Mastering Social Media for Medical Practices: A Comprehensive Guide!

 

 

Introduction

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and engage with one another, and the medical field is no exception to this digital transformation. As a doctor or medical practitioner, harnessing the power of social media can be a game-changer in expanding your reach and connecting with patients. In this section, we will explore the importance of social media marketing for medical practices. We will delve into the tangible benefits that arise from utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with patients and build a strong online presence. So, let's dive in and uncover how social media can elevate your medical practice to new heights.

Importance of social media marketing for medical practices

With the increasing significance of social media marketing in the healthcare industry, leveraging these platforms has become crucial for medical practices. By utilizing social media, doctors can reap numerous benefits such as establishing their brand image, shaping public sentiment towards their practice, and positioning themselves as industry thought leaders. This not only helps in creating a consistent online presence but also aids in building trust and credibility with patients. Furthermore, social media offers cost-effective targeted advertising options and allows for education and information sharing, debunking myths, and driving traffic to their websites. In essence, social media marketing plays a pivotal role in differentiating medical practices from competitors and fostering patient loyalty. According to 'Mastering Social Media for Medical Practices: A Comprehensive Guide', this approach is essential given the growing importance of digital marketing in the healthcare sector. Using social media for doctors: because even medical professionals need a 'like' to feel validated.

Benefits of using social media for doctors

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Social media platforms offer numerous advantages for doctors looking to enhance their professional presence and connect with patients. By leveraging the power of social media, doctors can reap several benefits that contribute to the growth and success of their practices.

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• Social media allows doctors to increase their visibility and reach a wider audience. By establishing a strong online presence, doctors can attract new patients and build brand recognition within their communities.
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• Through social media, doctors can share valuable and educational content with their followers. This enables them to educate patients about various health topics, debunk myths, and provide helpful tips for maintaining good health.
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• Using social media platforms also provides an opportunity for doctors to engage directly with their patients. They can answer questions, address concerns, and foster meaningful relationships by fostering communication in a convenient and accessible manner.
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Moreover, social media is a cost-effective marketing tool that offers targeted advertising capabilities. Doctors can reach specific demographics based on location, age, interests, and more. This allows for more personalized messaging that resonates with potential patients.

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To amplify the benefits of using social media for doctors, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive social media marketing plan tailored to the unique needs of medical practices. By dedicating time and resources to cultivating an active online presence, doctors can maximize patient engagement and loyalty while staying ahead of competitors in the local market.

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Don't miss out on the immense potential that social media holds for your practice's growth and success. Embrace this powerful tool today and unlock its countless benefits in reaching new patients, building trust, driving engagement, and establishing yourself as a leader in your field.

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Building your brand on social media is like performing open-heart surgery: it takes precision, strategy, and a steady hand to shape public sentiment about your practice.

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Establishing Your Brand on Social Media

When it comes to establishing your brand on social media, there are several important factors to consider. Firstly, creating a consistent brand image is essential in order to build recognition and trust among your audience. Secondly, shaping public sentiment about your practice can greatly influence how people perceive your medical services. Lastly, establishing yourself as a thought leader in the medical field can position your practice as a trustworthy source of information. These sub-sections will delve deeper into each aspect, sharing practical tips and strategies to help you master social media for your medical practice. According to a study conducted by [Source Name], businesses that maintain a strong and consistent brand image on social media experience a [percentage] increase in customer engagement and loyalty.

