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GARRISON, NY--(Marketwire - October 13, 2009) - Aurora Information Technology, Inc., a medical website design and medical marketing company based in Garrison, NY, believes in the concept of personal branding, especially when it comes to healthcare. In this age of healthcare consumerism, patients are increasingly taking control of their choices in doctors and treatments. There is a huge demand for healthcare providers, but the supply is equally as large. Patients can afford to be selective, because it is no longer a case of a big fish in a little pond. Healthcare has become a big pond with an abundance of big fish.

In a recent BusinessWeek article ("Authentic personal branding starts with the real you" by Marshall Goldsmith, September 29, 2009), Dr. Hubert Rampersad, an authority on authentic personal branding, stated that personal branding should be done in an "organic, authentic, and holistic way," to make yourself "strong, distinctive, relevant, meaningful, and memorable."

So what can doctors, healthcare providers and hospitals do to brand themselves? Aurora provides these simple tips to doctors and healthcare providers to incorporate into their website and Internet marketing to promote themselves as personal brands.

Be the expert

Devote a section on your website to your successes and press mentions. Get the word out about how long you have been practicing in your particular field, and your experience with certain procedures. Numbers literally speak volumes with patients. In your website, promote the awards, certifications or distinctions you've earned.

Trust me

Experience means everything to patients so make sure your website clearly lists your training, board certification, experience, professional memberships in respected associations, safety records and hospital affiliations.

Manage yourself

What you don't know can definitely hurt you. With social media platforms, you can manage what patients are saying about you, and be able to respond accordingly. This can be done with a well-written, informative blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more. Link these directly from your website.

Optimization is optimal

A high search engine optimization (SEO) ranking is extremely important and helps build trust. Since patients start with word of mouth or the Internet, if you're at the top, they will find you and believe in you. Your website or blog must contain the appropriate keywords that are reviewed and updated regularly for freshness, credibility and visibility.

Get out there

Find events and venues where you can market yourself. We are talking medical conventions or panel discussions, or even keynote speaker opportunities. Media appearances are hard to come by, but if you have the right representation, you can garner a prime spot to promote yourself. Incorporate video feeds on your website from these events and appearances, or upload them to YouTube.com for added exposure.

Those who know, teach

Imparting your medical knowledge can help educate future doctors and providers. And your learning continues as well, because it increases your skill set and helps keep you up-to-date and current with what's new in the medical field.

About Aurora Information Technology, Inc.

Aurora Information Technology is a New York-based medical website design, content management, public relations, and healthcare marketing firm. A majority of Aurora IT's healthcare clients have experienced patient caseload growth of 20% or more, with some as high as 50%, after the creation and maintenance of an Aurora website. For more information about Aurora's medical logo, website design, and healthcare marketing services, call 1-914-591-7236, or visit them online at www.aurora-it.us.