There are two distinct types of Internet users in 2019: Those who like social media and those who hate social media. At Practis, we find that our client base that consists primarily of doctors and healthcare administrators tend to belong more to the latter group. We’ve received many answers over the years as to why this aversion to social media exists, which includes but is not limited to:
- “I don’t use Facebook”
- “I want to keep my personal and professional lives separate”
- “I don’t want people to be able to leave bad reviews on my Facebook page”
Whether or not you care to use Facebook for personal reasons to keep up with family members or check out photos of your high school friend’s cat, is completely up to you. However, refusing to establish a strong social media presence for your practice is a mistake, especially if you’re interested in generating new patient leads. Read on as we dispel some common myths about healthcare providers and social media.
Myth: I Want to Keep My Personal & Public Lives Separate
Fact: A Personal Page is Different Than a Business Page
Those who have not used Facebook lately may not be aware that it has never been easier to separate public from private. In 2010, Facebook created a separate type of profile specifically meant to represent a business. These business pages do not have usernames or passwords associated with them. Instead, personal accounts that represent an individual are assigned as owners, managers, or editors of these business pages to act behind the scenes. By creating a personal page for yourself using a pseudonym and being careful when setting your privacy settings upon profile creation, you can use this new personal account to quietly manage your practice’s business page behind the scenes, with no ties to your real name.
You could also assign someone else in the office to be an administrator or manager if you’d rather not take the time to deal with it. Just be aware of the permissions you grant; make sure that either you or another owner of the practice retains the Administrative role of the page.
Myth: I Don’t Want My Practice on Facebook so People Can’t Leave Bad Reviews
Fact: A Business Page of Your Practice Probably Already Exists Anyway
You may think that it would be the assumed responsibility of the business owner to create their own practice’s business page, but that is not the case. Facebook itself can sometimes generate “unofficial” pages based on user suggestions. Even if you were to try to petition Facebook to have the listing removed, it will likely only be a matter of time before another one is generated. As long as your practice exists in the world and accepts new patients, Facebook prefers that it be represented on their platform. And frankly, so does everyone else.
If your practice is going to be represented on Facebook regardless of your involvement, why not make the choice to manage and control your presence as much as possible?
Myth: Nobody Cares If We’re Not Active on Facebook
Fact: People Might Think You’re Closed if Your Page is Outdated
It’s not exactly fair, but it’s true. If and when a patient is deciding what practice they want to call, they’re likely to research your practice on Google, and a practice’s Facebook profile will almost always be included in the very first page of results. Upon clicking this link, what do you want the potential patient to see? If they’re greeted with an image-less page and the most recent post was made in 2016, they may think twice about calling to make an appointment. Keep in mind, social media is intended to be a style of word of mouth advertising, and without Facebook you’re missing out!
Bonus Myth: I Don’t Have Time
Fact: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone!
If this all sounds like too much to deal with for your practice, don’t worry. You’re not the only one who feels that way! Practis is here to help manage every aspect of your social media presence so you don’t have to worry. You focus on healthcare and we’ll focus on your social media presence.
Your patients are out there. And they’re looking for your practice. Let us help by calling 803-658-1766 today!