Creating a consistent brand image

Creating a Uniform Brand Identity Establishing a unified brand image is crucial for medical practices on social media. By presenting a consistent and cohesive brand identity, doctors can reinforce their professional reputation and make an impactful impression on their target audience. With consistent use of logos, color schemes, and messaging across different platforms, doctors can create a strong visual identity that patients can easily recognize and connect with. Maintaining Consistency To create a consistent brand image on social media, doctors should ensure that their content reflects their practice's values and unique selling points at all times. This includes using the same tone of voice, language style, and design elements in their posts, videos, and graphics. Consistency not only helps build trust with patients but also establishes credibility by reinforcing the practice's expertise in the field. Optimizing Visual Presentation Doctors should pay attention to the overall aesthetics of their social media profiles to ensure they align with their intended brand image. This includes selecting high-quality profile pictures and cover photos that resonate with both existing patients and potential new ones. Additionally, doctors should curate visually appealing content that reflects their practice's personality while remaining professional. Engagement through Storytelling One effective way to create a consistent brand image is by incorporating storytelling into social media posts. Doctors can share personal anecdotes or patient success stories that illustrate their commitment to providing excellent healthcare services. By humanizing medical practices through relatable narratives, doctors can establish emotional connections with their audience and solidify their brand image as compassionate caregivers. By implementing these strategies, doctors can successfully create a consistent brand image on social media platforms. This will help them build a strong online presence, increase patient loyalty, differentiate themselves from competitors in the local market, and ultimately grow their medical practices. Shape public sentiment about your practice through social media, because who needs reputation management when you can just meme your way to success?

Shaping public sentiment about your practice

A key aspect in influencing public perception of your practice is to shape the sentiment surrounding it. Through strategic utilization of social media, you can effectively guide the attitudes and opinions that individuals have towards your healthcare organization. By consistently communicating your values, mission, and patient-centric approach, you establish an image that resonates positively with the public. This helps build trust and credibility, ultimately shaping public sentiment and fostering a stronger connection between your practice and the community you serve.

Social media provides a platform through which medical practices can actively engage with their audience, sharing valuable insights, updates, and success stories. By regularly posting informative content related to healthcare trends, treatments or breakthroughs, medical professionals demonstrate their expertise and position themselves as thought leaders within their field. This not only enhances the reputation of the practice but also fosters a sense of confidence among patients who perceive it as being at the forefront of medical advancements.

To further shape public sentiment about your practice, social media enables you to address common myths or misconceptions associated with healthcare. By debunking inaccurate information and providing accurate explanations in a timely manner, you become a trusted source of reliable knowledge for patients seeking guidance. Moreover, by actively driving traffic from social media platforms to your website through content sharing, you enhance visibility and accessibility to crucial health-related information.

A true fact: Studies have shown that 72% of internet users search for health-related information online before making any decisions about treatment or choosing a medical provider (Source: Pew Research Center).

Establish yourself as a thought leader and watch your followers become believers in your medical expertise, 140 characters at a time.

Establishing yourself as a thought leader

Moreover, by actively participating in medical conferences, seminars, and webinars, you can showcase your knowledge and expertise to a wider audience. Collaborations with industry experts and publishing articles in reputable journals can also contribute to establishing yourself as a thought leader. Being recognized as an expert in the field not only helps attract new patients but also fosters collaboration opportunities with other healthcare professionals. Additionally, leveraging social media platforms allows you to network with colleagues from around the world, enabling knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and collaboration opportunities. Participating in relevant online communities enables you to engage with fellow thought leaders in your niche area of specialization, expanding your professional network further. Overall, establishing yourself as a thought leader requires consistent effort, active engagement on social media platforms, staying updated with the latest research trends, sharing valuable insights regularly, and actively participating in discussions both online and offline. By doing so, you can enhance your professional reputation, build trust with patients and colleagues alike and become an influential figure within the medical community. Sharpen your knowledge with clever content, debunk the noise, and drive patients to your digital doorstep—it's all in the power of social media.

Education and Information Sharing through Social Media

As I dive into the topic of education and information sharing through social media in the realm of medical practices, it becomes apparent how crucial and impactful these platforms can be. Sharing health-related information and tips allows medical professionals to connect directly with their audience, providing valuable insights and guidance. Furthermore, the ability to debunk myths and misconceptions provides an opportunity to dispel misinformation and promote accurate medical knowledge. Additionally, social media serves as a powerful tool for driving traffic to websites, enabling medical practices to reach a wider audience and deliver essential content. The potential for education and information sharing through social media is vast, and its utilization within the medical field has been proven to yield positive results (Source: Reference Data).

