As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the digital savviness of the senior population continues to grow. Given that 70% of adults aged 55 and above turn to the internet as their first source of information when researching senior living options, a robust digital marketing strategy is vital in today’s market. Bottom line, if you want to reach seniors, you’ve got to tailor your efforts to meet them where they are: online.
The Rise of Digital Seniors
Recent data reveals a significant uptick in smartphone usage among seniors. Between 2018 and 2021, there was a 10-15% increase in smartphone use among those aged 50 and above. This trend makes seniors more accessible through online platforms than ever before.
Understanding the Senior Audience
Effectively engaging seniors begins with understanding their online behavior. Simply put, they’re quite active in the digital world. From keeping up with the news, shopping, and staying connected with family and friends to researching health information and senior living options, today’s seniors are online all the time. Their varied activities provide a range of opportunities for marketers to connect with them.
By conducting detailed audience research, marketers can better understand the online habits of seniors in the markets where they operate. Such insights can be used to tailor content strategy and focus on topics and formats that appeal to their specific audience.
Beyond Seniors: Engaging Adult Children and Caretakers
While seniors are a primary audience, it’s also important to recognize the influence adult children or caretakers have in their decision-making. These individuals often play a critical role in researching and selecting the best senior living community for their parent or loved one. Marketing efforts should address the concerns, preferences, and information needs of this secondary audience as well.
Crafting a Dual-Targeted Strategy
A successful marketing strategy in the senior living industry must cater to both seniors and their adult children or caretakers. This involves creating content that is informative, reassuring, and easy to navigate. Websites should be user-friendly, with clear calls to action and easily accessible information.
By developing targeted content and advertising campaigns that address the specific concerns of both seniors and others who are involved in the decision-making process, you can use storytelling and emotional appeals to connect with each audience on a deeper level.
Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a goldmine for connecting with both seniors and their families. Their popularity among a broad age range makes them ideal for sharing stories, testimonials, and information about the community. Additionally, online forums and review sites are crucial for reputation management and engagement.
What’s more, you should regularly update your social media channels with engaging content and consider running targeted social media ad campaigns to increase your reach and visibility among your target audiences.
SEO and Content Marketing
Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital to ensure that your community appears at the top of search results. This involves using relevant keywords, optimizing website content, and maintaining an active content hub with blogs that contain valuable information. Content marketing, through blogs and articles, can address common questions and concerns, positioning your community as a thought leader in the industry.
Here’s a tip: Use long-tail keywords for a comprehensive portrayal of your senior living community online. Unlike shorter, more generic keywords, long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are very specific to what you’re offering. For instance, instead of using a broad term like “senior living,” use more specific phrases like “luxury senior living community in [Location]” or “senior living community with medical support.” With 70% of web searches driven by these keywords, their absence in your SEO strategy could be detrimental. As market trends evolve, so should your keyword focus. Long-tail keywords offer a distinct advantage by aligning with Google’s algorithm, which prioritizes content usefulness. They enable you to address precise queries, offer valuable information, and swiftly identify potential residents.
Video Marketing: a Powerful Tool
Videos are an effective way to showcase the lifestyle and amenities of your community. They can be used to give virtual tours, share resident testimonials, and provide a glimpse into the daily life at your community. Videos are engaging and can be easily shared across various platforms, increasing your reach.
Personalization and Email Marketing
Personalized email campaigns can keep your community top of mind for both seniors and their families. By segmenting your email list and tailoring content to different stages of the decision-making process, you can enhance engagement and conversion rates.
Utilizing Data and Analytics
Data-driven marketing allows for more targeted and effective campaigns. By analyzing website traffic, engagement metrics, and conversion rates, you can refine your strategy to better meet the needs of your audience.
If you haven’t already done so, implement analytics tools to track and analyze user engagement and use these insights to continuously refine your marketing strategies and tactics.
Partnering With Experts
Navigating the digital marketing landscape in the senior living industry can be complex. Partnering with experts like TLG can provide you with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to effectively reach and engage your target audience. The team at TLG will also provide the essential metrics and measurement with learnings that ensure your campaigns are continually optimized for effectiveness and efficiency. In other words, we can ensure your marketing is on target and that your efforts stay on track. With our expertise in Google and Bing search ads and our deep understanding of the healthcare and senior living markets, we can help maximize your online presence and connect with the digitally savvy seniors you want to reach.
Ready to elevate your digital marketing strategy and connect with the senior market more effectively? Contact TLG today and let us help you harness the power of digital marketing to reach your goals.
