7 Ways To Attract Patients When Setting Up A New Physician Practice

Launching a new physician practice can be stressful.

One of the first questions that comes to mind in this situation is, “Hosw do we attract new patients?”

Fortunately, various methods can establish your practice as the top choice for healthcare.

In this article, I’ll share seven effective ways to attract a consistent flow of patients.

Let’s dive in!

A Well-Designed And Optimized Website 

Your website acts as your virtual identity. 

Keeping your website updated is crucial. Otherwise, potential clients may choose another clinic due to slow loading or an outdated design.

Here are some key steps to ensure your website’s success:

• Use user-friendly content management software like WordPress
• Ensure your site is mobile-responsive
• Include educational videos and blogs
• Think about adding a chatbot for better interaction

If you’re short on time, lack the expertise to update your website, or don’t have one yet, consider seeking professional help from experts, such as Practice Builders. They can manage the process efficiently and help you grow your clinic’s popularity. 

Invest in Digital Marketing 

Your web presence decides your success rate. 

So, to stand out among competitors, get more revenue, and drive more patients to your clinic each day, digital marketing strategy is something you need to focus on.  

An Information Triage study by the Pew Research Center reveals that more than 72% of adults in the USA check out health information online. That’s a vast number, showing the importance of a strong online presence.

Now, the next question arises: Which type of digital marketing should you focus on? 

Let me take you through the most common marketing strategies.

Content Marketing

If your website doesn’t have a blog section yet, it’s time to create it. You can write about different topics such as health tips, news and helpful guides.

For instance, One Medical has interesting blogs to get inspired:

Regularly sharing blog posts helps you:

• Show off what you know
• Answer common questions
• Share helpful info
• Build a reputation as a leader in your field

Through blogs, potential patients get a glimpse of who you are and build confidence in you as a doctor.

Social Media Marketing

When deciding on healthcare providers, 41% of patients turn to social media, according to “Social media usage among health care providers” research.

That’s why you should write regularly about your services, and share valuable tips and content your audience will like.

Besides writing content on your official social media accounts, you should also build a personal brand. Write posts from your profile and be active. This is how you’ll create a deeper connection with your (potential) patients.

A good example is Doctor Bill Frist who regularly shares valuable content on his LinkedIn:

Posts like this not only contribute to public health education but also foster engagement and discussions around crucial topics.

Ads

Investing in Facebook ads is a great option for a successful marketing campaign. Use the Facebook algorithm to target your lookalike audience. 

Target people similar to your patients, or interested in the services you provide.

Likewise, Google ads should also be a part of your promotion strategy. 

If you’re launching a new website and generally starting out, Google Ads can be incredibly helpful in getting people onto your new website. 

With over 3.5 billion daily users and handling 1.2 trillion searches yearly, Google has the potential to make your new practice website seen by a vast number of people.

Interesting fact: Every second, 40,000 searches are made on Google, with each search representing someone who might be looking for exactly what you offer.

Additional tip: In both Google Ads and Facebook Ads, doctors can customize the location settings for their advertisements. This feature lets them make focused ads that only appear in the areas where they work. By picking the right locations, their ads reach the right people and have the best possible impact.

Email Marketing

Email marketing can assist in connecting with new patients, nurturing existing relationships, and providing timely healthcare updates and offers.

Customize the topics of your emails to match people’s interests. 

For example, Mayo Clinic lets users choose specific topics of interest during registration. 

Therefore, they are updated on subjects such as health, research, orthopaedics, sports medicine, or whatever interests them. It allows Mayo Clinic to provide the right information to the right people.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to email marketing in medicine:

• Use email for appointment reminders.
• Segment your audience.
• Send welcome emails automatically.
• Set up triggered email series.
• Balance free content with promotions.
• Choose frequency based on interaction.
• Stay consistent.
• Use responsive templates for mobile devices.
• Include a clear call to action in every email.
• Ensure a hassle-free unsubscribe process.

If marketing is not your cup of tea, get help from one of the many agencies that can assist with marketing. 

Runner Medical Marketing is one such agency that will provide the support and tools needed for success.

What sets this company apart is its exclusive focus on medical marketing, guaranteeing a high-quality and effective strategy.