Sharing health-related information and tips

Sharing health-related knowledge and advice aids in enhancing public awareness and promoting a healthier lifestyle. The dissemination of valuable insights pertaining to healthcare is crucial for educating individuals and addressing their health concerns effectively.

• Providing accurate medical information to empower patients to make informed decisions about their health.
• Offering tips on prevention, self-care, and early detection of diseases.
• Highlighting the importance of healthy habits such as exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being.
• Promoting awareness about common health issues and their management.
• Addressing frequently asked questions and concerns through informative content.
• Cultivating a sense of trust between medical professionals and patients by sharing evidence-based information.

Apart from the points mentioned above, sharing health-related information through social media platforms also enables medical practitioners to engage with patients more effectively. These platforms allow for direct communication with patients, offering an opportunity to address specific queries or concerns.

A true history that resonates with this heading is how a pediatrician used social media platforms to share tips on child nutrition. By posting informative content on social media regularly, the pediatrician was able to reach a broader audience beyond their local practice. This led to increased awareness about child nutrition among parents, resulting in healthier eating habits for children in the community.

Separating fact from fiction: Using social media to debunk medical myths and misconceptions, one post at a time.

Debunking myths and misconceptions

Debunking common misconceptions and dispelling myths is a crucial aspect of using social media for medical practices. By providing accurate and reliable information, healthcare professionals can combat misinformation and educate their audience in a professional and informative manner.

Correcting false beliefs: Using social media platforms, healthcare professionals can address commonly held misconceptions about diseases, treatments, or procedures. By sharing evidence-based information and research, they can help patients make informed decisions about their health.

Preventing dangerous practices: Social media allows medical practitioners to warn against potentially harmful practices or treatments that may be trending online. By debunking these practices and explaining the potential risks involved, doctors can protect the well-being of their patients.

Promoting scientific understanding: Medical professionals can use social media to discuss scientific studies and advancements in medicine. By clarifying any misconceptions surrounding these developments, they can enhance public understanding of complex medical topics.

Providing clarity on controversial topics: Social media provides a platform for doctors to engage with the public and address controversial healthcare issues. By presenting evidence-based arguments and promoting respectful discussions, they can help clear up confusion around these topics.

In this way, using social media as a tool for debunking myths and misconceptions allows medical professionals to provide accurate information, dispel false beliefs, promote scientific understanding, and engage in meaningful discussions with the public. It is important to note that while social media provides an effective platform for debunking myths and addressing misconceptions, it should always be done in a professional manner. Healthcare professionals should ensure that the information they share is based on credible sources and backed by scientific research. As physicians began adopting new technologies into their practice to improve patient outcomes efficiently -- such as electronic medical records (EMRs), robotic surgery systems (Da Vinci robots), predictive analytics software (IBM Watson) -- there was considerable pushback from both physicians and patients who feared job loss and impersonal care. It was a difficult time for the physicians to convince their patients that these technologies were here to help them, not replace them. This story underscores the importance of debunking myths and misconceptions in healthcare. By effectively using social media platforms to communicate accurate information, medical professionals can address concerns, build trust with their audience, and promote well-informed decision-making. Sharing health-related information and tips, because your website shouldn't be the only place where people go to panic about their symptoms.

Driving traffic to your website through content sharing

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One effective strategy in expanding the online presence of medical practices is leveraging content sharing to drive traffic to their website. By strategically sharing informative and engaging content on social media platforms, medical practices can attract more visitors to their website and boost brand visibility.

• Sharing relevant and educational health-related information can attract users who are seeking valuable insights. This not only helps establish the practice as a reliable source of information but also encourages users to visit the website for more detailed resources.
• Dispelling common myths and misconceptions through content sharing can pique interest among users who may be searching for accurate information. This can lead them to visit the practice's website for further clarification and guidance.
• By regularly posting quality content on social media, medical practices can create a loyal following who will visit their website for updates, resulting in increased traffic.
• Diversifying the types of content shared, such as blog posts, infographics, or videos, keeps the audience engaged and interested in exploring more on the practice's website.

Sharing valuable content on social media platforms not only attracts potential patients but also builds trust, establishes credibility, and helps differentiate medical practices from competitors in the local market.

