Four Reasons Why Surgeons Need LinkedIn Profiles
by Dawn Groves
I’m big on getting the most benefit from the least effort, especially in the social media universe. That’s why I counsel clients to focus on one social media platform at a time. It’s all about making an informed choice and managing your attention.
To choose wisely, it’s important to understand the arenas targeted by each of the top six social media platforms. I have my own way of clarifying them:
- LinkedIn is a business conference.
- Facebook is a town gathering.
- Twitter is an information pipeline.
- Pinterest is the everything drawer.
- Instagram and SnapChat are parties.
Start with LinkedIn.
Aside from your business website, LinkedIn is your most important social media presence. It’s Numero Uno in online authority — even for surgeons. Here’s why:
- LinkedIn is ground zero for checking on businesses and business professionals including doctors. Not having a LinkedIn profile is like not having a business phone.
- Without a professional profile, you appear out-of-touch, especially if you’re middle aged. It dates you (not in a good way). Physicians are supposed to be relevant and well informed.
- LinkedIn is one of the few places you have complete control over how you’re presented. A strong LinkedIn presence decreases the impact of potentially misleading information from sites where you have little to no control such as Yelp, RateMDs, Google Reviews, Healthgrades, Vitals and other “open season” platforms.
- You don’t need to monitor LinkedIn. Once your profile is complete, you can move on.
Build your profile.
Now that you’ve decided to actually do it, what next? Fortunately I posted an article to answer this very question. Enjoy!