In today's tech-savvy world, the importance of marketing in the healthcare industry is becoming crystal clear, especially since it helps create a strategic roadmap for reaching more patients and for providing better healthcare services. But just as the healthcare industry evolves, so do healthcare marketing strategies.

That said, as we approach the end of 2021, every healthcare provider needs to be updated with the current healthcare trends and marketing technologies. Read on to find out the latest healthcare marketing trends that can help you close Q4 of 2021 on a strong note.

5 Healthcare Marketing Trends to Implement

The healthcare industry is a cutthroat field. As such, you need to stay updated with the current marketing trends to stay on top of the game. However, determining which healthcare marketing trends are game-changers is easier said than done. Below is a comprehensive list of top healthcare marketing trends that you should implement to increase your medical practice's bottom line in Q4 2021.

1. Focus On Local SEO

Google's algorithm changes approximately 500-600 times in a year. With that, Google is becoming more focused on local SEO. This is beneficial for medical practices that put an emphasis on developing proper medical SEO.

In the past years, when someone did a query for a local health provider, they would get a lot of nationally focused content on the first page. But those days are gone. Today, search results are controlled by Google's "3 pack" right at the top and either directory listings or medical practice listings after that. As such, you should create a well-rounded local SEO for your medical practice's website for it to rank highly and dominate local searches.

2. Create a Sound Social Media Healthcare Marketing Strategy

Social media is crucial when it comes to healthcare marketing for a healthcare organization. While it is unheard of to find a medical practice without social media accounts nowadays, most medical practices don't benefit from these accounts, primarily because they don't have a sound social media healthcare marketing plan.

A sound social media marketing plan entails posting content consistently, sharing original and visually appealing content, getting patient feedback via live Q&A, replying to reviews, as well as partnering with influencers. This may sound like a lot of work, especially if all you've done so far is post discounts on your social media pages once in a blue moon, or answered a few comments here and there. However, the rewards you can accrue from implementing sound social media healthcare marketing strategies are great, given the high number of people who use these platforms. Studies have shown that 78% of patients prefer knowing a medical practice through social media content rather than traditional advertisements. These statistics are a testament that medical practices need to invest in social media marketing.

That said, given the time-demanding nature of the healthcare business, you may find it hard to manage your medical practice's social media pages. That's where DearDoc comes in. We are staffed with the best content strategists and graphic designers who can create stunning content that gets posted automatically on your social media accounts.

3. Leverage Video Marketing

Video marketing is one of the best channels for healthcare providers to build trust and enhance awareness around their healthcare business as we near the end of 2021.

In fact, there are very few strategies that can compete with video when it comes to patient engagement. That's the reason why television ads have dominated the marketing field over the past years and why YouTube is thriving. Plus, in case you weren't aware, YouTube is not only a video website but also a search engine. According to Statista, YouTube is the second most visited website. Another study found out that YouTube processes more than 3 billion searches monthly, with over 100 hours of videos uploaded on this platform every minute.

With this in mind, as a healthcare provider, you should consider leveraging video marketing going forward and not only in the fourth quarter of 2021. Whether you decide to create a 20-second YouTube ad or build a channel that promotes your medical practice's vision and products, video marketing is a technique that is worth employing.

4. Employ Multi-Channel Initiatives

Given the current tendency of patients to use various channels to reach out to medical practices, you should offer them multiple options. You can employ different strategies, including the use of contact forms, online chatting, and prominent display of your practice's phone numbers to minimize online friction and encourage patients to reach out to your medical practice via all the available channels.

Whether it's the use of chatbots, text messaging, or even the most basic options that pop up on your medical practice's website, there are many multichannel tools that healthcare marketers can implement to maximize your marketing efforts in 2021. Keep your options open, acknowledge your clients and their choices and they'll leave your website or medical practice happier than they came.

5. Reviews Are a Top Ranking Factor on Search Engines

One of the newest healthcare marketing trends is the growing role of reviews in determining how websites rank on search engines and how customers perceive your medical practice. Recent studies have shown that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as they do friends. Additionally, it takes only 1-6 reviews for a potential patient to develop an opinion of your practice before they decide to schedule an appointment.

That said, it is important that you generate positive reviews for your practice to attract more clients in the final quarter of 2021. DearDoc's 5-Star review generator can help you build a positive online reputation for your practice—it sends text messages and emails to patients asking for a review immediately after the appointment. Depending on the review you receive, you can adjust your services to make them better.

Final Thoughts

These healthcare marketing trends will help you stay above your competition and end the year on a high note. So, are you ready to optimize your medical practice's marketing efforts? DearDoc has a wide range of top-notch solutions including social media management, web design and development, and a 5-Star review generator that can help you achieve this feat. Reach out to DearDoc for healthcare marketing services:

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