10 Advertising Tips for Doctors

Whether you’re just starting your practice or you want to bring in more patients, you have to know how to market yourself. Here are 10 advertising tips for doctors that work!

In the healthcare industry, it can be hard to navigate the world of marketing as a doctor.

Even though in essence, a medical practice is a business, it is unique from thousands of other industries in the way that it must operate.

While there are special considerations to be made, the basic marketing principles still apply.

Doctors must learn the best methods of targeting their audience, as well as retaining their current customers.

Advertising can play a key role in achieving both of these strategic goals. Moreover, it can help your practice thrive in this digital age.

Check out ten basic advertising tips for doctors, and how social media can help you practice grow.

Basic Advertising Tips for Doctors

There is no doubt that marketing and advertising are important in the healthcare industry, especially if you own a practice.

Moreover, there are some simple methods you can use to reach potential patients in your community, as well as retain the ones you have.

Here are ten advertising tips for doctors that are sure to help build your practice and grow your healthcare brand.

1. Remain Active Online

In today’s world, no matter what industry you are in, it is important to maintain an online presence.

There are several different options for healthcare professionals to use the internet for marketing, including through social media.

One of the first steps to any marketing strategy is to have a well-functioning, updated website.

This is often the first thing potential patients will see, and it is, therefore, a clear reflection of your practice.

Make sure to include plenty of information about your team, as well as the culture you try to promote in your office.

A blog can also be helpful for advertising, as this will give you a platform to share your knowledge and express your viewpoints to readers.

This will also help boost your search engine ranking, over time if done correctly and help you improve where you appear on search engines.

On the social media side, aim for about ten posts per week on Facebook and Google+, as well as triple that for Twitter. As well, remember that hashtags are your friends when it comes to exposure.

Original content tends to do better, but offer a combination of other content and your own to get the best readership.

 

2. Customer Experience is Everything

Patients have been conditioned by businesses that their happiness is of utmost importance, regardless of what industry.

This can work to the benefit and detriment of your practice depending on how happy you can keep your patients.

Therefore, try to put yourself in the shoes of the patient, as much as possible. Think about what could be done better, or what could make it easier for them.

For example, a simple phone answering service can make all the difference from the patient point of view, and make it feel like your practice truly cares for them.

3. Target Your Market

Even in healthcare, a target market should be identified prior to developing a strategy.

Consider who your patient base is, and who you feel would be a good fit for your practice.

As well, think about where that market may view your advertisements, and come up with a plan accordingly.

4. Engage with the Community

The activity you have in your community can leave a huge impression on potential patients.

Doctors who take time to attend health fairs, and who offer free information sessions are more likely to recruit new patients in an organic way.

In engaging with the community, try to keep it fun. Show people what makes your practice unique and genuine, and why they should want to be a part of it.

5. Utilize Digital Advertising

The digital age has provided us with the tools we need to target our audience better than ever before.

Facebook Ads and Google Search Adwords are two examples of the amazing tools at your disposal.

Other online means of advertisement include Yelp, Instagram, and content marketing. Take time to learn about each of these, and how you may begin to be seen by your target market.

6. Consider a Charitable Donation

Socially responsible branding has become the new norm in the business world. This is almost solely because consumers are willing to pay more for brands that are dedicated to helping others.

Even in medicine, consumers may choose your practice over another when they see that you are fighting for a cause, making it a powerful tool.

Keep an eye out for potential opportunities to donate your time or money to causes and charities, and reap the benefits of doing good while advertising to potential patients.

7. Begin Video Marketing

Video marketing has become a huge area of focus in 2018, and its rise is unlikely to stop anytime soon.

Therefore, use videos to speak directly to your patients and market, and regularly update your practice’s YouTube account.

8. Try Creating a Monthly Newsletter

Monthly newsletters are a great way to keep your patients involved all-year round with your practice.

These newsletters can include anything from healthy tips to updates about your healthcare team, as long as it promotes your practice’s brand.

Moreover, you can use the newsletter as an email marketing tool, which can help you maintain your current pool of patients and attract new ones.

9. Provide Great Care Packages

Personalized care packages for both new and returning patients can make all the difference in their lives.

A care package does not need to be expensive or comprehensive It just needs a few different informational pamphlets, pens, and other materials with your practice’s logo on it.

Handwritten note cards can also be a form of encouragement for new patients to return, and any other small gestures that can make you stand out in the crowd.

10. Start by Teaching

Last but not least, remember that as a healthcare professional, you can market by teaching.

In order to implement the best advertising tips for doctors, you must first understand why patients come to you. It is for your specialized knowledge of health and disease.

Therefore, try to let your knowledge market for you through many different channels of marketing, and the patients will begin to follow.

Improve Your Practice with Strategic Marketing

Overall, there are many different avenues for doctors to choose from when it comes to marketing their practice.

The power of digital marketing today cannot be overstated, even with older populations.

Most importantly, though there are numerous advertising tips for doctors out there, focus in on a handful of them to better your practice in a meaningful way.

For more information on how social media can benefit your practice, check out our post on how to improve customer service using online platforms.

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