subject: How To Choose A Medical Marketing Firm [print this page] These days, many medical practitioners and doctors' offices decide to hire a medical marketing or healthcare advertising firm to help them promote themselves and gain business. In the past, when towns and cities may have had only had a handful of doctors, people often chose which doctor to see based on word of mouth. But now with so many medical practices out there for people to choose from, it can be hard for each practice to make a name for itself. Healthcare marketing companies play a big role in helping doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities promote their areas of expertise and gain recognition with the local community. Visibility through marketing is key in getting new patients and retaining current ones. But how do doctors, medical office professionals, and the like know which advertising firm to go with?
Pick a Healthcare Advertising Company That Focuses On Healthcare
While it may seem obvious, it is important to choose a medical marketing firm that specializes in just that - medicine and healthcare. Many marketing firms have a wide range of clients that range anywhere from rental car companies to florists to drug rehab centers. But healthcare marketing is a highly specialized field, so you want the company you choose to focus on just that. Those in the medical advertising business need to be quite knowledgeable about certain rules and regulations. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clear guidelines concerning medical advertising and marketing that drug and biopharmaceutical companies must comply with. You'll want any medical advertising company that you go with to have a complete understanding of these guidelines and how to market your business accordingly. Look for a firm that has already executed successful healthcare advertising campaigns in areas that are similar to yours.
Make Sure The Company Focuses On Your Needs
While having a medical marketing company with experience is important, you also need to make sure they can provide you with a tailored, one of a kind marketing plan. Take a look at what the company has done in the past. Do they have details about how they evaluated other medical facilities' needs? Are there examples of similar companies to yours that needed the same kind of advertising help? This goes along with hiring a firm that specializes in marketing medicine, but is also related to how detail-oriented and busy with other projects the staff is. Make sure they have the time to take on your project and will give it the attention it deserves. And definitely listen to their marketing plan for your business before agreeing to anything.
Choose Healthcare Advertising That Fits Your Budget
If you're a small company just starting up and trying to make a name for yourself, you're just not going to have the money for advertising that a bigger, more established firm would have. Find a company that can work with your budget and still offer ideas for an effective marketing strategy to help you reach your goals.
Whether you're a doctor just starting out, or a hospital manager who needs to regain business at your medical facility, consider hiring a medical marketing firm to help. Their intimate knowledge of the healthcare advertising industry and regulations can greatly help your business.
