8/29/2019 1 Comment Attracting More Millennial PatientsIn order to achieve a healthy number of new patients each year, an optometry practice has to be able to attract new, younger patients. This means tapping into the millennial population and luring them in. During a recent conversation with one of our referring doctors, the email we sent out on March 18, 2019, titled "Practice Benchmarks - Part 1," was brought up. The metric being discussed was that of new patient growth per year and this doctor noted that achieving the 8-10% benchmark can be challenging due to a percentage of a practice's older patient base passing away. As you might recall, the formula for this metric is:
(Number of patients this year - Number of patients in the previous year) _______________________________________________________ X 100 Number of patients previous year The United States Census Bureau projects that in 2030, baby boomers (78.0 million) will outnumber those under 18 years of age (76.7 million). These numbers tell us that the need for optometrists is only going to increase within the next few decades, but the question is, "What happens after that?" Millennials are known for having high expectations and being hard to please, but their preferences, as noted in our recent piece on PX, are only indicative of the future of healthcare. Check out the tips below for a few ways you can continue serving your aging patient base while simultaneously attracting and satisfying the demands of millennials. Optimize Your Marketing for Millennials The gateway to millennials is much different than the ones used by previous generations. This means your practice will most likely have to change to attract younger patients. Here are a few things you have to do in order to pique the interests of the younger generation:
Attracting millennials to your practice is only the start. Once you get them in the door, you have to make sure your practice can meet their expectations. Convenience & Speed Our practices aren't exempt from the current trend of convenience and speed. Businesses like Amazon, Uber, and Birmingham-based Shipt are constantly finding new and unique ways to serve consumers that crave easier ways to obtain products and services. We aren't pretending there is a way for optometrists to make same-day house calls to satisfy the desires of patients, but focusing on ways to make being a new patient easier will be key to attracting millennials. A 2016 article by Becker's Hospital Review notes that while cost is important, over 50% of millennials value convenience over cost and this is something we must keep in mind as we prepare for the future. We have noted in the past that the primary complaints patients have revolved around how they are treated as people by staff and doctors. While this will not change with the younger population, common complaints mentioned in this December 2017 article by Customer Think, such as scheduling difficulties, wait times, and confusion with insurance and billing, will only be amplified in the future due to higher expectations. Examining your practice now and working to remove these barriers will not only better serve your existing patient base, but will also allow for easier onboarding of millennials. For better or worse, convenience and exemplary care is top of mind for your patients. How can your practice adapt to provide both? Educate Millennials A 2019 study found that 80% of millennials rate their health as excellent or good. Maybe this is the reason they have all but abandoned the doctor's office? While some millennials may be in perfectly good health, they are probably many who need to be made aware of potential problems with their vision and the responsibility to educate this particular market rests squarely on our shoulders. Your marketing channels can be used to educate millennials on the importance of eye exams while also making them aware of potential vision problems they may face as they get older. Millennials, along with basically every other age group in 2019, are massive consumers of information. If the right message is put in front of them, they will listen and react accordingly. What products and services does your practice offer that would appeal to younger patients and get them in the door? Conclusion It's true that people of different ages like different things, but this gap is rapidly closing when it comes to preferences for consumers. Your older patients will be lured in by your efforts to attract the younger generations, but the inverse is not true. Changing your patient demographics will take time and effort, but waiting until your overall patient numbers dip would be a mistake. What steps is your practice currently taking to bring in the younger demographic? Reply to this email and let us know! We would love to hear from you!
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11/6/2023 12:31:38 am
Opting for prescription lenses in existing frames is a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. Instead of purchasing new eyeglass frames, you can simply replace the lenses in your current ones. This service is typically offered by optometrists and optical shops. They will craft lenses that match your prescription, ensuring clear vision while retaining your favorite frames. It's a convenient solution for those who love their existing eyeglasses and wish to maintain their personal style while addressing vision needs.
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AuthorThe staff and doctors at VisionAmerica are committed to providing relevant information for you, your patients and your practice. We hope you find the information in our blog post helpful. Archives
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