Top Healthcare Social Media News - week ending July 15

This week was filled with a lot of good information - both healthcare specific and more general social media information (it's good to look for best practices in other industries).

As you build out your social media strategy, please reference the following MUST READS.

MUST READS 

Making personal connections with social media

Dean's Commentary:

Great reflection from Nancy on their 3 year hospital social media program.

"For the first time in more than 25 years in healthcare communications, I feel like I am actually able to connect with people"

That says it all!

7 Social Media Tips for Spine Practices & Surgery Centers

Dean's Commentary:

Great tips from Bob Spoer on integrating social media into your practice marketing efforts.  This is written specifically for spine centers, but apply to any specialty practice - or even a general provider.

One key point that he mentions is: don't expect someone to call for an appointment based on what they saw on a tweet, but rather a tweet that directed them to your website.  Ultimately, you'll want your social media channels to engage and to guide people to your website.

Online Physician Directories: Key Healthcare Marketing Opportunities

Dean's Commentary:

Great article on physician directories. Are you using your physician directory as a marketing tool? Also, I really like the 'match' function based on personality.

Top Healthcare Social Media News - week ending May 13

This week was filled with a lot of good information - both healthcare specific and more general social media information (it's good to look for best practices in other industries).

As you build out your social media strategy, please reference the following MUST READS.

MUST READS 

24 Tips for Success with Healthcare Social Media

Dean's Commentary:

Excellent post! 24 Tips to using social media in healthcare.

There are many to point out, but I especially like 'posting frequency' in #5 and Facebook Edgerank in #6.

How often do you post? It depends on the 'pace' of the platform. You can post more often on Twitter compared to Facebook as Twitter has a faster 'pace'.

In #6, Clinton talks about the importance of engagement. One great example that many are not aware of is the fact that people may not even see your Facebook page post.

If you have low engagement on your Facebook page, Facebook's Edgerank algorithm may filter your post out of other's stream.

Engagement is critical on Facebook just to be seen.

Case Studies & Whitepapers: The Montreal Children's Hospital

Dean's Commentary:

Great story from Montreal Children's Hospital about how they leveraged social media to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Healthcare Companies Missing Valuable Opportunities to Engage via Social Media Sites

Dean's Commentary:

A recent PWC report has delivered some great statistics relative to the use of social media in healthcare.

For example: "consumers were 24 times more likely to seek or share health information on community sites than on the corporate sites of healthcare organizations"

"One in three respondents indicated they have gone to social media sites (e.g., YouTube and Facebook) and online health-related community forums to look for medical information on specific conditions, share personal stories and post opinions on a wide range of topics"

"Forty-one percent admitted that their choice of a health care provider might be influenced by experiences shared via social media"

Top Healthcare Social Media News - week ending April 8

This week was filled with a lot of good information - both healthcare specific and more general social media information (it's good to look for best practices in other industries).

As you build out your social media strategy, please reference the following MUST READS.

MUST READS 

A Pinteresting Case for Healthcare Marketing

Dean's Commentary:

My definition of Pinterest is curation of images. It has some very interesting possibilities as outlined by the examples in this article, but it also has some privacy issues to resolve. 

Doctors: Social Media ROI is Real

Dean's Commentary:

This article contains a great collection of real world ROI examples.

Content Management Strategies for Physicians and Healthcare

Dean's Commentary:

Another excellent post from Dr. Howard Luks.  Are you struggling with what to write or post?  Howard breaks it down into a simple to follow, time efficient workflow step.

Top Healthcare Social Media News - week ending April 1

This week was filled with a lot of good information - both healthcare specific and more general social media information (it's good to look for best practices in other industries).

As you build out your social media strategy, please reference the following MUST READS.

MUST READS 

Our Fuzzy Boundary with the Online World

Dean's Commentary:

Great, short post from Dr. Bryan Vartabedian. Is there a solid line between online and offline when it comes to healthcare? A agree with Dr. Vartabedian, that line is getting very fuzzy.  And, at some point, will not be relevant. Participation in online activities, from either the patient or the physician side, will be a part of our normal daily lives.

Social Media and Healthcare Marketing: Create Content People Will Share

Dean's Commentary:

Another great tip from MDWebPro. We know that the 'share' in the digital world is the digital word of mouth. That is what we strive for - we strive to provide content that people feel compelled to share.

Per Tim, people share tips, ideas and information that means something to them. 

Read Tim's post and then audit the information that you post. Is it 'sharable'?

Healthcare, Social Media, Marketing and Content Strategy

Dean's Commentary:

Great infographic from Patricia Redsicker and analysis from Dr. Howard Luks. Howard does a great job of providing tips on how to write good blog content.

My only additional comment would be that I don't see Facebook and a blog as competing channels. I guess if your time is limited and you need to choose one, then yes.

Your blog is your core content library. As Howard states, your Facebook page is more for patient engagement and to periodically point to articles in your content library. 

If people are looking for specific healthcare information, then yes, they'll do a Google search and they'll come across your blog. Facebook is more for awareness. It is for people to share interesting healthcare information with their friends - even when their friends are not 'looking'.

They serve two different purposes - purposes that are very complementary to each other.

Top Healthcare Social Media News - week ending March 25

This week was filled with a lot of good information - both healthcare specific and more general social media information (it's good to look for best practices in other industries).

As you build out your social media strategy, please reference the following MUST READS.

MUST READS 

Farris Timimi, M.D, Discusses the Role and Use of Social Media in Healthcare

Dean's Commentary:

Great video interview from Farris Timimi, MD. "We trust you, as a provider, with scalpels and lives - we trust you, as a provider, with Facebook and Twitter."

This is a great statement. With the appropriate training, there is no reason that we can't trust healthcare professionals with social media.

Healthcare Social Media / Infographic on physician-patient communications. What patients do more of the talking?

Dean's Commentary:

Who does the talking in the examination room?  How many questions are asked? Does it differ by specialty? By gender?

A great infographic that highlights the stats.

Downsides of Not Engaging in Healthcare and Social Media

Dean's Commentary:

Great post by Dr. Howard Luks on the risks of NOT engaging in social media.

Specifically interesting was the stat that upwards of 98% of online health related discussions take place without the input of a healthcare professional.