The Top 83 Ways to Attract New Patients

I am already exhausted just reading the title, I mean 43, why not 182.  We’ll see what value this has for you but my first impression is that this will be a lot of nonsense.  It’s another agency so my expectation is that there will be a lot of pitches, I just hope it’s not 43.

Here is an outline of the article topics:

• (1-11) Invest in Advertising- 4
• (12-17) Publish Content
• (18-25) Optimize Your Website
• (26-28) Build Out Your Practice & Physician Listings
• (29-32) Optimize Your Front Desk
• (33-43) Find Innovative Ways to Connect with Patients

(1-11)  Invest in Advertising

It’s no surprise that an advertising agency has this as the first option but let’s see if there is any gold.  We typically recommend you allocate 2-4% of your gross revenue and use it for advertising.  The most effective form of advertising in today’s digital age is online, whether through social media, Google/Youtube or Microsoft.

This section of the article offers some effective strategies as it relates to advertising on Google, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Bing.   The key to success with your advertising dollars is to create campaigns and strategies that will leverage your funds for the highest conversion rate.  Therefore, the Runner Agency offered these 11 strategies as they know most will be beyond your expertise and you’ll reach out to them to manage the campaign.  We do not have any experience with Runner Agency but based on this article, it does appear that they know what they know how to spend your money if that’s what you need.

Here are the ideas published: target with Google PPC ads, expand Google PPC ads to Bing, Target site visitors who don’t convert with remarketing, target engagers with remarketing, get new patients with Facebook advertising, advertise on YouTube, use content to attract patients through native advertising, advanced patient targeting with programmatic advertising, use lookalike targeting, expand Facebook ads to Instagram, buy google search terms on YouTube.

As you can see, all of these are opportunities to attract new patients with $$$.  That’s not what I’m interested in for this article so we are not going to analyze these opportunities and give the whole section a score of 3.

(12-17) Publish Content

This is where a couple of the ideas could actually yield results without adding to your budget.  Items covered are: blogs, updating old blog posts, posting updates to Google My Business, creating downloadable content to capture leads, publish regular video content, add videos to your site. 

Blog, Updating Old Blog Posts & Publishing Video Content- 5

By now, you already know about having a blog but Runner Agency takes it a step further and recommends having video content.  I don’t disagree with this recommendation but this is something that can be difficult to implement.  Most providers are too anal to record something without being edited for perfection so this is something that will obviously cost money.  In addition, you will need a website team that can integrate these videos on your website.  However, at the end of the day, if you can take the time and spend the money on videos, you will see a return on your investment.  It just might be significant.

Google My Business- 8

The main one in this section that I want to highlight is the “posting updates to Google My Business”.  In addition to adding general content about your practice, you can also use it to update the public about recent events, promotions, add blog posts, add pictures of your staff/office and even allow potential patients to message you(be careful with this one).  Google My Business has the same information that will be listed in Google Maps so you want this to be accurate and up to date which includes setting the correct hours of operation including any holiday closures. Watch this short video tutorial from Google.

Creating Downloadable Content- 2

This isn’t really something that most medical practices can implement unless Runner is referring to patient forms.  The exception would be if you are doing a particular procedure and want to publish a report comparing the procedure you offer vs others available.  I’m thinking of things like stem cell therapy or robotic surgery vs open.

(18-25) Optimize Your Website

This is yet again a lot of information that will be difficult for most practices to implement without hiring a web firm.  In most cases, this would be money well spent unless you or someone in your office is very techy.

Ideas mentioned are: adding educational videos, showcasing your providers, rethink your CTA(call to action), adding a chatbot to your site, add pop ups, offer form submissions/not just calls, make your phone number prominent, add high quality patient testimonials.

Chatbot- 3

Chatbots are good but only if you have the staff to manage the interaction.

Popups for exit intent- 4

This can helpful but is also annoying if done incorrectly.  Again, the idea isn’t bad but requires you to hire someone and potentially purchase software.

