The social media waters are warm, so come on in.
Scared to do it? I’ve put together a few steps to help you along.
But before you move forward to my 5 steps to diving into social media, be sure to read about the reasons why doing diving in is a necessity in the first place, and how it can help your career, as a professional in this day and age.
Read the top 5 reasons why here, or my commentary on stepping out from behind the veil of fear.
Feel free to join my growing FB group, #SoMeDocs, or Doctors on Social Media, a physician-only forum for support, learning, and community networking.
# 1 Whip out Your Calendar.
It doesn’t matter if it’s virtual, like mine is – on my handheld phone – or the old fashioned paper ones, like my mother-in-law carries around in her purse. Just do it. And pencil in your dive.
# 2 Pick a Date.
We call this your #SoMe date: it’s the day you will join social media and officially begin your journey. You can plan this in advance, giving yourself a couple of weeks to study the field and test out which platforms fit with your style or goals.
Mine are spread throughout all platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. But you can start yours with just one, and test the waters as you go.
# 3 Prepare for Your #SoMe Date
Study your chosen platform or platforms. Read about them. Watch others. Join a group (like the SoMeDocs one) to learn the trade and to pick up on the things to focus on, or inversely, to avoid.
Follow others. Make connections.
# 4 Pick a Name
Think of a name that best embodies your brand or your goal, or even your audience.
It’s best to keep that name consistent throughout social media platforms, so followers can easily find you anywhere they look.
Keep that name short. Make sure it’s easy to say. Stick with easy spelling.
# 5 Just Do It.
When I say that, I always think of The Swoosh. And that, right there, is the reason Nike is so successful. (Ok, so they made cool sneakers, too.) Because a single symbol and a single sound makes you think immediately of their brand.
With a rather powerful slogan like their, it simply sticks. So swoosh yourself into the mix.
On your #SoMe date, open your account. Take that dive in.
It’s ok if you need those floaties, they’ll come off once you get the hang of things.
As you’re preparing for this all, remember a famous saying that I love to quote, from the movie Field of Dreams.
“If you build it, they will come.”
It applies so beautifully here, to your plight. You have to build that social media account first, and then they – your followers, or whatever endpoint you choose – will come.
Your success will come with practice, if you just take that dive.
Tweet away, if you may:
Whip out your calendars. I don't care if they're virtual, like mine - on my Iphone - or the old fashioned paper ones, like my mother-in-law carries around in her purse. Just do it. Click To Tweet There's a reason Nike was so successful. Ok, so they made cool sneakers, too, but their slogan is pretty darn powerful. & it sticks. So swoosh yourself into the mix & create a social media presence. Click To TweetPin away, if you may:
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