facebook and twitter

Re: facebook and twitter

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:29:58 GMT

Thanks everyone! The general concensus is that there's rerely negative feedback so that shouldn't be a reason for not doing it.

[quote user="Tim Arnold"]

Twitter seems to require less pushing to get going - if you start a Facebook and twitter account from scratch you'll reach 100 followers on twitter before 100 likes on Facebook - use both accounts to drive numbers to the other account!

At first, you need to get people sharing even if it is friends and colleagues - retweet and use facebook's new share option to get your message out there!

Don't forget to promote - make posters and your username to business cards, email signatures etc. it is a slow process but you can soon start amassing a decent following!

Good luck guys!

[/quote]

Thanks Tim - although, and I'm going to sound a twitter-phobe here - I don't get Twitter, I don't understand how to work it at all, but maybe I should give it a try once more! And I'm all over the poster/promotion thing - I'm even looking into them barcodes you scan to get to a website! (Can you tell I'm just a little bit proud of that one?)

Thannks again! You've all given me many things to think about!

Re: facebook and twitter

Tim Arnold — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:02:05 GMT

I've been in practices which se both Facebook and twitter and I use them myself a lot too! Some thoughts:

At first, you need to get people sharing even if it is friends and colleagues - retweet and use facebook's new share option to get your message out there!

Don't forget to promote - make posters and your username to business cards, email signatures etc. it is a slow process but you can soon start amassing a decent following!

Good luck guys!

Re: facebook and twitter

Phrin Vernon RVN — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:06:01 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

I'm a Scout Leader

[/quote]Totally OT but I've just been talked into being a Beaver Leader - not had much training or feedback as yet, but it's only been a few weeks - looking forward to getting stuck in - we have a sleepover coming up soon - eek!

Re: facebook and twitter

Gemma Burden RVN — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:51:54 GMT

My practice has a facebook page (I don't think any of us really get Twitter, and I don't think it would really suit the sort of thing we would want to use it for) and I wouldn't say that it has caused any problems for us. We only have just over a hundred likes, so it's not a major thing for us, but we are a very client orientated practice and really know a lot of our clients, so we do know most of our likers We don't really use it as a promotional tool, just a way of keeping the clients up to date with things going on at the practice, any info they might need to know etc, but the clients that use it seem to really like it, esp posting picture of their animals on there. I wouldn't say its made much difference to us, but definetely not done us any harm either.

Re: facebook and twitter

Susan Jackson — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:53:57 GMT

As a rule I won't 'friend' any clients. They would have access to my friends and pictures of nights out, and know details about me I don't want them to know. There is a line that you have to draw on these sites.

Re: facebook and twitter

Tracy Windler RVN — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:56:18 GMT

We are actually very close to a lot of our clients, through things like re-homing animals to them and the individual care we can offer, so although we are very "chummy", it goes with our very personal service that we offer. Our clients seem to like it and we can notify them of special offers, advertise missing pets etc. I "like" the page from my personal facebook, but I don't really edit my profile because of it (I'm already a bit careful, as I'm a Scout Leader) , although I would be reluctant to "friend" clients so they could see everything.

The boss who set up the page has opened an account just for it and doesn't use it otherwise. She also does twitter, but not obsessively! One "tweet" a week, maybe.

Re: facebook and twitter

Susan Jackson — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:37:46 GMT

Our practice has a face book page, I have no time for twittering all day every day.

The clients really like it. We tend to not use it as a marketing tool more as a 'friendly, here's the information you need to know' tool.

Put in Vet practice in face book for different regions and look at them. Ask yourself what you like and don't like and you'll find the answers you need.

Re: facebook and twitter

jamie — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:59:28 GMT

We have a facebook page which is controlled by the senior vet it looks very professional but.....i do have to think about my own profile picture as I am friends with the page, no shots of me lying face down in the gutter allowed :) Im not sure that I has really helped with the marketing as its mainly just the bosses mates. You do have to make it clear aswell that its not for offering cons or making appts as we had in the first few weeks.

Re: facebook and twitter

Katie Mansfield — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:07:57 GMT

One of our local clinics has a FB page. I didn't become their friend tho cos I'm not a client, they just came up in the "People you may know" column one day so I had a look.

I think it can work as long as the content is kept professional, eg the BVNA FB page. However, the vets page I looked at seemed a bit "chummy" if you get my meaning, and didn't feel like it came from a highly professional organisation (I have visited the clinic on their open day and know them to be well respected and of a very high standard).

I would also be concerned about members of staff being friends with the page - just in case any of their personal content became public. Wouldn't look too good if the pics of you all out on the razzle were seen by clients!!!!

K x