Very often, service-based companies (like healthcare practices) don’t see the need for marketing. Or they try marketing and don’t see much result — in appointments scheduled or increased revenues. Or they may view their practice as small and intend to stay small — so why throw money at marketing?
Here’s the truth about marketing.
If your marketing efforts failed once, this is no indication marketing can’t help your growth. Patience is necessary with marketing — as well as analysis of metrics, and adjustments to improve the marketing strategy. Even healthcare practices that desire to stay small can benefit from marketing — as the right approach can increase your patient retention rate and even improve the quality of patients you attract.
Why Digital Marketing is Important for Small Healthcare Practices
Traditional marketing methods won’t boost your results — the primary reason why small healthcare practices should adopt digital marketing.
#1 – Digital marketing involves social media, email, and internet searches — which are key to improving success in today’s world. Research shows that 79% of consumers use the internet to find information about local businesses (including healthcare practices), and a digital marketing strategy makes it possible to be found easily by searchers.
#2 – Digital marketing can turn customers into “brand ambassadors”, i.e., patients who spread the good word about your healthcare practice. Testimonials that appear on websites, social media, review sites can complement the traditional “word of mouth” marketing. Since 89% of consumers read reviews before buying products/services, these testimonials are integral to your marketing.
#3 – Digital marketing expands your reach to new patients. By tailoring your message to each social medial platform, you can boost your reach over time.
#4 – You can target your audience at the right time. You can sent your email list a limited-time offer, like annual pediatric dental exams before school starts. Facebook or Twitter ads to promote tooth-whitening discounts in the Spring, when many weddings are planned. Instagram ads for diabetes awareness.
#5 – You can communicate with potential patients, answer their questions, and help guide them to make appointments. Valuable content, like a blog, can have this effect.
#6 – Digital advertising is cost-effective. Working with social media and email marketing is not expensive, especially compared to traditional marketing and advertising. In fact, posting on social media is free.
#7 – Digital marketing is easy to track to measure results — and tweak the strategy. Each digital channel provides analytics that help you quickly identify what elements work (or don’t work) within your marketing strategy.
#8 – You’ll get to know your prospective patients better. You’ll learn how they respond to your campaigns and marketing messages, and how you can better connect with them.
#9 – Digital marketing lets the patient come to you. With valuable content on your website and social media — like blogs — you can build authority and expertise that your prospective patients will respect. When they have a problem that you’ve discussed in a blog, it’s easy for them to turn to you.
#10 – Digital marketing can increase your revenue. You’ll make more money if you reach more people — which social media, internet search, and email allows you to do.
Digital marketing can have a huge, positive effect on your healthcare practice’s success. No practice, big or small, new or old, should overlook the opportunity to reach more patients, share expertise, make connections — and build your revenue stream.
Overwhelmed? Let us handle the details
Somnowell Marketing has a team in place to professionally create and execute your marketing and customer communications campaigns. Social media, blogs, web content, emails, messaging — they can handle it all, taking the burden off your shoulders. The information is always from respected sources, and will dispel any misinformation. Your online content and social media posts are an investment in your sleep company’s reputation — and that’s undeniably priceless.
