private practice

How Private Practice Physicians Can Use Their Blog to Reach Patients

All of your years of hard work and determination have finally paid off. You have your very own private practice, and you’re ready to serve patients. But maybe it’s not been so easy to get people into your office. The truth is, people, rely on the web to find the doctor that will become the medical provider for themselves in their family. You have to ask yourself, what does your web presence say about you?

Your Blog Matters

It may feel tedious and even overwhelming to create and manage your blog. However, a blog is helpful to your private practice for more reasons than one. Not only does it drive traffic to your site, but it is also how people can get to know you and the type of medical care that you offer. You can use your blog as a marketing tool and as a way to introduce yourself to potential patients.

Let’s go over some of the things you can do to ensure that your blog is doing the most work for your private practice.

Consistency is Key

Sometimes busy professionals get so mired down in what they should write that they miss the opportunity to write anything at all. Posting regularly and consistently will help with engagement and demonstrate to your site visitors that you’re invested in staying current. Whether you post once a week, or several times a week, the trick is to make sure you make a goal and reach it consistently.

Post Quality Content

Typos and grammatical mistakes don’t have a place on your blog. Ensure that your post’s content is of the highest quality and is relevant to your audience. Consider posting a variety of content that focuses on services you offer, tidbits of information about you and your staff, or industry news that your patients may find helpful.

Hire Someone to Help

If you can’t keep your website updated on your own, then reach out to someone who can. At Medical Content Solutions, we are dedicated to helping private practices just like yours. Reach out to us today to create a customized content plan to get your website looking its best. We look forward to working with you!

What Does Your Medical Content Say About You? 

Medical professionals are great at what they do. The level of expertise and professionalism that it takes to run a successful practice is genuinely astounding. However, when it comes to crafting great medical content, many doctors are left feeling lost. If you are looking to craft great content that connects with your patients, there are a few things that you should consider. After all, it takes a great message to convey your great ideas. 

Focus on Your Audience

If you are trying to connect with patients, it’s unlikely that they have the same vocabulary and terminology that you do. It is essential to think about specific phrases that your potential patients will type when they search. You can avoid using the technical terms for conditions and opt for common language. It is a great idea to have somebody else read over your content and figure out the simplest ways to phrase a thought. 

Be Yourself

Today’s world is changing. In a competitive market, your potential patients aren’t just looking for the doctor who graduated at the top of their class with an ivy league degree. Instead, online reviews, bedside manner, charisma, and your personal story all make a difference. Patients want to feel a common connection to the people who care for them. With this in mind, it’s okay to put a more casual tone into your online content. Tell a story about your background, what makes you human, and why should they trust your practice? 

Avoid the Self-Promotion

Studies show that customers and patients react negatively to gimmicky or blatantly biased advertising. Instead, focus on pushing informative and relevant content. You want your patients to leave your website with answers to their questions. We’ve also found that patients who come into the office with a basic understanding of office practices are more likely to be compliant and trusting of your diagnosis and treatment. 

Be Patient

Writing content can often seem like a thankless job. The results aren’t immediate. We often tell our clients that they shouldn’t expect to see an increase in website traffic for at least three months, but it can often take longer depending on local variables. However, content can also produce sustainable traffic over long periods through generic search results. Generic traffic doesn’t cost you anything. It is the result of having a website that answers your patient’s questions. 

Of course, writing content, especially for months on end, takes a lot of time and dedication. Additionally, if you don’t get things just right — all your hard work could be wasted. If you’re considering incorporating content into your medical blog, contact Medical Content Solutions today! We work with you to develop authoritative and informative content that connects you to your patients.

medical writing agency

Three Reasons to Hire a Medical Writing Agency

If you have finally decided that it is time to bring in a professional to handle your business’ written content, you are not alone. However, many people find that just making this decision can lead down a path of difficult choices. While there are many options to get great content from professional writers, you need to carefully consider why you have chosen to outsource your writing needs. Hiring a medical writing agency is likely your best choice. 

