Tips To Keep Dust Mites under Control

When it comes to allergies, dust mites are the biggest culprits. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 10% of the Americans are susceptible to dust mites and they account for at least 90% of allergy and asthma cases. Dust mites breed in high humidity regions. That is why they are prevalent when the season changes.

You cannot get rid of dust mites. They are found everywhere; inside cleanest of carpets, under the bed sheets, pillow, etc. they live in your bedding, furniture and rugs. The only thing you can do with dust mites is contain them.

Allergy medications, immunotherapy along with herbal treatment can help mange symptoms in individuals suffering allergy caused by dust mites. Here’s a dropdown on how you can reduce your daily exposure to dust mites:

• Keep humidity levels below 50% at your home, since dust mites thrive in humid conditions. Use a dehumidifier in basement and garage to achieve right temperatures.

• Don’t go for carpets. In fact, if you have one, replace it with hard floor surface like hardwood, linoleum, or tile.

• Wash your bed sheets, pillow covers in hot water regularly.

• Cover up your face if you intend to do cleaning of the house. If you do not wish to, have a person who is not allergic to dust mites or indoor allergens.

Consider replacing old furniture with leather furniture, which can be easily cleaned.

It might be tough task to keep dust mites under control, but it worth it. Your house will be cleaner and you will be less likely to suffer from runny nose, itchiness, sore throat, etc.

November Practice Marketing Tip 2012

Have you keeping a track of your website’s performance? What does it shows you? Probably, not the result you were hoping for. Something needs to be done in order to revive your website’s visibility. Search engine optimization possesses all the tools that can fulfill your desired goals, maybe to an extent. Search Engine Optimization is auto mechanic that tweaks and twitches your website to make it visibly higher in search rankings of Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

What’s more, it adds up to your practice’s credibility without having to invest a lot. SEO has taken big steps forward. SEO experts have gone from basic keyword research and site analysis to a completely new avenue of on-page and off-page optimization, social media optimization along with complete reporting and analytics.

Just think of what SEO experts can do to your website. To make it patients and referring physicians friendly, they will tweak the content, do relevant keyword research, submit links and directories, etc. The main aim of SEO is to make sure your website is listed as high as possible in the first few pages of search results on major search engines.

If you want to create a solid platform and cement a place in the healthcare industry, you will need the tools that search engine optimization offers. Its demand has risen considerably in the past few years because of fierce competition in the medical profession. Keep one thing in mind: only an SEO service provider can rightly guide you through the process.

Success is what every medical practitioner seeks. With success comes credibility and higher returns. Acceptance of SEO as a part of your practice’s success will benefit you, even in the longer run. 

Combine eMedia and Traditional Marketing Strategies

Ever since the inception of internet, doctors have realized it is their best bet to attract new patients. Most of the physicians are now marketing their practice on the internet. They believe it’s the right way to go. To be fair to them, I think in order to be a successful physician, one need to have an online presence.

This however, does not mean that physicians have to abandon traditional marketing strategies. Why would you, when you can get a number of patients through those channels. The trick lies in how well you blend eMedia and traditional marketing strategies.

Emedia marketing strategies comprise a web page, search engine optimization, social media, writing articles and blogs etc. Besides, they form an integral part of driving patients straight to your website. However, never forget what conventional strategies like print advertising, brochures, pamphlets, tele-communication can to for your practice.

Physicians choosing emedia marketing strategies only will miss some great opportunities to woo the patients and vice-versa. While results may take a while with emedia marketing strategies, traditional marketing methods provide instant results.

Every physician in the healthcare industry wants as much patients as he/she can get on a daily basis. Keeping the current internet savvy scenario in the mind, one would obviously opt for emedia marketing methods. However, conventional marketing methods create an impact differently. They are largely different from emedia marketing methods.

As a physician, if you want to make the most of medical marketing, blend traditional and emedia marketing strategies. Give it some time and you will realize, you have made the right move.

4 Ways to Help Build Your Healthcare Practice Today

Not getting enough patients? Worried about your medical practice going down the hill? If you are faced by such questions, then the time has come to look for alternatives to attract new patients. Marketing is an influential way to build a medical practice. Through marketing, you can achieve your desired goals. Many physicians are using different marketing strategies to good effect in order to take their practice to the next level. Listed below are four proven ways to help build your healthcare practice:

• Imagine this! A patient walks up your clinic and your staff behaves abruptly. He’s not allowed to meet you simply because he asked too many questions. What would be his reaction? He will simply walk back wowing never to return. I hope you got my point. Your supporting staff or front desk personnel plays as much of an important role as you. Train your staff to generous with patients. Ask them to clear their doubts in a polite way. This will have a positive effect on the patient’s mind.

• Share your expertise with patients. Write articles or blogs concerning your area either in local newspapers or on the internet. This is a sure shot way to increase exposure and build your practice. Provide relevant information on healthcare tips, various diseases and treatment in your articles. Whole idea behind this exercise is to educate as many ‘would-be’ patients.

