When you want to maintain control of your online social media content, blogs are the perfect tactic for reaching your target audience. But the community hospital marketer should be forewarned that they take time and commitment.
I know you’re being asked to do the work of three marketers now, how will you find time for social media?
Recent reports from the Nielsen Co. research firm may have you rethinking how you spend your time. The study found that the number of internet users who visited a social network or a blog increased by 24% from April 2009 to April 2010, while the average person spent 66% more time on those sites during that period.
And if you thought that social media was just for large healthcare systems, well think about your mom who is now on Facebook. Your community is already here, shouldn’t your hospital be here too?
First: Ask important questions.
- What is our overall plan?
- Who is our audience?
- What are our goals?
- What resources are available?
- How are you changing relationships?
Answering these questions will help others understand the content, media and resources that will be available on your blog.
Blogs are a great social media solution:
- Home base for all social media
- Complete control over content and functions
- Should be your first social media strategy to implement
- Cheap way to connect to your target audience in a controlled social media environment
University of Maryland Medical Center’s blog success story:
An excellent example of a blog success story is the University of Maryland Medical Center blog medcenterblog.org
Their blog became the central hub for all their social marketing efforts which included: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Using fans on Facebook, the University of Maryland Medical Center found patients posting about their good experiences who became brand ambassadors and advocates for their hospital.
After discovering these patient stories their blog showcased these patients’ stories through video interviews. You are then invited to share how the University of Maryland Medical Center has changed your life.
With the use of their blog, the University of Maryland Medical Center was able to find a way to connect and engage its patients. If the goal is to resonate, capture emotion and connect, then your blog is a great place to start your social media journey.
Do you have a community hospital blog that patients love? I would love to hear how your blog could inspire us!
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