Healthcare and Social Media and You
Posted by Jaci Russo
It’s no surprise that one of the biggest trends in human communications today is social networking and social media. It may also come as no shock that since this medium is growing at an alarming rate, certain industries are reconstructing the way they do business to in order to be a part of it.
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have become fixtures in the daily lives of most Americans, and now, entire industries have discovered the potential of connecting with their once elusive audience.
But it is no about selling something. Some industries are using social media very well by engaging in a conversation. The Healthcare industry is one of them.
The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical industries are quickly becoming major players in the social media space because of their message, relevance and familiarity. No matter where anyone stands on healthcare reform issues, they can all agree that healthcare is a major part of just about everyone’s lives.
With the evolution of social media, the industry is finding new ways to reach out to more and more people and finally become interactive. The Mayo Clinic (http://sharing.mayoclinic.org/) is a perfect example of a healthcare organization that has increased their brand awareness through social media. Using social networking sites like Facebook and having an extensive blogging system, The Mayo Clinic is an example to any group that wants to better connect with their consumer.
So what does this have to do with you? Well, it’s a lesson on being industry savvy. It’s no longer enough to just know about your industry, and you can never be sure of what opportunities will present themselves. We all have to be life long learners - ready to evolve and explore new directions not just in our industries but others as well.
Brand building will be successful when you are able to change the conversation by developing an emotional connection wtih the consumer. The Mayo Clinic is an example of where the healthcare industry is going to be able to achieve that objective.
