Hospitals Use Social Media to Increase Visibility

A while back we told you about how businesses like Comcast are using the micro-blogging site Twitter-both for publicity and to expand customer service. But did you know that hospitals are also getting in on the act? That's right, hospitals. In order to attract new patients and generate interest in medicine, health and medical techniques, hospitals have turned to social media. This week The New York Times reported that according to one media researcher, over 250 hospitals make use of YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and blogs. This expert went on to note that some of the more conservative-leaning hospitals are among that number. So this newfangled notion of using social media for promotion had caught on in even rather reserved circles.

These hospitals know that they must increase their online visibilityin order to remain viable. Sure, everyone knows what kind of services that hospitals provide, so it is not as it people are unaware of the medical field as a whole. Still, when it comes to making the choice for where to go for medical care, this is where social media can make a difference. Some hospitals as letting observing residents use Twitter to provide information during surgery. One hospital found that using social media engendered what is called "the halo effect," where people felt that if a hospital could do a good job with a complicated procedure, such as a heart transplant, then that same medical facility would be a good choice for surgery that carried fewer risks.

Hospitals are also search social media outlets like Twitter and blogs to see what the public is saying about them, and then responding when it is appropriate.

If hospitals are doing what they can to make the most of their presence on the web, shouldn't you do the same? As we said, people know what hospitals do, but if you are in a field that is not so obvious, you need to get the word out there. And as the case of hospitals proves, you can be a business that is well-defined, but you will still need to differentiate yourself from the pack. Increase Visibility can help you do this. Call us today at 877-SEO-ADVICE (877-736-2384) to learn more about our SEO plans and how we can help you to harness the power of social media.