by ·Comments Off on Simple Social Media Guidelines

In today’s world the use of social media is not only advantageous–it’s expected. As of 2013, 73% of Fortune 500 companies have Twitter accounts, 66% are on Facebook, and 28% keep active blogs. With these numbers rising, it’s not hard to imagine a future where companies across industries increasingly use social media for tasks such as customer service, market research and advertising. Social media is a great means for staying current, reaching a large audience and keeping in touch with what customers are saying–but like any tool, there is a right and wrong way to use it.

Many major brands have suffered their share of social media disasters, meltdowns made all the harder to curb due to their widespread, public nature. So what are some simple, easy-to-grasp guidelines that might help anyone set up and manage social media accounts?

—Communicate regularly. By posting, tweeting or blogging on a fairly fixed schedule, you can create a dependable, communicative presence that followers will learn to expect and appreciate. Conversely, adding to your account sporadically or infrequently will reflect a lack of effort. This goes for page comments by followers as well–be sure to respond in a timely fashion.

—Show personality, but stay professional. Social media is a unique form of communication for many companies in that it is by nature casual, personal and highly interactive. It may be tempting to use slang, be colloquial and post pictures of, say, cute kittens. By all means, embrace the conversational nature of social media–to a point. While people will connect with you more if you keep posts concise and not too intellectual, you also should remember to keep brand image (and some sense of professionalism) true to your company.

—Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want to click on. While this may seem obvious, many companies make the mistake of simply being too boring. While it’s great to post things relevant to your field, make sure the links aren’t technical to the point that they will only attract a small segment of the population. Supplementing posts with pictures, infographics or videos is a great idea since studies have shown that people are more likely to engage with visuals.

—Listen to your audience. There are many fancy tools for measuring social media metrics, but the simplest ones might be the most informative. Try posting only visuals for a week and see how many view and/or clicks you receive. Take into account how many “likes” each post receives. In other words, certain posts will engage your audience more than others, and you can use this information to create the perfect formula for maximum engagement.

—Don’t be afraid to try something new. With all this being said, don’t forget to think outside the box when it comes to social media. The great thing about this medium is that it’s new enough that some of the greatest ideas on how to use it for marketing probably have yet to be invented. Try asking questions, posting a poll or getting creative with pictures or video. Just remember to avoid anything that could even possibly be offense and to remain courteous to all of your followers–unless you want a social media meltdown on your hands.

Have some interesting social media tactics? Let us know in the comments!

 

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by ·Comments Off on 3 Ways Technology Is Changing The Healthcare Industry

In the past few years, technology has transformed the way we communicate, interact and consume both products and services, affecting markets from travel to fashion. The healthcare industry is no exception, and as the average consumer expects more convenience, increased online communication and technical apps and gadgets, innovators are working to streamline and improve the customer experience through creative online means.

Here, we’ve compiled just a few of the ways that companies are integrating digital communications and online tools into healthcare to improve communication with patients and to create a more transparent, customer-friendly experience.

1. Online Communities and e-Patients

While pharmaceutical companies, startups, patient communities and providers began joining the social media world around 2010, many have now matured and broadened their scope. PatientsLikeMe, for instance, has expanded to over 1,000 conditions, CureTogether has gained the attention of major press outlets and 23andMe is defining personal genomics.

Additionally, both PatientsLikeMe and 23andMe have published results in medical journals, bringing further validation to social networks and social media as legitimate avenues for medicine.

2. Online Services Aimed at Easy Patient Experience

Many complaints about healthcare experiences involve long wait times and issues with finding the perfect fit in a doctor. Companies like ZocDoc are helping users take control of their own care by providing easy access to specialists in the area with information on insurance accepted and languages spoken. Meanwhile, innovator InQuicker seeks to put an end to excessive emergency room waits by providing the ability to “check in” online. After certifying that injuries aren’t life-threatening, patients are texted as their “appointment” approaches.

3. Mobile Apps

As smartphones have become pervasive, so have health apps that often have a social media component, whether that is the ability for a scale to post your weight to Twitter or the ability to transmit a diabetic blood sugar reading to a community. By and large, many people have taken their health quests online, and apps help monitor the body, motivate health and keep disease treatment under control. The Quantified Self movement, which is focused on this app-based monitoring, has expanded to 60 groups around the world and 400 tools.

 

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by ·Comments Off on The Importance of Storytelling in the Digital Age

From folklore spun by a campfire to sitcoms played out on Sunday evening television; from Grimm’s fairytales to Harry Potter, storytelling has been part of human culture since the dawn of communication.

I like to imagine that the first tale was told over dinner, a primitive version of the nuclear family gathered around a simple meal, their silhouettes outlined by the glow of a fire. Sitting face-to-face, they gestured, signed and sounded out a story about who they were, where they’d been and where they wanted to go. And in that moment relationships would be forever changed.

Throughout history, stories have conveyed our values, hopes and dreams. They are a medium through which we can see how we are unique, and yet they highlight the similarities that bind us in our journey.

The dawn of technology, however, left many of us wondering whether the art of storytelling is threatened by an ever-increasing tendency towards the impersonal nature of a fast-paced, productivity-driven world. Is an automated response on Facebook to a customer service question just as effective as real person-to-person interaction? Is letting others know who we are destined to become a figment of times gone by?

Here at The Signature Agency, we believe that the art of storytelling is as important now as it’s ever been.

While the tools have changed, the basic desire for human contact, for empathy, and for a belonging to something larger than ourselves has not. And while we may not be able to rid the world of widespread teen-texting epidemics or Twitter marriage proposals, we’re making it our mission to use the very technology blamed for distancing us from each other to bring us back together.

We believe it’s amazing how clearly time, effort and a creative human touch can shine through when it comes to Facebook, Twitter, email or blogs. So in the age-old tradition, we’re asking you to tell us your story with the promise that we’ll pass it on over the digital age equivalent of a campfire reward with friends.

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