Healthcare Marketing for Doctors: Why Your Specialty Needs a Custom Plan

Table of Contents

As a healthcare marketer, I always wonder why we have different specialists for treating different diseases and the same marketing strategies for all doctors.

Makes sense?

I thought of it very deeply, and turned it into a unique blog that will help you develop the perfect strategy for your practice.

1. Practice Size: Solo Practice or a Multi-Provider Clinic?

What It Means:

Some doctors prefer to run their solo clinics, whereas others prefer to set up a super speciality or multi-speciality hospital. When it boils down to marketing, strategies differ for both.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: Customization builds trust. When patients see that your approach mirrors your practice’s size, it feels more genuine.

2. Ticket Size & Patient Volume: Quality vs. Quantity

What It Means:

Doctors are united by profession and differentiated by the specialities they cover. Depending on their level of expertise, they tune their revenue model. 

For example, a physician might be getting a regular flow of patients, but the ticket size is low. Maybe a few hundred for each consultation. 

Whereas specialists like surgeons might get few patients who undergo surgery, but then the ticket size is big. So they make more money in a single case.

When we do healthcare marketing, we take note of this and accordingly build our strategy. 

Consider This Strategy:

This strategy is purely based on how people search for your services. Here’s the breakdown:

They just Google “physician near me”, and if the reviews seem good, then they opt for that particular doctor.
References from the current patients also play an important role in driving leads to such practices.

You can highlight this by sharing testimonials on your website, making videos or going live on Facebook. If patients connect with you over these channels, then they know you, and the chances of conversion are higher. 

Why it matters: Matching your approach to your revenue model ensures that you attract the right kind of patients.

Having said that, it does not mean that video will sound boring. 

You can use your full creativity to convey your message. For example, consider the below video from a gynaecologist explaining what causes pregnancy.

3. Investment in Infrastructure: Aligning Your Marketing with Your Practice’s Assets

What It Means:

Working with medical professionals for more than a decade, we know how much investment you need to make in infrastructure to make things really work for you. The cost of equipment is indeed very high. 

If you’ve made significant investments in equipment or facilities, your marketing should reflect that commitment. It’s not just about being visible—it’s about justifying a substantial investment.

You know your equipment and its importance in treating the patients, but patients don’t know it. The patients might not know about the new technology; it is your duty to make them aware, and in turn drive more leads.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: When patients understand the value behind your investments, they’re more likely to appreciate the care you provide.

4. Type of Procedure: Elective vs. Essential

What It Means:

When it comes to getting treated, there are two types of treatments – elective and essential. Depending on your specialisation niche, the marketing approach changes. 

People generally don’t think much before deciding on essential procedures; if they are sure of their choice of the physician, then they go for it. 

But when it comes to elective procedures, they wait and look for the testimonials, real results, and want to explore more before opting for it. 

Here’s how you can do it. 

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: Understanding patient intent can help you structure a communication flow that reduces hesitation and builds confidence.

5. Payment Model: Insurance Versus Out-of-Pocket

What It Means:

How patients pay for care also guides how they choose providers. Insurance-based practices may benefit from a strategy focused on volume and trust, while cash-based practices might need to build a premium brand image.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: When patients feel that the cost is justified by the quality of care, they are more confident in choosing your practice.

6. The Stigma Factor: Navigating Sensitive Areas with Care

What It Means:

We have observed that certain specialties, such as colorectal surgery, psychiatry, or urology, can involve topics that patients feel embarrassed or sensitive about. This influences how they search for and engage with information.

Also, people might not be aware of the medical specialisation regarding their problem. In such cases, they simply Google the symptoms and try to find answers to them. 

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: A respectful, understanding approach helps reduce the emotional barriers that can prevent patients from seeking care.
Recent trends in sensitive health searches show that patients are looking for privacy and empathy.

7. Frequency of Visits: One-Time Procedures Versus Long-Term Care

What It Means:

Some treatments, like LASIK, might be a one-time event, whereas conditions such as chronic illnesses or ongoing skin care require continuous engagement.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: Tailoring your approach helps ensure that the marketing effort aligns with the expected patient journey and lifetime value.

8. Digital Comfort: Finding Your Own Digital Voice

What It Means:

Not all doctors feel comfortable in front of a camera or on social media. And that’s perfectly fine. Your comfort level should guide your digital presence.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: Authenticity resonates. When you communicate in a way that feels natural, patients are more likely to connect with your message.

9. Location: Tailoring to Your Community

What It Means:

A bustling metro practice faces different challenges than one in a quieter tier-2 city. Local competition, language, and cultural nuances play a big role.

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: Knowing your local environment lets you meet patients where they are, both online and offline.

10. Your Ultimate Goal: What Are You Aiming For?

What It Means:

Before diving into any marketing strategy, take a moment to ask: What is the one goal that matters most for your practice? More surgeries? A stronger brand? Better patient retention?

Consider This Strategy:

Why it matters: A focused goal keeps your marketing efforts sharp and purposeful.
Understanding goal-oriented marketing (Forbes).

Final Thoughts

Every doctor and every practice is unique. By understanding your practice size, patient value, infrastructure, procedure type, payment model, sensitivity issues, visit frequency, digital comfort, and local environment, you can shape a marketing approach that truly fits you.

This isn’t about following the latest trend. It’s about building trust with your patients through genuine, tailored communication.

Feel free to take these ideas, adjust them, and make them your own. After all, the best strategy is one that respects your individuality as much as it respects your patients’ needs.