Be Your Local Healthcare Authority

If we polled 100 people in your community and asked them who the best [fill in your healthcare specialty here] is, would your name come up? Are you considered to “Be Your Local Healthcare Authority” in your field? If not, here are five things you can do to begin the process of being recognized as the local healthcare authority in your field.

1. Get involved in your community. The more your community gets to know you as a person, the more they will get to know and trust you in your professional capacity.

2. Write a book or e-book. Select a topic that’s important to your community and allows you to highlight your healthcare expertise.

3. Be a contributing healthcare author for local magazines and websites.

4. Engage the press. Contact the local media and let them know of your expertise and willingness to answer questions they may have. When you obtain continuing education, receive additional certifications/expertise, host a public lecture, sponsor a charity event, et cetera, send a press release to TV, radio, and magazine companies. They may run your press release as-is, or they may ask you for a personal interview. Here is a link to my press release for my first book Community Connections! Relationship Marketing for Healthcare Professionals:

5. Constantly educate the public on topics relevant to your field. You can offer health talks, sponsor panel discussions, host awareness events, or even host your own radio show. When people consistently see or hear your name and healthcare expertise, they’ll begin to rely on you for information.

Since I live near New Orleans, Louisiana, I’m going to include one more tip as lagniappe (extra or bonus): No matter how you choose to promote yourself as a local healthcare authority, make sure you’re worthy! If you put yourself out there as an expert on something, keep up on the latest research and information. Constantly educate yourself so you can bring the best and most accurate information to your community. If your community trusts you enough to make you their “local authority,” then exceed their expectations!
How have you built your reputation as a local authority in your field? Please share your experiences and ideas in the comments section below!

For more information on building community connections, I encourage you to read my new book Community Connections! Relationship Marketing for Healthcare Professionals. If you want more valuable information about how to Connect with YOUR Community, you can find FREE healthcare practice marketing content, PowerPoint Presentation Jumpstart Kits, workbooks, blog articles, and my FREE “Practice Marketing Planner” Now!