helping healthcare organizations grow

Welcome to The Healthcare Marketing Connection! This week we are talking about integrated marketing. Integrated marketing was actually an entire course I took at graduate school - but don't worry, the message for you to take away today is simple. Make sure that all of the different communications you have going on at the same time are saying the same thing and look (generally) the same. Read this week's feature article and see how you can incorporate integrated marketing principles into your practice without spending tons of money.

Monday my mom had a laparoscopic hysterectomy. She went home the same day as the surgery, literally two hours afterwards, and had only five small incisions. Today's technology is so amazing. A hysterectomy used to mean several days in the hospital and four to five weeks recovery time at home. My mom was up at her computer the next day and running errands around town. We're all glad she's doing well and thankful for the amazing advances the healthcare industry is experiencing. Surgery and cancer are two words none of us like to discuss, but unfortunately they are things we must deal with in our lives. Here's to staying healthy and helping others do the same!! The more you get the word out about what you do and how you help people the better off we all are!

To your success!

Kelly

Make Sure Your Marketing Has the Same Message Everywhere

Integrated marketing sounds like something big, expensive and scary. One of those things big companies that have a lot of money talk about in their department meetings. In fact, making sure your marketing is integrated is simply a matter of making sure all marketing you do has the same message.

The name may sound big and high-tech, but the concept behind it is not.

There are two things involved with incorporating integrated marketing into your practice. Marketing in more than one way (for example mailing post cards and sending a newsletter to patients) and making sure the message you send is consistent.

A problem can arise with big companies when one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. Technology is changing today too - we are more able to segment to smaller, more targeted markets and may customize or change our message to each small segment.

This can happen just as easily in small businesses too. Maybe the person that works on your web site is different than the company that produces your mailings. Or your office assistant makes handouts for patients but she doesn't read the advertisements you place in the paper each week.

Each marketing piece may not be contradicting each other, but if they are not saying the same thing, your messages are not as effective as they should be. Studies show that people need to be exposed to something seven to nine times before it even registers in their head that they've seen it - before they even recognize the name of your practice.

Here's an example of how your marketing messages may not be consistent. Perhaps you are giving a talk to the runners club in your area. You will probably customize your talk to directly meet runner's unique needs. You may later advertise in a local newspaper or give a talk to a group of mom's in your area. While the examples and depth of your talk may be different to the individual groups, the underlying message should be the same.

So if your marketing messages aren't consistent, people aren't seeing the same message, they aren't hearing about you. Chances are you are spending WAY more money than you need to, and the money and energy that you are putting into your marketing is ineffective.

What are some things you can do to ensure your marketing is effective?

• Plan ahead of time
• Have marketing meetings once a month to ensure everyone is on the same page
• Have one person in your office (that may be you) approve all marketing (including yellow pages and blog topics)
• Plan monthly and yearly marketing messages, don't advertise off the cuff
• Always have the same logo, language, and message. If your main strength is reducing stress and relieving tension headaches, say that everywhere

What will happen if you ensure your marketing efforts are working together? You'll save money, your marketing will be more effective, and you'll ultimately attract more clients to your practice.

(c) 2008, A Marketing Connection

Want to use this article in your ezine or web site? No problem! Just let me know at info@AMarketingConnection.com. I'll send you a short bio to include at the end of the article.

Have you taken the Healthcare Marketing IQ Quiz yet?

Is your practice struggling to make ends meet?

Don't gamble with the future of your business

~ Take The Quiz ~

See if YOU have what it takes to attract clients on your own!

This week Kelly recommends Google Docs and Spreadsheets - What a great way to keep all of your hands in the same pot. Store and access your marketing documents remotely with Google Docs and Spreadsheets (it's fr.ee and easy to use).

If you have any other great resources you'd like me to share with everyone, let me know and I'll check it out. Kelly@AMarketingConnection.com

PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, fast, easy and done right! Our name says it all: CONSIDER IT DONE. Healthcare Marketing is all we do! Our 16 years of experience gives you 100% peace of mind! Guaranteed products, imprints, ship dates and prices! Tell us what you want, when you need it and Consider it Done!  www.consideritdonedirect.com

Attention Entrepreneur: Will 2008 be YOUR Quantum Leap Year? Are you finally ready to embrace your own inner power and grace? Do you clearly understand how your life will change if you triple your income this year? Want to know what I'm talking about? I highly recommend that you order David Neagle's FR*EE 4 Part audio series: The Art of Success. Find out how investing $9.97 in shipping will transform your life.

Escape 101:  The Four Secrets to Taking a Career Break Without Losing Your Money or Your Mind by Dan Clements and Tara Gignac, ND Ever dreamed of getting away? Escape 101 is an engaging, practical guide to taking a sabbatical from your job or business without losing ground. This essential handbook is an inspiring blueprint for creating more time in a world that never seems to have enough.

Want to see your ad here? Request an ad space here:
www.AMarketingConnection.com/HMCMarketplace.html

Disclaimer: A Marketing Connection, Inc. does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the recommendations or advertisements, or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad in The Healthcare Marketing Connection. We recommend, as always, that you do your own due diligence before purchasing any product.

To learn more about healthcare copywriting and marketing, visit my Web site at www.AMarketingConnection.com/article_archives.shtml. There are tons of fr ee articles on a variety of helpful topics.