Many might consider the most successful PR results to be showcased on a prime-time news show, featured in the Sunday paper, or heavily “liked” on social media.
Sure, those are all great, but a well-received appearance by your client out and about in the community can be just as effective at furthering their brand.
Maybe it’s time to consider cueing up your community relations plan.
What is community relations?
Community relations is when a healthcare company or physician practice takes an active role to build a sustainable relationship with its surrounding community. Listening to and taking stock in the interests of those around you positions you as a responsible corporate citizen—and that can have lasting benefits.
Chief among these benefits could be a boost to your bottom line (patient volumes) by establishing yourself as the most trusted, “go-to” resource – or provider—in your specific field among local individuals, organizations, and fellow businesses.
Another benefit of dedicated community relations is being able to offer your team the valuable opportunity to give back or pay it forward. Younger generations are becoming increasingly concerned with and driven by corporate social responsibility and showing that you are active in the community can be a plus in attracting new talent to your team.
How do you design a community relations plan?
First of all, find out what is of interest or importance to your community, create an inventory of your inhouse expertise, and then figure out how to align the two.
Three simple ways to share your company’s message while addressing the community’s needs include:
Seeking out strategic speaking opportunities to educate about what you do and how your services contribute to the well-being or quality of life for those around you.
Show up and volunteer regularly (in person) at area events or with organizations that could use your help. Consider starting a monthly, quarterly, or annual employee community service outing or project.
Investigate others in the community to partner with or lend your name or services to via sponsorships targeting a certain demographic that you’d like to reach.
Some examples of successful community relations efforts that MedVoicePR has coordinated on behalf of clients are:
Visiting seniors at local retirement communities and sharing tips from an orthopedic perspective on how to keep joints flexible and bones healthy so they can stay mobile and independent.
Educating nurses and teachers by pediatric neurologists at area school districts on the most current concussion protocols for children and how to address ADHD symptoms or treat epilepsy/seizures in the classroom.
Administering free flu shots on Veterans Day to the honorable men and women who have served our nation at a veteran’s nonprofit organization via our on-demand, urgent mobile healthcare provider.
Always remember that being a good neighbor to those around you just makes good sense.
Contact us at MedVoicePR to help you develop a custom and strategic community relations plan to fit your needs.