Save Time with a Medical Writing Agency

While merely not having to write your content can be a huge timesaver, hiring and managing individuals can become burdensome. First, you have to figure out where to find the best freelancers, create a job posting, vet incoming applications and applicants, review samples, interview, hire, manage the process, edit, review edits, accept, and pay. 

In contrast, content agencies have most of the work already completed. At McDonald Content Solutions, we’ll work with you to ensure that we match the right writer with your projects and handle everything else. If you aren’t sure what topics are relevant to write about, we can give you suggestions, and work with you to outline your content for the upcoming day, week, or the full year. All you need to do is approve the plan. 

Get it Right, the First Time

If you attempt to manage a freelance writing contract by yourself, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the entire process. Additionally, not all writers are created equal. McDonald Content Solutions only hires writers who have extensive experience and education working for the medical community. We also have our editing team that must hold even higher credentials. We then run our content through a system of edits, accuracy checks, and readability tests. This process ensures that when you receive your content, that it already meets your needs. Of course, if we miss the mark, we will work with you to correct it, no matter how long it takes. 

Dependable Brand

There are millions of writers spread out across the globe. While many of these writers are great at what they do, there are no insurance policies or great review systems in place to ensure that you get what you need, when you need it. It’s not uncommon for freelancers to leave projects unfinished, miss deadlines, or submit inadequate work. When this happens, you get the short end of the stick. McDonald Content Solutions is a an experienced company that relies on our reputation to demonstrate our skill. Our clients’ satisfaction and happiness are what keeps us in business. We’ll be here to ensure that your projects are completed on time and to the professional standards that you expect. 

Ready to Start with a Medical Writing Agency? 

The decision to bring in a professional writer is a significant first step to connect your business. Eliminate the additional time, steps, and money by relying on the expertise of a medical writing agency.  We’ll get you a complimentary personalized quote to meet your needs, and we’ll even write your first blog for free! We offer a variety of contact options, so whether you prefer to text, a call, email, or chat, we can meet your needs. 

newsletter

4 Tips for Writing a Great Physician Newsletter

If you are not using a physician newsletter but want to figure out how to connect with your patients, you miss a great opportunity. Newsletters can help you reach your patients with valuable information on a quarterly, monthly, or even weekly level.

However, we find that many newsletters cannot connect. Newsletters can also quickly become another to-do item on a long list of staff responsibilities. Here are a few tips for writing a fabulous physician newsletter!

Be Brief and Engaging in Your Physician Newsletter 

Research suggests that it takes under a minute for your patients and potential patients to look over your newsletter. This information can seem like some great news for some offices. While you don’t need a lot of text to reach your audience, you need to consider the different subjects you will cover.

One approach is to ensure that your current newsletter focuses on issues pertinent to the current timeframe. This means that physicians can focus on topics like dehydration in the summer months, and skiing injuries in the winter.

Additionally, rather than give long sections of text, break up your newsletter with pictures that illustrate the topics, and utilize catchy headings to the different sections.

Your Physician Newsletter is Not a Sales Pitch

While the result of your newsletter is to engage patients and keep them thinking about your services, it is essential to avoid coming across with a gimmicky sales pitch. Instead, utilize your newsletter to convey your authority on your area of expertise.

Newsletters can be used to bring patients up to speed on changes in-office staff, additional locations, or the newest technology that your office is offering. The purpose of this document is to allow your patients to feel like a part of your family and medical team.

While you should avoid the appearance of a sales ad, a newsletter can subtly notify your patients about relevant information. For example, you may want to include that you’re offering a discount for referrals, or a specific service for the month.

Utilize Your Platform

Doctors often feel like they should only distribute their newsletters with a single method. Once you have crafted a great newsletter, you want to be sure that your audience can read and interact with it.

Rather than mail out your newsletter in an email, you should also consider uploading it or linking your newsletter to your social media accounts too. This allows you to spread it to your current patients and reach further into your local market. You may even want to mail a hard copy depending on your patient demographic.  Many individuals feel that receiving a piece of mail from you is the equivalent of a greeting card.

