Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How To Market Healthcare More Effectively

By Hazel A. Perry


Marketing the wide variety of health-care services and products available today can present a huge challenge. These include new devices and medications, in addition to hospital services, specialty practices, and even insurance. Each business is a unique segment of this expanding domain, and for many, learning how to market healthcare wisely can make the difference between success or stagnation.

Developing a well-regarded brand is an important first step. Branding is more than designing a company logo. It also includes creating a good product or corporate image through positive interactions with consumers. Reinforcing that awareness via advertising requires careful and specific planning, and rarely is fully successful without thoroughly assessing current promotional strategies.

Creating a good image is important, but it must also be visible on the Internet. Although some businesses were slow to adopt digital advertising, it is impossible to ignore the numbers of people searching the web daily for health information of all types. A company that can successfully negotiate the world of search engine optimization and key word placement has a marketplace advantage.

Some promotions are already visually prominent. On cable television, ads for new medications repeat endlessly, and through that excessive exposure create public awareness of a product. This very basic mode of external advertising touches nearly everyone, and often targets specific group demographics, such as senior citizens. Although irritating, this method creates demand and builds recognition.

Public relations can also play an important role in the form of carefully timed press releases, or articles written to create exposure. This information not only attracts and informs a general audience, but can present new products to a very specific group of consumers. Good public relations expertise also requires a working knowledge of current social media outlets.

When a strong Internet presence combines with a well-branded product, the result is a better business reputation. In an age of personal networks, good word of mouth does not take long to become widespread, and can be the most cost-effective method of advertising. Whether expressed by physicians or patients, good customer perceptions achieve more than advertising campaigns alone.

Whether the ultimate goal is to garner more referrals, or to introduce a brand new product to the public, service and product promotion becomes less daunting under the guidance of an experienced medical industry consulting group. From the beginning concepts to the final results, health-care marketing becomes more cost-effective with experienced assistance.




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