by Chris Nerney | Jan 8, 2025 | Blog
The start of any year is an ideal time for healthcare companies to review and, if necessary, revise their brand messaging. The industry moves fast, and the message that resonated in January may be gathering mold a few quarters later. Or a healthcare company may want to reach a new target audience as its product evolves and market dynamics change.
Here are three possible marketing and public relations resolutions for 2025 that, if embraced, will help healthcare companies raise their profiles and distinguish themselves from the growing crowd.
Lose the meaningless jargon
Stop telling people your company is “transforming healthcare.” It’s a meaningless phrase used by virtually every healthcare startup. I know because I’ve typed variations of the word “transformational” at the behest of countless clients. I haven’t crunched the numbers, but I’d say there are almost as many companies claiming they’re transforming healthcare as there are “visionaries,” “innovators,” and “trailblazers” on LinkedIn.
Likewise, try to eliminate words and phrases such as “value proposition” and “leveraging,” which are best left for business-school debates. As Amendola founder Jodi Amendola wrote in Forbes last summer, such words “are so tired that they have come to mean virtually anything to anyone, and in turn, they have lost all effectiveness in conveying a unique, memorable marketing and communications message.”
If you’re not unique, you don’t stand out. And if you don’t stand out, you’re essentially invisible. Not exactly the “value proposition” you want from your marketing and PR initiatives, is it? Don’t give potential customers a reason to tune you out.
I also think we’re at the point where healthcare companies need to evolve their messaging beyond terms such as “patient journey” and “social determinants of health,” both of which feel dry and disconnected from real people. Unfortunately, I have no better suggestions. Perhaps an innovative, trailblazing visionary can step forward.
Establish a multimedia presence
When social media took off, some healthcare companies became aggressive early adopters while others held back, not sure whether LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and other social platforms were worth their time. If they had to do it all over again, I suspect the laggards would have moved faster to expand their messaging through these channels.
Don’t make the same mistake with multimedia. Audio and video are powerful mediums not only for communicating information, but for connecting with people. For as powerful as the printed word can be, nothing compares to listening to a person talking or watching them speak.
Printed words can’t communicate vocal inflections, eye contact, or a sincere smile the way multimedia can. While these things may not have anything to do with your product’s capabilities or a customer’s specific problems, they can convey a level of trustworthiness and credibility that the printed word can’t match.
A lot of healthcare companies are taking advantage of audio and video podcasts to deliver their message. It would be smart to use those acquired skills to produce short videos for LinkedIn and other social media platforms that make sense for your company. Including videos in press releases is another way to attract media coverage. None of this requires the construction of a video studio; a smartphone and uncluttered background is enough.
Get customers to tell your story
One of the most common challenges facing healthcare companies is persuading customers to help spread the word about their products and services.
Easier said than done, I know. There often are valid reasons why a customer doesn’t want to be co-opted into your PR strategy: They’re busy, they don’t want to be perceived as endorsing a product, and besides, it’s not their job to promote your “transformational” solution.
Nobody, however, is going to tell your story as effectively as a satisfied, real-world customer whose problems you helped to solve. This type of testimonial will resonate with a prospective customer far more deeply than your company pitch deck. Further, having a customer willing to speak publicly will exponentially increase your company’s chances of getting onto conference stages (and thus in front of your target audience). That alone will separate your company from the pack.
Your best chance of getting a customer to talk about your product is to emphasize the genuine benefits to them and remove obstacles (such as investments of time) that are disincentives to participation. If they are truly impressed with your product and you make the process easy for them, customers will be far more likely to talk about how your company’s product helped them. If companies with similar challenges are listening, this messaging will catch their attention.
by Jim Sweeney | Dec 18, 2024 | Blog
In the days following the Nov. 5 election, former X users flocked to the new social media platform Bluesky. Their descriptions upon arrival made them sound like refugees who’d fled a war-torn country and found sanctuary.
Bluesky, they said, is everything Twitter used to be before Elon Musk changed it to X and turned it into a platform for right-wing disinformation. Bluesky, they rhapsodized, is safe, informative, educational and, well, nice.
The internet could certainly use more niceness, but is Bluesky a place for brands? It depends.
Certainly not if their intent is to advertise because Bluesky does not accept ads and its owners say they intend to keep it that way. Of course, that was Reddit’s policy once, too. According to the company, it plans to charge fees for users who create custom domains on the site and will eventually sell subscriptions for higher-quality video uploads or profile customizations like colors and avatar frames.
But it’s hard to just ignore Bluesky. Its growth has been phenomenal. Since opening to the public in February, it has grown to over 25 million users. Post-election, it has been attracting nearly 1 million new users a day. It has been the most downloaded free app. Naturally, those numbers have drawn the attention of brands.
