How To: Marketing a New Medical Service

posted by Apollo Lasers on Friday, February 6, 2015

Aren't seeing the growth in new patients that you want to see for low-level laser therapy? Take a look at your marketing. Whether you're a small or large practice, there are several easy free or low-cost tactics that you should definitely be incorporating, especially if you are one of the only medical providers in your area offering low-level laser therapy (that's a great distinguishing factor!). Stephanie Dube Dwilson of Demand Media suggests these easy tactics in a recent article in the Houston Chronicle. 

As a small business owner offering medical services to clients, you need to find a marketing technique that works for your target audience while also staying within your budget. This means you'll have to be smart about what methods you use and focus on advertising practices that are free or low cost.

Expert Status

Your goal should be to have the community view you as the medical expert for the particular service you're marketing. Take the Mayo Clinic as an example. When you hear that name, you immediately think of an organization that's an expert in medical care. You want your community to think similarly about you. To create this image, build relationships with local and national media. When something big related to medicine hits the news, send press releases to your local media with expert commentary. Find opportunities to be quoted as often as possible. Offer to give talks on medical topics of interest on the local news.

Professional Image

Patients need medical services they trust will help fix their problems and answer their medical questions. They're more likely to trust a business that has built a professional and savvy-looking image. This means that everything associated with your brand needs to be polished. Hire an expert to build a professional website and a polished, modern logo. Create professionally designed brochures and other promotional materials that are consistent with your company's image. Social media accounts like Facebook and LinkedIn are free, but make sure all the comments written on them are professional and courteous.

Uniquely Accessible

Make your medical services uniquely accessible so you can beat out the competition. You don't need to put in a lot of money to achieve this. Host weekly webinars on your website that answer medical questions. If you're offering a new medical service that hasn't been available to the community before, advertise it on your site or promote it on your Facebook page. Provide telemarketing options, like nurse phone calls, video calls or 24/7 online chat services to give customers a chance to reach you and ask questions in a variety of ways.

Make Friends

It may sound obvious, but some people are more comfortable doing business with someone they personally know. If someone likes you personally, he'll be more likely to refer your services to someone else. So join local service clubs, like Kiwanis or Rotary. You'll be likely to meet doctors, dentists and other professionals their who can help you build your network and give referrals. Offer your medical services through a special low-price clinic to your community. In addition, offer to speak to local schools and business associations.