As the healthcare industry changes and evolves, it can be challenging for hospital marketers to keep pace with the latest trends. This is especially true in the area of digital marketing, where there are constantly changing tools and platforms that can leave marketers overwhelmed or confused about where to invest their budgets.
Developing a solid hospital marketing strategy involves many components. To start, it’s important for the healthcare marketing team to understand what the needs and preferences of their target audience are. This can be achieved through in-depth demographic analysis and the development of patient persona profiles.
From there, the hospital marketing team can develop a comprehensive communication plan that includes both digital and traditional marketing methods. A good mix of both is essential for the success of any hospital, as different patients prefer a variety of channels to communicate and receive information. Additionally, the combination of digital and traditional marketing helps to ensure that all potential patients are reached.
To maximize the impact of their efforts, it’s critical that hospitals focus on specific goals and objectives for each campaign. For example, a hospital that wants to increase the number of new patients can use SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) to manage expectations and measure campaign performance.
Hospitals can also promote their services and expertise through content marketing, social media, and events. For example, a hospital that offers a sleep apnea program could host an educational event for the community to inform people about the condition and its treatment options. They can also use content to build brand awareness, such as blogs and infographics that highlight their programs and initiatives.
As consumers embrace digital tools to research their healthcare options, it’s important for hospitals to engage with them at every stage of the customer journey. This can be done through paid and organic marketing efforts, such as search engine optimization (SEO), remarketing ads, and blog posts that answer frequently asked questions.
A comprehensive digital marketing strategy also includes a mobile-optimized website that is easy to navigate for both current and prospective patients. A fully functional website that can handle customer service activities, such as payments and appointment scheduling, is a must. Additionally, hospitals can feature consumer feedback through automated, HIPAA-compliant review platforms.
Another aspect of hospital marketing is promoting the healthcare industry as an exciting and rewarding career for doctors. To do this, hospitals can host networking events and provide continuing education courses. They can also create online profiles for doctors, which help them appear in local directories when people search for their services. They can also offer incentives, such as referral rewards, to encourage doctors to refer their patients to the hospital.