It is an established fact that most adults conduct research on the internet. When compared to traditional research methods, the internet offers a vast array of advantages to those seeking information. These include higher levels of access to sensitive information, confidentiality, nearly instantaneous responses, enhanced accuracy of data, and rendered results that load quickly and are relevant.

As a physical therapist – whether working independently or within a PT practice, you have the capability of harnessing the power of the internet through social media channels in order to transform your work from ordinary to extraordinary!

Social Media Marketing

Educate and Increase Brand Awareness

As a physical therapist, there are two goals that you should consistently strive towards. The first is to educate your patients so that they may experience the best health. The second is to increase awareness surrounding your brand.

When considering the internet – as a whole – these two goals may seem a bit daunting. Where do you start? How do you do it? What do you have to do in order to stand out among all the other noise on the internet? That is why you do not look at the internet as a whole. Break it down! Simply focus on social media marketing.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing – often referred to as “SMM” for short – is the act of utilizing social media-based networks for the purpose and intent of marketing products and/or services, engaging with established clients, and reaching new clients. It allows for connecting, interacting, and obtaining data on clients and potential clients.

The top social media networks include Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Social Media for Physical Therapists

The care for various health conditions – such as those that are chronic and diseases that are noncommunicable – is becoming a dominating force in the healthcare system.

It is often difficult to reach patients where they are at, but social media resolves this issue. Patients ARE on social media. They are ready for the various social media networks to be directly incorporated into the care that healthcare providers are able to deliver.

By using social media, you are capable of designing and delivering care that will engage patients and boost their health.

Social Media Ideas

1. Link Out

If you have a website, it is imperative that you incorporate a blog. Then, you should create various types of health articles that your patient base will find appealing. Once submitted to your blog, you should then go to your social media pages and share the link of the content. You should always place a short description above the image that links out to the blog post. This way, your patients and potential patients will know what it is that they are being directed to. People love to learn! Additionally, by sharing your knowledge, you will gain the reputation of being an “expert” in your field!

2. Weekly Video Feature

According to statistics, 78% of all internet users watch online videos each week. Approximately 55% watch online videos daily. If you want to market yourself as a physical therapist or your physical therapy practice, you should create a weekly video feature. It is important to remember that consistency is the key when it comes to social media success! By committing to a once-a-week video feature, you can show your patients who you are and what you are all about. It is a great way to build trust with individuals that want to try you out but have not yet made an appointment, too!

3. Diversify

We all have a preference when it comes to social media networks or channels. Many of us may prefer Facebook to Twitter. Then, there are some that may elect to use LinkedIn over Twitter. The choices are virtually endless! The fact of the matter is, when you post, you must diversify. Failure to mix things up a little is sure to result in immense boredom among your followers. You should put combinations of posts about your practice, videos, and links!

4. Highlight Your Expertise

It is one thing to tell people about your level of expertise, but it is another thing to show people your expertise. Social media networks allow you to do just that! You may do so by writing and linking to your blog, sharing information through infographics, and curating content that includes your personal opinion and/or your knowledge.

5. Customer Testimonials

One of the most productive ways to leverage social media networks as a physical therapist or as a physical therapy practice is to showcase all of the happy/satisfied patients that you have! When your patients complete their program, you may ask to take their picture and share their experience or you may ask if they would like to do a video that shares their experience with you and/or your practice. If you do this, be sure to tag your participants and thank them for their testimonials. Be sure to get written permission from the participants prior to making your posts.

facebook advertisement

Creating Facebook Ads

If you are going to use social media networks to showcase yourself as a physical therapist or your physical therapy practice, you should consider creating Facebook Ads. You may start with the following three steps:

  1. You should start with a goal and statistical information that backs up your goal. For example, if you want to help people alleviate back pain, this would be your goal. You could back this up with information on how many people suffer from back pain and the success rate associated with the treatments that you provide.
  2. Next, you must determine your target audience. You may choose to advertise to your general patients, the followers of your Page, or even just local prospects that are situated in and around the area where you practice.
  3. Next, create the ad! This is broken down by the campaign (objective), the set (budget, schedule, placement), and finally, the audience. Facebook will not allow negative topics. So, instead of “back pain”, you would need to campaign with something like “steps to a healthier back”. Take special care when creating your ad. Remember, narrow it down the best that you are able to. It will be much more successful than attempting to go in at a wide angle.

Your Strategy

If you want to achieve success with social media marketing, you will find that many aspects of marketing must be properly in place. Your page should have a highly consistent stream of various types of content that is relevant to your target audience. You should encourage engagement. Viewers do more than watch or read content. They make comments, ask questions, and interact. This should all be done in an enthusiastic manner. To succeed:

  1. Define Your Audience
  2. Set Goals
  3. Pick Your Platforms
  4. Customize Your Messaging
  5. Create Content
  6. Drive Engagement
  7. Interact

If you follow the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you are sure to experience success in all of your social media networking endeavors as a physical therapist or with your physical therapy practice. If you are in search of more ideas like this or you have the desire to network with other physical therapists, we here at Colorado Physical Therapy Network encourage you to join us today. We can help make a difference in the manner in which you do business. There are many members to becoming a member with us. To learn more, visit us now: https://coloradophysicaltherapynetwork.com/application-forms/

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