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Social media lessons for medical practitioners during the lockdown

Every brand out there is talking about the value of having a social media presence and the returns it claims to reap. From grandchildren to grandparents, everyone is now active on some type of social media platform. Companies across various sectors are tapping into the potential of social media, but should medical practitioners jump on the bandwagon too?

Social media isn’t for doctors?

The healthcare industry is in a constant state of change. The best place to be abreast about the upcoming changes is social media. It plays a vital role in boosting your reputation. But it should not be mistaken as the only tool for increasing brand awareness as it also helps to make a difference in a patient’s lives. How can you do so? Simply by educating them with tips and statistics about health, nutrition, self-care, or whatever is most relevant to your patient base. If patients have an urgent question, you can direct them to your phone line or a secure patient portal.

Social media helps in SEO ranking?

Getting your healthcare website up on the google listing is quite a task. That’s where social media comes into play. An active social media presence lets search engines know that your practice is credible, and your social media profile may even show up in the search results. It is an organic way to boost your ranking without splurging on the paid results.

Do people still use Facebook?

As a matter of fact, many doctors actively post more on facebook as compared to other social media platforms. Well, facebook does help you drive patients but you might miss out on the millennials. Along with Facebook – LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter should be a part of your social media plan. That’s where you would find lead prospects. Also, opting for paid posts will help you fetch more clients than organic posts.

Do paid posts ensure wider reach?

Paid posts don’t completely promise you with the expected results. It gives you a wider reach but the people who you might be targeting, will not always be the right audience for your business. Facebook advertising reaches out to “lookalike audiences” that may be interested in your practice because they’re similar to those who already like it. Social media for doctors requires strategy, which may mean hiring somebody to do the job for you.

Is it just another trend?

Influencer marketing might take a turn but the whole approach towards social media is here to stay. Sites like LinkedIn, Google Plus, and Twitter continue to gain traction for businesses and practices and can help you to be seen in your area or by anyone searching for information about your specialty.

Doctors may not gain the RoI from social media right away, but it will happen in its time. It’s highly recommended to hire a company or staff member to manage your social media for you, but it’s not worth the risk to go completely off the map.

Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay