As technology continues to grow and evolve before our eyes, social media has permeated nearly every aspect of our daily lives. We look to it for information regarding the news, cultural events, our friends and everything in between. That said, it's no surprise that medical practices that may have never considered blogging several years ago are sprouting up on social media. If your practice is just starting out in this realm, though, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Take a look at these tips to ensure you're setting off in the right direction:
Measure true interaction
When using social media to promote any business, it can become far too easy to get drawn in by the concept of a 'like.' Of course, this is a good thing, as it means that other social media users are being exposed to your post. Still, you'll want to try and generate content that lends itself more to being shared, sent or retweeted by users, as this will broaden your exposure.
"Generate content that lends itself to being shared or retweeted."
Try a few different styles of posting (promotional, informational, celebratory, etc.) to determine what generates the most shareable content in the eyes of your patients.
Consider your existing patients
Social media can be a valuable tool for finding new target demographics and patients, but it can be potentially more useful in maintaining relationships with your existing ones. However, you always want to make sure you are in compliance with HIPAA standards. On a related note, Healthworks Collective has pointed out that most of your patients are likely already on social media. Try informing them of your presence by notifying them at their next appointment. Boosting your patient retention through social media contact may even aid your revenue cycle management. As healthcare entrepreneur Adam Degraide recently tweeted, social media can even boost your referrals.
For a business based on referrals, social media is an essential tool for your medical or #dental practice. http://t.co/GHUfdjth6P
— Adam DeGraide (@ADeGraide) February 26, 2015
Always strive for consistency
Part of building a successful brand through social media is establishing consistency. According to HIT Consultant, it's imperative that you use the same photos, images and branding throughout all of your various platforms. This will allow your patients to recognize your brand and find your pages far more easily. Luckily, most social media platforms afford you the option to share your content directly through other social media websites when you post.