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	<title>Dobies Healthcare Blog &#187; Features</title>
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	<description>Engage at a deeper level.</description>
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		<title>Make Your Key Messages FABulous</title>
		<link>http://www.dobies.com/blog/2010/06/10/key-messages/</link>
		<comments>http://www.dobies.com/blog/2010/06/10/key-messages/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:08:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Randee Gannon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Branding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Advantages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Features]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Key messages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Talking points]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Developing key messages can take time and patience, but by identifying the features, advantages and benefits (FABs) of your offering, you can ensure consistent, targeted messaging across all communication platforms.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-706" href="http://www.dobies.com/blog/2010/06/10/key-messages/istock_000000348165xsmall-keys/"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-706" title="Developing Key Messages in Healthcare Marketing" src="http://www.dobies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/iStock_000000348165XSmall-keys-380x252.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="252" /></a>Developing key messages is perhaps the most essential practice of a strategic communications department or company.  But it&#8217;s not always easy.  The process can take time and patience, but by identifying the <a href="http://www.dobies.com/news/2010_key_messages.php" target="_self">features, advantages and benefits </a>(FABs) of your offering, you can ensure consistent, targeted messaging across all communication platforms.</p>
<p>Although we are in the business of marketing healthcare, we can learn a lot from auto manufacturers; they are expert FAB&#8217;ers.  Watch carefully the next time you see a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkEw1rsBUak" target="_blank">television commercial </a>for a new car to see if you can follow the pattern. I&#8217;ll bet you&#8217;ll be able to identify the three components:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Feature:</strong> A prominent part, characteristic or special attraction
<ul>
<li>&#8220;The new Cadillac CVS has pop-up navigation, a 40 gig hard drive, wood trim and a sunroof.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantage:</strong> A favorable impression or effect (of the feature)
<ul>
<li>&#8220;It’s a luxury vehicle&#8230;&#8221;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong> Something that promotes well-being (from the perspective of the recipient)
<ul>
<li> &#8221;&#8230;that will turn you on.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Granted, healthcare benefits may not be as <em>stimulating</em>, but they certainly fall into the &#8220;well-being&#8221; category.  Auto manufacturers drive home the benefit by using sound and images. They create their brands on television and rely on the internet and dealerships to sell them.</p>
<p>Check out my article to learn more and soon you&#8217;ll be creating <a href="http://www.dobies.com/news/2010_key_messages.php" target="_self">FABulous messages </a>with confidence!</p>
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