Social media is a highly valuable tool. If utilised successfully it can benefit your private practice in several ways, enabling you to gain an advantage over your competitors in the market. After all, we live in a rapidly changing digital era, where technology will only continue to develop. Therefore, it is important that you embrace social media to stay ahead of the game when it comes to marketing your private practice online.
Using Social Media as a Surgeon
According to the ONS, ‘87% of all adults used the internet daily or almost every day in 2019’. Therefore, having an online presence is extremely important. Using social media as a marketing tool is vital to ensure your private practice is visible to potential clients searching for private surgery online. At New Media Ghost, we can help you identify the right social media platforms for your practice, specific to your expertise.
There are several ways to use social media to help your practice gain exposure to attract more clients. Firstly, people need to know about you; one of the ways in which you can gain exposure is by increasing your social media reach. Do this by posting to your social media platforms during times that generate the most online traffic. This helps increase your visibility and online engagement. Furthermore, social media content should be targeted at a specific audience who require your services or are thinking of utilising your expert skills in the future.
Secondly, make sure the message you convey across your social media platforms is consistent with your personal brand. By integrating your social media platforms with your website, you drive people from your website to your social media. Consequently, your online traffic and engagement will increase. It is also wise to actively engage with potential patients on social media by responding to queries or comments, thereby creating a relationship between your practice and your customers.
How else may Social Media help my Private Practice?
Social media is not just about attracting patients. Research by Gould et al. (2017) found that surgeons are now using social media to ‘promote their research as well as to educate the public’ (p. 615). As a result, by using social media to educate, your practice will gain credibility in the eyes of potential clients. Similarly, by showcasing your work on social media, you create the image of a trustworthy practice that can be respected by clients and fellow professionals alike.
Indeed, social media can help you connect with other surgeons online, providing you with opportunities for networking and events. For example, joining relevant social media groups is a good way of exposing your practice by engaging with fellow surgeons and learning from their experiences, promoting your personal brand at the same time. It can also give you a valuable insight into your market. Indeed, Twitter is another useful platform. You can ‘follow’ colleagues and spread your message – just make sure you use relevant hashtags to reach your target audience.
LinkedIn is a great example of a social media platform designed to facilitate engagement with other professionals, such as colleagues. You can promote and engage with your personal brand. By joining an online community of potential clients and fellow surgeons, this can only serve to increase your practice’s visibility, therefore solidifying your brand in the market.
We understand that the above can be difficult to juggle whilst you work on your client list as a surgeon. That is why, we at New Media Ghost offer a bespoke marketing service tailored to your needs. We ensure your private practice reaches its potential. Email us for a confidential appointment. Or, visit our blogs to discover more marketing tips for surgeons.