Learn how email marketing can help promote your healthcare practice and build relationships with current patients. This article includes several strategies that you can use today!
Email marketing is sending commercial emails to a list of contacts who have given their express permission to receive email communications from you. Email marketing can inform your contacts, drive growth, and build a community.
Email marketing has moved away from one-size-fits-all mass mailings and focuses on consent, segmentation, and personalization. This may sound time-consuming, but marketing automation does the heavy lifting for you.
Healthcare professionals work hard to win their patient’s trust. While the goal is to keep people healthy, you still want to maintain patient relationships when they need you. Here are some helpful tips for using email marketing as a valuable healthcare professional.
What are the benefits of implementing an email marketing strategy?
- Keeps patients informed about changes in office hours, new services, etc.
- Helps build trust with patients
- Allows you to segment your list so you can send targeted messages
- Automation takes care of the heavy lifting for you
- Helps you stay on the minds of your patients
What are the types of emails you can send to your patients?
Promotional emails
These are sent to promote a product or service. You can use these to increase patient loyalty or attract new patients. Be sure to use promotional emails sparingly, as this can lead to patients unsubscribing from your list. A couple of times per year is plenty.
Informational email
As a healthcare professional, you have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. Offer valuable content. Your patients are bombarded with emails daily, so make sure yours stand out by offering valuable content. This could include tips for living a healthier life, information about new treatments or procedures, or exclusive discounts on medical services.
Appointment reminders
In addition to sending appointment reminders via SMS, it’s always a good idea to send them via email. This helps increase patient show rates and decreases no-shows. You can set up automatic appointment reminders through most scheduling software. This will save you time and ensure that your patients don’t forget their appointments.
Birthday greetings
Everyone loves getting birthday wishes! Why not extend birthday greetings to your patients? A simple “Happy Birthday!” goes a long way in making your patients feel valued.
Thank you notes
Thank you notes show that you appreciate your patients and value their business. If you have the time, schedule a personalized thank you note to each of your patients after every visit. Consider sending periodic “Thank You” campaigns via email if this isn’t possible.
Request for a Testimonial
Establish a rapport with your patients before requesting a testimonial. If you have regularly sent emails with helpful information, your patients will be more likely to trust your judgment and be willing to write a testimonial. Make it easy for them by providing specific instructions on what you would like them to include in the testimonial. Patients are busy people and may need more time or energy to write a lengthy testimonial if they are unsure of what you need. Be sure to say thank you once you receive the testimonial. This simple act of courtesy will go a long way in building relationships with your patients.
Email marketing is an excellent way to stay in touch with your patients and build strong relationships with them. You can increase patient loyalty and attract new business by sending informative, promotional, and appointment reminder emails. Automated systems make it easy to manage your email list and send periodic campaigns so you can focus on caring for your patients.
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References
Email Marketing Guide for Healthcare Providers. (n.d.). MailerLite. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.mailerlite.com/email-marketing-by-industry/healthcare-providers
Harper, D. (2022, September 28). What is Email Marketing? Definition, Strategies, & Tools to Get Started. Sendinblue. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.sendinblue.com/blog/what-is-email-marketing/
