Was your practice profitable in 2023?

We have almost officially closed out 2023 and are moving full speed into 2024! As we close out our fiscal financial records and figure out the staff calendar of who is and who is (not) still on vacation – your next order of business should be assessing what worked for your practice this year.

-Did you reach your business growth goals?
-Were you financially successful?
-Was your marketing campaign worth the dollars you invested?
-Did you attract the right patient base to your practice this year to build referral business?

Assessing your year-end business goals is a VERY important step in both learning from your mistakes AND planning to replicate a successful strategy that was effective! 

Let’s break this blog into smaller “bite size” pieces to focus on a higher level of assessment and reflection in the main category of “DID I ATTRACT THE RIGHT PATIENTS IN 2023?”

Up first… let’s talk about your social media and online strategy for 2023. 

1. Were you interactive online?

Patients like to feel seen and heard, so being interactive on online channels is essential. Did you…

• Respond to every review, whether it is positive or negative. This may seem      obvious. However, in a previous Sermo survey, 27% of physicians said they never reply to reviews, and 22% admitted they rarely respond. 

• Answer messages that come through your social media inboxes promptly and include all relevant information the patient might need. 

• Look for opportunities to engage. For example, if a patient who follows your page      posts a sonogram picture, it’s the perfect opportunity to offer congratulations and remind them you’re here to help with their prenatal needs. 

2. Were you active in the community? 

Connecting with the local community allows you to network and provide education while simultaneously solving the problem of how to increase patients in your practice waiting room. You could volunteer your services at fundraising events or give free health talks at schools, trade shows, and sporting events, for example. It’s good to have business cards that you can hand out, too. You may not get immediate inquiries, but people will likely remember you when they need a consult at a later date.

3. Did you change with the times and modernize this year?

Consumer preferences and demands are constantly shifting. Sometimes it feels like there’s always some hot new social media channel to look into or trendy content format to follow. Examples include making reels and videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok or jumping on the podcast bandwagon. 

Even if you don’t go that far down the social media rabbit hole, keeping abreast of technological advancement is still essential. For example, many clinics now offer online portals where patients can access information, make appointments, and download lab results rather than calling reception. 

4. Did you keep your branding consistent?

The more avenues you use to promote your practice, the easier it is for your brand image to become less consistent. Whatever print or online tactics you use, your branding should be uniform to ensure it’s easily recognized and remembered by potential new patients. That means being consistent with:

• The company name and logo

• Language

• Tone

• Color palettes for posts, ads, and promotions

5. Did you monitor your online presence effectively?

Reputation management for doctors and practices is essential. One poor review or negative article could ruin your reputation and stop your drive to get more patients in its tracks. The easiest way to keep track of what people are saying about you online is to set up Google Alerts that notify you instantly any time your name or clinic is mentioned. 

6. Did your marketing budget include paying for advertising?

Paying for Google Ads will help attract more patients by getting more traffic to your website, even if you are a newer practice or your website doesn’t yet have meaningful domain authority. Websites that pay for ads are displayed at the top of page one Google results, which increases your visibility and improves the chance of conversions. 

7. Did you seek out expert help this year?

Whatever your goals or clinic advertising ideas, digital marketing for doctors can be confusing and time-consuming. You may find it’s a lot to balance in addition to your daily workload. Many clinics outsource their marketing strategy, social media presence, email marketing, and website updates. In a recent survey, 48% of doctors said they were not the primary person responsible for attracting new patients, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Professional services exist to take the pressure off so you can concentrate on your patients.

If you answered no to more than one question above, you may want to consider hiring an expert for guidance. Stay away from expensive and lengthy contracts and only pay for the services you need, or think you want to implement in 2024. Next Levels Health operates on a month-to-month basis with no yearly contracts. I would love the opportunity to help you brainstorm new ideas to bring the right patients to your practice!

Just ask for Nicki!
Email: nicki@nextlevelshealth

Direct: 980.301.9534