For well over a year, Medicare sales specialists in many parts of the country have been handcuffed to virtual meetings and events, with the pandemic preventing them from hosting or taking part in community-based marketing events. This has created a tremendous shift away from the community towards online events and marketing. But as areas begin to relax and start to strive for the good old days of public gatherings and festivities, let’s remember that there is nothing quite like quality, local, face-to-face marketing. We’ve got some tips to help you market your Medicare business locally.
How to Get Recognized Locally
To be known, you must market yourself. Whether it’s time or money or both, there is always a cost associated with marketing. The beauty of community-based marketing is that you can spend more time and less money becoming known as a resource in your area.
Therefore, think about your week and how much time you can commit to local outreach. Structure your week to allow for these opportunities and be consistent and committed. In due time, you will reap a return on your time and energy invested.
Best Places to Market Your Medicare Business Locally
First, to state the obvious, if you have experience with marketing in your community, try going back to what worked before. Reintroduce yourself to all your local networking contacts and find out if the events with which you participated in the past are resurfacing. And once you have exhausted those efforts, see if anything new has popped up.
Here are some of the best locations for marketing your Medicare business:
Mom & Pop Diners
Do you have any locally owned breakfast spots that seniors like to frequent in your area? Many restauranteurs are hungry (pardon the pun) for help on all fronts. Try introducing yourself and asking the owner if they’d like a supply of free coffee mugs. You just request that your branding and phone number be placed on the mug. You can have a supply of these that cost you around $2 per mug. If you need help with this process, just reach out to our team here at Plan Advisors! Also consider hosting a coffee club once a week where you can answer senior-related questions for an hour or two.
Community or Senior Centers
As senior centers begin to reopen in your community, try to be an asset they can rely on. Introduce yourself to the center manager and let them know the various ways you’re able to provide support. Try hosting their weekly bingo session and provide a few prizes for the winning cardholders. Have a weekly Medicare Question and Answer session scheduled so that seniors will always know where they can find you for help. Consider hosting a monthly birthday party. There are endless ways to show your support at these community centers.
Farmer’s Markets
Additionally, it’s warming up all across the country. As people get outside to do some weekend shopping, try to secure a space at your local farmer’s market. The cost is typically very reasonable, and you could have weekly exposure to shoppers in your community. All you need is a branded tablecloth, some Medicare related literature to hand out, and some affordable freebies, such as pens or sticky pads.
Discount Pharmacies
Finally, is there a discount pharmacy in your community? Many of these are locally owned and operated. They struggle to compete with national pharmacies and could use support. Introduce yourself and ask the pharmacist if they are familiar with the Part D Senior Savings Program. Educate them on how this program helps diabetic Medicare beneficiaries and let them know you would be happy to educate their customers. Leave your contact info on display and consider setting up a small kiosk a couple of hours per week, if they are agreeable to it.
For more information and ideas about community-based marketing, download our Community Marketing Guide.