Here are some great results that highlight the effectiveness of teaming up with this agency:

Create Your Google Business Profile 

Google is the leading search engine globally in 2023, handling over 90% of all search queries worldwide, according to Oberlo’s study.

And as per findings in Becker’s Hospital’s report, one billion inquiries Google received in one day were related to health only.  

This is more than enough reason to create a Google business listing.

Plus, it is free and easy to make. You need to fill out the profile and provide information about:

• Your opening hours
• Services available at the clinic 
• Your Contact details 
• A link to your websites 
• Your pictures and logos 

Use The Power of Networking 

Besides common networks such as LinkedIn, you may establish new contacts with the help of industry-specific sites like Sermo. 

This is a global community of one million doctors across 150 countries.

Here you can collect information on how to attract more patients and discover referral opportunities.

You can also effectively network using Facebook groups. They provide a medium for doctors to interact with a variety of people, share medical knowledge, and increase patient numbers. 

When interacting with other experts, be professional, respectful, approachable, and supportive.

Being genuinely helpful and not too promotional or spammy is key to building quality relationships and partnerships.

You may also want to set up a peer group to connect only to your patients. This creates a sense of community and offers more individualized health information in a practical way.

Use The Right Software And Tools

By using the right tools you’ll save your time and be more efficient in your daily tasks. 

For instance, use practice management software for:

• Online booking and telemedicine 
• Reporting and analytics 
• Keeping a record of patient history 
• Enabling patients to have access to these records

Consider Medesk for this purpose. 

Medesk software makes your medical practice work better, which can attract more patients. 

It helps with tasks like appointments and records, making things easy for patients. When patients have a good experience, they’re likely to recommend your practice to others. 

Also, clear and accurate billing builds trust.

PhraseExpander is another valuable tool for doctors. 

It facilitates input of common phrases or information which saves time and makes patient interactions more efficient. Your patients won’t have to wait for a long time in your office due to slow administration work and they will have more reasons to recommend you. 

Here are the key features of PhraseExpander:

• Streamline note-taking effortlessly.
• Access common terms instantly.
• Autocomplete and get real-time suggestions.
• It’s a place where you can handle all templates.
• Spend at least one hour per day.
• Easy importing of data from diverse sources.
• Autocorrect and autocomplete features.
• Easily share templates within your team.
• Reduce reliance on transcription services.
• Explore premade medical templates.

And here’s what happy customers say about it:

In a nutshell, PhraseExpander not only simplifies your work but also enhances patient experiences, attracting more people to your practice.

Invest in Search Engine Optimization Improvements 

If your clinic appears in the 20th position in search results, it’s less likely to be noticed. 

The key difference between ranking #1 and #20 is effective SEO practices like:

1. Strategically use target keywords in H1, H2, and throughout the page copy.
2. Update web copy with relevant meta descriptions.
3. Incorporate both internal and external links for a well-connected site.
4. Use alt tags to enhance accessibility and SEO.
5. Invest in local SEO to attract patients in your area.

If you’re unfamiliar with SEO, consider hiring an expert or agency for improved ranking. 

Websites like clutch.co, a directory of agencies, can be a useful resource to find suitable professionals.

Feedback and Referrals

Finally, enhancing your medical practice involves two key strategies: encouraging patient feedback and implementing a referral program.

Actively seek patient reviews to build trust and credibility. Use prompt follow-up emails and incentives for feedback.

Also, always share positive reviews online.

Design a referral program to leverage satisfied patients. 

Encourage happy patients to refer friends and family with discounts, gifts, and other perks. Use referral program software like Talon.One to make the whole process easier.

Keep everyone in the loop about the benefits and create a sense of community. 

This way, you’re not just tapping into happy patients; you’re building a team that helps your practice grow.

Final Thoughts 

Now, let’s highlight the key takeaways from this guide:

• Update your website regularly and make it mobile-friendly.
• Use social media, ads, and email marketing to promote your practice.
• Improve visibility by claiming your free Google Business Profile.
• Join industry platforms, Facebook groups, and create real connections.
• Streamline workflows with PhraseExpander and use Medesk for practice management.
• Optimize search rankings and collaborate with an experienced SEO agency.
• Encourage patient reviews and implement a referral program.

Apply these effective strategies wisely and attract more happy patients. 

Good luck!