8 Ways to Boost Your Patient Acquisition Strategy

Picture this: You’re in healthcare marketing trying to fill your practice’s appointment slots. You’re juggling online ads, website updates, and social media posts while keeping an eye on patient reviews. Yet, potential patients still seem to slip through the cracks. 

Maybe your competitors rank higher in local searches, or patients are unsure why they should choose your healthcare provider over others. It’s a constant balancing act, and without a clear strategy, it can feel like you’re spinning your wheels. 

But it doesn’t have to be. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical, actionable strategies to help you connect with more patients, build trust, and grow your practice. 

What Is Patient Acquisition?

Patient acquisition refers to the strategies and efforts healthcare providers use to attract new patients. While retention focuses on maintaining relationships with existing patients, acquisition emphasizes expanding your patient base by reaching individuals who need your services. 

Effective patient acquisition ensures sustainable growth and allows healthcare practices to remain competitive. 

Below, we dive into what you can do to make your medical practice stand out.

8 Ways to Win New Patients 

Let's explore some actionable strategies to help you connect with prospective patients, differentiate yourself from the competition, and make your practice a trusted choice in your community. 

1. Enhance Patient Engagement and Experience 

Patient engagement goes beyond providing care; it’s about creating meaningful interactions that build trust and encourage individuals to choose your practice. 

• Provide valuable information: Offer educational content about healthcare services, conditions, and treatments through blog posts, social media, or webinars. For example, a webinar on managing chronic pain could help prospective patients see your expertise.

• Build rapport: Train staff to approach patients empathetically and attentively. Personal touches, like remembering patient preferences, contribute to stronger relationships.

• Streamline access: Ensure patients can easily schedule appointments online and offer telehealth options for added convenience. The easier it is for patients to connect, the more likely they’ll engage with your medical practice.

💡Pro tip: Check out our guide to engagement marketing for more ideas and strategies on how to get people interested in your healthcare brand. 

2. Optimize Your Online Presence

Your website is often the first interaction patients have with your practice. A user-friendly, informative site can make a lasting impression. Here's what you can do: 

• Create an easy-to-navigate website: Highlight essential information such as services, operating hours, and insurance policies in an accessible layout.
• Share patient testimonials: Positive reviews and stories build credibility and foster trust among potential patients.
• Ensure mobile responsiveness: Many patients search for healthcare services on their phones. A seamless mobile experience is critical.
• Offer online scheduling: Include a prominent, user-friendly booking option to convert website visitors into patients.
• Utilize local SEO: Optimize your Google Business Profile and include localized keywords to help nearby patients discover your services.

Food for thought: Imagine a dental practice located in a competitive urban area. They implement local SEO strategies to ensure they rank high on search engine results for queries like “dentist near me.” By optimizing their Google Business Profile, sharing patient testimonials, and offering online appointment booking, they’re able to stand out from competitors and make it easy for patients to choose their services. This combination of digital marketing and patient-centric outreach demonstrates how patient acquisition works in practice.

3. Leverage Webinars 

Webinar marketing for business growth means educating patients, building trust, and showcasing your expertise. Meanwhile, providing an interactive, convenient way to engage and nurture leads.

The right webinar platform streamlines the planning and execution of your sessions, allowing you to focus on creating an engaging experience for prospective patients while minimizing manual tasks.

Look for tools that offer features like:

• Automated reminders: Ensure attendees don’t miss out by sending timely notifications.
• Engagement analytics: Track how well your webinars are resonating with your audience.
• Customizable branding: Make your webinars visually consistent with your practice’s identity.

For example, Demio enables you to schedule automated follow-ups, integrate with your CRM, and host on-demand or live webinars with interactive engagement features like polls and Q&A sessions. 

By automating tasks such as registration confirmations and attendee engagement tracking, you can dedicate more time to refining your content. This ensures a professional attendee experience, maximizes ROI, and positions your practice as a trusted authority. But don't take our word for it—you can compare webinar software here. 

4. Use Digital Marketing  

In addition to leveraging webinars to revolutionize your healthcare communication and reach prospective patients, you also need a robust digital marketing strategy. Digital marketing strategies connect you with potential patients actively seeking healthcare solutions. 

