People often assume that medical practices don’t need marketing because healthcare is an essential need. In reality, the healthcare industry is highly competitive when convincing a patient to choose one practice over another. While having an online presence is important, offline marketing is equally beneficial. It’s personal, and it allows healthcare providers to build relationships with potential patients.
Below are some offline marketing tips and ideas for the healthcare industry. Remember, people are entrusting their health and wellbeing to you, so it’s important that you make a good impression!
Keep in Touch with Other Healthcare Professionals
It’s important for healthcare professionals to network because this makes it easier to send out referrals. When other medical professionals know and trust you, they’re more likely to refer you to their patients. And the same goes for you. To provide the best care possible, your patients rely on you to send them to the right specialists.
The easiest ways to network with other healthcare professionals are by attending conferences, being active in the community and speaking on panels. As you attend these events, hand out some branded swag to other professionals. This will keep you on the top of their minds as they make referrals.
Have a Creative Branding Strategy
Branding is also important for the healthcare industry. Make sure your practice’s name, logo and contact information are posted everywhere they can be. While most of this will take place online, don’t forget to utilize offline strategies like billboards, benches, phone books and newspaper ads.
Adding healthcare promotional products to your branding strategy is also important, as you can hand out these items at health fairs, community events, conferences and more. For example, magnets, pens, face masks and hand sanitizer are popular items for medical practices. As people use these items, your practice will get more exposure.
Send Out Brochures and Direct Mail
Direct mail is an excellent way to get in touch with a targeted audience, especially if you are a newer practice. Send out a postcard or brochure letting people in the community know of your practice and the services it offers. People who are in need of your services will keep this information within reach.
Colorful brochures are excellent marketing tools that give you the opportunity to expand on your services. Does your medical practice offer state-of-the-art technology? Did you recently welcome a highly qualified specialist? Did your practice win an award? You can share this information and build trust with a direct mail campaign.
Host a Special Event
If there are no local events to attend, consider hosting one of your own! You can host a dinner for other professionals, hold a community healthcare forum in your practice or partner with another business in your local area.
For example, if you work in orthopedics, you can partner with a local chiropractor. Your target audience overlaps, so you’ll naturally get people who are in need of your services. The chiropractor can offer a free consultation, and you can hand out branded swag and informational brochures.
Are you ready to market your healthcare practice and increase your number of patients? Let Inkwell help you put together an offline marketing strategy that builds relationships with patients. Contact us today to discuss creative branding solutions for your medical practice.