Home care agencies provide patients with the option of independence while ensuring healthy living conditions. With the increase of people over 65 years old, there is plenty of demand for home care services. It is up to you to make your company known and easy to find for the people searching for the help you provide.
Levels of home care demand vary greatly across the United States. You wouldn’t want to start your business in an area with a low population of elderly people. Do some research into the demographics in your area first. You must also consider the competition nearby. Chances are, you’ll be competing for the same referrals and clients. Try to find a segment of people who could use home care services closer by.
Emphasize all the services you provide. Go into detail and give plenty of examples. If you provide skilled nursing care, advertise that heavily. If you provide any specialty services, it should be clear on your materials. Simply stating what you can do is not enough. For every service, explain what benefit is gained. Hit on points such as saving money, gaining independence, and keeping their privacy.
One of the cheapest forms of advertising is maintaining social media profiles. It costs you virtually no money and gives you a platform to speak on your brand. Interact with your customers and build better relationships with them, others will see this and want the same. People want to feel like they know your company and core values. Consider posting an “about us” video where potential customers can be introduced to you and your staff.
Online ads allow you to target the exact group of people you are looking for. Use this to your advantage! Set an advertising budget and try posting ads on different websites. Popular channels include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Craigslist, and Google Ads. Also, look into care-specific websites such as care.com.
Make company business cards and brochures that can be handed out to prospective clients. You can go to elderly care facilities or hospitals in your area and ask to leave some materials at the front desk. There are plenty of free resources available on the web to create your designs.
Set a meeting with influential healthcare workers in your area. Use this as an opportunity to network and get the word of your business out. You must keep in touch and build real friendships. Don’t expect to get referrals from them without establishing a good bond first. You should also visit places like adult daycares or clinics to provide materials they may be willing to give out.
Research the costs of local media advertisements. Local newspapers and magazines are always selling ad space. The best advertising is sometimes free. Instead of simply releasing an ad, write your business story (tell people what makes your business unique) and see if your local newspaper would be interested in publishing it. You should look at newspaper ads, magazine ads, and radio ads. Whichever channel you choose, make sure it is targeting the right audience. For example, it would make no sense to advertise your services on a kids' music radio station.
Word-of-mouth can be a beautiful or deadly thing. If your clients are satisfied with your care, they will be happy to share your information with friends and family. When a recommendation comes from someone they trust, they are more likely to follow through and contact you. Once your caregiver and the client have made a good bond, it is time to hand them informational packets to share. Have your staff explain the importance of helping others who could benefit from your services. Then, offer a small token of appreciation for any referrals they bring in, such as a $20 gift card. You will be surprised how much faster referrals come in!