The healthcare marketing world is full of bright and shiny objects. Whether it’s the latest and greatest tool, media platform, or way to engage an audience, each day brings us more possibilities than ever before.
2019 makes for an exciting time to be a healthcare marketer. But it’s not without its challenges. Because our energies and budgets are limited, we simply can’t chase every bright and shiny object that comes along. If we try, we’ll spread ourselves and our budgets too thin, and struggle to get positive results. Not to mention pouring precious resources into tools and tactics that may turn out to be counterproductive.
So two questions arise:
How can we adapt to the ever-changing healthcare marketing world in a way that’s effective and sustainable?
How can we separate healthcare marketing strategies that win (and will keep winning) from those that will become obsolete in a matter of months?
Let’s talk about some key healthcare marketing trends for 2019 that are here to stay. We’ll break them down one by one and make a case for why they deserve consideration in your long-term strategy.
In the healthcare world, every day brings new technological marvels. Some of the latest innovations include an artificial pancreas, Apple’s top-secret research on noninvasive diabetes monitoring, and a wearable device that stimulates a specific part of the brain to help people lose weight.
It feels like a sci-fi novel has become our reality. These technologies bring with them the potential to revolutionize the health of millions.
But with those incredible opportunities comes a challenge. It’s up to marketers not to just understand these complex technologies, but to translate them into terms others can easily appreciate. If patients or healthcare professionals can’t grasp the tangible benefits, it’s tough to convince them to embrace the technology.
This goes whether you’re trying to connect with healthcare professionals using the technology in their day-to-day work, or the public who will use the technology (like wearables) themselves.
Let’s talk about how to do it now!
Even if you’ve worked in healthcare for all of five minutes, you’ve probably heard about the power of content marketing. This marketing style, which is enjoying tremendous success in other industries, has become a staple recommendation to better connect with healthcare-seekers.
While there is tremendous potential in content marketing, the challenge lies in the execution.
Making blanket recommendations is easy. Want to increase revenue? Some will tell you that social media is the way forward. Others swear by blogs, videos, or email newsletters.
Usually, we are limited to only our personal experiences with content marketing – or maybe a few anecdotes from our healthcare colleagues.
What’s happening with content marketing in the industry at large?
What’s working well for marketers, and what isn’t? Which tools have the highest ROI?
Let’s take a broader look.
Content, Customer Experiences, Integrated Media, Social Media
One of the best ways to improve our healthcare marketing is to go beyond the theoretical. Seeing what brands are actually doing well acts as a springboard for a better approach.
Kindred Healthcare has a lot of real-world insights to offer. This truly massive organization, which offers post-acute, rehab, hospice and home care services across nearly 3,000 locations, is making the most of digital and traditional marketing channels.
Kindred has steep marketing challenges to overcome. Their approach to meeting these challenges will inspire your own healthcare brand – whether it’s large or small.
How are they connecting with their target audience in a time of so much confusion and overwhelming healthcare jargon?
Let’s take a look!
Healthcare is nothing if not constantly changing.
Incredible technological innovations are revolutionizing the way we prevent, diagnose, and treat illnesses. Wearable devices are empowering us to take control of our wellness like never before. Tools like mobile apps and social media platforms are changing how patients and brands connect.
How will healthcare marketers respond to these upheavals in 2018?
Customer Experiences, Digital Marketing, Integrated Media, Social Media
Every day is an endless competition for your precious attention.
Thanks to smartphones and the Internet, it’s easier than ever for us to distract ourselves. Marketers in every niche are throwing big money at attracting as many eyeballs as they can. That explains why we see an average of over 600 marketing messages a day.
This puts healthcare marketers in a difficult spot. We can’t stop marketing and trust our audiences to find us on their own. On the other hand, we can’t bombard people with annoying, pushy messaging without putting them off completely.
Within this challenge lies an incredible opportunity: content marketing. Strategic content can help marketers strike the right balance. Instead of blowing through budgets and fighting for attention, you can earn it by creating positive experiences.