How to Market a Medical Clinic with AFC: Four Great Ways!
When you become part of the American Family Care (AFC) brand by opening an urgent care center in your community, one of the most important jobs you’ll have as a franchisee is getting the word out about your clinic and all it has to offer. Don’t worry, though — you won’t be doing this alone. Our in-house experts know how to market a medical clinic in ways that’ll keep you ahead of the competition, with national campaigns that will reach your best customers.
Having said that, any marketing plan for a medical clinic must include a local component, and that’s where our franchisees come in. They know their territories best and can craft local marketing that speaks directly to their community. Here are a few ways you can do that, too.
Use the Power of Social Media
Most of us are very familiar with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but did you know that 41% of people recently surveyed said they would choose a healthcare provider based on their social media reputation. What that means is: first, you need to make sure to use the power of social media to reach your community and let them know of your important services; and second, you must monitor these sites, engage with them regularly, and make sure to address any comments, questions or concerns that may pop up on them. If you don’t have the time to manage these platforms yourself, consider hiring someone who does. It will be well worth the investment.
Make Sure to Have an Informative Website
Any business without a website is not maximizing its potential. These days, millions of consumers use the internet to inform their decisions about what to buy and who to turn to for services, including healthcare, and they rely on business websites for accurate information. AFC has an easy-to-navigate consumer site that highlights everything our franchisees have to offer in their communities, and after your clinic opens, we can put you in touch with our nationally recognized digital marketing partner to help you build out your own dedicated website. It will be a powerful tool to help you reach your best customers 24/7.
Ask for Patients Reviews
Good patient reviews are an excellent way to reiterate your commitment to your community and to elevate your clinic. The fact is, over 50% of Americans say such reviews are at least somewhat important when choosing a physician, so don’t underestimate their value. Potential patients will be happy to know others before them have had good experiences at your clinic, so don’t hesitate to ask your new patients to share their feedback once their visit is through. You can also check in with current patients from time to time — in the way of follow-ups after appointments to see how they’re doing, or an occasional personal note or email to let them know their health matters to you. These outreaches encourage word-of-mouth referrals, and most patients will appreciate that you took the time to connect with them.
Host an Open House
A clinic open house is a great way for potential patients to tour your facility and showcase everything it has to offer. You can interact directly with your community members, answering their questions, offering them advice, and building relationships that will go a very long way toward establishing and growing your franchise. You can also think about sponsoring a health-related event (free flu shots, a blood drive, etc.) at your clinic to help get the word out about its valuable resources.
When done regularly and right, healthcare marketing can keep your community engaged and help you retain patients long term while reaching new ones. The healthcare industry is a dynamic one, and any local marketing strategy you devise needs to be agile and focused. You may even think about hiring outside experts. Any resources you put into it will be well worth it!
To find out more about how AFC can help market your franchise, get in touch today!
