Using Snapchat for Healthcare Marketing

Should Snapchat be incorporated into your healthcare marketing strategy?

Snapchat is a popular mobile app that lets you send short videos and pictures, both of which will self-destruct after a few seconds of a person viewing them. Snapchat has over 200 million users and is growing every day. A lot of national brands have found ways of leveraging this new medium, using custom filters, the discover feature, contests, and giveaways. 

Before going on a Snapchat spree, remember that the healthcare field requires that we be mindful of the HIPAA laws and respect patient confidentiality. Make sure you get formal consent and release form from patients to avoid any future problems or litigation.

Keep in mind what type of demographic you are trying to attract. Most Snapchat users are the younger generation, ages 18-24, which make up 36% of Snapchat users. Older generations are less likely to use Snapchat and different tactics should be used to appeal to those clients. Finally, putting yourself out there in the younger community to promote your practice will help keep strong brand recognition.

Tips to Help Promote Your Practice

1. Create geotags. Geotags are composed of a logo and a location tag, which your patients can add it to their snaps.
2. Introduce any new physicians or staff members in your practice or healthcare network.
3. Have “a day in the life with a ____”, such as a doctor, nurse, office assistant. This way your patients can have a better understanding of what it’s like at your practice.
4. Update and build awareness for different diseases or illnesses that you focus on in your practice.
5. Celebrate the holidays, for example, highlight labor and delivery nurses or OB/GYNs during mother’s day.
6. During a patient, seminar designate a staff member to capture the event for those who are unable to attend
7. Snapchat stories are a great way for followers to view your content an unlimited amount of times in 24 hours.
8. Build your audience by cross promoting your Snapchat account on other social channels.