The Power of Patient Testimonials

TESTIFY!

Einstein Medical | 6675 Mesa Ridge Road, #101, San Diego, CA 92121 | Phone: (858) 459-1182

Multiply the Value of Word of Mouth

You’ve dedicated years of your life honing your skills as a doctor and developing a thriving, successful medical practice.

You have a long line of satisfied patients who are more than willing to sing your praises to their friends and families.

You regularly log word-of-mouth referrals, though perhaps not as often as you would like. (Do people talk to their neighbors anymore?)

What’s Missing?

To reach more new potential patients you need to turbocharge word of mouth praise by turning words into a tangible asset and create:

Testimonials

Video brings your testimonial to life.

Amplify Word of Mouth

By strategically embedding patient testimonials into your website and other promotional materials, you harness the power of word-of-mouth and amplify its power by broadcasting it to a larger audience.

Especially in the age of social media.

Testimonials Amplification

Social media combines the best elements of word-of-mouth marketing with the unique power of the Internet to spread messages quickly to an ever expanding audience.

If executed properly, social media takes the words of your patients and uses them in a low-cost, systematic way to spread your reputation beyond the confines of your website.

Turbocharge Testimonials with Social Media

Twitter is a great place for testimonials.

It just takes a little planning

Making the Most of Testimonials

Tips for Making the Most of Testimonials

Most medical websites now include some type of patient testimonials, but not all testimonials are equally effective as marketing tools.

By keeping the following tips in mind as you solicit testimonials and integrate them into your online marketing, you can attract a strong, steady flow of new patients.

What makes a great testimonial?

Not All Testimonials Are Created Equal

Honest & Specific

Offers Feedback

Gently Edited for Clarity

Details Matter

Exaggerated praise and vague descriptions of the patient experience will only undermine the trust that these testimonials are intended to inspire.

A Balanced View

Testimonials that offer constructive feedback in addition to praise are often viewed as more trustworthy than over-the-top, glowing reviews.

The Message Matters

Testimonials that are overlong, rambling, confusing, or otherwise poorly written can cause potential patients to doubt the professionalism of the practice posting them.

Anatomy of a Great Testimonial

Sometimes even positive reviews can hurt

More ≠ Better

You may be tempted to display as many positive testimonials as you can gather on your website.

But be careful. You don’t want to dilute the power of your best, most engaging testimonials with those of lesser value.

When Less is More

The testimonials with the greatest value to your practice will not simply proclaim how great you are.

A compelling testimonial will also give details that make it informative and believable, while maintaining an honest, balanced perspective.

Be Selective

Dr. Morrison is a master of dentistry!

I love him and his staff. What a totally awesome experience I had at his office! And my new smile is great!

Consider Two Hypothetical Examples

Example #1

Consider Two Hypothetical Examples Example #2

I was made to feel comfortable from the moment I walked into Dr. Morrison’s office for the placement of my permanent porcelain veneers. His staff is welcoming and friendly, and they were very patient in answering my questions.

Dr. Morrison saw me at my appointed time, and he was extremely gentle in placing my veneers. I felt a little discomfort when he removed my temporary veneers, but he assured me the whole time with his great sense of humor. The quality of the veneers is very high – they look so natural that most people think that I just had my teeth whitened. I have the smile that I’ve always wanted, and I’m very grateful to Dr. Morrison and his team.

Of the two previous testimonials, both are positive. However, the second is by far the more compelling of the two.

The first example, while certainly glowing in its praise, doesn’t communicate anything of substance to your visitors.

The second example provides plenty of detail without wearing out its welcome. It’s simple and readable, and it is benefit-oriented without seeming inauthentic or “sales-y.”

Anatomy of a Great Testimonial

Complacency is the enemy of effective marketing

Don’t Stop Soliciting Testimonials

Never Stop Soliciting Testimonials

You have many satisfied patients who are willing to attest to your skills.

You continually build your reputation instead of relying on past accomplishments.

You offer a wide range of benefits to a diverse range of patients.

You have a loyal following

You don’t rest on your

laurels

You’re not a one-trick pony

You should continually be adding to your collection of patient testimonials.

A continual flow of fresh testimonials shows people that:

Visitors Come Back, Again & Again

Remember! Prospective patients may visit your website several times over the course of months or even years, unsure of whether to contact your practice.

If they encounter fresh testimonials during this time, it could help to influence them to schedule that first appointment.

Are you taking advantage of video?

Reach Across the Digital Divide

Video Brings Words to Life

Video gives life to words and creates the emotional connections that elevate you from a mere "business" to a caring and knowledgeable professional.

Benefits of Video

Increased Trust

Reduced Skepticism

Higher Conversion

Rates

Eighty-eight percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Video testimonials reinforce this trust by showing real people speaking about your practice.

Having a library of video testimonials at your disposal is like having a full-time sales force on call, 24/7.

But, unlike salesmen, your satisfied patients are seen as objective and sincere third parties.

More than 90 percent of consumers agreed that video factored into their decision to purchase, according to a study by Social Media Today.

Videos can keep users engaged and ultimately convince them to contact your practice.

People Think & Remember Using Images

60 percent of people prefer watching video over reading text.

Video keeps visitors on your website longer.

People remember more from a video than from written content.

When you layer the human voice onto imagery by using video, you infuse your message with the compassion and commitment at the heart of healthcare. Other benefits of video:

Once is never enough

If you want to get the word out …

The more ways you broadcast your message, the greater the chances a potential patient will find you.

That’s because everyone’s different. Depending on their own preferences or how they are accessing content (A phone? A tablet? Their desk?), people gather information in different ways. For example:

Some people intuitively trust online reviews more when they can see and hear the reviewer speaking in a video.

Others are drawn to a powerful quotation that is set apart from the rest of the text, such as a quote that is highlighted in a block of text.

Be Seen Wherever Your Customers Wander

Re-use, Re-purpose Testimonials

Post them in Social Media

Feature them in newsletters

Add testimonials to your email signature

Include testimonials in brochures

And, of course, post to your website.

When used strategically … Patient testimonials combine the best elements of word-of-mouth marketing with the unique power of the Internet to spread messages quickly to an ever expanding audience.

Put some thought and effort into collecting and presenting your testimonials, and your satisfied patients will effectively be promoting your practice twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week across a variety of platforms.

Word of Mouth

Power of the Internet

Would You Like to Know More?

Many practitioners find the promise of the Internet elusive. But over the course of 20 years, we’ve proven many times over that a properly designed online strategy grows your practice.

If you’re still searching for a solution, consider joining the leading healthcare providers that have take advantage of our online expertise. Just call us at (800) 606-0003 or visit our website.

www.EinsteinMedical.com Einstein Medical | 6675 Mesa Ridge Road, #101, San Diego, CA 92121 | Phone: (858) 459-1182