Need help marketing and promoting your telehealth business? For many companies, it’s an important process for them to maintain and shape a professional image so they can build their brand and spread the organization’s message. That’s why public relations is a crucial part of the success of a business; it ensures that the company is able to build name recognition and enhance sales.
Though PR is a powerful tool in cultivating a positive public perception, businesses often neglect to utilize these strategies or lack the knowledge to do so internally. Whether your business is large or small, using PR will help you gain customers and recognition within the industry. Forbes lists some tools that are often used in PR strategies:
- Write and distribute press releases
- Write pitches (less formal than press releases) about a firm and send them directly to journalists
- Create and execute special events designed for public outreach and media relations
- Conduct market research on the firm or the firm’s messaging
- Expansion of business contacts via personal networking or attendance and sponsoring at events
- Writing and blogging for the web (internal or external sites)
- Crisis public relations strategies
- Social media promotions and responses to negative opinions online
What is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is a fairly new concept, and in the world of the internet, it has developed fast. Today the telemedicine field is changing faster than ever before due to the pandemic. As technology continues to advance, so does the widespread affordability and accessibility to basic telemedicine tools. Most of the U.S. population has experience using video chat apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts and more.
Telemedicine was created originally as a way to treat patients who were located in remote locations, far from local health facilities or in locations with limited medical professionals. Telemedicine is more important now than ever before. Today’s patients want to spend less time in the waiting room and as a result of the pandemic, may not be able to venture outdoors.
Using PR for your Telemedicine Business
If you’re in the telemedicine business, you know that much of your career involves virtual communication with patients. Being able to travel, work from home and treat patients all over the country presents a wide range of freedom and flexibility that other jobs can’t provide. However, since much of your job is done remotely, you might experience some difficulty in getting your telemedicine business to the place it needs to be.
So, what can public relations do for a telemedicine business? Even through the comfort of your own home, there are many points that demonstrate how PR can boost your business in the healthcare industry. Here are five ways PR can help your telemedicine business so you can start shaping your image and building your brand message for patients.
1. Brings Awareness
A huge aspect of PR is creating and promoting a business’ image through the internet to reach a wider audience. PR strategy supplements any direct marketing and advertising efforts, and helps increase your website’s rank in Google so people can more readily find your telemedicine business. In addition, social media is a game changer when it comes to business recognition. Even just creating a Facebook presence for your patients can be a huge step in the right direction.
According to Hubspot, Millennials are 247% more likely to be influenced by blogs or social networking sites. The millennial generation is constantly staying on top of the current trends, and can be easily influenced with the power of social media. Using PR can help spread your business’ message to a wide range of patients who can use their experience to maximize reach.
2. Builds Credibility
Not only does PR enhance your business’ ability to attract new patients, it also builds credibility. Implementing PR strategies in your telemedicine business has a leg up from advertising because you are earning your media as opposed to paying for it. As a result, you convince reporters or editors to write positive reviews about your business, therefore your story has more credibility because it was independently verified by a trusted third party, rather than purchased.
According to On The Marc Media, A positive news story about your company is worth 3 to 5 times the value of the equivalent amount of advertising. PR helps your telemedicine business gain the credibility it needs to show patients that you’re reliable and trustworthy when it comes to their health and medical needs.
3. Attracts New Patients
By maximizing your telemedicine business’ presence on the internet, you are opening your doors to new patients. Not only does reaching out on social media appeal to a new audience, but it also saves time and money. Patients who are interested are then able to contact you without disrupting their day like a normal visit to the doctor’s office would, and are more likely to address small or early indications of medical problems.
By attracting new patients, you are able to build new connections and grow your business. If you’re able to get in touch with a news or media outlet, then you increase your chances of getting your name seen and spreading the word. Put simply, the more patients you get, the more your business grows.
4. Maintains your Reputation
Working in the healthcare industry has its ups and downs. There will be issues along the way and obstacles that arise. This is why it’s vital to have PR because if handled correctly, serious damage to your reputation can be avoided. Preparing your spokespeople for interviews, developing brand-aligned key messages, monitoring media coverage and responding to negative comments are all effective PR activities that help you maintain your good reputation in the telemedicine industry. These strategies allow you to attain a positive image which can be hugely beneficial for the future of your business.
5. Less Expensive than Other Marketing Techniques
Using traditional marketing techniques can get insanely expensive, which is why public relations is great for building campaigns and programs designed to help your virtual business thrive. Doing this can help you advertise your business in the most cost effective way.
PR agencies make this possible by helping organizations in the telemedicine business craft the right messages to resonate with their target customers in impactful ways. As a result, your business will gain greater awareness and larger profits.
So, what are you waiting for? If your telemedicine business needs help with any of these five benefits listed, use PR to your advantage. Being in the healthcare industry can is challenging, and doing it all online can open more opportunities.
Contact our PR agency today for more information about telemedicine marketing and we’ll be happy to help you with your business and PR needs. We will develop unique telemedicine marketing and PR strategies for your practice. We also specialize in health, lifestyle and beauty PR. We have more than 20 years of experience in medical PR.