The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated multiple changes for healthcare professionals, and a few years later, these developments look set to stay.
One notable change was an uptick in the number of people using Telehealth services. The pandemic skyrocketed Telehealth usage, with some statistics reporting that average use increased by a multiple of 78 between February 2020 and April 2020. Post-pandemic statistics for Telehealth usage have diminished but remain significantly greater than pre-pandemic numbers.
The data is clear: Telehealth isn’t just a passing fad.
If you’re serious about offering Telehealth services and want to increase your remote client base, then you need to let people know about it. Here are nine free and low-cost ways to get started with Telehealth marketing.
1. Update Your Website
This is your first and most important port of call. Your website is the starting point for most existing and potential clients who want to learn about your Telehealth services.
Include a Service Page
Add a service page that includes your Telehealth offering, or include a note on the existing service page that virtual appointments are available. Spend some time auditing your website. Check that the text consistently communicates that you see clients in person and online. This can take a while if you have multiple locations and separate provider pages.
Include a Link on Each Page
Go through the whole site methodically; you can’t always be sure how clients will find your site or where they’ll navigate.
Make sure your message is crystal clear – you could include a link on each page with the text “Telehealth services available” that takes the user to a page describing your offerings.
Update Your Homepage
Remember to update your homepage with a message that describes your virtual health services.
Update Your Website Metadata
Your website metadata needs to reflect your updated offering. Metadata will appear in search engine results whenever potential clients search for your services.
2. Answer Client Questions With a Comprehensive FAQ Page
The more detail you include, the more comfortable clients will feel with the idea of accessing your services online.
Address common concerns and questions, such as:
- Are Telehealth services only available for existing clients?
- What services do you offer virtually?
- How much does Telehealth cost, and do you accept insurance?
- How does the Telehealth appointment process work?
- What happens if you have a technical issue?
- What hours are you available?
- Can I get a prescription through a virtual visit?
- What equipment do I need for a Telehealth appointment?
- How do I prepare for a virtual visit?
3. Equip Your Team
Make sure your team knows about your Telehealth marketing strategy and is completely on board. Having their buy-in will make the process smoother and more successful and give clients the confidence to try an online appointment.
4. Leverage Your Client Database
Practice management software like Power Diary allows you to store the email addresses of all past and present clients.
You can either download and import the list into your email software, link to Mailchimp using the API integration or email your clients directly from inside Power Diary. Maybe you’ve been building an email list through your website – now is the time to use it!
Send a notification to your clients detailing your new online services, and link to the Telehealth service page on your website.
Note: Power Diary gives you the choice to bulk send only to those who have opted in for marketing communications. You can manually toggle this permission on in a client’s profile or automatically collect marketing permissions via the intake form.
5. Use your Social Media Channels for Telehealth Marketing
For many practices, social media is an underused tool.
Schedule & Boost posts
Schedule regular posts on your social media accounts to share information about your Telehealth services. Consider boosting the posts (or running an ad campaign) because posts on a Facebook business page only reach about 6.4% of your followers on average.
An ad campaign is an easy, inexpensive way to get your services in front of people who’ve shown interest (by following your page), and other people in your community who don’t know about your practice.
Share Ratings and Reviews*
If you’re already seeing clients virtually, find out whether they’re happy with the online option. If they are, ask them to write a review and share it on your social media channels.
72% of patients look for ratings and reviews when making healthcare-related decisions. This will help build confidence in your practice and allow potential clients to evaluate and choose the care they wish to receive. (You can also use these reviews to inform and improve your offering).
*Important note from our Legal Eagles: We know you know this, but we need to say it anyway. The information in this article is general in nature and is not legal advice. The laws, regulations and professional guidelines relating to the use of reviews and testimonials can vary across jurisdictions, and health professions. If you’re unsure of the rules that apply to you, your professional association is often a good place to start.
Run Polls or Q&A Campaigns on Your Stories
People like to know that their feelings and opinions matter and are heard.
Use the “Stories” function on your social media channels (Instagram is one of the most popular) to run quizzes and polls to pique your audience’s interest in your Telehealth offering and allow them to put their opinion forward.
For instance, quizzes could take the format of a simple Yes/No question like, “Would you start attending therapy if you could access services from home?”
Interestingly, ITNux reports that in 2023, 62% of Instagram users say they became more interested in a brand after seeing it in Stories.
So, what are you waiting for? Start posting relevant, engaging content and quizzes to your Stories.
6. Update Your Listings
In addition to updating your profiles across your social media accounts, you also need to check your local listings.
Best practice dictates that you keep your business description up to date on platforms like Bing, Yahoo! Maps and Google Business Profile. This has become even more important as consumer preferences continue to change.
Google Business Profile, formerly called Google My Business, includes the option to add links to local listings. Add a link to your Telehealth services page to get the word out!
To access these features, simply sign in to your Google Business Profile account, choose a specific listing, and update the info sections.
7. Use In-Office Advertising
One of the easiest ways to create awareness of services offered is to advertise in your office space. Many in-person clients might be interested to know they can access services without a commute.
You can raise awareness through posters or leaflets left at your reception desk or waiting room.
8. Start a Blog
This is a fantastic way to provide value to clients while marketing your telehealth services.
Your blog can be used to educate and inform about the benefits of Telehealth, how it works, and its advantages over traditional appointments. Blogging helps to establish you as an expert in your field and establishes trust with clients.
Regular blog content also has Search Engine Optimization (SEO) benefits. Publishing quality content regularly boosts your website’s visibility on search engines. When potential clients search for Telehealth services or related queries, your practice becomes more likely to appear in the results.
9. Tell Your Referrers
Your referrers – be they doctors, mental health practitioners, or other professionals – are a crucial component of your practice’s growth.
Inform referrers about your Telehealth services and provide them with information to share with potential clients.
Conclusion
Telehealth is more than just a buzzword – it’s reshaping healthcare as we know it. Today’s client demands convenience and quality, and Telehealth delivers on both fronts.
The growth trajectory shows that Telehealth is here to stay, so a focus on Telehealth marketing today means ensuring your practice’s growth and relevance in the future.
Power Diary offers a safe, secure Telehealth solution for busy practices just like yours. Sign up for a free trial, and find out how this feature can work for you!
