A happy patient is your best referral. Most providers are busy seeing patients and often do not have a process in the clinic to capture positive and meaningful patient experiences. With video trending today, a video testimonial can drive awareness in your community and be used as a powerful tool for marketing and engagement in social media. Take a look at 5 simple steps to create a testimonial.
1. Obtain Patient Testimonial Release Form
To comply with privacy laws, your practice should include a current, legally binding document with permission to release a patient testimonial. This form can be included in your intake forms and/or EMR as standard process. Once the signed document is on file, you can use the patient testimonial for your website and social media channels.
2. Create a Place to Film
An office or exam room can be converted into a comfortable setting to make patients feel comfortable sharing their experience. You can also use this as an opportunity to take a photo with the patient to accompany the video.
3. Use a Script:
Ask 3 simple questions that capture the patient experience like these examples:
- What did you like most about your experience with my practice?
- How has your treatment plan affected your quality of life?
- Would you recommend my practice to your friends and family?
4. Use a Good Camera & Lighting
Most smartphones and tablets have great cameras that can capture quality videos. Be sure to hold the device horizontally while filming so you get a wide screen shot. Keep the filming still, and consider a tripod to avoid unnecessary movement. Add additional lighting if the room is too dark.
5. Keep It Short:
Most consumers do not have the desire or time to watch anything over 1 minute long. An ideal testimonial is 30-45 seconds. This allows the videos to be used in various social media channels where there are limitations on the length of videos.
Healthcare marketing can be hard to make time for when you’re busy seeing patients or operating at the hospital. However, you and your staff can help create a sustainable process in your clinic to get patient stories to celebrate success. When interacting with patients, there is always an opportunity to showcase an outcome or highlight an improved quality of life.
Katy Puckett has over 25 years of experience in business management, education, and client relationships.
