If you work in a small practice with a limited marketing budget, your best bet is to spend smartly and get creative. Why not put your patients to work? The more valued you make them feel, the more they’ll sing your praises and do your marketing for you.
Here are a few ways to engage and empower your patients to promote your practice.
Send an email survey. Thank your patients for the opportunity to serve them, then ask for their opinions. Make them feel they’re a part of your “family” and let them know their voice matters.
Welcome feedback. Direct patients to a feedback form on your website and invite them to share their thoughts. Make reasonable changes to your office based on their insights, and they’ll become your most vocal advocates.
Encourage online reviews. A whopping 82 percent of patients use online reviews to evaluate a physician, according to a survey by Software Advice™. It’s as close as you’ll get to a personal recommendation in the digital world. Ask satisfied customers to post a positive review on:
- Consumer sites such as Yelp and Google My Business.
- Healthcare review sites like HealthGrades, RateMDs, and Vitals.
- Social media channels, especially your Facebook page.
Reward their referrals. Many people turn to family and friends for recommendations. Why not reward patients for recommending your practice? A $25 or $50 gift card more than pays for itself when a referral walks through your doors and becomes a loyal customer. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Create video testimonials. Feature videos of your favorite success stories on your website or highlight them with digital marketing tactics. There’s nothing more influential to a potential patient than a happy customer sharing a positive experience.
Ready to give your patients the power to help you market? Start with one small idea or draft a thoughtful plan. Either way, you’ll likely reap financial reward sooner than you think.
Want more ideas to promote your practice through patient engagement? Ask us.