Let’s face it, the internet can be like the Wild West at times. Anyone with a keyboard and a connection can post any kind of statement about someone else, with the potential for millions of views. While such a post might be taken down quickly, the damage may already be done. What can you do to protect and promote your credentials, your ethics, and your reputation in a digital world? Here are some concrete recommendations.
Studies show that nearly four of every five people searching for medical services online take the time to read online reviews about potential medical practitioners. It’s not enough, though, to post a number of testimonials on your own website. To maximize the power of online reviews and ratings, you want as many positive reviews as possible, and you want to be found on a broad spectrum of websites.
How do you do that? First, and most important, you need to ask your satisfied patients to tell others about their experience. You need to remember, though, that few of them will take the initiative to post an online review on your behalf—you need to make the process as simple as possible. One of the best ways to do that is by using a reputation management tool like Catalyst, which gathers reviews from a variety of sites and lets you manage them in a single online location.
Outdated or inaccurate information—whether in a directory, on your website, or as part of your Google My Business listing—sends mostly negative messages to potential patients. It can also lead to negative reviews, as potential patients share with others their frustrations about not being able to contact or find you. Update all your directory listings on a regular basis, add fresh content to your website frequently, and always make certain your GMB listing has accurate, timely, and useful information available for prospective patients.
Don’t be surprised if a disgruntled former patient chooses to post a negative comment about you on Facebook, rather than your website. It may feel less confrontational to them. For that reason, you need to regularly monitor what your patients are saying about you on social media. How do you do that? Again, the most effective way is with a specific tool designed to manage your online presence. GetLegal’s Catalyst product will scan all major social media outlets for any negative statements and give you options for responding to them.
You may not be able to change a disgruntled patient’s perspective, but your chances are infinitely improved if you respond as quickly as you can and make a genuine effort to resolve the issues. Don’t ever use the internet as a sounding board for your own anger, resentment, or disgruntlement. If the issue seems to be escalating, try to get your former patient to address it with you offline.
At InjuredCare.com, we have decades of experience providing digital marketing services to professionals nationwide. We offer website development, search engine marketing and optimization, social media consulting and implementation, full video production, reputation management, and directory listings. To learn more about how we can improve the digital marketing for your medical practice, contact us online or call our offices today at 866-952-7045.