Here's what you can do: 

• Focus on keyword research: Identify terms your target audience uses, such as “pediatrician near me” or “urgent care for back pain.”
• Invest in local SEO: Create location-specific landing pages and ensure accurate directory listings to improve visibility.
• Create valuable content: Share blog posts, videos, and FAQs addressing patient concerns. For example, a blog explaining telehealth benefits could attract patients interested in virtual care.

5. Manage Your Online Reviews and Reputation

Potential patients often rely on online reviews to choose a healthcare provider, making your online reputation a crucial part of your patient acquisition strategy. 

Start by actively encouraging satisfied patients to leave reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp. A single positive review can sway a potential patient’s decision in your favor. However, it’s equally important to monitor and respond to feedback—both good and bad.

For example, imagine a patient leaves a negative review about long wait times. A timely, professional response that acknowledges their experience and outlines steps to improve can turn a bad situation into a trust-building opportunity. On the other hand, responding to positive reviews with gratitude and personalization shows you value your patients’ feedback.

6. Get Referrals

Referrals from existing patients and professional networks can significantly boost your patient base. 

A well-structured referral program encourages loyal patients to spread the word. For instance, offering a small incentive—like a discount on future visits—to patients who refer friends and family can increase participation. 

Partnering with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists or nutritionists, helps establish a strong referral network that benefits everyone involved. Additionally, simplifying the referral process for both patients and professionals by coordinating care and sharing relevant updates builds trust and makes referrals seamless.

Let's recap some strategies to get referrals:

• Cross-promote with other businesses in the healthcare industry.
• Build a patient referral system into text messaging communication.
• Track patient referrals to evaluate effectiveness.
• Ask for patient referrals and offer incentives for those who refer others.
• Develop a strong referral network by sharing patient appointment notes, physician referrals, lab results, and diagnoses with the referring physician.
• Make the referral process easy for doctors by coordinating care and establishing a formal referral agreement.
• Encourage patients to refer friends and family through a patient referral program.

7. Get Involved in the Community 

Engaging with your local community is a powerful way to build trust and increase visibility. Hosting events like health fairs or educational seminars allows you to showcase your expertise while connecting directly with potential patients. 

For example, a family practice could sponsor a local charity run or collaborate with schools to provide wellness check-ups for students. Partnering with nearby businesses, such as gyms or pharmacies, also helps position your practice as an integral part of the community. These efforts not only attract new patients but also strengthen your reputation as a trusted provider.

8. Use Innovative Tech and Tools 

Embracing modern technology enhances your practice’s efficiency and patient experience. Telemedicine, for instance, expands your reach by allowing patients to consult remotely, which is particularly valuable for individuals with mobility challenges or those living in rural areas. 

Patient portals simplify access to medical records, appointment scheduling, and direct communication with your team, reducing administrative hurdles. 

Additionally, platforms that automate appointment reminders and follow-ups can improve patient retention and compliance. 

Using Webinars to Drive Patient Acquisition 

A strong patient acquisition strategy combines engagement, digital marketing, reputation management, and community involvement to attract and retain patients. 

Tools like Demio take your marketing campaigns to the next level by streamlining outreach efforts and enabling you to deliver engaging, interactive content. For instance, high-quality on-demand and automated webinars that build trust and showcase expertise. 

Plus, by incorporating platforms that automate manual tasks and provide actionable analytics, you can focus on creating meaningful connections with prospective patients. You also get more online visibility while boosting patient satisfaction and ensuring measurable results.

Frequently asked questions about patient acquisition 

How Does New Patient Acquisition Work? 

New patient acquisition involves attracting potential patients through digital marketing, SEO, social media, and partnerships. Healthcare providers can also use referral programs, educational webinars, and online reviews to build trust and convert leads into patients.

How to Grow Patient Volume? 

To grow patient volume, focus on targeted marketing like SEO, paid ads, and content marketing. Use webinars to connect with your audience and show them you understand the patient journey. Implement referral programs to encourage word-of-mouth and ensure a positive patient experience. Partnering with other healthcare professionals and offering excellent service can also help expand your reach and increase patient volume.