Trust – It’s a critical factor when it comes to healthcare. You want to know you’re getting the very best information and that it’s coming from an expert. In the past, you would find your healthcare provider through word-of-mouth or you would hear about healthcare issues on the evening news. In the age of the internet, a person has access to research, customer reviews, facility tours and even interaction with the healthcare community from the comfort of their couch. So how can you ensure that you’re positioning your brand as an expert and building trust with your current and new clientele? Here are 5 ways to improve the way you market your healthcare brand.

No where else have consumers become more accustomed to a customized experience than in healthcare. Each of us carries a unique medical history and physical makeup, so we don’t expect a one-size-fits-all approach.

While TV and print budgets continue to decrease year after year, out-of-home budgets continue to grow with an estimated $29 billion for global out-of-home ad revenue in 2017. It’s projected to reach $33 billion by 2021, reported by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and MAGNA Intelligence Study. So how is it that the oldest form of advertising is still growing year after year? The answer is technology and data.

Shopping for healthcare can be a scary experience for patients, and for many, they are entrusting their lives to surgeons and other healthcare professionals. For this reason, healthcare organizations often have difficulty knowing the best ways to connect with potential patients, especially because HIPPA regulations must also be adhered to.

What did you wake up thinking about this morning? Your busy day? Plans for this weekend? Your mother’s birthday gift? Whatever it was, it almost assuredly wasn’t the Zika virus, immunizations, or second-hand smoke.

In the early part of my career, healthcare marketing was dominated by hospitals. There was always discussion about whether or not to concentrate on this industry as an advertising agency. Hospitals tended to market in multi-year spurts. Then, there would be a common belief in healthcare that doctors are what drive patients to specific hospitals, so it was useless to advertise. It could be very lucrative to be an expert healthcare marketer, and then the money would disappear. Today, 9.9% of total ad expenditures in the United States are related to healthcare, driven by big pharma.

As you probably already know VI has numerous clients in healthcare and public health. That said, we are always so pleased when healthcare gets mainstream attention. A couple of weeks ago Las Vegas hosted the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. There, they deemed this the year of the wearables. A great number of the wearables are geared to the fitness market.

Are we a make 'em and break 'em kind of society? According to research, the answer is yes. On average, 40% of Americans will make New Year's resolutions while only 8% will actually follow through and achieve their goals. 

They know Dr. Keith Smith on Capitol Hill. They know him in Canada and in Blue Cross boardrooms around the country, too.