Plastic surgery has grown significantly in popularity in the last few years, with nearly 10 million procedures carried out in the US in 2014 alone. However, the industry’s highly competitive nature makes attracting customers a continuously difficult task, with hundreds of surgeries all vying for the same pool of clients.
Having an edge in the industry can help your business stand out and boost income by appealing to more patients. Running a surgery is costly and, therefore, having a constant flow of customers is vitally important to its long term survival. Below are some foolproof ways of growing your business without having to break the bank.
Create a strong online presence
Digital marketing has become the number one priority of most plastic surgeons across the United States due to the potential to reach a much wider audience. Creating social media channels, a slick website, and publishing regular content on a blog are all successful methods of establishing a strong online presence.
That being said, it can be a real uphill climb getting your website to the top of people’s search results, and may be best left in the hands of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialists, such as Operation Technology, who deal specifically with online marketing for plastic surgery companies.
Offer free consultations
Committing to plastic surgery is an expensive investment and, understandably, customers want to be sure they are spending their money on the right company. Yet, as is the case with many surgeries, they demand an upfront payment for initial consultations, which can scare potential patients off.
Offering a free consultation that includes a detailed breakdown of the procedure and what the patient will look like after is an effective way of enticing those who would otherwise be put off by the price. It will give you an opportunity to display your expertise and do away with any doubts they may have with the operation.
Send out special promotions
Customer loyalty plays an important role in the success of any business, particularly with attracting customers in the first place being the most taxing part of any marketing strategy. A great way to keep patients coming back is to send out promotional offers that will make them feel like valued customers. These can include:
- Discounts on repeat visits
- Loyalty cards with membership points
- Gift vouchers around holiday times
- Special birthday offers
Even if a customer does not respond directly to the promotion, it will at the very least keep your company’s name in the back of their minds for if they do later decide to have another procedure.
Request feedback
In the age of online shopping, there are two factors that are the most important in drawing in customers: photographs and reviews. Well-written descriptions are good for those who are already interested. However the initial appeal will most likely come from compelling visuals and positive customer feedback.
Requesting feedback will not only make patients feel that their voice is significant, it also gives others a chance to discover a bit more about the company from a non-biased perspective.