Its vigorous policing of content and blocking of racist, hateful and offensive material also makes it attractive to brands. Of course, that degree of control will become harder to achieve as the number of users rises.
Some brands (Duolingo, Hulu, Netflix) are posting organically while others like Red Bull and Xbox seem to have secured handles, but haven’t begun posting. Bluesky does not yet have a verification process, so trolls also are snatching up some brand handles, which is an argument for consumer-facing brands to, at minimum, control their names. For now, though, the platform is mostly user-generated content.
Besides the advertising ban, brands face another challenge on Bluesky. The platform lets users design and control their own feeds, which means they can filter out anything they don’t want to see. For users, it means a cleaner experience; for brands, it means fewer eyeballs. They will have to work to earn engagement with users who might not welcome their presence on the platform.
Politics aside, Bluesky differs from rivals X, Threads and Mastodon in another significant way. It’s an open platform with an API that is accessible to developers, which means any decent programmer can use the same architecture to build new interconnected sites, across which they can share content.
There is also a possibility that Bluesky becomes a de facto platform for liberals and progressives while X continues its conservative MAGA trend under Trump buddy Musk. If that happens, brands and thought leaders would have to decide whether it’s the audience they want to reach and whether joining Bluesky would tag them as progressive, which could cause a backlash (see Bud Light).
Brands and thought leaders that left X over unhappiness with its new direction and objectionable content shouldn’t feel compelled to join Bluesky right away. They can rely on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and, of course, LinkedIn for messaging (see some best practice tips here.) Exceptions might be those who want specifically to reach a progressive audience or to signal their displeasure with the direction of X.
Marketers should, however, keep an eye on Bluesky to see if it continues its growth and makes any changes to be more accommodating to brands.
Below is a quick rundown of some Bluesky features. Keep in mind that the platform is still evolving, and these can change:
- Text posts have a 300-character limit.
- Users can self-label their posts, especially those containing sensitive content.
- “Starter Packs” are curated collections of accounts designed to help users find others with similar interests. One click allows users to follow or block all accounts within the pack.
- Users can customize their feed and viewing preferences.
- It includes an in-app music and video player.
- Bluesky offers custom domains, allowing users to personalize their handles with their domain names.
by Grace Vinton | Dec 11, 2024 | Blog
Anyone who has spent any time in healthcare can tell you that there is never any shortage of companies touting how their products are, “revolutionary” or “next gen.” We’ve all heard it: “This solution will transform healthcare into a Garden of Eden! Lower costs! Happier patients! Over-the-moon clinicians!”
Standing out in a crowded marketplace is always difficult, especially when you’re the one singing your own praises. That’s where strategic and thoughtful media interviews enter the picture.
Media interviews offer the opportunity to build credibility by leveraging a third-party’s brand, generate leads for sales teams, and deliver a story that resonates with target audiences.
However, industry thought leaders (yes, you!) most often approach media interviews as if they are merely question-and-answer exercises. Great media interviews are much more than that. They are relationship-building opportunities that enable executives to truly build relationships with journalists while educating the industry.
The most appealing stories in healthcare involve a mix of data and human impact. The detail and specificity required to tell these stories to reporters are unlikely to simply pop into executives’ minds on the fly. That’s why media interview preparation is essential.
The ABCs and the 3 Ps
While there are many subtleties and nuances involved in preparing for interviews, a good place to begin is what I call the ABCs and the 3 Ps. These are handy mnemonic devices to help executives get in the right mindset for interviews.
- Be Audible and always acknowledge the question
- Be Brief and bridge to your best arguments or proof-points
- Be Confident and clearly communicate your company’s key messages
To craft those key messages, begin by thinking about how to incorporate the 3 Ps:
- Proof points to help readers or listeners understand that the problem your company solves is actually a pressing problem for the industry, and data-driven examples of the effect your solution has in alleviating the problem(s)
- Stories about people and patients that illustrate the difference that your company’s products make in quality-of-life
- The deeper purpose that describes the “why?” of your company’s existence
While it’s wonderful to share inspiring and touching stories of how your product or technology led to “patients whose lives were transformed” or “doctors who overcame burnout to rediscover their love of practicing medicine,” it’s important to understand that, in reality, those stories aren’t always readily available, and massive change or sensationalism doesn’t always lead to the type of incremental progress required in the world of healthcare.
The most impactful stories can be how a new solution saves a few clicks in electronic health records or how it helps clinicians save time at the bedside. Those are still interesting stories that are worth telling; they just require a little strategic thought and planning to make them more accessible to reporters and understandable to the public.
To begin crafting a compelling story to share during media interviews, start with the ABCs and the 3 Ps – but above all, be generous with the wisdom you share. The industry will be better for it!
by Marcia Rhodes | Nov 27, 2024 | Blog
If a cruise ship is taking on water, you can bet that the passengers hope the cruise line has adequately invested in lifeboats.
