- What is MeCare Oy?
- How Did MeCare Start?
- What is MeCare Oy’s approach to marketing, especially in the Finnish healthcare market?
- What challenges did MeCare Oy face in healthcare marketing?
- What technology have MeCare used in their healthcare marketing efforts?
- How does MeCare Oy manage patient data security?
- What are the Future Plans of MeCare Oy?
A Small Team’s Journey to Visibility, Credibility, and Patient Care in Finland’s Healthcare Industry
Welcome to our blog series on Healthcare Marketing in Finland. 🥳
Today, I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Ryann and Linda, the brains behind MeCare Oy, a home care health service in Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa.
In this candid conversation with Linda and Ryann, we learn more about their marketing approach, challenges, and future plans that have shaped their entrepreneurial journey.
Let’s dive in!
What is MeCare Oy?
MeCare Oy is Ryann and Linda’s heartfelt initiative, a home care service primarily for the elderly in Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa. They provide personalized care, ensuring that senior citizens can enjoy quality life while staying in their familiar environment – their homes.
How Did MeCare Start?
Ryann and Linda started MeCare with a vision to offer personalized, high-quality home care. Their journey began by recognizing the growing need for such services among the elderly population.
What is MeCare Oy’s approach to marketing, especially in the Finnish healthcare market?
MeCare’s approach to healthcare marketing is a grassroots approach where they build visibility on a small scale. Linda, who helps run the company, says, “We don’t really have a big plan because our team is small.” They do a bit of everything, from visiting clients to trying to let people know about their services.
Reaching Older People Can Be Tough
Since their main customers are older people, it’s not easy to reach them online. Linda explains, “The elderly are our main customers, and it’s hard to get their attention on the internet.” So, they had to think of ways to reach these people that didn’t just rely on online ads.
Trying Different Things
To face these challenges, MeCare Oy tries a mix of ideas. Ryann says, “We try different things to see what works. We’re figuring out how to let people know we’re here.” They learn by trying and seeing what works.
Using Both Old and New Ways to Advertise
Since many older people don’t use social media much, the team uses both new and old ways to reach out. Linda shares, “We try to reach their kids or grandkids, maybe through social media, but we also use flyers and stuff like that.” Their approach is pretty hands-on and adaptive. They target their elderly audience and their families, primarily through social media and traditional methods like leaflets.
Working with Others Helps
They’ve also built visibility through partnerships and local initiatives, like events at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences and collaborations with relevant businesses. A big part of MeCare’s plan is working with other groups. Ryann mentions, “For instance, I work at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, and we connect with activities there related to elderly care.”
By working with a university, MeCare Oy got into a group that cared a lot about older people. This wasn’t just about trading services; it was a chance for them to show how committed they are to helping the elderly. Partnering with these groups helps them reach more people and builds trust in the community.
Being Seen on the Helsinki Website
An important step for them was getting listed on a Palse website called at palse.fi. Palse.fi portal is a channel for vouchers, purchasing services, distribution of medical supplies and assistive technology services. The portal provides an easy way for customers to find a service provider who accepts service vouchers. It also helps manage various aspects of your medical supplies and assistive devices.
Linda believes, “The most effective thing, apart from reaching out to their kids on social media, is being listed on the Palse website.” This website is a go-to place for people looking for elder care services with vouchers, which helps MeCare Oy get noticed. You can access the Palse website here to list your business: https://palse.fi/?page=pphome
They also referred to Luotettava Kumppani, a necessary service for being featured on the Palse website. This service demonstrates their reliability on Palse’s website and offers a simple way to fulfill all the requirements of the Subscriber Liability Act in one go.
In short, MeCare Oy‘s way of making their small business known is all about being flexible and resilient. From handing out flyers to forming partnerships and having a presence on important websites, their approach shows how a simple, ground-up strategy can work in the complex world of healthcare marketing for the elderly.
Working Together: How MeCare Oy Made Friends and Partners
When they started their health care business for the elderly, Linda and Ryann of MeCare Oy knew it was important to make connections and work with others.
Other than partnering with universities, they also took part in exhibits such as the HIMSS 2022 European Health Conference & Exhibition, to show people what they do and what they stand for. Ryann says, “We take part in events and activities at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences related to elderly care.” This approach let more people know about their business and showed they were really involved in elderly care.
