Kansas City, MO -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/12/2010 -- Increasingly, medical practices must augment their marketing strategy to cater to the modern mom. Not only does research show she controls almost 75 percent of US consumer spending, but she is tech-savvy, well-educated and taking time away from demanding work to raise her family, according to the 2009 research article “The New Female Customer: The Rise of the Real Mom”. The industry is no longer targeting a passive, compliant consumer, but a powerful, thoughtful one who uses all of her technological resources to make the right spending decisions.

So what do moms want from the medical sector? “They definitely do not want to be targeted as one, large demographic with blatant T.V. or billboard advertising. This type of mass marketing is impersonal and many see it as a thoughtless, time-wasting approach,” adds Verkamp. “This generation does not want to be thought of as a sea of faceless stroller-pushers with mini-van keys that have plenty of time to spend waiting at their doctors’ offices. They want a more personal experience.”

Verkamp suggests taking an organic approach. There is no stronger endorsement for these women than their peers. If you can really impress your current patient base, the word will spread in a much faster and more reliable fashion than a standard yellow pages advertisement. The internet is a huge part of this evolving equation. Mothers use it as a research tool, a platform for opinion and to be part of the larger “Mommy” community. According to BlogHer.com, women are chatting about a lot more than motherhood. They share stories and commentary on health, literature and politics. If a medical practice has a reputation, it is sure to be picked up and passed around.

Most of these modern moms share a desire for highly accessible healthcare. This ranges from ease of getting an appointment, to being able to bring the whole family into the office, to finding great health resources on the doctor’s web page. “There are enough hassles involved with juggling a job, kids and a home. The easier and more pleasant you can make their healthcare experience, the more loyal they’ll become to your operation.”

Verkamp is helping doctors and practice managers revamp their strategy – sharing insightful ways to reach out to these women and attract their share of the burgeoning market. Her seminar, “Mother Knows Best: Will She Choose You for her Family’s Healthcare?” is spurring excitement from OBGYN and pediatric networks. She is Partner at (e)Merge, a medical practice growth consulting firm specializing in providing innovative, patient-centric marketing initiatives and medical mystery shopping services that enhance patient experiences to increase referrals. For more information, call 1.877.362.6584.