active on social media accounts allows patients to like or share your content, creating more traffic to your site and potential leads that can become patients.
9. Leverage Referral Marketing
Referral marketing is a powerful tool for medical practices to attract new patients. Create an incentive program for existing patients and staff to encourage them to refer others to your practice. This is a practical, low-cost way to attract new patients while rewarding those who promote your practice.
10. Community Involvement
Getting involved in local community events, increasing awareness of health issues, and building relationships with local businesses are all great ways to market your medical practice. Additionally, hosting events such as free screenings and health fairs is an excellent way to attract new patients while providing value to the community.
Growing a healthcare practice can be challenging, but by following these ten healthcare marketing tips, medical practitioners can attract new patients to grow their practices effectively, retain existing patients, and develop new community relationships.
