Establishing a private practice is no easy endeavor but it can be achieved by implementing an effective marketing strategy. Unfortunately, beginner private practitioners often run on a meager budget and investing in costly professional marketing campaigns is completely out of the picture.
But here’s the good news: you can implement excellent marketing without spending too much. Let’s take a look at some effective private practice marketing strategies that only require your time and effort.
Learn basic marketing and SEO for healthcare
Unlike medical SEO experts and specialists, private practitioners are no digital marketing gurus and thus need to exert extra effort to learn the ropes. It will help if you first understand at least the basic concepts of marketing and advertising before embarking on any marketing campaign. The good thing is that the Internet is full of free, useful content about traditional and digital marketing strategies. You can use these tips to effectively plan and implement your digital marketing campaigns.
Be an active member of your local community
Getting involved in the community can help build networks. Check your local city or town website and find out about upcoming local activities. Know how you can get involved in these activities and be ready to volunteer your service. You can also partner with locally based non-government organizations or businesses who run regular community activities. You can even collaborate with them in organizing activities. Your presence in community activities can greatly help increase awareness about your practice.
Harness the power of social media
In this era of interconnectivity, social media isn’t an option – it is a MUST. Everyone has a social media account and your practice needs one too. Social media is an effective channel for reaching your potential clients, as well as a way for your potential clients to find you. Although social media has a global reach, you want to go local for a better conversion rate. Perhaps the best thing about social media is that it’s free. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are some great social networking sites where you can promote your practice. You can also participate in forums for private practitioners, especially in your local area.
Send out brochures or newsletters, or start a blog
Highlight your expertise in your brochures, newsletters and blogs. With the use of these informational materials, you can persuade potential clients to finally make the call and schedule an initial consultation with you. You can distribute brochures and newsletters during local community events. In your publications, make sure that you are not only giving information but are also pitching your practice to potential clients. Blogs are also a great way to reach your intended audience via the Internet. What’s great about blogs is that your clients can interact with you through the comments section.
Send out personalized emails to new and current clients
Sending personalized messages or notes to your clients is a simple but very effective marketing campaign. You can send greetings on your client’s special occasions, such as their birthday, or on holidays. Personalized messages can foster friendship, as well as improve client retention. Although you can send messages manually, it is best to set up automated email responders to avoid missing out on important dates. This can be done even with free email accounts like Gmail. In order to make sure your messages reach your clients, you can learn how to check if email address is valid. This way you will increase deliverability rate, improve your sender reputation and avoid your content being marked as spam.
Marketing may involve complex concepts and theories but all of these basically boil down to two things: building networks and increasing awareness. By implementing carefully planned private practice marketing strategies, your efforts will be rewarded.
