Instagram Corner

THINK VISUALLY

As we explore how best to use social media and Instagram, specifically, Optometric Management is reaching out to O.D.’s who are on their Instagram game to share their tips. First up, "Glaucoma" columnist Austin Lifferth, O.D., Instagram handle: glaucomaqd.

“When considering launching and/or growing your social media influence, I have found it helpful to have a simple "2-P" approach: Pictures and Pearls. As pictures can be worth a thousand words, try to make sure that your pictures accurately (and appropriately) represent your practice, your teaching principles, your interests and/or your lifestyle. Once your pictures are in place, what phrases can then be added to send the right message to your followers that strengthens your practice philosophy? What clinical pearls can be connected with the pictures to increase awareness and/or deepen understanding? Keeping your pictures and pearls top priority helps broaden your virtual base and build for the future.”

 

 

Twitter Hashtags

APRIL 15 #GETTOKNOWYOURCUSTOMERSDAY

Take an opportunity to ask your patients a question or offer up a patient satisfaction survey using this hashtag. Also, express gratitude for their patronage.

APRIL 22 #EARTHDAY2021

Do you take advantage of green opportunities in your practice or the industry in general? Take a moment to highlight these endeavors, and let your patients know about them, as they may be important to them.

APRIL 29 #INTERNATIONALDANCEDAY

Dance party? Maybe? Shoot a Boomerang or short video of a few seconds of a dance party, and invite your patients to do so too. Perhaps, have your employees choose some spectacles to wear in the video.

Observances

THE AOA celebrates National Public Health Week, taking place April 5 to April 11 this year, organized by The American Public Health Association. The theme is “Building Bridges to Better Health,” which you can learn more about on its website at nphw.org .

Here are the ways that you can connect this back to your practice:

VIDEO. Go live on Facebook and offer the ways that an annual comprehensive eye exam can build bridges to better health, in honor of the National Public Health Week observance. Mention facts, such as:

• The eyes are windows to the body. A comprehensive eye exam can offer an insight into health concerns that could be down the road or urgent, in some cases.
• What’s good for the eyes, often is good for the rest of the body too. For example, omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation has benefits not only for dry eyes, but for heart health as well.

Close with an impact statement: We are given only two eyes, be sure to take care of them. Schedule your appointment today.

GRAPHIC. Utilize this graphic and corresponding policy statement from the American Public Health Association to make the case for eye health. (The statement can be found at bit.ly/APHA20191 .) Although a more academic approach to advocacy, the statement outlines concerns and statistics that a patient may find as a compelling argument. As always, don’t forget that call to action.  

Bonus observance: Prevent Blindness observes April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month; find graphics for use on social media via the organization’s website at preventblindness.org/infographics-archive/ .

  

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