For many practices, the seasons present varied marketing opportunities. Certain procedures and treatments are performed best during specific times of the year. Different seasons also bring patients in that you do not normally see during other times of the year. Though your workload may be increasing, did you know that this is an ideal time to make the most out of your  medical marketing strategy? For example, when patients visit a specialist, such as an ophthalmologist or ENT physician, they can be treated for more than just dry eye or allergies. As physicians, it is up to you to take initiative and market these services in order to maximize your patients’ satisfaction and keep them from walking into the office of a competitor for something you could have treated yourself.

If you have a blog, a Facebook page, a Twitter account, or any other social media outlet, it is good practice to address some common seasonal medical topics in order to keep your patients informed and healthy. An aesthetic practice’s blog might post about ways to prevent the skin from drying out in the cold weather. An ENT clinic’s blog might talk about some common housecleaning tips for keeping allergies at bay. Not only is this a cost-effective healthcare marketing strategy, it is a way to get in touch with those potential patients who may not be familiar with your practice otherwise. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is the easiest way to increase patient satisfaction. You are showing your patients that you care in addition to reminding them that you are available to see them if they feel ill.

Market presence is a major factor. More and more medical practices are offering ancillary services to their patients. If a patient considering aesthetic services comes into your ophthalmology practice for an eye exam, it’s unlikely that she will be thinking about this at the time of her visit unless you take the time to ask. She might not realize that your office offers a variety of services and instead make an appointment elsewhere for the aesthetic services you provide. This is potential revenue walking out the door.

Keep in mind that the key to increased patient referrals, especially during the winter and spring seasons, is all-star service. Even though you may only see many of your patients once or twice a year, you can never predict how many word of mouth referrals might stem from a single visit! MindStream Creative is here to help you increase those referrals. We will develop a marketing strategy that custom fits the services your patients might not be aware you offer. By helping you keep them informed, we will ensure that your referral count goes up and your patients leave happy.