SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING FOR PODIATRISTS
Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s impossible to ignore the massive influence social media has on our modern society.
From doting grandparents bragging about their grandchildren on Facebook to young adults monitoring their Twitter stream, just about everyone has their favorite platforms they use to connect to people and organizations they like online.
If your practice isn’t out there too, you’re missing out on those connections.
At VMD Services, one of our many specialties is setting up social media platforms and developing strategies that make your social presence work toward attracting the types of patients you want to see.
Whether you or someone in your office is social media savvy or has barely touched it, we can work with you!
2 Important Goals of Social Media Marketing
Now, social media marketing is something most people know they have to do but aren’t quite so sure how to actually do it.
Our social media specialists believe the best starting point is defining your goals in two areas:
- Inform. To provide useful and/or interesting information is to provide value. Patients appreciate this, and most will show that appreciation via their patronage.
- Appeal. Social media also allows you to “humanize” your practice. This is important because, naturally, humans best relate to and connect with fellow humans. Those connections inspire loyalty and brand ambassadorship—both of which you want.
Once you’ve figured out what you want to accomplish, it’s time to determine which social media platforms are best for reaching your target patients. Then you need to create accounts so you can write and schedule posts, upload pics and videos, and interact and engage with followers.
And you need to do all of that on a regular basis.
But you also have another option – hire an agency like VMD Services that has a proven track record of using social media marketing so doctors can grow their patient base.
Social Media Platforms You Need to Use
A social media strategy can extend over multiple platforms, but the ways each are used and interact with their users are different.
Just like any tool, each social media platform may be best suited for particular outreaches. Let’s take a quick look at several popular platforms and some recommended ways to use them.
Facebook – Arguably the most important social media platform, Facebook is great both for regular postings that have lasting power and galleries of photos. Building a base of people who like your page is key for this to work, so make sure you’re providing valuable content.
Twitter – Think of Twitter as a fast-flowing stream. The posts do not stay on top of relevance long, but there is still potential to reach a lot of widespread people if a topic really takes off.
Pinterest & Instagram – These platforms are similar in that both are heavily image-focused. They are exceptional ways to showcase galleries (such as products you might have for sale, or treatments you offer). Each does have its own set of demographics, which is something to consider when planning posts.
LinkedIn – This networking site remains a sound way to share information to establish your authority and build your reputation.
Your overall strategy is an important consideration in the direction of your social media marketing, both for short-term and long-term goals.
Accordingly, we measure the performance of your social media accounts and hone the overall goals of your practice from month to month. As we do, the focus of content on your social media accounts and which platforms are utilized will likely adjust as well.
Professional Social Media Management—For Optimal Results!
Social media is one of the most dynamic elements of a digital marketing strategy, changing with the whims and tides of culture.
All that change can be difficult to keep up with on your own.
Fortunately, our marketing experts do exactly that – and so much more! They dig down into how your social media strategies are working on a local level. In doing so, we can either hold the course or chart a new one, all so you reach your destination: practice success.
If you’d like to learn more about social media marketing and what it means for your medical practice, please feel free to connect with us. Just give us a call at (833) 823-3335 and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation!
