Healthcare has always been an important topic and the amount of healthcare blogs has increased significantly in recent years. You may be wondering, “What is a healthcare blog?” and “Why should I have one?” Well, a healthcare blog discusses relevant health related topics and it’s important to have one, because blogging in healthcare is a great way to grow your brand and show others what you stand for. Here is some advice for businesses wanting to blog in healthcare.
Show Your Expertise
Blogging is a great way to show everyone what your practice is all about, and the best way for you to do so is to blog about topics and issues that you specialize in. For example, businesses that specialize in cardiology or radiology should blog about various topics regarding their field. If your business focuses on sports medicine and sports related injuries, then your blog should focus on topics that will educate readers about sports injuries and how to deal with them.
By blogging about what you know best, you’ll build trust and credibility with your audience. This is crucial for any blogger, because if your readers trust you, they will keep coming back to your blog. It may take a while to gain that trust, but once you do, you will be able to branch out and start blogging about other healthcare related topics that are important to you.
Write Content That People Will Search For
One of the main reasons for blogging is to connect with readers, and what better way to do so than to blog about the things that people are searching for. You can’t connect with people if they don’t read your blogs. That’s why you need to create content that is based on the topics and issues your target audience is searching for. Topics that serve to solve people’s problems are a great example. In fact, according to research, out of the 80% of users who go online to search for health information, 66% of them look for information on a specific medical problem.
Of course it’s okay to blog within your comfort zone and write about your field of study. For example, if your area of study is dermatology, then you can blog about a common skin problem (dry skin, acne etc.) and offer tips and tricks to prevent it. The goal here is to write engaging content that will catch your reader’s attention. Tips, guides and myth debunking are all great blog ideas that will entice readers to click on your blog.
Build Relationships
Writing engaging content will increase the chance of readers commenting on and talking about your blogs. Interacting with readers who comment on your blogs is the best way to build relationships. It’s up to you, as the blogger, to create conversations with your readers by replying to their comments. Acknowledge their voice and thank them for reading. This creates a positive image in your reader’s’ minds and the next time they have a health related issue, they’ll think of you. Regular readers can become your patients.
There are many other healthcare blogs out there and it’s not a bad idea to engage with them too. It’s a great way to make new friends in the healthcare industry. You never know, you might end up finding business partners who share your same passion.
Follow Regulations
The first rule to blogging is “There are no rules”… I’m just kidding there are rules. Well actually, there aren’t any rules to blogging, but there is one big rule when it comes to blogging in healthcare. That rule, my friend, is compliance with HIPAA. I’m sure you know what HIPAA is, but if you need a reminder, HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and its Privacy Rule is there to protect the confidentiality of all patient information. This means you can’t disclose any patient identifiable health information (names, images and medical records) without consent. Violating this rule can result in a maximum fine of $50,000, so we recommend you follow this rule at all times.
Use Social Media
Social media platforms have become the top marketing channels, and advertising your healthcare blogs on social media networks will work wonders for your business. Sharing your blogs on Facebook and Twitter will reach more readers, and social media sites give them the ability to like, comment and share your content with just one click. It also serves as a place for readers to write reviews and share their experiences with your business. According to research, 41% of people say that they use social media as a factor when choosing a hospital or doctor. So let’s hope you get some good reviews.
Blog Frequently
Blogging is meant to raise awareness about your business, so the more you blog the better. This doesn’t mean you have to blog every day, once a week is enough. If you ever run out of ideas, look to the news for inspiration. You can always give your thoughts and opinions on what’s new in healthcare. The healthcare industry is always changing, so there’s always something to blog about.
Have Fun
The last piece of advice I have for all new bloggers is to have fun. Write about things you’re passionate about. Tell your readers why you chose the healthcare industry and what you love most about your job. Share your experiences with them and add a little personality to your writing.
Most people don’t blog, because they think they lack the writing skills, but blogging isn’t about complex writing. The best kinds of blogs are those that are playful and conversational. There’s no need to write a long complicated essay like you did back in college. Remember blogging is a conversation; it doesn’t matter if you’re not the best writer, just go for it.
Blogging in healthcare can provide new possibilities and if you don’t take advantage of them, then you’re missing out on great opportunities. More people today are looking to the internet to find answers to their health related questions, which means that there’s a serious need for healthcare blogs. If you need help with blogging or have any questions, contact us at Nao Media. We’ll work with you to get your health care blog started today!
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