Get it Completed

Of course, all of these tips are useless unless you begin and complete your newsletter. At Medical Content Solutions, we understand that you and your staff are busy taking care of your patients’ needs. We offer a variety of writing services to meet all of your needs. Contact us today for a free quote.

 

medical blog content

How a Physician Website Connects with Patients

Patients are always looking for ways to connect with their physicians. Long before they call your office or walk through your door, they have likely already started getting to know you. This search for information is why you must have a thorough website with as much relevant medical content as possible. Let’s discuss some of the key ways that a physician website can connect with patients.

Provider Bios on Physician Website

If you haven’t already, you should consider including a provider bio on your physician website. Not only does it offer an overview of your education, experience, and specialization, but it is also an excellent opportunity to provide some personal information that will make you more relatable to your patient. You may want to include details such as where you grew up, your favorite sports team, or the hobbies that you enjoy the most.

Updated Physician Blog

An updated physician blog says a couple of things about your practice. First, it means that you are using your website to connect with patients by providing updated and relevant medical information. It also gives the impression that you are up-to-date on current trends. People will likely Google your practice before they schedule a consultation. Make sure your blog is current and filled with patient-friendly information.

Monthly Newsletters

Monthly Newsletters are a terrific way to let patients know about any special messages you may want to share, changes in your staff, or even more about your service offerings. Consider including a monthly newsletter in your content strategy to go one step further in engaging your audience.

Informational Physician Website Content

A physician website is an excellent platform for providing information to your current and future patients. You may want to offer a FAQ section to answer questions that your patients commonly have about your services or more information about specific health concerns.

Contacted a Team of Health Writers

Are you looking for a medical or health writer? Medical Content Solutions is happy to provide our services. We assist medical professionals just like you by providing quality medical content at affordable rates. Please contact us to learn more about our services. We look forward to working with you!

Start Your Medical Blog During Covid-19

It’s no secret that our daily routines have been altered by Covid-19. Individuals throughout the world are being forced to either stay home or work from home. While there are definitely some drawbacks in our daily lives, this change also allows for unique opportunities. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start your medical blog!

Recent studies suggest that people across the age spectrum are spending considerably more time behind screens than our pre-coronavirus days. However, if your website is not properly updated, you could be missing out on new patients as we speak (or…read). 

Patient Research

Even before the current crisis, patients have been considerably more internet savvy. They want to make sure that they review their choices in an incredible number of ways that affect their lives. Think about the importance of online reputation when you decide where you’re researching what movie to see or where to eat out. Right now, people are even more interested in what type of medical care is out there. This alone makes for a great reason to start your medical blog. 

The choice of a medical professional is no different. While many of your potential patients come to your site because they were directly referred, your online presence can be the difference between a booked appointment or moving to your competition. 

Having an authoritative website does not mean that your patients will scroll through every one of your articles, blogs, and staff biographies. Still, it does mean that you’d better have all of that information available when they click. In addition, search engines can rank you higher if you have pertinent information spread throughout your site. Typically, the top three sites get more than 50% of the market share when it comes to clicking the link (and links on page 2 get less than 1%). Fortunately, you don’t have to rank at the top of all of Google in a worldwide sense, but you do need to outrank your local competitors. 

Building a Full Site

Google constantly changes their algorithms to discourage cheating. Previous SEO, or “search engine optimization” practices, allowed websites to “keyword stuff”. This method made it impossible to read and understand. Now, websites get punished and downranked for the practice. 

Being an authoritative voice that helps to answer the question your patient might have can actually help get you ranked higher. This means that having well-researched and concise information throughout your webpage can help you beat out some of your competitors without ever knowing a keyword. 

Go Further

To further increase your reach, you might consider bringing on your own team of professional writers. Additionally, capitalizing on the current market is critical, and medical professionals are busy! 

At Medical Content Solutions, we only utilize medical writing professionals. At a minimum, we require that all of our writers have a Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field plus three years of medical writing experience. 

Contact us today to design a personalized content package.