Does “Social Spending” (like Groupon) Makes Sense for Healthcare?
I am a huge believer that many of the innovations in the consumer marketing world can make great sense in healthcare marketing.
But, no matter how attractive, don’t get sucked into consumer programs that are not a fit for providers.
For example: One of the best of these hot promo tools is the social spending site Groupon.
“Social spending” means that a business offers a deal, if enough people take the deal, they all get it. But if only a few people accept the deal, nobody gets it.
It is an explosive way to spread word of mouth because people contact their friends through social networking sites like Facebook to coax them to accept the deals they want.
Dentists, Chiropractors, Optometrists are all jumping on Groupon for good reason… they get tons of new patients that, because of the popularity with people in their 20′s or 30′s, likely become a lifetime of recurring revenue.
I have seen this tried by Cosmetic Surgeons, Pain Medicine, and hospital-based Medically-Supervised Weight Loss programs (not Bariatric).
But what those specialties have in common is that they do not generally deal with insurance or the government to get reimbursement.
Is it legal? I’m not a lawyer, but I’m thinking not if you ever accept medicare or medicaid for the same services.
Can you make money? Not unless giving it away the first time makes sense to find a bunch of repeat customers.
Lots of businesses have really profited from the widespread exposure online and the huge influx of new people in their offices created by “social spending.” But does Groupon make sense in Healthcare marketing? I think it very rarely has an application to healthcare providers, but I could be wrong.
Sign up for one of our free webinars and learn more about the benefits a social media program would bring to your marketing department.
5 Business Lessons for Someone Looking to Use Social Media to Increase Patient Volumes
There are still a lot of technophobes in healthcare as it relates to social media. Phobias about legal issues and HIPAA violations continue in some organizations – especially in the C-suite.
I found this short article useful in the discussion about how to get your leadership to embrace social media. It only takes a few minutes to scan and may be worth your time if you are struggling with this issue.
Sign up for one of our free webinars and learn more about the impact a social media program can have for your marketing department.
Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media Increase Patient Volumes Globally
The Mayo Clinic launched the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media and is continuing to expand its reach and influence Are you still dilly-dallying about social media?
- Social media drives business even to remote Rochester MN. Yes I know that the Mayo has an amazing reputation but new people are finding it every day. The really amazing thing about Mayo is that it is in the middle of nowhere. Find Rochester on Google maps or Mapquest. See what I mean? If social media works for them, it will drive your local residents to your services too.
- Are you still worried about the cost of adding a social media program? Then cut from some traditional media. This is cheap and can do much more to drive high-contribution patient volume than billboards, for instance
- Are you worried about HIPAA violations and social media? Don’t. At the time I am writing this 730 hospitals are using social media to market themselves, 549 have Twitter accounts, and 513 have Facebook pages, 337 have YouTube channels. And as yet, no marketing departments have be cited for HIPPA violations.
Social Media is cheap, effective and a best practice for anyone that wants to drive high-contribution patient volume. If you have started a program, evolve it. If you haven’t, start today.
If you want more information about the topic and some practical tips, I am doing a free webinar you can sign up here.
