Infographic: Rising Use of Social and Mobile in Healthcare

Hospitals, doctors, and patients are increasingly using social media and mobile technology to obtain healthcare information. How quickly is digital healthcare growing? This infographic from Demi and Cooper Advertising and DC Interactive Group has the answer.

About: Steve Vargo, O.D., M.B.A. frequently writes and lectures on using technology and digital media for marketing eye care practices.  He also practices optometry in St. John, In., where he lives with his wife and 2 sons.

Too Busy for Social Media Marketing? Hire an Agency.

Too busy to handle your social media marketing?  Or just not sure what to post or how to effectively engage your audience through social networking?  This week we spoke with Jim Shumate, founder of OD Social Net - a social networking agency that works with optometric practices.

New Media OD:  Tell us about your company, OD Social Net, and what type of services you provide.

Jim:  We think that physicians of all types need help marketing their practices. Social Net is starting with Optometrists and has plans to reach dentists and other specialties.  I have over 20 years of eye care marketing plus small business coaching and was a partner in a software development and web marketing firm.  So starting with Optometrists is a natural.

We take a holistic approach to solving the marketing riddle for a practice.  It is important to identify your target audience and build a plan around connecting with them.  If the physician lacks providers, then we supply staff training, web marketing, and social networking as needed. We have a great new service for building online reviews that we are very excited about bringing to Optometry.

New Media OD:  From a marketing perspective, what type of posts typically elicits the greatest response from previous or potential patients?

How to Run a Social Media Contest for Your Practice

Looking for a great way to leverage social media to grow your brand and attract patients?  Run a social media contest.  This can be an engaging and effective way to increase followers on social media sites.

Here are 5 tips for integrating this strategy:

1. Advertise a Facebook contest.  Give people a reason to “Like” your Facebook page, and then to keep coming back.  70% of people who “like” a business’s Facebook page never return.  Some brands have seen a dramatic jump in fans with Facebook contests.
2. Offer a special product as a prize.  Promotions and incentives can range from small discounts on future exams to free designer eye wear.  Obviously the greater the incentive, the greater the level of customer engagement.
3. Consider different strategies.  Filling out a form involves little work and may generate more participants, but at a lower quality.  In contrast, a contest that involves submitting pictures or video is much more authentic and highlights a positive consumer association with your practice.