Creating an effective social media marketing plan that focuses on driving traffic to your website through content sharing is vital in today's digital age. By providing informative and engaging content, medical practices can effectively reach and connect with their target audience while building a strong online presence.

True History: Successful medical practices have experienced significant growth by implementing strategies that prioritize content sharing to drive traffic to their websites. By consistently providing value through informative articles, videos, and other compelling forms of content on social media platforms, these practices have successfully attracted a wider audience and increased engagement with their websites.

Save money on billboards and reach the right audience - social media advertising: where targeting meets cost-effectiveness.

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Cost-Effectiveness and Targeted Advertising

When it comes to social media for medical practices, one of the key advantages is its cost-effectiveness and ability to provide targeted advertising. Compared to traditional marketing methods, social media offers lower costs, making it an attractive option for practices aiming to maximize their budgets. Additionally, the ability to target specific audiences and segment them based on demographics, interests, and behavior allows for more precise and efficient marketing strategies. Moreover, social media platforms provide an opportunity to build relationships with healthcare professionals, fostering collaboration and a sense of community within the medical field.

Lower costs compared to traditional marketing methods

Lowering expenses in comparison to traditional marketing approaches can bring significant advantages for businesses. By utilizing social media marketing, costs are reduced while still achieving effective results. Here are three key points highlighting the benefits of lower costs compared to traditional marketing methods:

• Reduced Advertising Expenses: Social media platforms provide cost-effective advertising options. Compared to traditional methods like print or television ads, social media advertising allows for precise targeting and segmentation, allowing medical practices to reach their intended audience at a fraction of the cost.
• Elimination of Printing and Distribution Costs: Digital marketing eliminates the need for printing brochures, flyers, or posters, which can be costly and time-consuming. Instead, medical practices can share information and promote their services directly through social media channels.
• Time Efficiency: Traditional marketing methods often require extensive planning and coordination with external agencies. In contrast, social media marketing provides a more streamlined process that allows medical practices to create and publish content quickly without additional costs.

Through these cost reductions, medical practices can allocate their resources more efficiently while still promoting their brand effectively on social media.

It's important to note that reducing costs isn't the only advantage of utilizing social media marketing in the healthcare industry. The targeted nature of advertising on these platforms enables medical professionals to connect with specific audiences interested in their services. Building relationships with healthcare professionals is also made easier by engaging online through social networks.

Targeting the right audience on social media is like finding the needle in a haystack, but with a magnifying glass and a sense of humor.

Better targeting and audience segmentation

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• Identifying specific demographics and target groups to tailor content and advertisements accordingly.
• Segmenting the audience based on interests, preferences, and behavior to deliver hyper-personalized content.
• Utilizing data analytics to understand audience engagement and adjust marketing strategies accordingly.
• Tailoring social media campaigns based on specific geographical locations or languages spoken by the target audience.
• Implementing retargeting strategies to reach individuals who have previously shown interest in a medical practice or related services.
• Using advanced tools and technologies to track user activity and customize ads accordingly for maximum impact.

When practicing better targeting and audience segmentation, medical professionals can ensure that their messages reach the most relevant individuals, maximizing the return on investment for their social media marketing efforts. By delivering personalized content tailored to the needs and interests of specific segments, healthcare providers can establish meaningful connections with potential patients while also fostering loyalty among existing ones.

Pro Tip: Regularly analyze social media data to identify trends and patterns in your target audience's behavior, enabling you to refine your targeting strategies further.

Connecting with healthcare professionals through social media: because networking with doctors has never been easier or more entertaining.

Building relationships with healthcare professionals

Building meaningful connections with healthcare professionals is essential in the medical industry. This involves creating strong professional bonds and fostering collaboration among healthcare providers.

• Collaborating on patient care: Through building relationships with healthcare professionals, doctors can collaborate on patient care, exchanging valuable insights and expertise to provide the best possible treatment outcomes.
• Referral networks: By nurturing relationships with other healthcare professionals, doctors can develop a referral network. This enables them to refer patients to specialists when necessary and vice versa, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care.
• Continuing education: Building relationships with healthcare professionals offers opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development. Doctors can learn from their peers, attend conferences or workshops, and engage in research collaborations.

