Digital Health Coaching Done Right: Tips to Keep Clients Engaged and Motivated
At Avidon Health, we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of thousands of individuals, helping them navigate their wellness journeys. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to keeping clients engaged in a digital environment. In this post, I’ll share some of the key takeaways from our experience, along with insights from a webinar where our experts broke down the essentials of effective engagement in digital health coaching.
1. The Evolution of Digital Health
Digital health has come a long way since the early days of telemedicine in the 1970s. What started as a tool for disease management has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem that includes telemedicine, e-health, mobile health (m-health), and wearable technology. Today, digital health isn’t just about managing diseases—it’s about supporting lasting behavior change and promoting overall well-being.
2. The COVID-19 Effect
The pandemic was a game-changer for digital health. Suddenly, virtual care became not just an option but a necessity. This shift has opened up new opportunities for health coaches to connect with clients, but it’s also presented new challenges. For instance, how do you keep clients engaged when you’re not interacting with them face-to-face? How do you ensure that your digital interactions are as impactful as possible?
3. Common Challenges in Digital Health Coaching
Through our work at Avidon Health, we’ve identified some common hurdles that health coaches face when engaging clients digitally:
- Tech Troubles: Not everyone is tech-savvy, and some clients may struggle with using digital platforms.
- Keeping It Personal: In a digital world, creating personalized experiences is more challenging but also more crucial than ever.
- Maintaining Momentum: Keeping clients motivated and engaged over time can be tough, especially when digital fatigue sets in.
4. Proven Strategies for Digital Engagement
Based on our experience and the insights shared in our recent webinar, here are some strategies that can help you overcome these challenges:
A. Meet Clients Where They Are
One of the most effective ways to engage clients is by understanding their readiness to change. At Avidon Health, we use tools like readiness rulers—simple scales where clients rate how ready they are to make a change. If a client is at a 7 or higher, they’re likely ready to take action. This approach allows us to tailor our coaching strategies to each client’s unique situation.
B. Consider Social Factors
Non-medical factors, like income, education, and access to technology, can significantly impact your clients’ ability to engage in digital health programs. Therefore, it’s important to design your digital offerings with these factors in mind. For example, if your program requires clients to print materials or access multiple apps, it might not be effective for everyone. Meeting clients where they are—literally and figuratively—is key to success.
C. Personalize Communication
Moreover, we’ve found that personalized communication is a game-changer. Text messaging, in particular, is highly effective. Did you know that 97% of adults use text messages, and 85% have smartphones? Incorporating personalized, timely communication—whether through texts, emails, or videos—can make a huge difference in client engagement.
5. Building a Strong Digital Health Environment
Creating a virtual environment that truly engages clients involves a few key elements:
- Virtual Environment: Think of this as your “digital office.” It’s important to ensure that your platform is easy to access and navigate. And don’t forget about privacy—make sure your platform is HIPAA-compliant.
- Content and Services: This is where you provide value to your clients. Whether it’s a coaching hub, goal trackers, or educational resources, make sure your content is easily accessible and relevant.
- Communication: Keep in touch with your clients through multiple channels, and set clear expectations for response times. Text messages are a great tool for quick, effective communication.
- Automations: Automations can help you manage your workload and ensure that your clients receive timely responses and reminders. This frees you up to focus on what really matters—providing personalized support.
6. Best Practices for Engagement
Here are some tips we’ve gathered over the years to help you get the most out of your digital health coaching efforts:
- Align Communication with Readiness: Tailor your communication strategies based on where your clients are in their readiness to change. For example, clients in the preparation and action stages may need more frequent touchpoints.
- Use Automations Wisely: Automate routine tasks like appointment reminders and data collection to keep clients engaged without overwhelming your team.
- Measure Success: Regularly assess how well your digital interactions are working. Furthermore, use feedback and data to continuously improve your approach.
Wrapping Up
At Avidon Health, we’re passionate about helping people live healthier, happier lives. We’ve seen firsthand how powerful digital health coaching can be when done right. By understanding your clients’ needs, personalizing your approach, and leveraging technology, you can create a digital health environment that truly makes a difference.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into these strategies, I encourage you to check out the webinar, where we explore these topics in even more detail.
