Social media has become a part of daily life for the healthcare industry, creating a portal through which patients and clients can engage and connect with their potential healthcare providers. Integrating social media into your business is crucial, allowing people to know you're the authority on all matters massage therapy. While social media platforms are the channels to reach your audience, they should integrate seamlessly with your website to promote your online presence, exposing you to a wider audience of potential clients and engaging with your current clients. Here are 5 simple tips for effectively integrating social media in your Massage Therapy practice:
#1 (The Golden Rule): Create Valuable and Shareable Content
Just ask yourself a simple question every time you want to post a new piece of content, whether it's a blog, Facebook post, Pinterest pin, or Instagram photo... "What is my objective and would I be interested in this content?"
#2: Integrate Social Media Where it Makes Sense
Once you start creating valuable content, the next step is getting the word out. Unless you've been hiding under a rock the past 10 years, you're probably aware that social networking is not about grabbing a drink with your fellow networking groups. While that's fun, spreading the word about your product or service has the potential to reach millions. If you're a massage therapist, you could be giving tips on reducing stress in the shoulders, among other things. Imagine if you had 500 (or 5,000!) followers on Facebook, how quickly word could get out if a few people start sharing your content with their networks of hundreds, or even thousands. See the power in social integration?
#3: Include Share Buttons On Blog Posts
![Social media share buttons](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0757/5919/0304/files/social-media-in-your-message-therapy_240x240.jpg?v=1719003684)
Share buttons should enable your visitors to quickly share or recommend a product, service, or content. Best practices suggest that social media buttons should be displayed on the top, bottom or along the side of your homepage or blog posts. Links or buttons that remain in your navigation as the user moves from page to page are optimal. To ensure that users don’t exit your web page, create the buttons or links to your social media pages open in new windows.
#4: Consider "Boosting" Facebook Posts
In addition to organically getting your followers to like, comment on and share your content, you can promote your posts to get new (relevant) people to find you. When you create a new Facebook post, you'll see an option to "Boost" your post. Use that feature to expand your audience. You can select specific audiences based on various criteria, from location to demographics and even to specific interests, like Massage Therapy.