Are you stuck in a Facebook rut? Building a thriving community of followers on Facebook isn’t as easy as it sounds. Yes, you have access to over 1.2 billion users every single day—but you’re also competing with millions of other brands for attention. If those numbers feel overwhelming, it’s because they are.
Making your voice heard among the constant bombardment of data takes more than slapping up a post now and then. You’re going to need an intentional strategy to earn likes, shares, comments and clicks for your medical practice.
In this post, we’ll look at some foolproof ideas to engage your patients and prospects on Facebook—and keep them coming back for more.
The golden rule for content engagement is to write for your patients, not yourself. Use your patient personas to come up with topics and questions your followers will find interesting and share-worthy. Then use those ideas to create fun, engaging images and videos that stand out in the highly visual format of Facebook.
Here are 6 kinds of posts you can use to jumpstart your brainstorming session:
Don’t settle for boring stock images. Humanize your practice with original photos featuring behind-the-scenes shots of your staff, selfies that showcase the personal side of your practice, or images that invite engagement (such as an inspirational photo or funny meme). If you are limited to stock photos, spice them up with a quote or personalized message for your followers.
People watch over 100 million hours of video on Facebook every day. Stake out a piece of that real estate with videos that showcase you and your staff, a particular event or something fun about your practice. Try an explainer video to demonstrate important procedures, interview a staff member or offer inside information about an upcoming event.
Facebook Live is even more popular than regular videos among Facebook users. But it can be tough to pull off. Plan out your Facebook Live videos in advance so you know exactly what you’re going to say and what you want the video to look like. Use it to give patients an in-the-moment look at what goes in inside your practice.
Use polls and surveys to boost interaction with your Facebook page. Try a Like vs. Share post or ask patients to choose among several options and post their answers in the comments.
Example: Like this post if you prefer morning appointments or share if you prefer afternoon!) Include an image with your post so that it stands out in the newsfeed.
Group challenges present an inspiring way to connect with your patients and motivate them to share. Try a 7-day challenge or a 30-day challenge to encourage interaction with your page.
Example: Create a “30 Days to a Healthier Kitchen” challenge. Post one tip each day for a month and ask followers to like the post when they have completed the challenge of the day.
Everybody loves a good giveaway, and they can be great for encouraging shares and attracting new followers. The prize doesn’t necessarily have to be related to your practice. You could offer a gift card to a local restaurant, tickets to a sporting event or a cash prize. Be sure to follow your state’s regulations for giveaways to prevent any legal complications.
Now that you have an idea what kinds of posts you can create, the next question is: What are you going to say? Here’s a quick rundown of topic ideas”
Remember, the goal of social media is to humanize your practice, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Ask human interest questions in your doctor Q&A or staff spotlight such as “What is the best thing a patient has ever said to you?” or “What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?”
As you compile ideas for your social posting strategy, remember that medical information can be sensitive. Always get permission before you feature a patient’s story or image, and don’t share personal details.
What are your favorite Facebook post ideas? Share them with us in the comments! If you need help designing a Facebook strategy or driving traffic to your medical website, talk to one of our marketing strategists today!