To use Facebook, not to use Facebook. That is the question. It seems these days that healthcare practices are finding it increasingly difficult to discover an answer to this question, and others concerning social media for healthcare businesses. Some possible reasons that doctors and healthcare practices decide that social media isn’t for them is mostly time-based, including not having any additional time for business development, let alone office management, not knowing where to begin, and not understanding the outcome.
Let’s finally answer that question.
Should doctors use social media? The answer is yes, they should!
Social media is quickly evolving into the main source of information for many. Some turn to Twitter for the most recent updates in healthcare news, while others check out their favorite local healthcare practice on Facebook for updates and information.
Although social media seems daunting, to survive in a world where information is found on multiple platforms, addressed to many audiences, and quicker than ever, it is essential that a healthcare practice adopts social media marketing tactics.
Here are three reasons why social media should be a part of any healthcare business’ marketing plan:
Everyone (and we mean everyone) is On Social Media Platforms
What is the best part about having a diverse clientele of patients that all seek your services and come from different backgrounds? They all use some platform of social media or online outlet for information. It’s true!
A recent study confirmed that over 40% of consumers rely on social networks for health information, and a whopping 94% of them turn to Facebook. If you’re not using Facebook for your practice, you should definitely consider that almost all of your current and prospective patients are already there looking for a practice like yours.
Social Media is Patient-Centered
Do you become annoyed when companies chase you down offering their services? Your patients do too. Being on social media shows your prospective and current patients many things. It shows them firstly that you are interested in their lives, and their interests based on social media through interactions on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Secondly, it shows them that you’re in their arena that they use when they begin to look for information, and are available when they begin to ask those questions. For example, have you ever seen anyone ask on Facebook, “Does anyone have a recommendation for a great neurologist?” Those questions arise on Facebook daily. People are using social media as a tool to manage their health, and the more socially-conscious their healthcare practices of choice are, the more likely they will be researching, connecting with, and sharing about it.
Keeping You Ahead of the Curve and On-Trend
Here’s a question: Would you seek out a veterinary office to take your pets to if they didn’t have a website? Most likely, you answered no. Neither would we. Having a web presence is a strong indicator of a functioning, thriving business, and having a social media is like having an iPhone – almost everyone has one, or at least a smartphone, and is staying on trend to be more aware of what everyone is interested in. Most importantly, when it comes to healthcare, people do their research and homework to find the best available, and a lot of it.
With social media presences, as a doctor or medical professional, you stand out in the crowd of platform-less practitioners. Some medical professionals don’t think they need one to climb the ladder of success, although what they don’t realize is that social media is your direct path to where all of your prospective patients are completing research, asking questions, and searching.
To keep your business practice on-trend, social media should be included in your practice’s marketing plan. If you are time-strapped, don’t know where to start, or want more information on getting started with social media, contact us to get started.
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