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Facebook and Podiatry

Discussion in 'Practice Management' started by alisondumesny, Feb 19, 2013.

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  1. alisondumesny

    alisondumesny Welcome New Poster


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    Hi Everyone,

    I've recently started up a Facebook page for my main clinic. Slowly but surely building up my "likes" base, and easing my way into worthwhile, and hopefully informative posts.

    Any tips from others on how to expand your reach, and what sort of things you post about?

    Sorry if there is already a thread on this - if someone could share this link I'd appreciate it :eek:

    Cheers, Ali ;)
     
  2. Admin2

    Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

  3. antipodean

    antipodean Active Member

    A semi lame pun but how about "would you LIKE an iPOD" simply like this page and go into the draw to win a ....... If there is no incentive you only get family, mates and some sad runners
     
  4. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    We too are currently looking at this, have you sent an invite to your client base to join you and click the "Like" button, put on your business cards and receipts that you have a facebook page, as well as a sign at reception asking people to click the like button.

    Starting at grass roots with your existing client base, l think is the way to grow, they will ask questions that will be of interest to the others that are following.
     
  5. Ryan@PPS

    Ryan@PPS Welcome New Poster

    There's a lot to establishing your Facebook page with a podiatry-based business, but the key elements to make sure you have the right key ingredients include ensuring your business is actively social within your local area, sponsoring events, local charities, etc.

    The second point which probably goes without saying is trying to make sure your own practice environment is as social and as friendly as possible. Staff relationships with your customers will reap untold rewards as your customers should feel like they can approach you on your Facebook page more easily along with it being a big 'word of mouth' promotion outside of Facebook anyway. I tell everyone about my local podiatrist when the topic comes up because he's a great guy, friendly and most importantly does what I think is a great job.

    Then just as Boots n all mentioned about, look at what you've been treating for that specific day or week and then find some interesting and useful topics on the subjects to post about.

    Obviously the above is just my opinion, but I hope this helps.
     
  6. joelfriedlaender

    joelfriedlaender Active Member

    Something to keep in mind is that facebook recently changed how their business pages work. Previously you could post a message to your page and all the people that like your page would see this in their timeline. Now that's not the case, some of them will, but you need to pay extra to have all of them see it.

    This is a significant change and something you should consider before investing too much time and money into your facebook page. I still think it's a worthwhile activity, but go into it knowing all the information. I would just be aware that facebook is a company and are always looking for better ways to monetize their business, they can change the rules at any time.

    This is how it looks for me at the bottom of one of my posts to our facebook page... http://cl.ly/image/3R0i3Q2n062b.

    Like I said, I still feel it's a worthwhile tool. It's great to be where your clients already are, rather than expecting them to come to you. You just don't have the same control when using facebook's platform.

    (and the free iPod idea is a great one, but I would use an iPad Mini, they are pretty cheap and much more enticing)
     
  7. Blue123

    Blue123 Active Member

    Excuse my ignorance but how does a 'like' bring in patients?
     
  8. joelfriedlaender

    joelfriedlaender Active Member

    It's like having a mailing list and sending out a newsletter. You stay in peoples mind.

    The actual like just means that they should see your posts in the facebook stream.
     
  9. KableFransen

    KableFransen Member

    Like Joel says, facebook acts as a reminder to people that you exist. It puts your business at the forefront of there minds for a few seconds, which is very powerful for people with pain in their feet.

    Three keys to making facebook work for your practice are...
    -your facebook site needs to look super professional, high quality (as with all your marketing / branding)
    -regular updating is very important (once or twice a week is optimal)
    -updates need to be VISUAL. (photos of yourself, your staff, your clinic, your patients, your new carpark...). Visuals are HUGELY powerful on facebook.
     
  10. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    We took the Facebook leap this afternoon, hopefully its not a rough landing?

    Started with a pic of an infant size 3 custom made boot, to fit over and compliment the clients existing AFO

    Lots to learn with facebook as has been stated above.

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bilby-shoes/202137999859605#
     
  11. KableFransen

    KableFransen Member

    Hey David, congrats on taking the dive into facebook! Looks great! I love the fact that you used a photo.

    A couple of thoughts on your post...

    Point 1.
    Think about who your intended audience on facebook is... General public? GPs? Potential clients? Existing clients? It's unlikely that these people know what AFO means. Instead, you can use words like 'foot brace', 'ankle support' or something like that. If you intended audience is podiatrists, then of course AFO is fine!

    Point 2.
    With your post, what is the underlying idea you want to convay? I imagine for your most recent post, it is something like: "We make goodlooking, quality, custom made footwear for people who have complex footwear needs". Try to make everything you say in that post reinforce that original idea.

    Point 3.
    As health professionals, it's very difficult for us to think as a non-health professional. We spend years, decades using very specific language, which becomes second nature. All this language is important to the communication within the industry. However when speaking with people outside of the industry, this language is confusing and maybe a bit scary! When we are talking with clients, especially when marketing our products/services, we need to speak in out clients' language!

    Again mate, awesome facebook post - looking forward to the next!
     
  12. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    As l fiddle with it l think l need a "Medical page" and a "Mainstream page".

    Surprising l have mentioned the face book page to clients and they have said they would be happy to have a pic of them in their new footwear on our face book, l was only thinking the product, lots more to think about as l go over your well made points.
     
  13. KableFransen

    KableFransen Member

    Yes, people of often very willing to have there photos on your facebook and website... IF you are providing them with outstanding service (and they like you!)

    It's extremely valuable to have client photos on your website... smiles, interacting with yourself and the product. These images convay trust and personality to all your potential clients online: VERY POWERFUL AT BRINGING IN CLIENTS.

    In Australia, registered health professionals, we are not allowed to use direct testimonials from clients. However we can still use PHOTO, IMAGES and VIDEO. This is actually more effective at brining in new clients than text (a picture tells a thousand words).

    Regarding having two facebook pages, David, I would stick with one page for now (one awesome page is better than two mediocre ones). However I would make sure that your website has a duel focus on both your client groups.
     
  14. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    Okay, you got me, l am struggling with it and the time needed to set it all up correctly.

    l will call you later today and we can setup a face to face to discuss and test your talent:D
     
  15. KableFransen

    KableFransen Member

    Sounds good, David.
     
  16. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    Okay, l put up a posting this morning of a shoe modification and it is now 4 hours old and on the Admin page it said it is Viral.

    How did it happen? what exactly makes or defines it as Viral?

    Facebook
     
  17. KableFransen

    KableFransen Member

    On facebook, people are directed to look at your posts.

    There are 3 different ways this can happen.

    Organic: People who see your post when it appears in their news feed, or they see it on your page

    Paid: People who see your post because they saw a paid add.

    Viral: People who see your post after it was commented on, liked by, or interacted with by a mutual friend. For example, I 'liked' your post, so some of your viral viewers would have seen that I 'liked'
    your post, when they viewed my news page.
     
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