Now that Boomers and Gen Xers are preparing for their golden years, assisted living and senior care facilities find themselves on a cusp. Many Boomers are now in their 70s and looking for facilities to live out their remaining years. Meanwhile, the interest coming from Gen Xers is due to their older parents, but some are probably considering their options in advance.
These two groups are unlikely to be satisfied with traditional retirement homes’ white walls and sterile environment. They’re more active and independent, and they would prefer more modern senior living facilities. The two generations are also tech-savvy, so traditional marketing methods won’t work well with them. But these top senior living digital marketing trends in 2021 might.
Use the Power of Video
High-quality content has been the linchpin of great digital marketing campaigns for the past two decades. But the appeal for blogs has dimmed of late, and videos have taken over its place. It’s not surprising as people are highly visual creatures. Consumers today prefer to learn by watching instead of reading. Between TikTok and YouTube, you have numerous options regarding the form of your video content. It can be animated, live-action, short-form, etc.
Creative and personalized videos are also effective in getting your vision across and capturing the audience’s interest. For instance, you can easily showcase your facilities through videos. But you can also go beyond showing senior living design trends through a Q&A with the care home director or a long-time resident.
Engage More Consumers with Interactive Content
Integrating interactive elements on your social media accounts or website is turning out to be one of the top senior living digital marketing trends in 2021. This type of content is a magnificent way to add value. It quickly draws in visitors and compels them to engage with your company and learn more about it.
There are lots of ways to incorporate interactive content on your website or social media. You can share a common area photo in your senior care home that can be panned 360 degrees. This feature can give the prospective visitor an idea of what to expect. Games, polls, and surveys might seem simple, but they’re still effective. Contests are instrumental in securing new leads. All it takes is for your current customer to share the post on Facebook or Instagram, and it will be seen by thousands immediately.
Putting Social Media on the Forefront
Social media has always been a good marketing option, but now it’s one of the top senior living digital marketing trends in 2021. Companies managing assisted living facilities should commit more of their assets to social media marketing.
The pandemic has pushed more people online, and the time consumers spent on the internet typically revolved around researching brands, products, and organizations. Marketers have to develop novel ways to extend their reach and attract new markets while continuously engaging loyal customers.
For instance, the more innovative companies have deftly used Facebook Live to connect audiences to company activities, like game nights or yoga classes. They’ve even used it to stream interviews or teach the best exercise for seniors.
Don’t forget the messaging aspect of social media platforms. Most support direct messaging or group chats. These can provide your company with another avenue to reach more people.
Going All-In on Local SEO and Google Listings
One of the most critical digital marketing for senior living strategies you can do this year is to verify and update your listings on different search platforms. Most B2C businesses attract local customers (auto repair shops, skin clinics), and your Google My Business listing must have the information that customers need. Make sure your business address, contact details, and office hours are up-to-date. You should also include the services or products you offer, a description of your company, and a profile picture.
It’s also a good idea to have a clear, geographically demarcated service area in your listings. It will ensure your business will appear in “near me” searches. Google and other search engines put relevance over other factors in their search algorithm. By limiting your service radius, you’ll have a better chance of effectively penetrating a specific market. Did you enjoy learning about this year’s top digital marketing trends? Then you’ll also appreciate these Tips for Increasing Audience Engagement.
One Last Thing
Digital marketing is a great place to start your 2021 campaign, and Tulumi is here to help. Our full-service marketing agency is renowned for helping businesses grow by leaps and bounds.
We specialize in customized solutions, whether it’s website development, local SEO, mobile or social media marketing, or content marketing. Call us at (800) 481-1720 or email us at hello@tulumi.com and watch what we can do for you.