4 Healthcare Trends to Watch This Year

Healthcare providers offer essential services that are always in demand. Still, there is a lot of competition for patients who are doing their homework and looking for confirmation of a particular provider’s capabilities. This is why marketing and healthcare often go hand-in-hand. Here are some of the trends to watch this year if you want to maintain healthy connections with potential patients.

Social Messaging Apps

There’s no denying that social media can be an effective form of engagement for healthcare providers. What’s trending this year is social messaging apps. Services like WhatsApp, Messenger, and even Snapchat are being increasingly used to stay connected with patients and engage in real-time conversations.

Fresh, Smarter Content

Healthcare content needs to not just be accurate, but fresh and shareable. Patients are bombarded with information, so they tend to gravitate towards healthcare content that offers a new take on common conditions. Content that’s especially concise, clearly presented, and peppered with fast facts and other eye-catching tidbits of info is also appealing.

Personalized Messaging

Messages delivered to potential patients who have shown an interest in certain topics is more likely to generate a response. Luckily, there are many ways to track online behavior and deliver content based on the actions taken by searchers. For healthcare providers, it can be an approach to marketing that’s more cost-effective than targeting broader audiences. Content presented by video, in particular, makes it easier for healthcare providers to share stories and deliver information in a way that’s personal and direct.

Mobile, Location-Based Marketing

Nearly 70 percent of Americans own smartphones; that’s about three out of four people. So, it’s no surprise that mobile marketing is a trend to watch this year. Any health-related marketing info presented online has to be designed for viewing on smaller screens, which means streamlining navigation features and leaving enough room for users to tap and scroll. A related trend is location-based marketing, or presenting content based on the location of the person viewing it. This is especially useful for patients looking for doctors or facilities in their area.

Marketing to possible patients requires constant engagement. It’s just as important to establish trust. Patient reviews and testimonials are an effective way to do this, although it’s equally essential to make sure information presented about your practice, clinic, or facility is accurate. Consider working with a professional familiar with this type of marketing if you want to take advantage of some of rising trends.