How Physician Practices Can Benefit from Twitter

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read messages.  These messages are known as “tweets.”  The basic theme of Twitter is to answer the question “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less.

How do you connect with others on Twitter?

If you want to connect with friends, colleges, or anyone else on Twitter, you need to “follow” their Twitter accounts.  Once you have signed up for your free account, following someone is simple:

1. Search for an individual using the “Find People” tab at the top of the page.  Once you find the person’s page, simply click the “Follow” button, and that person’s updates, or “tweets” will automatically appear on your homepage.
2. Once that person follows you back, you have the option of sending that person a “Direct Message,” which will only be able to be seen by you and the person you are communicating with.

Who should you connect with if you are a healthcare professional?

Twitter is a way for you to reach out to your publics, so be sure to follow people both in your industry and in your community.  Connecting with hospitals, doctors, nurses, and associations can only help you get the name of your practice out there.  Also, following local media outlets, groups, and social media experts will help get you on the mind of important people in your city.

How to post a message on Twitter:

1. Click on the “Home” tab at the upper right portion of the page.
2. At the top of the “Home” page, there is a text box titled “What are you doing?”  Click in it to begin typing.
3. To post your comment on your profile page, click “Update.”  Not only will the comment be available on your page, but all of your followers will see what you wrote on their home pages.
   1. Be sure to include links, pictures, and other interactive options in your updates so that followers will have a reason to view your content.

How to post a picture on Twitter:

Twitter doesn’t have a picture posting feature yet, but you can use a third-party application called TwitPic.  TwitPic allows you to easily post pictures to your Twitter page.

1. Go to www.twitpic.com and login using your Twitter username and password
2. Once logged in, Twitpic, the application will take you to your homepage.  You will see a link on the upper right corner titled “Upload Photo.”  Click this link.
3. Choose an image to post by clicking the “Browse” button.  You can add a message to go along with your photo by adding it to the box below.
   1. You can also post pictures from your phone
      1. i.      Take a picture of something
      2. ii.      Send it to the e-mail address associated to your Twitter page from www.twitpic.com
      3. iii.      You can use the subject line to send a message that will show up with your picture on your Twitter page

Happy Tweeting and be sure to follow us (@phyzoom)!