Today's business climate is more competitive and saturated
than ever- and more so with the healthcare profession. Where "hanging out a shingle" and
being associated with a local hospital carries little assurances for referrals,
medical professionals are now driven to pursue more innovative and
entrepreneurial ways to win the public's attention.
1) NETWORKING FOR REFERRALS: Maintain a consistent stream of
relationship building with fellow physicians by joining professional groups,
meetings, fundraisers and general gatherings.
Web-based networking communities (like LinkedIn) and social media also provide
a huge platform for exposure and advanced connections.
2) FACE-TIME PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Get out of your office and
take center stage in health fairs, seminars, speaking engagements and charity
events. Set up educational platforms to
promote your expertise while earning the opportunity to meet and greet future
patients.
2A) GIVING PLATFORMS: Another opportunity to connect with the public is by participating in
community gatherings that involve public good, you are positioning yourself as a caring, approachable
member of their daily lives- and not
just another service provider.
2A) GIVING PLATFORMS: Another opportunity to connect with the public is by participating in
community gatherings that involve public good, you are positioning yourself as a caring, approachable
member of their daily lives- and not
just another service provider.
3) BLOG: To create your own e-magazine or blogsite shows
your expertise through educational marketing.
Share your findings, theories and ideas under the noble stage of journalistic integrity (from the free press
philosophy) while "showing off" your passion for the subject to those
who seek advanced information. This
translates into public recognition and reputation bolstering.
4) IMPROVE PATIENT COMMUNICATION: To prevent loss of
patients is to reinforce patient connectivity with better communications. Start
with email and phone appointment confirmations.
Also, have your staff contact the patient for brief surveys to get
feedback. The phone is an even better
connector to follow up on a patient to see how they are feeling. These tips go a long way in maintaining
loyalty, dedication and conveying genuine care.
5) VIDEO: Your 'business' is fundamentally promoted through
face-to-face connectivity to win public trust. Enacting this has become that
much simpler with today's YouTube technology where you can send a video message
to all your patients at a single push of a button. Moreover, there are endless possibilities for
video messaging including testimonials, infomercials, educational topics, vlogs
(video blogs), tips and advice, event coverage, product reviews etc.
6) TECHNOLOGY: Use today's tools to help facilitate your
administrative services efficiently.
Upgrade your website to have forms ready and downloadable at home in
order to eliminate wait time in the office.
You can also use your website by having a private portal to access their
print-ready records, set up an appointment online or set up reminders.
7) DIGITAL REFERRAL & THE SHARE BUTTON: Web is famous for viral marketing and medical professionals should take advantage of this feature. To "share" is a popular function of any social media site and can easily be installed in your website to prompt your patients to forward it to their friends and relatives. By fleshing out your website to include your accolades, your expertise and possible news features gives you more elements for your patients to show off and share with others. This is a digital way of passing your card for referrals.
8) GREETING CARDS: It is always a pleasant surprise to hear
from your dentist or doctor for something other than an appointment. Holiday
cards are prevalent but Birthday cards are few and special. Thank you cards are also well received- especially
the hand written kind!
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