The emergence of social media as a daily staple doesn\u2019t come as a surprise to many sociologists. After all, we\u2019re social creatures. And loneliness seems to contribute to health problems <\/a><\/span>, including cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Facebook doesn\u2019t replace physical interaction, but social platforms appeal to human nature. After all, nearly 3.9 billion people <\/a><\/span>have an average of 8.8 social accounts each.<\/p>\n Whether or not we like social media, it isn\u2019t going away. Practices that understand the role of digital connectivity harness the power of healthcare social media marketing and put it to work for them. The benefits extend in every direction, but here are nine to consider.<\/p>\n Daily newspapers once served as the natural place for business ads, but smart businesses pivot to join the crowd. In 2018, newspaper circulation dropped to its lowest level <\/a><\/span>in nearly 70 years. Social media platforms provide a modern-day forum to attract eyeballs, especially on mobile devices.<\/p>\n Social media belongs to everyone, not just Millennials. Early adopters fell into a younger demographic, but 84% of people <\/a><\/span>over age 75 report having at least one social media account in 2021. Teens gravitate towards TikTok, Baby Boomers prefer Facebook, and 25-34 year-olds make up the biggest group on Instagram. Choosing specific platforms can automatically bring you closer to the demographic you prefer.<\/p>\n Our patient relationships hinge on the interaction in our offices, but those visits may span months or years. Patients like us, but other healthcare brands may distract them if we don\u2019t keep the connection alive online. Social media presents a unique opportunity to \u201csocialize\u201d with our patients, broaden the relationship, and overall boost the patient experience.<\/p>\n Consumers appreciate seeing social media posts from healthcare brands, especially if we take the time to respond to their comments and provide information. While many factors influence consumer choices, 63% of people <\/a><\/span>indicate they\u2019ll choose one provider over another based on a robust online presence. If we build awareness with social media users, they\u2019ll be more likely to consider us when making healthcare decisions and they need our services.<\/p>\n Social media gives everyone a stage to share their opinion through reviews, posts, and comments. If we\u2019re not there, we can\u2019t say much. But if we\u2019re present on the key platforms, like Facebook, we can respond to comments and offer guidance on questions or current health issues.<\/p>\n Social media companies gather data on users and allow us to target market segments. Instead of creating a general ad that reaches everyone, we can display relevant ads to the audience we choose. Combining this strategy with consistent free posting and some paid boosting of posts creates a mix of organic and paid traffic that reaches people with messages intended for them.<\/p>\n An appetite for video presents an opportunity to give consumers what they want. Despite consuming an average of 16 hours of online video weekly <\/a><\/span>, 86% of people say they\u2019d like to see more video from brands. Adding video to our social platforms gathers more attention, especially since many healthcare industry providers don\u2019t include it. Professional production isn\u2019t necessary; use your phone, produce short clips, address common questions, and give patients insight into your practice.<\/p>\n Social media posts and ads create an avenue straight through to your website. Enticing ad copy that links to a landing page on your website brings traffic, and Google likes incoming traffic for SEO purposes, too. Consider posting monthly blog posts on your website, and use a social post to invite readers to click to learn more. Copy that leads to valuable content helps increase your authority, reputation, and rankings.<\/p>\n Social media analytics help you gauge what people want from your brand. For example, 68% of parents use social media for health information. If you target parents with a boosted video on how to help children stop thumbsucking, the views and actions will help you know if you should offer more of this type of content.<\/p>\n As you consider the benefits of healthcare social media marketing, let your imagination pave the way. For example:<\/p>\n Social media platforms allow us to connect with people in a space that\u2019s full of opportunities. Only 51% of healthcare providers <\/a><\/span>report using social media marketing, but the average person spends 142 minutes every day in their accounts. We can differentiate our practices by building online relationships and staying top-of-mind within our niche. But it takes consistency and a careful balance to create a multi-platform social media strategy.<\/p>\n1. Social Networks Is Where You\u2019ll Find People<\/h3>\n
2. You Choose Your Demographic<\/h3>\n
3. Relationships Develop In Social Spaces<\/h3>\n
4. Drip Marketing Sets The Stage For Conversion<\/h3>\n
5. Take Control Of The Perpetual Narrative<\/h3>\n
6. Leverage Your Marketing Dollars<\/h3>\n
7. Harness The Power Of Social Video<\/h3>\n
8. Increase Website Traffic<\/h3>\n
9. You Learn A Lot About What People Want<\/h3>\n
5 Examples of Social Media In Healthcare Marketing<\/h2>\n
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Embrace Social Media Marketing For Healthcare Professionals<\/h2>\n