Public relations (PR) in a down economy is no different. Companies that continue to devote resources to PR during downturns can emerge with stronger brand positioning once the economy rebounds, while those that go dark may struggle to regain traction.
PR investment is important during a down economy for several reasons:
- Reputation management: During an economic downturn, businesses face numerous challenges such as layoffs, financial difficulties, and reduced consumer spending. PR helps manage a company’s reputation by maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and the media. Positive PR can help minimize damage to a company’s image and build trust and credibility, which is crucial during tough economic times.
- Building trust and confidence: When the economy is struggling, consumers become more cautious with their spending. They seek assurance and want to invest in companies they trust. Effective PR campaigns can help build trust by highlighting a company’s positive attributes, showcasing its resilience, and demonstrating its commitment to customer satisfaction. By maintaining transparent and open communication, PR can foster confidence and encourage consumers to continue supporting the brand.
- Differentiation and competitive advantage: A down economy often leads to increased competition, as businesses strive to survive and capture a smaller pool of B2B spending and investment capital. PR can help differentiate a company from its competitors by highlighting its unique value proposition, highlighting its strengths, and showcasing success stories. Effective PR can position a company as a thought leader, innovator, or industry expert, giving it a competitive edge and attracting clients who are seeking stability and reliability.
- Employee morale and retention: Economic downturns often result in layoffs, pay cuts, or reduced work hours, which can negatively impact employee morale and loyalty. PR plays a crucial role in internal communications, keeping employees informed about the company’s situation, addressing concerns, and showcasing positive initiatives. By highlighting success stories, recognizing employee achievements, and emphasizing the company’s commitment to its workforce, PR can boost morale, enhance loyalty, and improve employee retention during challenging times.
- Stakeholder engagement: In a down economy, businesses face increased scrutiny from various stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and the media. Effective PR helps engage these stakeholders through proactive communication, addressing concerns, and providing transparent updates on the company’s financial health, strategies, and initiatives. By maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, businesses can mitigate potential negative consequences and foster support, which is crucial for survival and recovery.
Overall, PR during a down economy is essential for maintaining and enhancing a company’s reputation, building trust and confidence, differentiating from competitors, boosting employee morale, and engaging key stakeholders. These factors contribute to the long-term success and resilience of a business, even in challenging economic conditions.
by Yancey Casey | Nov 13, 2024 | Blog
When these two titans join forces, your brand can’t lose
In the fast-paced world of PR, two heavyweights reign supreme – thought leadership and content marketing. These two strategies are often seen as the Batman and Robin of the marketing world, each with its unique strengths, but unbeatable when working together. If your brand is looking to build awareness, nurture relationships, and drive sales, it’s essential to understand how these two superhero strategies differ and why they should join forces.
The Power of Thought Leadership: Be the Batman of Your Industry
Thought leadership is like Batman – the brooding, strategic hero who relies on intellect and influence. It’s all about positioning your business or executives as the experts in your field. Thought leadership doesn’t push products; it pushes ideas. It starts conversations by offering groundbreaking insights, deep industry knowledge, and forward-thinking solutions to industry-wide challenges.
Think of thought leadership as the superhero who swoops in with a compelling, well-researched article that makes people sit up and say, “I never thought about it that way.” It’s designed to build trust and credibility over time, often appearing in high-profile publications or at industry events. The goal is to create a direct connection with the audience through valuable information, not a sales pitch.
This approach is particularly powerful for companies with complex solutions or those trying to establish themselves as visionary leaders in their market. Like Batman’s utility belt, thought leadership is packed with research, statistics, and innovative ideas that can help a business make an unforgettable first impression.
The Charm of Content Marketing: Robin Leaps into Action
If thought leadership is Batman, content marketing is Robin – the energetic, engaging sidekick who’s quick to jump into action. Content marketing focuses on building relationships with customers through consistent, valuable content like blog posts, social media updates, and newsletters. It’s a top-down communication method, designed to inform and engage the target audience with relevant information that positions the company as the go-to solution for their needs.
While thought leadership is about starting big-picture conversations, content marketing is about nurturing existing relationships. The tone is often less formal and more focused on helping the audience solve specific problems. Whether you’re targeting businesses (B2B) or consumers (B2C), content marketing aims to deliver useful, actionable content that keeps your brand top-of-mind when the time comes for customers to act.
The secret weapon here? Consistency. By regularly producing engaging content, you’re keeping the conversation alive, and that familiarity builds trust. Over time, this tactic turns prospects into customers, and customers into loyal advocates.
