Competition is fierce in the healthcare marketing space, and that presents a real challenge for many hospitals and healthcare organizations. The good news is that there are many healthcare internet marketing firms out there that can help you get ahead of the competition.
But, before you engage with a new partner, it’s important to consider your goals and needs and how those align with the services offered by the best agencies with experience working with clients in the medical field. After all, there’s more pressure than ever before to develop new and creative ways to stand out, especially online.
Patients are researching with their fingertips. Word-of-mouth recommendations are happening as frequently online as they are in person. Patients are searching the internet for information on medical conditions, treatment options, healthcare providers, reviews, and more!
All of this information helps patients make more informed decisions about their care and who they choose to trust with their health outcomes. In fact, approximately 7% of all Google searches are healthcare-related, making SEO supremacy and digital content important priorities for the most successful healthcare marketing firms today.
If you’ve been spending time and resources on your healthcare sales and marketing efforts and are getting a weak return on investment, it might be time to hire an experienced healthcare internet marketing firm to help.
In this article, we’ll cover what qualities good healthcare internet marketing firms have in common and provide some tips on what you can do to find an agency that’s right for you.
Researching healthcare internet marketing firms
The first step when assessing healthcare internet marketing firms is knowing where to look. Here are a few suggestions.
Directories
Directories are online lists that include healthcare marketing specialists and provide helpful information, such as name, address, contact information, and services offered. They are usually categorized by location, specialty, or size.
Directories can be an excellent way to sift through healthcare internet marketing firm options, but not all directories are created equal. Be sure to search the most reputable ones, such as Clutch, UpCity, and Expertise.com, which are reliable sources of healthcare marketing groups.
Portfolios
Successful healthcare internet marketing firms have a digital portfolio showcasing a collection of their best work. It might include campaigns they managed and content they created as proof of the versatility, creativity, and breadth of their capabilities.
Case studies
To learn more about a healthcare internet marketing firm’s specific project, read one of their case studies. A case study is a detailed examination that dives deep into a particular project, campaign, or situation.
It will include the background information, methodologies, data analysis, and lessons learned. You will get a strong sense of the healthcare internet marketing firm’s abilities.
How to evaluate your options
Once you have a handful of healthcare internet marketing firms you’re impressed with, how do you narrow them down?
Here is a list of considerations in choosing your next healthcare internet marketing firm.
Awards
Everyone likes to work with recognized leaders in the field, and earning an award proves that something was done well. An award acknowledges a firm’s expertise, innovative strategies, and successful campaigns.
Client lists
A well-known and diverse client list enhances a healthcare internet marketing firm’s credibility. As you can see, it provides social proof that other healthcare organizations have entrusted the firm with their marketing needs, and it’s been a success.
Reviews
Reviews offer valuable insights and perspectives from people who have worked with the healthcare internet marketing firm you are researching. By reading them, you’ll get a glimpse into the firm’s quality, reliability, and expertise and a gauge of the overall satisfaction of their past customers.
Traits to look for in your next healthcare internet marketing firm
A healthcare internet marketing firm’s experience extends well beyond just placing ads – it’s about creating creative campaigns, compelling messages, and adapting to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Here are a few expert traits your healthcare marketing partner should have:
Excellent communication skills
A healthcare internet marketing firm that communicates effectively is the linchpin for success in a highly regulated and patient-centric industry. Not only will you have a clearer and more impactful message for your audience, but you will also have a better understanding of project status, expectations, and campaign results.
Proven expertise
Successful healthcare internet marketing firms know the ins and outs of the healthcare industry, can navigate through the legal requirements, and connect with patients authentically and sincerely. Expertise separates the pros from the amateurs.
Creativity
Creativity takes the ho-hum and turns it into something eye-catching and memorable. Creatives think outside the medical box and come up with unique campaigns that are relatable and engaging.
Storytelling abilities
Stories humanize healthcare, and being able to tell them effectively is a valuable and necessary trait of your next healthcare marketing partner. Storytelling has a way of sticking in our minds more than dry facts and figures and is what transforms information into a meaningful, relatable experience for patients.
Data expert
Healthcare is all about precision, and data is the compass that helps agencies navigate through the complexities. Data helps fine-tune strategies and fix what’s not working. The healthcare internet marketing firm you choose to work with should be an expert in this.
Passion for healthcare
It’s not just a job. It’s a calling. A healthcare internet marketing firm that is passionate about healthcare demonstrates it in everything they do, and you should expect nothing less. In an industry as sensitive as healthcare, having that extra dose of care and empathy can be the difference between doing a job and doing it exceptionally well.
The benefits of working with a mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firm
As you evaluate your healthcare internet marketing firm options, we think it’s important to consider the firm’s size.
For many clients, a mid-sized firm offers the best of all worlds. Here’s why:
- Personalized attention. Mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firms often provide a more tailored approach, dedicating time and resources to understanding your needs.
- Specialization. A mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firm is large enough to have specialized experience in your expertise but not so large that you’re just a number.
- Flexibility. Mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firms are often more nimble and adaptable, responding quickly to changing market conditions and emerging trends.
- Cost-effectiveness. Besides high-quality services, mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firms have more competitive pricing structures than larger agencies.
- Local/regional expertise. Mid-sized agencies often have a deep understanding of local and regional healthcare markets, and they don’t outsource work overseas, which can be particularly valuable for healthcare providers service specific geographic areas.
Why TBH Creative should be your healthcare internet marketing firm of choice
If you’ve made it this far, you probably have noticed that TBH Creative checks all the boxes. We have been listed in trustworthy directories. We have a vast portfolio and countless impressive case studies to share. We’ve won awards, earned reputable clients, and have years of excellent client reviews.
Founded in 2004, TBH Creative has earned the trust of hospitals and healthcare organizations like yours. As a mid-sized healthcare internet marketing firm, our experts have the expertise, specialization, communication skills, and passion for healthcare you are looking for.
But don’t take our word for it. Give us a call today to set up a consultation. Ask us the hard questions because we are ready to answer them.
