WHAT'S GROWING ON

The global economy’s labor crisis is something that the senior housing industry knows all too well. Senior living communities have been struggling with high employee turnover rates long before the pandemic and unfortunately, COVID-19 made matters worse. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing homes and residential care facilities lost nearly 13% or 380,000 workers between February and July 2020 (seniorlivingnews.com).”

Over the past 20 years, podcasts have been on an upward trajectory and they show no sign of stopping. In 2004, George W. Bush became the first U.S. President to deliver a weekly address via podcast. Today, 55% of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast with 24% listening to them weekly. With over 48 million episodes of podcasts available, there is certainly no shortage of these virtual shows.

We have all heard that "Content is King (or Queen!)," but what does that mean? It means that your brand's content is what helps users see the value of your services. Without quality content, your audience will have a harder time engaging and building trust with your brand.

The numbers are in, and they are not good. According to data from NIC Map senior living occupancy in Q1 2021 was the lowest it has ever been - 78.8%.

Why do you watch a movie or read a book? You may say for entertainment, and, while that is likely part of it, you consume these stories because they make you feel something.

We tend to divide companies into departments – sales, marketing, administrative, etc. And while each department has its own set of experiences, tasks, and skills, they work together toward the same goal.

Social media marketing is a rising aspect of business success. Pew Research reported an upward trend as of 2018, saying that 72% of all Americans are on social media. You may have the stigma in your mind that social media is only for millennials, but Pew Research proves this to be incorrect as well. Age groups ranging from 18-years-olds to those 65+ are on social media, and their numbers are growing by the day.

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This quote is attributed to Peter Drucker, although there is a dispute about its attribution.  I first heard it from Markentum CEO and my friend, Tom Hurlburt, many years ago.

As a senior living marketing agency, Markentum is actively involved in the Fight to End Alzheimer’s. Our team members wear purple with pride, participate in The Longest Day (June 20) and the Walk to End Alz, and raise funds and awareness for a disease that impacts so many.

Welcome to 2021! The year that felt like it took ten years to get to! After all the ups and downs we experienced in 2020, we're ready to take new and courageous steps into a new year. As we step forward this year, we are confident that we will continue to gain momentum with what is truly important and valuable to our partners and us.