By Eric Kaplan, DC, and Perry Bard, DC
When Dr. Perry Bard and I travel around the country, doctors are always asking for the magical advertisement. Marketing has many mediums, and I’ve learned so much from Dr. Bard, who saw 20 new patients per day for a year and offered nothing for free. We have implemented his philosophies with Disc Centers of America, and one is why fish with just a hook when it’s easier to use a net.
Many doctors spend their days helping patients while busily running their practices. However, a doctor’s job is not just to treat patients. Today, many doctors must also be entrepreneurs.
As a former president of Nutrisystem, I learned the power of “the brand.” How the brand creates community awareness. How the brand will help you get referrals. There is a reason we now have over 245 Disc Centers of America clinics in 45 states and Canada. People trust a brand.
Many doctors said they don’t have the time to market. Doctors who don’t find the time to be successful always find the time to whine about being unsuccessful.
Between patient visits, doctors have to deal with behind-the-scenes duties that keep a business running. Many doctors deal with so much in a typical day that their entrepreneur role may not seem as important. Digital marketing often falls to the sidelines and is forgotten because it seems time consuming and overwhelming. When done right, it is not.
Why Marketing Is Important for Doctors
In the past, marketing for me consisted of doing in-office lectures, outside screenings, lunch talks, dinner talks, etc. Today, my son, Dr. Jason Kaplan, represents the new generation of marketers. We have found great success through Facebook, Google, and even television.
Marketing is important for doctors because it helps increase visibility and attract new patients to the practice. In today’s digital age, it is essential for healthcare providers to have a strong online presence to reach a wider audience and promote their practice.
Marketing can help establish trust and credibility with potential patients by providing valuable information and resources, such as health tips, articles, and videos. This is why we provide our doctors with an app, which you can all get for free by going to a digital app store and typing Disc Centers of America.
Today, we also have a strong presence with videos. You can visit my son’s website at wellingtondisccenter.com and watch many video testimonials. While at Nutrisystem, I also learned about the power of testimonials, and we have implemented that with our doctors. Videos can also help increase patient retention and attract new patients by offering exclusive promotions and discounts to email subscribers or social media followers.
Marketing also allows doctors to build relationships with their patients and promote preventative care. They can keep patients informed about new treatments, upcoming events, or changes to office hours, which increases patient engagement and improves their overall experience.
It is important to note that the healthcare industry is highly competitive, and doctors must be proactive in promoting their services to stay ahead of the curve and maintain a successful practice. By implementing effective marketing strategies, doctors can differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract more patients.
Moreover, marketing can also help build a strong online reputation and combat negative reviews by promoting positive reviews and addressing any negative feedback in a timely and professional manner. This will help maintain trust and credibility with potential patients, ultimately driving more revenue for the practice.
Following are five key benefits of marketing for doctors:
Increase visibility and attract new patients to the practice.
Establish trust and credibility with potential patients.
Increase patient retention and attract new patients.
Build relationships with patients and promote preventative care.
Build a strong online reputation and combat negative reviews.
What Are Good Marketing Tips for a Medical Practice’s Marketing Campaign?
At Disc Centers of America, we focus on formulating unique marketing solutions that effectively display our services. We offer an array of resources and services aimed at helping doctors successfully market themselves and their teams. We focus on decompression, neuropathy, weight loss, natural pain management, and knee pain.
There isn’t one perfect marketing strategy for any practice. Disc Centers of America prides itself on neglecting the one-size-fits-all marketing approach. We believe in taking the time to understand your practice and goals to attract a specific patient base.
All doctors can do that on their own, but it takes time. What type of new patients do you want? What areas do you want to market in? What areas of marketing are you doing now? What areas of marketing work the best? Are you active in your community?
The goal is to offer reputable services in social media management, website development, SEO, and many more. Having a strong online presence is necessary in today’s competitive medical field. As a doctor, marketing should not be a burden; let our team ease your stress and grow your business.
We encourage doctors to research advertising services and learn about the best marketing strategies for their medical practice. Dr Bard always said, “Success leaves clues.”
Medical Marketing Strategies, Healthcare Marketing, and Doctor Marketing
The best medical marketing strategies include:
Search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility in search engine results.
Content marketing to establish trust and reliability.
Social media marketing to connect with patients and increase brand awareness.
Referral marketing to attract new patients.
Email marketing to keep patients informed and engaged.
Paid advertising to increase visibility.
Patient reviews to build credibility.
Reputation management to maintain trust and credibility with potential patients.
A combination of these strategies is often more effective than relying on just one. Additionally, it is important to track the results and adjust accordingly.
