Succeed With Social Media: Part Two

02 Jul Succeed With Social Media: Part Two

Are you clear on the different social media sites?

Last week, we talked a bit about social media marketing in your medical practice, particularly when it comes to Facebook and Twitter, two very popular social media sites. You can click here to read the first part of this guide.

Two more popular and important social networking sites are LinkedIn and Pinterest. You might think that these two sites, being very different from one another, might not both be appropriate for your practice. Keep in mind that not only is your practice multifaceted, but your target audience is, too. This might make it a wise move to diversify your social media marketing efforts to various platforms, even if they seem very unrelated.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is where business networking meets social networking. You can sign up for a free account, or you can upgrade for various perks, like being able to see everyone who has viewed your profile and being able to look at profiles of those outside of your network. You can probably start with a free profile and then decide from there if you want to upgrade.

Consider these tips:

• Fill out your whole profile. Yes, it can be a bit time-consuming, but the more complete your profile, the better it will look and the more likely potential patients will feel confident in seeing you.
• Join groups. There are many different types of groups and forums on LinkedIn. Browse through the categories and find a few that appeal to you, either on a personal or professional basis. Be helpful and answer questions when you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your own.
• Ask for (and give) endorsements and recommendations. Endorsing others and writing recommendations for those whom you’ve worked with can inspire the to do the same for you. You can also send a message asking others to recommend you. Having testimonials on your profile increases your overall reputation.

Pinterest

Try these hints:

• Consider your audience. If you specialize in a service that is generally geared toward men over the age of 65, then Pinterest might not be the ideal platform for you. On the other hand, if you cater to women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, then this might be a great avenue to get the word out about your practice.
• Hire a graphic designer if you aren’t design-savvy. If you are planning on putting up infographics, they need to be high-quality and attractive.
• Follow copyright laws. Some people have gotten into trouble for using property belonging to others. Read all copyright terms and conditions before sharing an image or graphic that you find online or off.
• Don’t just self-promote. Share items that you think would be useful to your target audience. For example, if you are a cardiologist, pin items ranging from heart-healthy diets to new advances in heart surgery, and don’t forget to take advantage American Heart Month by repinning images in February.

If you are reading through this and thinking that you just don’t have time to devote to social media marketing, we have good news for you: HealthCare Marketing Group specializes in all types of digital marketing, from website design and copy to social media marketing, pay-per-click, online advertising and more. Please call us at 800-258-0702 for a free consultation regarding your digital marketing strategy.