Offer Form Submission instead of only phone- 6

Every website should have form submissions which go to multiple people in your practice for redundancy.  Be careful about what information your patient can submit on a form as they can be hacked.  If the submissions are going to your email, be sure your email carrier is HIPAA compliant and passwords are secured.  Staff can be careless with this information which is why you really want to limit what information is sent over or have the actual submissions hosted by a third party(security is their responsibility).  Your staff would then only receive a notification that someone submitted your form and they would need to login to view.  We use these forms Formstack & Cognito Forms for our medical websites due to their security and HIPAA compliance.

Phone Number Prominent- 6

Yes, this is obvious.  You also want to have it where the patients can click to call.  Most of your visitors are on their phones so you want to make it very easy for them.

Adding Testimonials- 7

This is another idea that helps increase conversions just like having a prominent phone number or using online forms.  Testimonials on your website are great, just be careful and ensure that your medical society allows this.  You also want to protect your patients information when publishing a review to ensure HIPAA compliance.

Rethinking your CTA- 4

I like the idea about rethinking your CTA, this is something that can be easily done and may lead to more conversions.  The idea they gave is instead of having the standard “schedule an appointment”, have something like schedule your “pain assessment” for spine/pain groups or “Verify your insurance”.

Adding Educational Videos- 6

Adding educational videos is a great idea but can be expensive for you to do on your own.  They advertise their services here to create these videos but there are actually some free alternatives where you host educational videos already created for your specialty. Here is a directory of 25 free resources for educational videos.

(26-28) Build Out Your Practice & Physician Listings

The three items listed here are: expanding your Google My Business listing, creating physician listings on Google and creating more practice and physician reviews. 

Expand Your Google My Business Listing – 8

We’ve already covered Google My Business and they reiterate that your profile should have more than just your phone number and address.  Publish pictures and keep your content updated and accurate.

Google Business & Provider Listing- 9

The second item is something worth highlighting.  Per Google’s publishing standards, you can create a listing for each of the providers within your practice in addition to the standard business listing. More is more when it comes to content and Google so make sure and do this.

More Practice & Physician Reviews- 7

By having unique provider profiles on Google(as mentioned above), you can request reviews for those specific providers.  Remember, you don’t want a blanketed approach to requesting reviews as you want to be sure you’re not getting bombarded by negative reviews if you have those days when the wait times are longer than anticipated.   

(29-32) Optimize Your Front Desk

I love the title of this section as I agree that your front desk is your greatest weapon that is often turned against you.  Topics covered are: re-engage past patients, re-engage cold leads, email nurturing sequences, use SMS to interact with prospects.

Nurture Past Patients- 6

Reaching out to past patients is always a good idea.  Nurture those relationships through email, SMS and phone outreach.  One thing that we like that isn’t mentioned here is a simple birthday email or text if the patient has opted in to receive texts.  This can all be automated and many practice management systems already have this integrated.  If your platform doesn’t have these tools, you can look at automated/integrated communication systems.  Here are some options that could work for you.

Cold Prospects- 1

Reaching out to cold prospects would probably result in annoying potential patients.  They recommend reaching out 12 times over a two week period and even suggest calling from block numbers to get through.  I personally think this is taking it a little too far, you don’t want to be put in the same boat as the security company calling incessantly.

Using SMS- 5

Using SMS is really helpful for medical practices due to the open rate of texts vs emails.  This is mentioned in the article and is something that you should definitely consider adopting.

(33-43) Find Innovative Ways to Connect with Patients

Okay, on to the last category of opportunities to generate new patients.  The ideas covered here are: get involved in Facebook groups, create your own Facebook group, host virtual informational events, broadcast live on social, amplify your physician referral outreach, custom list for paid advertising, physician NPI targeting, LinkedIn advertising, create a course, start a TikTok account and run TikTok adds for your practice. 

Innovation at a Cost- 3

Wow, what a list.  Nearly all of these are beyond the reach of most medical practices to implement without hiring a professional.  These aren’t bad ideas but what provider or office manager has the time to create/manage and engage in Facebook groups or broadcast live on social media.  I just can’t imagine seeing my urologist on TikTok and being inspired to call for a consultation. 

Again, these are all listed as ideas but the intent (in my opinion), is to overwhelm you with ideas that bring you to click on their “Bonus Idea” which is to Hire An Expert to Develop a Patient Acquisition Strategy.  I mean who wouldn’t read this list and feel completely overwhelmed with opportunities.  Even the physician referral outreach is about another plug to advertise.