SHOULD I BE ON INSTAGRAM?

Some things to consider if you’re wondering whether your practice should be on Instagram.

Instagram has more than 1 billion monthly active users, according to the platform. And 60% of people say they discover new products on Instagram.

As it is a visually driven platform — ask yourself what you could post that is visually dynamic. Ideas can go beyond products, just check out how Barnes Vision Clinic, Ardmore, Oklah., instagram.com/barnesvisionclinic/ , Revolution Eyes, Carmel, Ind., instagram.com/revolutioneyes2020/ and Vision Health, Tumwater, Wash., instagram.com/visionhealtholy/ use the site.

Instagram uses hashtags to help people find and search for content they are looking for. Relevant to the industry, #optometry has 460,017 posts; #optometrist has 399,676, #optometrists another 29,050 and #eyecare has 525,357 posts.

If you have any Instagram insights you’d like to share, send an email to shannon.simcox@pentavision.com!

Workplace Eye Wellness Month

WHAT DOES YOUR PATIENT BASE LOOK LIKE? Are the major companies ones in which the employees would benefit from protective eyewear? Are they miners, plumbers, painters, carpenters or other laborers? If so, March is a great time to post about your offerings as organizations, such as Prevent Blindness, encourage education on workplace eye wellness.

Take the opportunity to move your patient education to social media. Craft a 1 minute to 2 minute plan for a video, use diagrams and examples to show why the patient needs protective eyewear and why they should see you for it! Information about certification and the products you have in-house can be helpful. When posting, be sure to include your contact information, and encourage patients to pop in for a consultation.

Get Social On the Road

AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR EDUCATION, such as traveling to New York to attend Vision Expo East, is an investment in your patient care! As such, take a moment to showcase it on social media. Here are some options:

• Instagram: Use stories to chronicle your day, from the cab ride over to the Javits Center, to the new frames you plan to stock.
• Facebook: Shoot a quick video from the exhibit hall floor. Explain what the event is, how you plan to utilize your time there and why you’re doing it. (Hint: Tie it back to the patient!)
• Twitter: Find the event hashtag, such as #VEE, and interact with it throughout your time.

Hashtags in March

Use hashtags to connect online with those who share a common interest.

→ March 8 #InternationalWomensDay. Take a picture of your staff members who are boss babes in the office, and post to your Twitter. Encourage your patients to share all their female awesomeness on this day as well.

→ March 23 #NationalPuppyDay. Who doesn’t love a good puppy image? Ask your employees to submit photos of their dogs from home, or, if you’re a small office, encourage your patients to share their furry friends with you ahead of the day. Share and tag the owners on your social media on March 23!

→ March 30 #NationalDoctorsDay. Take a moment to get the O.D.s in front of the camera. Maybe share a fun fact about him or her that the patients can engage with. For example, favorite drink, show they are currently binge watching, book they are currently reading or surprising job they once fulfilled before becoming an optometrist.

→ IMAGE DOWNLOAD LINK
bit.ly/OMtoolkit
All corresponding images are available to download and use for free.