The key to effective marketing is visibility. You need to engage in activities that put your brand, your name, your practice, your face, and your skills before as many people as possible. In the 21st century, that requires both an online presence (a website and social media accounts) and a mobile-friendly approach. Mobile-friendly strategies include keeping your content within certain word limits and giving priority to images. Studies show that three out of every four people start their search for medical services online. Furthermore, nearly two of every three search engine visits in the last quarter of 2021 were from mobile devices.
Like many professions, a successful medical practice is ultimately built on trust. One of the most effective ways to present yourself and your practice as trustworthy is through a well-conceived social media campaign. Regularly posting informative articles or videos on Facebook or YouTube can position you as a knowledgeable authority in your community. Social media can also give potential patients a powerful sense of your accessibility. Even better, once you’re up and running, it can allow you to stay connected with patients.
Without a doubt, the best way to get new patients is through referrals from existing or former patients. A referral comes with a built-in indication of trust—friends and family members typically refer others to a healthcare professional only if they’ve had a good experience with that person.
The first step toward developing a successful referral program is to ask existing patients to make referrals. You can offer something in exchange—such as a tote bag or an easy-to-use home thermometer—but you need to be careful. If federal insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are involved, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits the exchange of anything of value for a referral. In most instances, though, if a patient is happy with the services you provide, they won’t need a further incentive to refer another person to you.
If you want to maximize your visibility on Google, make certain you complete your Google Business Profile and update it on a regular basis. An accurate and dynamic Google Business Profile gives you the best chance of appearing at the top of the first search results page.
To learn more about how we can improve the digital marketing of your medical practice, contact us online or call our offices today at 866-952-7045.