In this episode of “Russ and Randy,” we talk about why you should be emailing not just your patients, but prospective patients as well!
This post corresponds to our latest podcast episode of “Russ and Randy” – a podcast on Healthcare and Medical Internet Marketing. We hope you like “Growing Your Practice Using Email.” You can find us on iTunes.
Every practice, with or without a website, should be regularly sending emails to both your patients and prospective patients. It’s a vital way keep your patients engaged with your office and to provide value to those who follow your website.
2 Simple Ways to Collect
We recommend collecting email addresses in the office. You can either make a list and/or make it part of your check-in process. You’ll want to gather existing patients’ emails as well.
If you have a website, make sure you have a Subscription Opt-In box on your site. This is an option which asks the reader for their email. It can be a pop-up, at the bottom of your articles or in one of the columns.
Make sure to ask permission to send them information, your newsletter, over email. In the office, simply ask them for their email so they can receive your newsletter. The website “opt-in” is managed by an email service provider (ESP) such as Mailchimp or aWeber. Once a contact submits their email address, a follow up verification email is generated.
Asking permission assures the ESP or your email service that you are NOT spamming anyone. This is important when it is apparent you are sending mass emails.
What to Email
Patients want to know what’s going on at the office and your practice. Here’s a short list of easy news to send to your patients and contacts from the web;
- News about the personnel – birthdays, milestones of employment
- New associates
- Technology – have a new EMR system?
- Patient Education
Regardless of what you are sending, you want to empower your patient base to become ambassadors, or representatives, of your practice. The more they know, the more they’ll share with their family and friends. It’s good old fashion word of mouth.
For those who aren’t yet patients, your emails will create value, especially with your patient education articles. Even news about your office, will demonstrate a certain degree of transparency.
Newsletter and Email
Regularly contacting our patients and followers is the best way to stay in touch and reinforce the relationship you’ve already developed. Sending on a regular basis doesn’t have to be taxing; weekly, bimonthly or monthly news pieces can be powerful!
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Russ…and Randy
Healthcare and Medical Internet Marketing
Healthcare’s Rx for Web and Social
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