Finding effective marketing strategies for your independent advocacy services while staying true to your values can be challenging. I hear new advocates or those exploring the profession asking if they can actually make a living providing these services. So today I’m sharing my top marketing strategies that built a business that pays me every single month. So grab your coffee (or other fave beverage) and let’s jump in!
Marketing Stragey #1: Consistency
I can not stress enough that consistency lays the foundation for any successful marketing initiative. Between 2019 and 2023, I focused on one single marketing strategy to build a solid stream of clients and consistent revenue. Starting in 2023, I committed to adding one more marketing strategy to my plan. As of today, my marketing plan consists of these two simple strategies. And our revenue is in the six figures so I feel confident saying I make a living doing this work.
My content strategy includes generating material from live calls and repurposing it into blog posts, emails, and social media updates. A content calendar helps me systematically plan topics relevant to my audience. This method not only maximizes resource use but also ensures a continuous and engaging content flow, building trust and credibility over time.
My story is a testament to this approach: consistent posts on LinkedIn paved the way for an unexpected well-paid training gig in Nashville. My audience’s perceived trust and credibility in my expertise, fostered through my disciplined content efforts, transformed casual engagements on social media into significant business opportunities.
Marketing Strategy #2: Relationships
While content marketing is crucial, it is also not my primary marketing strategy. Effective network marketing is my primary marketing strategy and continues to play an equally important role in my business growth. Upon launch, I met 20 new people weekly, a practice I continue today. The number is closer to 10 per week but the activity is still blocked on my calendar every single week. This steady networking effort has produced a robust referral pipeline. This strategy alone has significantly improved my consultation closing ratio from around 25% to a strong 65%. This is directly related to the quality of leads generated by my network.
If you are considering this strategy, I recommend engaging with about 5-6 new people daily to sustain network growth. It’s not just about meeting new people but ensuring they are aware of your services and feel confident in referring others to you.
Networking must be authentic. My encounters focus on compassionate, heartfelt pitches that avoid the insincerity often associated with sales. By modeling genuine connections, I avoid the discomfort and awkwardness felt in traditional sales settings. You’ve probably heard me mention that I’m interested in making friends, not sales.
Marketing Strategy #3: Four Actionable Tips
- Create a Content Calendar: Planning your content using a calendar ensures you cover all critical topics relevant to your audience. By addressing their needs consistently, you build trust and perceived expertise.
- Leverage Live Calls: Convert your live interactions into multiple content formats. One video call can become a blog post, several social media snippets, and an email newsletter, maximizing its utility.
- Establish Regular Networking Routines: Meet 5-6 new people daily and ensure they understand your services. Authentic engagements lead to stronger relationships and more frequent referrals.
- Present with Advocacy and Awareness: Shift your mindset away from aggressive sales tactics. View your marketing efforts as advocacy – it’s about raising awareness and providing solutions rather than just selling a product or service.
Authentic Connections Drive Success
Authenticity and genuine connections are vital in these marketing strategies. By blending consistent content marketing with relationship-focused networking, you establish a trusted presence that naturally leads to referrals and business growth. Embrace your uniqueness, foster genuine connections, and trust that your heartfelt efforts will yield long-term success.
Final Thoughts:
Using these marketing strategies, you can now create a robust foundation for your independent advocacy practice, ultimately achieving sustainable success. If you found these tips helpful, take a look at these marketing articles.. All my posts are here to help you on your healthcare journey. Read and learn from them, and let them inspire you! If you are an independent patient advocate and want to be the first to know about new tips and get support, join me in The Circle where we meet LIVE on Zoom every week!