Instagram Corner

LINKS AND STICKERS

Instagram recently announced that it would be changing the “swipe up” feature, in which larger creators could link outside of Instagram from a story, to a sticker. Unfortunately, the sticker will only be available to those who already had the functionality to link out, aka, those who had more than 10,000 followers.

While linking will still be out of reach for many independent optometry offices (other than the one link allowed in the profile settings, for which there are services, like Linktree, that will allow you to curate multiple links), stickers and their use can be highly valuable for engagement with your consumers in the stories. For example, try asking a question! Oct. 15 as #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay could be a great opportunity to ask followers about themselves, try a funny or personal question, such as “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” (Download the post to direct your followers to your stories to answer.) Another sticker option is the poll, which is great for yes/no or either/or questions. For example, in the spirit of the season, try “Haunted hayride” or “Pumpkin picking” to see whether your patients enjoy the spookier or more family friendly activities.

These posts are fun to participate in, plus share the results in a future story to re-engage the audience, such as the wealth of “Chocolate” responses that you will inevitably get to the ice cream flavor question because it is, in fact, the best flavor — even in October.

Observances

IN THE THIRD WEEK IN OCTOBER (OCT. 18 TO OCT. 22), THE AOA, ALONG WITH THE SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATORS (SOPHE), OBSERVES NATIONAL HEALTH EDUCATION WEEK. The week is “focused on increasing national awareness on major public health issues and promoting a better understanding of the role in health education.” Find more information from SOPHE at sophe.org/focus-areas/national-health-education-week , and p.14.

Optometrists do their own work in educating the public regarding the role eye care plays in managing people’s health. For example, @eyecenter_optometric, the Instagram for a practice in Sacramento, posted about the difference between vision screenings, popular at the beginning of the school year, and a comprehensive eye exam here. instagram.com/p/CTkOcoNnwog . Utilize this week as a platform to communicate those messages regularly. Perhaps, you choose one eye health fact a week. Here are some practical applications of this.

• Just as OM’s authors say that clinical images can help increase patient compliance, eye-catching clinical images can engage a reader on social media and urge them to learn more. Use the caption to describe what is seen in the image and how your practice can help prevent it.
• Take the definition of a public health issue and a compelling image, such as the treatment for myopia seen here. Explain what your practice can do to help in the caption. Don’t forget your call to action to schedule an appointment.
• Use a compelling fact about systemic diseases that affect the eye. Describe how you can help and, again, use the call to action.

Use Twitter Hashtags to Connect Online

OCT. 14 #WorldSightDay

OCT. 15 #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay

OCT. 28 #NationalChocolateDay