CREATE A SELFIE CORNER

You can help your patients by making the in-store experience a social experience. Set up a special backdrop or create a “selfie stage” where customers can share without fear of looking “silly.” If you create a backdrop, make sure your store branding and contact information is in the background. Additionally, include information near the station to remind customers of your social handles, hashtag(s), and any other pertinent information.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Here’s a virtual slideshow collection featuring a variety of useful tools, including apps, for social marketers:

slideshare.net/PRsarahevans/the-best-tools-for-social-marketers-social-fresh-east-2014

INCREASE YOUR PROFILE

Use other customer-rating apps and sites to work for you. Set up your business profile across the most popular business websites and apps, like Yelp, Linkedin, and Google Business.

It helps in a few ways:

MOBILE MARKETING: When people search an app like Yelp for “optometrist” or “eye doctor,” you want to show up first in the results. Get there by having real customers leave positive reviews and making sure your business profile is updated and accurate. If someone leaves a negative review, respond via the app so other potential customers can see you care.



SEO: Search is important. Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines are where people go when they need to find something. If someone in your area is looking for an eye doctor, you should be the first thing they see. Literally. By setting up your business profile on various sites, it may boost your business’ name to the top.

SOCIAL PLANNING

It can be overwhelming thinking about what to share each day. Don’t get overwhelmed—plan out your social content 15 to 30 days in advance. For inspiration, look at upcoming holidays, national (or international) events, pop culture, and even trending topics on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Use a tool, like Google Drive or Evernote, to keep your content organized, easily accessible, and ready to share.

One of my favorite tools for pre-populating Instagram posts is Latergramme. It allows you to upload photos from your desktop, write your captions, and schedule when they should go live on your Instagram account. You’ll need both an app and the desktop versions for it to work.

REWARD YOUR SHARERS

Reward your fans on each social network in unique ways. Here’s the short list.

FACEBOOK: Share exclusive deals and discounts for your followers.



INSTAGRAM: Launch giveaways or contests, such as photo challenges or use of a hashtag. The winners receive a discount, free lens upgrades, or another value from your store.



TWITTER: Engage regularly with customers, including customer service or important updates.



MEERKAT OR PERISCOPE: Show the behind-the-scenes in your store; do a demo of different portions of an eye exam; debunk eye health myths. Record your message and share real-time, then upload to YouTube to maximize the reach of each video.

ONE DEVICE, ONE MESSAGE

Use one device to share your social content. There are many opportunities to create content that result in daily online engagement. And, most of it can be done right from your phone or tablet. I recommend buying an iPad or tablet that is solely dedicated to your business social accounts. Download all of the social and content creation apps you need to engage, monitor, and share. You’ll never have to worry about an employee accidentally tweeting from a personal account again.

TIP: Create folders for each social network and then populate it with all apps you use for that network. For example, I use several different text overlay apps for Instagram photos. They are all grouped together.