Getting people to think about their health and take positive action is a challenge in healthcare marketing. According to Managed Healthcare Executive, most people believe they are much healthier than they really are. They describe the “dilemma of ‘health inertia’…getting people to face personal health challenges, adhere to a plan of action, and stay motivated to proactively deal with their health.” Yet most of what we see in messages from healthcare providers focuses on educational-based efforts and overly clinical details about conditions and treatment. In their analysis, providers need to focus on communications that reach people on an emotional level that inspires action.
Wellness Initiatives
Many providers are focusing efforts on wellness to connect with their community. This includes offering classes on exercise and nutrition. In a recent whitepaper from Smith and Jones, they make the case that healthcare organizations need to take this a step further through more collaboration with organizations and consumers in their markets. People may be more inclined to take steps to improve their health when they see accessible program options that are focused on positives.
Using Social To Drive Engagement
Another growing healthcare marketing option for reaching people is social engagement. Current trends show the value of healthcare companies building their own social communities to interact directly with consumers. Creating stronger relationships improves participation in health initiatives and provides opportunities to more closely monitor current health issues locally. Participants can be motivated by activities like healthy reward programs, community competitions, and gamification.
How can a healthcare provider get the word out about the services they provide to people that are most likely to be responsive? Out-of-home advertising has proven to be an effective way for healthcare providers to reach their core community, inspire people to take action, and drive both online and social media engagement.
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