Reference
Private healthcare businesses are growing year on year and despite the recent economic woes, many practitioners working in the private sector have seen their businesses expand. In some countries private healthcare is the only option for patients, but even in places where there is a public healthcare sector there is usually plenty of demand for private healthcare services. So if you have an independent healthcare practice, here are some useful marketing tips.
Be Competitive
Pricing is very important. It is difficult to promote healthcare services if your patients are not sure what exactly they are paying. Be very clear about pricing plans in all of your marketing literature and make sure they compare with what your competitors are charging. For more expensive treatments, offer payment plans and all-inclusive packages to make them more affordable.
Promote Lifestyle Healthcare
Lifestyle related health problems such as obesity are big business in the private sector. People are now more aware of such problems thanks to a wealth of information online and offline, so target these customers with the right literature and free healthcare advice clinics. By offering people an informed choice you have a better chance of engaging their interest and welcoming them as a patient.
Know Your Customer Base
If you are working as a locum GP, you won’t be able to form lasting relationships with patients, but in the private sector it is important to know your target customers. For example, say you specialise in cosmetic breast implants: in order to reach your target customer you would need to promote your services online and in women’s magazines.
Ultimately you are a retail business, so be sure to conduct market research to identify your target audience. That way you can tailor marketing campaigns more effectively.
Make Use of Social Media
Social media is extremely important these days, so don’t neglect it. Your clinic should have a Facebook page and Twitter account as an absolute minimum. Try and engage with patients online in a friendly, professional manner in order to build trust, and always answer queries as quickly as possible. Your bedside manner needs to extend past the clinic doors and the more engaging you are the more likely it is that patients will come back if they need further treatment.
Offer a Holistic Approach to Treatment
Work with colleagues to develop a holistic approach to treatment. This will allow you to combine skills and identify if someone else can help the patient in other areas of their healthcare.
Develop Good Relationships within Local Hospitals
Many patients will seek referrals after hospital treatment, so by forming good relationships with the hospital management team your name will be top of the list if a suitable patient comes forward.
There are lots of ways to develop a successful private healthcare practice, but it may take time to build trust within the local community. Don’t be afraid of using a PR or marketing company to help build your brand. In the early days this approach will help you achieve good results, fast.
