5 Strategies for Healthcare Marketers to Build a Twitter Following‍

Twitter has become an essential social media platform for healthcare marketers to engage with patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. With over 330 million active users, Twitter offers a unique opportunity to share information, build relationships, and promote healthcare services and products.

However, building a Twitter following can be challenging, especially in a highly regulated industry like healthcare. Healthcare marketers need to create engaging content, follow compliance rules, and build trust with their audience.

In this article, we will share 5 effective strategies for healthcare marketers to build a strong Twitter following.

Strategy 1: Create Engaging Content

The first step in building a Twitter following is to create content that resonates with your target audience. Healthcare marketers should focus on creating informative, educational, and entertaining content that engages and informs their audience.

Some effective content types for healthcare marketers include:

• Infographics: Visual content that presents complex healthcare information in a simple and engaging way.

• Videos: Short, informative videos that provide tips, insights, or updates on healthcare topics.

• Twitter chats: Live conversations on Twitter around specific healthcare topics, using a specific hashtag. In the rapidly evolving digital health landscape, custom mHealth applications are becoming an essential tool for healthcare providers to deliver patient-centered care.

• News updates: Sharing relevant news and updates related to healthcare and your industry.

Make sure to keep your content concise, relevant, and visually appealing. Use images, gifs, and emojis to add some personality to your tweets.

Strategy 2: Use Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags are a powerful tool for healthcare marketers to reach a wider audience on Twitter. They allow your tweets to be discovered by people who are searching for specific healthcare topics or keywords.

Here are some tips for using hashtags strategically:

Use relevant hashtags: Research popular healthcare hashtags and include them in your tweets. Some examples include #healthcare, #patientengagement, and #telemedicine.

• Use trending hashtags: Keep an eye on trending healthcare hashtags and join the conversation.

• Create your own hashtag: Create a unique hashtag for your healthcare brand or campaign and encourage your followers to use it.

Remember, too many hashtags can make your tweets look spammy. Stick to 2-3 hashtags per tweet.

Strategy 3: Engage with Your Audience

Twitter is a two-way communication platform, and healthcare marketers should use it to engage with their audience. Responding to tweets, retweeting and sharing content, and participating in Twitter chats are great ways to build relationships and trust with your audience.

Here are some tips for engaging with your audience:

• Respond to tweets: Respond to questions, comments, and mentions from your followers. Show them that you are listening and care about their feedback.

• Retweet and share content: Share content from other healthcare thought leaders and organizations. This will help you build relationships and establish yourself as an authority in your industry.

• Participate in Twitter chats: Join Twitter chats related to your industry and share your expertise. This will help you connect with other healthcare professionals and reach a wider audience.

Remember to keep your engagement professional and respectful. Avoid controversial topics and keep your responses focused on your area of expertise.

Strategy 4: Follow Compliance Rules

As a healthcare marketer, you need to follow strict compliance rules to ensure that your Twitter activity is ethical, legal, and compliant. These rules include:

• HIPAA compliance: Ensure that you are not sharing any protected health information (PHI) on Twitter.

• FDA guidelines: Follow the FDA guidelines for promoting healthcare products and services on social media.

• Industry-specific rules: Be aware of any specific regulations related to your industry, such as those related to pharmaceuticals or medical devices

Strategy 5: Measure Your Results

To build a strong Twitter following, healthcare marketers need to measure the success of their Twitter activities. This will help them identify what is working and what needs improvement.

Here are some key metrics to track:

• Follower growth: Track your follower growth over time to see if your Twitter strategy is effective.

• Engagement: Measure the number of likes, retweets, and replies on your tweets to see how engaged your audience is.

• Click-through rate (CTR): Track the number of clicks on your links to see if your tweets are driving traffic to your website or blog.

• Conversion rate: If you are promoting a healthcare product or service, track the number of conversions (e.g., sign-ups, downloads) to see if your Twitter activity is driving results.

Use Twitter analytics tools to track these metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

Building a strong Twitter following as a healthcare marketer requires a strategic approach. By creating engaging content, using hashtags strategically, engaging with your audience, following compliance rules, and measuring your results, you can establish a strong presence on Twitter and reach a wider audience. Remember to keep your Twitter activity professional, ethical, and compliant to build trust with your audience and establish yourself as a healthcare thought leader.