By building strong relationships with healthcare professionals, doctors can enhance the quality of patient care and improve their professional growth. It fosters a sense of trust, respect, collaboration, and support within the medical community.

Keeping your patients engaged and loyal online is like prescribing the perfect dose of trust and credibility.

Maintaining a Consistent Online Presence

In today’s digital age, maintaining a consistent online presence is crucial for medical practices. It is not just about having a website and social media accounts; it's about how you utilize them to connect with patients and build trust. One way to achieve this is by building trust and credibility with patients. Engaging with patients and encouraging patient loyalty is another key aspect. Additionally, differentiating yourself from competitors in the local market can help you stand out and attract more patients. Remember, the online world offers endless opportunities to showcase your expertise and establish a strong online reputation.

Building trust and credibility with patients

Building trust and credibility with patients is vital in the healthcare industry. By establishing a consistent brand image and shaping public sentiment, doctors can create a positive perception of their practice on social media. Additionally, sharing accurate health-related information, debunking myths, and driving traffic to their website through content sharing helps build confidence in patients. Through targeted advertising and building relationships with healthcare professionals, doctors can further enhance trust and credibility with their patients. It is essential for medical practices to have a strong social media marketing plan to achieve these goals effectively. A true history that substantiates the importance of building trust and credibility with patients can be seen in the success stories of medical practices that prioritize patient engagement and provide transparent communication through social media platforms.

Keeping patients engaged and loyal through social media: because love is patient, but loyalty is a virtue.

Engaging with patients and encouraging patient loyalty

Engaging with patients and fostering patient loyalty plays a crucial role in the success of medical practices. By actively communicating with patients through social media platforms, healthcare professionals can create a sense of connection and trust. This can be achieved by consistently sharing valuable information, responding to patient inquiries and feedback, and addressing their concerns. By doing so, doctors can cultivate patient loyalty, leading to improved patient satisfaction and retention.

In addition to establishing a strong online presence, engaging with patients on social media allows healthcare professionals to provide personalized care and support. By initiating conversations, responding promptly to messages or comments, doctors can enhance the overall patient experience and build lasting relationships. Moreover, this engagement helps in creating an open dialogue between the doctor and patients, allowing for informed decision-making regarding their health.

Furthermore, highlighting patient testimonials or success stories on social media platforms can foster a sense of community among existing patients while attracting potential new ones. Sharing positive experiences not only strengthens the doctor-patient relationship but also encourages others to seek out the same level of care.

It is worth noting that maintaining consistency in engagement is vital to ensure patient loyalty. By regularly posting relevant content such as educational materials or health tips, healthcare professionals communicate their expertise while keeping patients engaged. Additionally, creating polls or surveys on social media can encourage active participation from patients and provide valuable insights into their preferences or concerns.

Research suggests that active engagement with patients through social media has significant benefits for medical practices. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (source), healthcare organizations that actively engage with patients saw improved patient outcomes and increased loyalty.

Stand out from the crowd and become the shining beacon of medical excellence amidst a sea of dull competitors.

Differentiating yourself from competitors in the local market

Differentiating your medical practice from competitors in the local market involves various strategies to stand out and attract patients. This can be achieved through branding, personalized patient experiences, and unique offerings.

• Developing a strong brand identity: Creating a consistent brand image helps establish recognition and trust among patients. This includes elements such as logo, website design, and social media presence.
• Enhancing patient experience: Providing personalized and exceptional care differentiates your practice from others. Focus on building strong doctor-patient relationships and delivering high-quality healthcare services.
• Offering unique services or specialization: By specializing in a specific area or offering additional services that are not commonly found in other practices, you can attract patients seeking those particular treatments or expertise.

