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Popular Tips for Marketing Medical Practice in 2019

January 31, 2019

Marketing-Medical-PracticeYou likely already know that staying active on social media and having an attractive, user-friendly website are essential for marketing your practice. However, even though you have some of the basic marketing elements in place, it’s vital to continue elevating your marketing strategies to increase patient acquisition, improve patient loyalty, and boost your practice’s bottom line. How can you take your medical practice to the next level in 2019? Here’s a look at some helpful tips and strategies that can boost growth and revenue.

Audit 2018 vs. 2017 Marketing Results

If you want to see better marketing results in 2019, the first thing you need to do is see how your practice performed in the past. Do an audit of your marketing strategies and results in 2018 versus 2017. Look at the number of new patients and repeat patients. Consider sources of website traffic, the amount of website traffic, the referrals you received, and your social media analytics.

Did numbers improve in 2018? If you didn’t see improvements, then start trying to figure out why. By doing an audit of 2018 versus 2017 marketing results, you’ll get a better idea of what did and didn’t work, and then you’ll be able to determine your patient acquisition and revenue goals for 2019.

Ensure You’re Harnessing the Power of Local Search 

In 2018, local search exploded, and INC.comreports that 97% of consumers are now using the interest to find local businesses, including medical practices. A consumer survey that was conducted by Bright Local also found that 69% of consumers are looking for local businesses online monthly and 27% of consumers look for local businesses online daily. If your target patients aren’t able to discover your practice in a local search, there’s a good chance they’re not going to find you.

Most healthcare providers make the mistake of thinking their practice will automatically show up within local search results. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. It’s critical to understand how and where patients are searching for them so you’re able to respond to what patients are searching for. While Google local searches are popular, patients often search for local practices on healthcare-specific directories like Vitals, RateMDs, and Healthgrades or within online local business directories.

Add Chatbots to Your Digital Marketing Strategy 

Want to take your digital marketing strategy to the next level in 2019? You may want to begin using chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate messaging with a real individual. Not only are they an excellent alternative to have an actual customer representative available all the time, but they are also useful for patients because they’re accessible 24/7. This makes it easy for patients to request medication refills or schedule an appointment any time of day, even when your office is closed.

Chatbots can be used not only on your website but across social media messaging systems, as well. They can reply directly to potential and current patients if they have questions while helping you promote your practice. With chatbots, you have an automated, yet personalized, line of communication with patients. They can even be used to share special promotion discounts, share information about new services your practice is offering, or to remind current patients to schedule follow-up appointments.

Make the Most of Patient Reviews 

In 2018, a survey by Software Advice found that 72% of consumers rely on online reviews when looking for a new provider. When they’re trying to decide between two practices, 91% of the time they go with the one that has the best reviews. This means your practice must make the most of patient reviews if you want to improve patient acquisition in 2019.

How can you leverage patient reviews to grow your practice? Ask happy patients to post reviews when they’re leaving your office. You may even want to offer incentives to patients for leaving reviews. Pay attention to the reviews you’re getting online. Know what patients are saying about your practice. Don’t ignore negative reviews. Reach out and find out what you can do better and show that you’re committed to offering the best possible experience at your practice.

Comprehensive patient marketing and management solutions are a priority for private practices working to stand out to patients. This year, set some big goals for growth and then elevate your marketing strategies to reach the patient acquisition, patient retention, and practice revenue goals you have for 2019. To learn more about how M-Scribe can help your medical practice reach those goals, contact us today for more information.

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