The Dynamic Duo: Better Together
While thought leadership and content marketing can each stand alone, they become an unstoppable force when used together. Thought leadership gets you noticed and sparks conversations, while content marketing keeps those conversations going and turns that initial interest into action. It’s like Batman swooping in to save the day, and Robin following up to make sure the job gets done. Let’s break down how these two work together:
- Thought Leadership for Brand Positioning: Thought leadership content, such as expert opinions, research papers, bylined articles, or speeches, positions your brand as a leader in your industry. This content isn’t created to sell directly but to establish authority and trust. It builds credibility with your audience and makes people want to learn more.
- Content Marketing for Engagement: Once you’ve captured attention with thought leadership, content marketing steps in to maintain engagement. This consistent, accessible content keeps your audience informed, addresses their needs, and nurtures them toward a buying decision. Blog posts, case studies, how-to guides, and newsletters all keep the conversation going and provide ongoing value.
- Creating a Funnel: Thought leadership is typically used higher in the sales funnel, where the goal is to create awareness and attract a broad audience. Content marketing, on the other hand, operates lower in the funnel, guiding prospects toward decision-making by offering practical advice and solutions that lead to conversions.
The key is that both strategies ultimately serve the same goal – building relationships and driving sales. Thought leadership opens the door, creating interest and trust, while content marketing nurtures that interest until the audience is ready to commit.
Why You Need Both for PR Success
In today’s competitive market, brands need more than just a one-dimensional approach to marketing. Thought leadership is critical for establishing credibility and making your brand stand out as an industry expert. Meanwhile, content marketing keeps the conversation going, offering consistent value that turns prospects into customers.
When used together, these two marketing superheroes provide a powerful combination that can elevate your brand to new heights. Thought leadership gives you the big-picture, industry-defining ideas, while content marketing keeps your audience engaged on a day-to-day basis. Together, they form the ultimate duo, ready to save the day for your brand’s PR strategy.
by Janet Mordecai | Oct 30, 2024 | Blog
A lead magnet is an attractive offer to get leads and collect contact information. It’s essential for reaching and building relationships with potential customers. Lead magnets offer something valuable to your audience and may take the form of eBooks, whitepapers, case studies, checklists, webinars, and similar downloadable assets.
What Defines a Good Lead Magnet?
Not all lead magnets will deliver the results you want. While it might be tempting to compile a checklist or reading material quickly, the actual effectiveness of a lead magnet lies in the value it provides to your audience. Below are critical aspects of a high-converting lead magnet:
Tailored to your audience’s needs
My colleague Chris Nerney wrote The Key To Writing Marketing Copy That Gets Results to emphasize the importance of knowing your audience. Tailor your lead magnet to the problem your target demographic is trying to solve. A successful lead magnet addresses a pain point or challenge specific to your target audience, making it highly relevant and engaging.
Provides Immediate Value
Emphasize the distinct benefits and practical insights your lead magnet offers. A lead magnet should deliver immediate value to your audience, inspiring them to share their contact information. This fosters trust and enhances the chances of continued engagement and potential customer conversion.
Establish credibility
Lead magnets like industry reports, studies, and eBooks help position your brand as an authority. Support your insights with data and research to reinforce your expertise.
Easy-to-consume format
Choose an easy-to-digest format like a checklist, short guide, template, infographic, or quick video. If you present the information in a readily digestible way, users are more likely to engage with it quickly and see immediate value, leading to a higher conversion rate.
Compelling title and description
Use strong language that captures attention and communicates the value of the lead magnet. A lead magnet needs a strong title and description since it’s the first thing potential customers notice. A clear, compelling message highlighting the value and benefits can significantly influence their decision to download, ultimately attracting more leads to your business.
Professional design
Ensure your lead magnet looks visually appealing and aligns with your brand identity. A well-designed lead magnet boosts credibility and trust, encouraging potential customers to engage and share their contact information. It showcases your expertise and the value you offer, leading to higher lead generation and a more robust brand perception.
Limited access
Create a sense of urgency. Offer time-limited access or exclusive bonus content. A lead magnet with time-limited access or exclusive content creates urgency by using the “scarcity” effect, tapping into FOMO and prompting immediate action to secure the offer before it’s gone.
Include a compelling CTA
Clearly state what the user needs to do to access the lead magnet (e.g., “Download Now”). Strong call-to-actions (CTAs) drive engagement with your lead magnet. Make it easy for your audience to act by clearly stating the value they’ll gain from downloading or signing up for your offer.
Ensure it’s easy to share
A lead magnet should be shareable to increase its reach and attract more potential leads. Users sharing valuable content with their networks amplify your exposure, bringing in new prospects at no additional cost.
In Conclusion
Lead magnets are essential for capturing and nurturing leads by offering value in exchange for their contact details. Experimenting with different formats and promoting your lead magnet across various platforms is crucial for maximum reach. Platforms like HubSpot offer templates to jump-start your success.
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