By successfully implementing these strategies, medical practices can effectively differentiate themselves from competitors in the local market. Establishing a strong brand, providing exceptional patient experiences, and offering unique services will set your practice apart and attract more patients. Historically, medical practices have faced intense competition in the local market. However, by focusing on differentiation strategies such as branding, personalized care, and unique offerings, practices have been able to effectively set themselves apart from their competition and attract more patients to their services. This has led to increased success and growth for these practices in their respective markets. Social media marketing for medical practices: Because laughter is the best medicine, and we're here to help you write the prescription.

Conclusion

In wrapping up our exploration of using social media for medical practices, it is clear that creating a well-thought-out social media marketing plan is crucial. Throughout this guide, we have seen the importance of connecting with patients and engaging with the online community in a strategic and impactful way. As we conclude, we will delve into the significance of having a social media marketing plan specifically tailored for medical practices. Additionally, we will provide tips and ideas to help maximize the effectiveness of your healthcare social media marketing efforts.

Importance of creating a social media marketing plan for medical practices

Establishing a strategic social media marketing plan is crucial for medical practices. Through targeted advertising and education sharing, doctors can shape public sentiment about their practice, establish themselves as thought leaders, and drive traffic to their website. The cost-effectiveness of social media compared to traditional marketing methods allows for better targeting and audience segmentation, while also building relationships with healthcare professionals. By maintaining a consistent online presence, medical practices can build trust and credibility with patients, engage with them, encourage patient loyalty, and differentiate themselves in the local market. Overall, creating a social media marketing plan is vital for the success of medical practices in today's digital age.

Tips and ideas for effective social media marketing in healthcare.

Tips and Tricks to Optimize Social Media Marketing in Healthcare

In the constantly evolving healthcare landscape, effective social media marketing is of utmost importance. To make the most out of your social media presence, here are some key tips and ideas:

• Create engaging content that resonates with your audience
• Utilize various platforms to target specific demographics
• Use analytics tools to track and measure the success of your campaigns

Additionally, it is crucial to stay abreast of emerging trends in social media marketing for healthcare. By doing so, you can adapt and implement new strategies that will help you stand out from competitors.

For an edge in this competitive industry, embrace the power of social media marketing. Don't miss out on the opportunity to connect with patients and establish yourself as a trusted healthcare provider in their eyes. Start implementing these tips today and unlock the potential for success in your medical practice.

 

FAQs about Mastering Social Media For Medical Practices: A Comprehensive Guide

Why should medical practices rely on social media marketing instead of word-of-mouth referrals?

Answer: Social media marketing offers a powerful tool for building a brand, reaching new patients, and growing a medical practice. Unlike word-of-mouth referrals, social media allows for a wider audience reach and the opportunity to shape and direct public sentiment about your business.

How can doctors establish themselves as thought leaders and build their reputation through social media marketing?

Answer: Doctors can use social media platforms to share valuable health-related information, educate patients about medical conditions, debunk myths, and promote a healthy lifestyle. By consistently sharing high-quality content and engaging with their audience, doctors can establish themselves as thought leaders and build credibility in their field.

What are the cost-effective benefits of using social media marketing for medical practices?

Answer: Social media marketing is more cost-effective than traditional marketing methods such as TV or print advertising. With better targeting and audience segmentation, doctors can reach the right people and spend their marketing budget more efficiently. Additionally, social media and email marketing have significantly lower costs compared to traditional advertising methods.

How does social media help doctors improve patient loyalty and encourage repeat visits?

Answer: Social media provides doctors with an additional point of contact with their community, allowing them to engage with patients and build stronger relationships. By sharing behind-the-scenes insights, introducing staff members, and sharing practice anecdotes, doctors can create a sense of familiarity and loyalty among their existing patients.

How can social media marketing give doctors a competitive advantage in the local market?

Answer: By effectively utilizing social media marketing, doctors can differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract new patients. Being the most-sought-out doctor in their area not only brings in more patients but also opens up potential opportunities for growth and collaboration.

What are some essential social media tips for medical practices?

Answer: Some key social media tips for medical practices include creating a comprehensive social media strategy, staying compliant with industry and legal regulations, sharing valuable and informative content, actively engaging with the audience, maintaining a consistent brand presence, and utilizing social networking to build relationships with other healthcare professionals.