Why do influencers matter for health experts?
An exact definition can be difficult, but an influencer (or influencers) is a recognized authority, has credibility or leadership....
Getting to the next level in what success means in the health sector (and in fact, any other as well), means taking one step further. Social influencers are the springboard, the extra “lever”, the connection necessary to obtain a reach that you could not otherwise generate. An exact definition can be difficult, but an influencer (or influencers) is a recognized authority, has credibility or leadership on a specific topic or particular industry. These individuals, or small groups, have an established influence on others and their decisions, instructions and/or advice are very persuasive with their audience. Therefore, imagine your message being distributed by them. Automatically you are endorsed and magnified among the audience. Ultimately, influencers are valuable for extending reach and influence. This is a very powerful tactic that social media professionals use. Influencers magnify and extend the typical reach much further than we imagine. A top-notch hospital, health system, or group of doctors is not going to dominate the market by doing the same old thing, or doing what everyone else does. Influencers are an embodiment of social proof. Sometimes called “informational social influence”, social proof is the phenomenon in which the public will follow the same course as others to feel that they are doing the right thing. And, if that audience finds that an authoritative source is taking or recommending a direction, it strongly encourages them to do the same. The testimony of a single person often has some influence. But** the support or endorsement of an expert has significantly more power.** An effective influencer is a recognized authority, thought leader and expert on a specific topic who also:
- Focuses on a select number of social networks
- Continues to expand your audience or circle of influence
- Create compelling, actionable and meaningful content
- Has a measurable and growing number of followers
- Presents information of shareable value, often with a unique perspective
- Proactively connects with other authoritative voices
- Provides persuasive, useful and positive solutions to various problems Approaching one is very easy. Simply use their contact form.** What’s not so easy is finding the right one. Yes, you can’t approach one that has nothing to do with something in your practice just because. It has to be something that even you see and where whatever he or she is going to promote about your practice has to do with what he or she generally promotes. Yes, it involves work, but one that will come back to you in spades.
