The healthcare industry is growing exponentially, finding better ways to treat patients and using technology to gather data.
While many still think about the stereotypical image when they hear the word “healthcare,” it isn’t just about doctors anymore. Doctors are teaming up with other specialists to run practice groups that offer multiple specialties under one roof. Specialized clinics are popping up all over the place, not just in huge metropolitan areas but also in smaller cities, serving patients who need particular services or have unique challenges related to healthcare issues.
As technology becomes more accessible through smartphones, laptops, and tablets, people expect to access their healthcare providers through digital means. Hence all healthcare businesses need to be prepared.
Here are five ways in which you can grow your healthcare business with digital marketing:
1. Use social media to reach potential patients
Earlier healthcare providers were using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media channels to research new treatments for disease. Now they’re getting smarter about how they can use those same sites to reach out to people who need treatment or information on healthcare issues.
These doctors also create podcasts or videos that serve as informational guides for parents teaching their children how to manage chronic diseases like asthma or allergies better.
So rather than waiting for a potential patient base to find you through your website, why not use social media to reach out to them instead? There are millions of people who type something like “asthma treatment” or “asthma doctor near me” into search engines every day, and if you’re not one of the results that pop up on their screen, you need to work on it.
2. Reach your audience through video marketing
As we mentioned earlier, more and more people think about healthcare providers in their specific specialties rather than just the doctors they occasionally see when they need a checkup. So your practice must have better to teach, and you digital marketing content that speaks directly to patients. This is where video marketing comes in handy, and it’s a great way to enhance your business’s image.
You can create videos on YouTube and upload them to your website. You could also upload them to Facebook or other social media channels. As we all know, people love watching videos, so uploading some helpful tips on asthma treatments or allergy remedies might just help you attract the right kind of attention from people who need your services.
3. Get creative with blogging
The best thing about blogging is that there are so many different ways to use it. You can write about a wide range of topics related to your healthcare business.
You should take note of how other groups promote themselves online because this is exactly what you should be doing with your blog posts too. Give prospective patients many opportunities to show their enthusiasm for your services by providing them with downloadable handouts via eBooks, videos of patient testimonials, links to posts on Facebook or Google+, etc.
4. Use paid advertising effectively
Don’t worry; we’re not going to tell you that ads are the best way to go for digital marketing because they aren’t if your goal is more patients. That said, no doubt paid ads can get eyeballs on your website, which means that it’s always worth exploring different ways in which you might be able to use ads effectively within your existing marketing approach.
A great example is Google AdWords. Start by creating an ad campaign based on keywords related to people searching for diseases like “asthma” or “allergies“. You can then target those campaigns in specific areas of the country. For example, if you’re in India, you’d want to show your ads primarily to people searching in that state.
Even if you end up spending some money on advertising for digital marketing, always keep in mind that this is just part of how you can appeal to suitable types of patients. Do not over-invest in ads because they probably won’t get as many long-term benefits as other strategies.
5. Put yourself out there
One great thing about social media is that anyone can follow doctors and healthcare providers without needing their approval first. Followers often feel more loyal once they know a little something about their favorite professionals who are off the clock, what their interests are, what they like to do in their free time, and more.
A great way to use digital marketing is by answering questions that your patients ask about your practice on Twitter, for example. You can even get ideas from question-and-answer websites such as Quora.
Wrapping it up:
In just a short amount of time, healthcare digital marketing agencies have already seen how much digital marketing can impact their sales because it helps them interact with prospective patients in an entirely new way. At this point, there’s no going back, so capitalize on today’s opportunities, so you’re ready to work with even more patients tomorrow.
You should also keep up to date on the latest trends and changes in digital marketing because this will help you take advantage of what’s coming next to grow your practice as much as possible moving forward. For example, if Google ever adjusts its search algorithm or Pinterest opens itself up to medical professionals, then you’ll want to jump at the chance before it passes by entirely.
There is a lot of potential for digital marketing for healthcare providers, which means that your success depends mainly on how well-prepared you are for these kinds of opportunities. So, make sure that you always know where the newest information is coming from and where other professionals hear about it.