At DCOA, our team consists of healthcare practice communicators, videographers, and Facebook and SEO specialists who want our practice to stand out. Our team utilizes countless strategies to get the job done. Visit our website, DiscCentersOfAmerica.com, to learn about all of them and their benefits.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is a powerful tool that can help doctors promote their practice and connect with patients. With the increasing popularity of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, social media has become a crucial part of any digital marketing strategy for healthcare providers.
My son has great success with Facebook and with Google AdWords. We also have found success by getting great results in the office. Don’t hesitate to talk to your patients and let them know about the great work that you are doing. Don’t hesitate to provide patients with research studies of current treatments that you provide.
One of the main benefits for doctors marketing via television is that it allows them to reach a wider audience and promote their practice in a cost-effective and efficient way. My son is on television approximately 500 times per week with a $2,000 monthly budget. We work very diligently with our doctors to make sure that they get maximum exposure at the best prices.
The secret is to create engaging content and promote it on social media platforms to increase brand awareness and attract new patients. Social media also provides an opportunity for doctors to connect with patients on a more personal level, which can help build trust and establish a relationship with them.
Another benefit of social media is that it allows doctors to promote preventative care and encourage patients to schedule regular check-ups. In the world of chiropractic, decompression, and neuropathy, this is very important. By providing valuable health information, tips, and resources, doctors can educate patients and promote healthy habits, which can lead to better overall health outcomes.
Furthermore, social media can also be used to promote events and updates related to your practice, such as office hours or new treatments. Social media also allows doctors to respond to patient reviews and feedback, which can improve patient engagement and satisfaction. By responding to patient reviews, complaints, and feedback in a timely and professional manner, doctors can build trust and credibility with potential patients and improve the overall patient experience.
Additionally, it can be used to promote exclusive promotions and discounts to followers, which can increase patient retention and attract new patients. However, it is important for doctors to comply with the regulations set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to ensure that patient information remains confidential and secure. Also, it’s essential to track the results of your social media efforts and adjust your strategies accordingly to ensure they are working effectively.
Website Development and Online Marketing
Your practice’s website is the most important piece of your online marketing strategy. Our web developers will ensure your website has a customer-friendly interface and fittingly conveys your company’s services and objectives. Our web design packages will increase traffic and develop a unique brand image for doctors marketing their establishment. View wellingtondisccenter.com to learn more.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Content Marketing
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process by which websites are developed with the goal of yielding higher results on search engine rankings. Most people do not look beyond the first page of search engine results, so our team has adopted a strategy to optimize traffic to your website. Marketing strategies for doctors can be complex, but marketing for doctors with medical SEO is one of the best ways to market your practice.
Email Marketing
Email marketing can be a powerful tool for doctors to connect with their patients and promote their practice. By building a list of patient email addresses, doctors can send targeted and personalized messages to keep patients informed about new treatments, upcoming events, or changes to office hours.
Email marketing can also be used to promote preventative care and encourage patients to schedule regular check-ups. In addition, email marketing can be used to build trust and establish a relationship with patients by providing valuable information and resources, such as health tips, articles, and videos.
Furthermore, it can also help increase patient retention and attract new patients by offering exclusive promotions and discounts to email subscribers. It’s important to note that when sending email campaigns, doctors must comply with the regulations set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to ensure patient information remains confidential and secure.
Ready to Grow Your Practice?
Are you ready to grow your healthcare practice? There has never been a better time for chiropractic than today. With failed back surgery syndrome reaching epidemic proportions, people are seeking an alternative to back surgery, as well as knee surgery and many of the drugs associated with neuropathy.
We work continually to educate our profession through publications like The American Chiropractor and Life University by offering continuing education programs, of which we 100% donate our time. Why? So the doctors of the future will be the most educated and will take the time to make a difference in the patient’s lifetime.
Doctors of the future can truly make surgery the last option, and DCOA can help take your practice to the next level. Learn more about healthcare marketing at The Chiro Event (thechiroevent.com). I hope to see you in Florida soon.
Dr. Eric Kaplan and Dr. Perry Bard, are business partners of over 32 years. They have developed Disc Centers of America & Concierge Coaches. Currently, they have over 150 clinics using their Disc Centers of America brand and lead ongoing success training events throughout the year. For more information on coaching, spinal decompression, or seminars, visit www.thechiroevent. com or www.decompressioncertified.org, or call the Chiropractic Q&A Hotline at 888-990-9660.
Dr. Jason Kaplan is a graduate of Parker University. Along with his wife Dr. Stephanie Kaplan, they practice in Wellington Florida. Jason is an Instructor for Disc Centers of America, one of the Nation’s largest collection of doctors specializing in Disc Injuries. He has been recognized and honored by the International Disc Education Association and teaches technique at the National Certification Program at Life University and is considered a Master on Non Surgical Spinal Decompression, www.wellinqtondisccenter.com.