To Tweet or Not to Tweet?...
Setting up Twitter for Business might not seem like such a big deal for your Chiropractic practice but think again. It’s actually a great tool for you to attract new patients and engage with your current clients! Sure, Facebook, Yelp, and Google might seem to carry more weight and arguably actually do, but don’t forget about the little blue bird.
Check Out These 2 Stats!
- Over 40% of patients say they make decisions regarding healthcare providers via social media.
- Twitter has over 70 Million active users in the US alone clearly points to how powerful it can be if used to your advantage.
Twitter is an Answer to Short Attention Spans
Twitter also satisfies the short attention span many people have for anything/everything online. You can build a one to one relationship in a very short period of time and a very short number of characters! For all intensive purposes, it’s still 140 characters. Twitter for Business is a surefire way to get out a message quickly to a large audience in seconds. Perhaps you are offering new services, accepting new patients, have a special offer available, or have an event coming up. Your social media is the perfect place to spread the word quickly.
5 Steps to Setup Twitter for Business for your Practice
1. SETUP YOUR TWITTER FOR BUSINESS ACCOUNT (Duh)
If you don’t already have a Twitter account for your business simply Click Here to set up your new Twitter account for your chiropractic practice.
Diagram From Twitter for Business Regarding What You Need for Setup
2. Twitter @NAME
This is your “handle”, your unique identity on Twitter. In many cases, it will/should be your practice/business name. In some cases, it makes sense to use your name. For example, if you're the DrOz of Chiropractors in your local area. Stay on brand!
Your name will show underneath your @Name, so again, usually, it’s the name of the practice that makes the most sense. You can change that field at any time, but your @Name is permanent. So, keep that in mind.
Examples of Twitter for Business @Names:
- @YourPracticeName
- @DrFirstNameLastName
3. PROFILE PHOTO (recommended size = 400x400 pixels)
You want this photo to clearly represent your practice. This image will be the icon on each and every post you create. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, "It pays to use a professional photo". If you have a high-resolution logo use it. If you don’t have one, get one. If you have professional photos use them, if you don’t it’s worth the investment.
4. BIO
Twitter grants you 160 characters to let the world know what makes your practice stand out amongst your competition. Rather than a simple mission statement, you should include useful information/hard data such as your location, business hours, the link to your website and the applicable keyword topics you are going to tweet about (auto injury, integrated medicine, sports, and fitness, etc.). If you are tech savvy create a unique URL so you can track who comes to your site via your Twitter page.
5. HEADER IMAGE
Much the same as the "Cover Page" in Facebook, your Twitter "Header Image" is your online calling card. In short, it’s your digital billboard. Just like with offline billboards you should switch this out from time to time to remain current. Highlight upcoming events, promotions, awards, etc. You can use one of the services mentioned in last week’s blog about Facebook.
Simple Tools to Create a Header Image
BONUS LAND - YOUR PINNED TWEET
You have the option to keep your creme de la creme tweet at the top on your timeline. If you choose to do this make sure it’s a winner. The logic on this is the same as the Header Image. Update it regularly!
Here’s How You Do It:
Click on “more” directly from the tweet you wish to pin, then select “Pin to your profile page”. Done and Done!
Style Guide: Twitter Profile Specifications (you can use the 3 tools above to create these images)
- Recommended image size for your profile pic is 400x400 pixels; the image will be resized to fit.
- Twitter Header Image is 1500x500 pixels. Mobile devices will crop this to a 2:1 aspect ratio.
- Use a GIF or PNG file for vector-based and line art images.
- Upload a JPG or PNG file for photos.
Your Business Twitter Account Should be Squared Away! Now What?
DON’T BE STAGNANT!
Twitter is the antithesis of stagnant. A Business for Twitter account with cobwebs = don’t bother. Set a goal for yourself and stick with it. Patients expect consistency, it conveys trustworthiness, professionalism, and dedication. Which we know are all essential when choosing a medical professional, such as a Chiropractor. You should also consider using an economical tool such as Automated Chiropractic Social Media. We can post interesting and relevant articles and videos as often as daily. This takes some of the pressure off of you to be dreaming up posts. We post on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ for $1 a day!
ENGAGE
Did you know that patients who engage via social media spend between 20-40% more money with practitioners than those that don’t? If someone is taking the time to follow you, retweet, etc you need to pay it forward and do the same for them! Engage with your following!
#HASHTAGS - WT#?
There should be no mystery around hashtags. Tweets including 1-2 hashtags garner over 2 times the amount of traffic/engagement than those that do not. Use them...intelligently! These create a searchable link associated with any/all of your tweets. Nail down a few and use them consistently.
Tips on Hashtags
- Use your location - #SeattleChiropractor
- Use your name - #DrFirstNameLastName
- Use the same keywords you have associated with your website - #Chiropractor #BrooklynNY
WEBSITE LINK IN TWEETS
Just like with hashtags the level of engagement on Tweets with URLs is higher.
The Numbers are Staggering
- Tweets including website links garner 86% more retweets than those without
- 92% of user’s engagement with a business is clicking a link within a tweet
DON’T ASK, DON’T GET (A RETWEET)
There is no reason to be shy. Ask for a Retweet, by adding “Please RT” in the body of your post.
DON’T RAMBLE ON
There is a reason Twitter has a limit on characters per tweet. People have a very limited attention span. Keep it less than 100 characters. You will likely receive almost 20% more engagement!
GET VISUAL - GET PHOTO HAPPY!
Let's get visual, visual! People love photos and videos much more than text! By simply uploading a photo or video you can expect at least 90% more retweets than on posts that are text only! It’s incredibly user-friendly to accomplish from any device.
GET ORGANIZED! SCHEDULE TWEETS IN ADVANCE
Noted, you are busy all day. Consider scheduling your tweets before or after office hours to roll out for the upcoming week, or month? It’s actually very easy to accomplish this and not have to be a marketing executive. You can use free scheduling tools such as Buffer, HootSuite or SproutSocial. We like (and have used/are using) all of these platforms.
MANAGE YOUR ONLINE SOCIAL REPUTATION
If someone mentions your brand be on top of it. That’s free promotion...they didn’t have to do that. They should be thanked and engaged within a very short period of time!
CROSSING "T's" and DOTTING "I's"
Make sure you have added as much information as possible to truly nail the mission of your practice. Just like SEO and your website you can’t simply setup your Twitter for Business account and forget about it. Clearly, this is even more true with your social media. You MUST update it on a very regular basis. In a previous blog called, 5 Steps to Build Your Facebook Business Page for Patients...NOT Chiropractors, I mentioned the necessity to be consistent with your posts in order to convey an active and thriving practice.
WRAP UP!
Again, it's completely understandable that you might not be able to post daily...or even weekly. If this is the case definitely consider supplementing your posts with a service such as Automated Chiropractic Social Media. All of our Automated Social Media drives people TO your site, NOT to a random article online. Automated Chiropractic Social Media don’t hesitate to schedule a 1-on-1 call with us. If you choose to sign up for Automated Chiropractic Social Media ($29.99 per month) we will be happy to waive the $100 setup fee for you. We are not a sales organization, we are always here to answer your questions and steer you towards success at any budget.
Thanks!
ChiroHosting Team