• There’s a famous quote, “Easier said than done.” Medical marketing is a tough nut to crack and sometimes it takes a toll on mind and body. To get out of this predicament, hire professionals in medical marketing. They have a clear idea of clients’ expectations. They will advise you only those strategies, which will move your practice in the forward direction.

• Build an online presence. Believe me; in the current competitive world, it is a must. Start with creating a website. Mention all the necessary information like practice’s name, address, operational hours, emergency attending (if you provide any), services and so on. While writing the content, focus on certain keywords that are commonly used by patients to find your practice.

Marketing is not a onetime effort. You have to review the results as you go along. For best results, change your approach every now and then.

2 Unique Approaches to Attract More Patients and Referrals

Patient attraction has always been number one priority for healthcare professionals. And why not, they are their only source of livelihood. It is tough being in the healthcare industry, as driving more patients to the clinic is becoming ever so intricate. Gone are those days when only traditional marketing methods would fill the appointment books. This is 21st Century and people are tech savvy. They carry internet wherever they go. From personal computers and laptops to tablets and smartphones, internet is everywhere. However, there is a twist. You cannot make your practice successful without combining both traditional and modern marketing methods. Lately, two unique approaches have come up and I want to share them.

• Pinterest has been the latest addition to the world of social media. Here you can upload your images concerning your medical practice. For example, you can create a separate board featuring “before” and “after” images of patients. That will add credibility to your work. You can pin your pictures and encourage others to pin it. Moreover, you can add a link to your website with these pins and encourage others to visit your site.

• If you don’t feel comfortable doing the marketing stuff on your own, hire the services of a reputed medical marketing agency. Professionals working in these agencies know how to build a medical practice’s reputation. They have a clear idea of what is expected from a reputed physician. From website designing to e-videos, they can handle everything allowing you to focus solely on your practice.

These two unique, fresh and proven approaches are a great way to acquire more patients. Induct them into your medical marketing campaign and you will see the difference in quick time.

Medical Marketing in Yellow Pages

When a doctor decides to step into the world of advertising, he/she often thinks of Yellow Pages as a useful tactic. Generally, the Yellow Pages are considered the second best marketing investment after the internet. A perfectly crafted advertisement in the Yellow Pages may not bring in hoards of patients, but will give your practice enough exposure to ensure a reasonable flow of patients. Let’s say, ROI should be around 3:1 rather than 20:1. That’s exceptional as compared to ROI from other marketing avenues. 

In the current scenario, patients turn to their insurance plan benefit books to find a relevant doctor, but every now and then go through the Yellow Pages as well. The patients who turn to the Yellow Pages to find a physician are new to the community, or new enough to be a first time consumer of medical care. In a society where isolation of the individual and transience of our population leaves many patients without trusted friends, patients are looking for a specialist to whom they can refer themselves.

When a patient opens a Yellow page, we have fair bit of idea, he/she is looking for physician practice, specialty, and services closer home. Patients get attracted to those advertisements, which are characterized by an image, price, working hours, etc. Knowing these factors, we can easily design an ad targeting the specific type of patients we want. Usually, there are three types of ads available:

• Regular listings: Short and simple. These are small lines that every doctor possesses. Free of cost in general listings and paid in Special listings. In addition, bold, color and extra lines attract more investment.

• Informational listings: These are the ones in column, highlighted by the boxes with expanded information and some customization available.

• Display ads: These are the best of the lot with colorful content out of the column.

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind before thinking of advertising in the Yellow Pages. Give a reason for potential patients to believe why you are an expert in your field.

Source: http://www.practicebuilders.com/

How Internet Has Influenced Doctor Marketing

The internet has developed so fast in the last few years that it has changed the way medical marketing is done. It has opened a range of avenues and become a proverbial marketing tool. Transformation from yester years’ paper files to today’s laptops, notebooks and smartphones, internet has assisted healthcare professionals all over the world in providing information to every corner of the globe.

No industry is spared from the internet revolution. Even the followers of traditional marketing methods are increasingly becoming internet-ready to meet the demands of young clients. So, what impact does internet has made on the healthcare industry? This article will explain how internet has come out as a new brand to promote medical services.

The internet started as an information and research hub. Slowly and steadily, spreading its wings, it became from an educational tool to an engine of commerce. Patients now can sit in the convenience of their home and learn about your practice and services. Chances are bright they will look forward to internet for getting information about the services. Take website for example. Doctors are now using this medium to expand their patient base. With the availability of internet, clients too search for websites that can provide relevant information related to their medical issues.

In the past, doctors used to contact patients through research and ultimately through their advertising efforts. The internet has authorized physicians with an enhanced ability to connect with patients to learn about their issues. Similarly, in the case of patients, they are now empowered to know a doctor’s practice and services in details. Additionally, they can even approach them during the “off working hours.”

Look at social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Ever since their inception, doctors have benefited immensely. Now they are connected to not only the current lot of patients, but potential ones also. They are in a position to describe their practice in a profound way. Round the clock connectivity is what these social media platforms offer and patients are happy to know doctors are taking it to their full advantage.