Healthcare marketers can learn from big business about how to approach social media

An article in Social Media Today  outlined lessons than can be learned from big business about how to effectively use social media.   Here are the 5 lessons outlined:

 1.    Begin with the End in Mind

Have a goal and work backwards to accomplish the goal.   Know why you are using social media.  Pick a goal and prioritize your tactics to accomplish it.

 2.    Be a publisher first

Content is indeed king.   You are a content creator.  You create content. Every time you publish a social media update, email a newsletter or post a blog post you create content.  So to succeed you must publish.

3.    Understands what motivates your audience

People do not care about your hospital or organization.  They care about themselves.  Don’t create content around your hospital, your services lines or your accomplishments.  Create content for you customer.  Your audience determines content.  Understand them and the benefits your services provide for them.

4.    Don’t overemphasize tactics

Social media s a new way to connect with people and talk with them.  The key is your objective.  Strategy is your plan to accomplish the objective.  Tactics are tools.  They help you accomplish your objectives.  And nothing more.

 5.    Enable others to share your story.

Create opportunities for others to tell your story.  Empower them to do so, and always express your appreciation for what they have done.  Take the risk to let them say what they want.

Healthcare marketers can learn valuable lessons from the way big businesses uses social media. Most of our hospitals are not considered large.  But it doesn’t mean we can’t learn valuable lessons from big businesses.  Especially in regard for social media.