Teaming Up with NGOs
They also got creative by connecting with groups like ENTER ry, an NGO that helps older people use digital services. In today’s tech world, it’s important to understand how the elderly interact with technology. By partnering with ENTER ry, MeCare Oy reached more people and showed them what their services can do.
Networking isn’t just about getting noticed; it’s about learning from others and creating win-win partnerships. By connecting with different groups and organizations, MeCare Oy learned about new trends, figured out ways to get better, and made relationships that might help them in the future.
In short, MeCare Oy‘s focus on making connections and partnerships at the start was more than just a business move. It was about having a real impact on the community. By being active in universities, exhibits, and working with groups like ENTER ry, they didn’t just spread the word about their business. They also showed they were a caring and involved part of the healthcare world. This approach not only helped them get noticed but also can set them up for long-term success.
What challenges did MeCare Oy face in healthcare marketing?
As a small team with a limited marketing background, Linda and Ryann acknowledged that their biggest challenge is learning on the job. They rely on short courses and other people’s expertise to navigate this field.
Linda openly recognizes the hurdles faced by their small team with no fancy marketing degrees, saying, “Our biggest challenge in marketing is that we’re just three members, and marketing wasn’t what we studied.”
Learning by Doing, Not Just Studying
In the absence of formal marketing education, Linda and the team embrace a simple philosophy: learn by doing. Rather than getting tangled up in theories and textbooks, they prefer the practical school of experience.
They’re also cautious about growing too quickly, as they prioritize quality care over rapid expansion, even if it means turning down clients.
Quality Over Quantity
The decision to grow slowly is not a sign of hesitation but a deliberate choice. Linda sheds light on their commitment, stating, “We’re not in a rush. We refuse clients sometimes to make sure we can really handle the work well.” It’s a quality-first mentality, ensuring that each client gets the attention they deserve, even if it means turning down some business.
Ryann sums up their approach clearly, “We want it to be slow so that we could learn, learn and build it well from the foundation.” For Ryann and Linda, their business is not about flashy strategies or quick wins. It’s about patiently laying down sturdy groundwork, like building a house brick by brick.
Turning down clients might seem counterintuitive, but for MeCare Oy, it’s a strategic move. Ryann explains, “There are times that we need to refuse clients because we just wanted to have a good space in between to really learn the business.” This helps them maintain a balance and ensure they don’t bite off more than they can chew.
For Linda and Ryann, it’s not about racing to the finish line; it’s about savoring the journey. By taking it slow, they have the time to absorb, reflect, and adapt. It’s a practical, boots-on-the-ground approach to growth that resonates with their values and the essence of their business—care and understanding.
What technology have MeCare used in their healthcare marketing efforts?
The couple details their efforts on social media, engaging with different age groups through targeted content. They also experimented with paid ads on Facebook and Instagram, achieving success in reaching elderly clients. When asked which platform performed better on their target audience, they mentioned that they received higher traction on Facebook than Instagram. Nevertheless, their inclusion on the Helsinki service list proved more impactful, showcasing the importance of credibility in elder care services.
Embracing Technology, Including AI
MeCare Oy incorporates technology into their marketing efforts, with Ryann mentioning the use of ChatGPT for creating impactful posts. Linda also explores AI tools for content creation and language editing, showcasing their willingness to adapt to emerging technologies.
How does MeCare Oy manage patient data security?
Turning to patient data, the couple emphasizes their commitment to following regulations. They use an approved third-party electronic system for patient data and ensure physical documents are securely stored. Their team is also trained in confidentiality, and we’re diligent about government compliance regarding data protection.
What are the Future Plans of MeCare Oy?
Looking ahead, the couple envisions strengthening their social media presence, even as Linda goes on maternity leave. They plan to join social activities for the elderly and continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare marketing in Finland.
In closing, Ryann reflects on their journey, “It’s really all about people first. And it’s hard actually because there are times that we don’t profit. We want to build it that way not for us to really lose [profit], but to really learn how it is to take care of a person.”
Join us every other Tuesday for more insights from the front lines of healthcare marketing in Finland.
Until then, take a cue from MeCare Oy: build slowly, prioritize quality, and always put people first.
