The_American Medical Association_found a shift away from physician-owned private practices in 2020 to larger practices. This emphasizes the need to focus on acquiring new patients.
If you want to compete with your larger counterparts, distinguishing yourself from the competition is essential. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to draw attention to your up-and-coming medical_practice.
When thinking about how to get patients into your new practice, focusing on your online marketing strategy is a great place to start.
A business’s online marketing strategy will vary depending on the industry. Promoting a medical practice, naturally, is quite different than advertising a restaurant. In this article, we will cover a list of five effective marketing strategies to help you attract patients. These tips can help both new and established practices acquire new patients.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Focusing on Your Local Business Ranking – Google Map Pack
What Is a Digital Marketing Strategy?
A digital marketing strategy is a plan that helps your company reach specific goals through carefully selected marketing channels. Your online presence is key to the success of growing your practice.
Implementing the steps below is a good starting point for increasing your ability to get patients for your new practice.
1. Create a Professional Website
Both the appearance and functionality of your website will influence the way people see your practice. Studies show that_90% of people have left a website because it was poorly designed. This is true_whether you’re a_new or well-established practice.
It’s_important to put some time into making your website a proper representation of your business._
The good news is, creating a professional website doesn’t have to be complex or overly_expensive. You can put your own spin on pre-existing web templates, ensure there’s consistency with your colors and use high-quality images._This can all be done with free or low-cost platforms.
2. Focus On SEO
SEO is an integral part of any digital marketing strategy. SEO stands for ‘search engine optimization.’ It’s the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of people visiting your website through organic search engine results.
If you apply it correctly, it can increase the visibility of your website and bring more people to your practice._
SEO isn’t as complicated or technical as it may sound, though it does_require a small amount of research.
The most important aspect of SEO is a focus on high-quality content. Producing helpful content that your patients and potential patients want to read is key.
By creating content that provides the answers people are looking for, your website will rank high on Google. Offering quality content will drive potential patients to your website and allow you to be seen as a reputable practice.
If you find this challenging or intimidating, you can hire a company to help you.
3. Expand Your_Social Media Presence
Social media is an effective way of reaching a wider audience. However, simply having an account on just_one platform won’t do enough. To reach as many potential patients as possible, you should have an account for your practice on multiple platforms. This_includes Facebook, Instagram,_Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
Having a presence on these platforms comes with several benefits.
Some include:
- You can reach a more diverse audience of potential patients
- You can communicate with existing patients
- You can share valuable information, answer questions, and encourage booking an appointment
- You can advertise your business
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 6 Ways to Build Trust in Your Practice Using Marketing
4. Welcome Patient_Reviews
One of the first things people often do when searching for a doctor is visit review sites. These can include Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMDs and ZocDoc. Both established and new practices should create a profile on these sites and encourage patients to submit their feedback._
Approximately 60% of patients have chosen a doctor based on positive reviews.
Worried_about opening yourself up to a few less-than-stellar reviews? There’s no need._Almost 60% of people_also reported feeling_suspicious of exclusively positive reviews. Patients value the opinion of others, both good and bad.
5. Start a Blog
A blog can serve as a great resource for various medical questions. Topics on conditions and diseases, diagnostics, treatments and research data are all helpful for current and potential patients.
Blogs are also a prime opportunity to pop up on search results when people are searching the internet for medical answers.
Your blog posts should offer value to the reader. This will establish your practice as an authority and build trust with your_potential patients. It will also encourage readers to share your content, which can help you access an even broader_audience than ever before.
Additionally, you can use your blogs to advocate for any unique features or selling points your practice may have._
Wrapping Up
Incorporating these tips will improve your marketing strategy immensely. These straightforward and cost-effective methods of attracting new patients are sure to put your practice on the map.
If you don’t have the time or the workforce to dedicate to digital marketing, you can always use a professional for assistance._
{{cta(‘ce69952c-f24e-4301-b01c-30c0450ac97b’,’justifycenter’)}}
KEEP READING: 6 Tips to Master Social Media Marketing for Doctors
