Instagram as a healthcare marketing tool

Today’s tech-savvy audiences want more transparent, personalized, reliable, and engaging experiences from the healthcare industry. So, as a successful medical unit, are you providing such experiences to your patients? If not, start using Instagram as a powerful marketing tool today to engage with the patients and build brand trust.

Instagram is a growing platform for the healthcare industry, and it is here to stay forever. With over 800 Million monthly active users, Instagram has been a popular platform to make money online for all the industries out there, and healthcare is no exception to it. Your competitors are already leveraging it, why not you?

How to use Instagram as a healthcare marketing tool?

Not sure how to use Instagram as a successful marketing tool for your healthcare business? Worry not! You are not alone. There are millions of doctors, nurses, and medical staff who are struggling to develop a powerful Instagram marketing strategy. Everyone has to face some sorts of teething troubles, learning curves, and considerations while discovering any new type of marketing strategy on social media, and Instagram is no different than other digital channels.

Here are some tips for leading a successful Instagram marketing for medical units, which will help you out. While this article will not make you an expert in Instagram healthcare marketing, by the end of it, you will have an action plan to move ahead in the right direction.

1. Craft a compelling bio: -

You have a 150 characters limit to make your Instagram Bio. Use this limit wisely to craft a concise and compelling bio that can convey your personality and brand image. You can include in the bio, what you do, how you do, a link of your website or a new launch, and so on. Since you have a little limit, you should be hard-hitting with each word you put in the bio. Also, be sure to keep updating your Instagram bio with regular updates, brand campaigns, etc.

2. Create engaging content: -

Create a business account and start posting engaging content followed by good visuals to share on your feed. All you need to do is to create a content posting schedule and bring that plan into the process either by yourself or by a third party publisher.

What kinds of content to post for healthcare marketing?

Educate patients about what new is going on in your medical unit.
Inform the patient about the new plans, policies, products, services, equipment, etc.
Answers the frequently asked questions.
Introduce your facility, medical staff, office, etc.
Share patient stories and testimonials.
Share simple how-to instructions.
Promote the events you participate in.

3. Share professional pictures and videos: -

Instagram is a visual channel. Thus, to make the most of this social media platform, click compelling pictures, and create stunning videos to share on it.

What kinds of visuals to post for healthcare marketing?

While you don’t aim to win any photography contest, you will never want your Instagram feed to look unprofessional. Thus, make sure that the photos and videos you share are of decent quality.
A formally written post with a bunch of emojis looks odd to a patient. Avoid using emojis; it will give a “weird” feel to your Instagram posts.
Also, remain consistent with the tone, theme, feel, and branding of your images.

4. Use relevant hashtags:

Like Twitter, you can use relevant hashtags on Instagram also to make your posts reach wider audiences. You can use hashtags either in descriptions or at the bottom of the post; both are acceptable as long as you don’t overdo it. Instagram allows you to use a maximum of 30 hashtags per post, but it does not mean that you can use 30 hashtags to a one-liner description. Don’t use just any random hashtags. Make sure to use hashtags with high search volumes. Don’t forget to create your branded hashtags based on your specialty, your location, etc.

Example of good hashtags:

#HealthCare
#HealthTalk
#Xray
#AnnualPhysical
#WomensHealth
#DigitalHealth
#4patients
#mhealth (mobile health)
#MedEd (medical education)

5. Make use of Reels and IGTV effectively: -

Reels and IGTV are the other excellent features of Instagram that medical professionals can use to promote their brands. While Reel allows you to share short video ads, IGTV liberates you to create longer videos to engage the audiences. Use both these features wisely to hook up the viewers, drive website conversions, educate the patients, etc. through stunning videos. Videos are a powerful healthcare marketing tool. If you are still not reaping its rewards, you are hugely missing out.

What sorts of videos perform well for healthcare professionals on IGTV?

Create behind the scenes videos such as celebrating company updates.
Make “Meet the Team” videos to introduce staff members.
Share surgery preparation tips through videos.
Make videos to show your participation in health awareness programs.

If you are not sure how to create perfect short form and long-form videos, visit https://videocreek.com/make/instagram-video-editor/ to get help from a professional video editor.

Bonus Tips: -

Humanize your brand: While posting anything on Reels, IGTV, or Instagram feed, keep in mind that your focus should not be on selling your medical practices, but to humanize your brand.
Be consistent: Instead of sharing multiple posts every day, plan a consistent schedule such as one post every other day, or every week.
Maintain quality: Whatever you post, make sure it is of high quality because it really does not matter how many you share if the posts are of poor quality.

Final Thought: -

Instagram as a healthcare marketing tool is worth considering. Therefore, take the time to plan a powerful Instagram marketing strategy, and mix it with the rest of your social media marketing campaign to achieve your business goal. Being on Instagram is not merely enough. Plan a powerful marketing campaign now to make your entry count in the healthcare sector.