Social Media in mHealth Means More than Just Marketing

I can’t scan my inbox or spend time online these days without reading someone telling corporations they need to “pay attention” to social media. As a marketing firm working in the mHealth industry, I agree, but I think every company needs to do some re-evaluating of its marketing philosophies first. Today, it’s not just a matter of creating a corporate or business Facebook page and Twitter account. Do you want your social media to be effective? If so, it’s important to listen first, and come up with a strategy after you understand who your customer is and what they want.

Philip Guarino offered some good advice on how companies can invest in social media and I’d like to pass along the short version for you here:

mHealth Social Media Marketing… and More

Ask the tough questions
You’ll need to take a hard look at your company’s interactions with its customers and clients, says Philip, and determine if it’s inviting customers to share and engage in feedback. If not, you are merely playing at being a part of the social media conversation and not an active participant. Philip is on target when he says companies need to listen to the online community in order to understand what the customers are saying.

Focus on content
Content is another term that we’re seeing everywhere. And there is a reason for this saying; “Content is King.” These days, according to Philip, compelling and valuable content enables consumers to be spokespeople and promoters of your company’s brand in a way that traditional advertising cannot accomplish. He stresses the point that social media provides an immediate way to engage your audience, and they, in turn, can promote your content to even more potential customers.

Listen to, follow, and integrate feedback
This advice reiterates Philip’s first tip, which is to really listen to your customers’ feedback and use it to guide your company’s future plans. Using social media correctly can make your company’s brand stand out and help foster great customer relations in the process.

Today, every business should be using social media to listen to its customers, get feedback and re-evaluate traditional marketing campaigns. Your challenge, especially in the mHealth industry, is to shift your focus from an old school philosophy to a proactive, engaged, online corporate mentality … so you can stay on top of the wave, not behind it.