Tiktok is a video-based social network that allows users to create and publish short videos. The app has been downloaded more than a billion times worldwide and is now considered the trendiest social media platform.
Some of you might be rolling your eyes right now, thinking it’s not suited for you. Sure, it isn’t a serious platform. But as of now, it’s the social media platform with the most opportunities to go “viral”. It provides a great opportunity for you to build a solid online presence and position yourself as an industry expert.
Here are some tips for marketing your practice on Tiktok.
Choose a username that reflects your practice
Your username is one of the most important aspects of your social media account. When you create a profile, make sure that your username is catchy and easy to remember. If possible, try to drop subtle hints about what you do.
Dr. Kim Chronister, a licensed clinical psychologist in Beverly Hills, is a great example of a healthcare professional who’s also an influencer on Tiktok. She’s known as @drkimchronister on the platform. She’s killing the keyword game by making it obvious of her expertise.
Create content that drives traffic
The key to going viral on Tiktok is to create content that your audience finds valuable. So ask yourself, “What are the problems your target audience is looking to solve?”. Now create video content that would help them solve that problem.
You can leverage the platform to attract new people to your Facebook group, get more Youtube subscribers, revive your Instagram account, or drive traffic to your website. You can say something like, “if you want to learn more about this, check out my Instagram or visit my website.”
Engage with your audience, especially the younger ones
Once people learn about your profession, they’ll start asking you health-related questions. Some will even ask for tips and advice. You can use the platform to answer these questions and provide solutions to their problems.
Dr. Jones, known as @MamaDoctorJones on Tiktok, is a gynecologist who uses the platform to educate teens about sex education. Her contents are engaging, and her willingness to be a bit silly on the app helps her get her message across.
In one of her popular videos, she talked about what you should do if a condom breaks during sex. The video has racked up over 11 million views. If the teen demographic doesn’t get adequate education about sex, then you can use the platform to provide reliable information.
Keep the “duet” feature in mind
While scrolling on Tiktok, you might notice two videos appearing side-by-side on the screen. It’s called a “duet”.
Duets allow users to collaborate, respond, or interact with other’s videos. You can create a video with a colleague or an influencer. Or better yet, invite your audience to join you on screen. This is a great strategy if you’re looking to grow your following.
Address misinformation
Living in the digital world, we have access to a wide range of information. Unfortunately, not all of this information is reliable.
With so much information available online, it can be difficult to separate the facts from fallacies. Tiktok is a great way for doctors and other health professionals to reach their younger audience. Use it to educate people about illnesses, general health, and much more.
Rose Marie Leslie, a medical resident better known as @drleslie on Tiktok, shares valuable information about vaping or birth control on the platform. With studies showing that vape use is at an all-time high with teens, Dr. Leslie often talks about vaping and vaping-related illnesses.
In one of her videos, she showed the chest x-ray from a patient with vape-related lung injuries. Dr. Leslie said that she’s been receiving tons of messages from teens who have stopped vaping after watching her video.
In another video, she debunks douching and other scented vaginal products as “a load of medical bologna”. She emphasized that these products can actually increase the likelihood of yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.
Use Tiktok to humanize your brand
Many of the content on the platform is funny and entertaining. This is why a lot of professionals are hesitant to create an account on Tiktok. But you don’t necessarily have to dance or crack jokes to capture the attention of your audience. You just have to show them your human side.
Remember that your audience are humans and they want to speak with real humans too. People are more likely to trust you if they can connect with you on a more personal level. Make an effort to talk to them as you would with a friend.
By letting your personality shine through your videos, you become more approachable and relatable in the eyes of your audience.
Final thoughts
More and more healthcare professionals are flocking to Tiktok to teach teens and young adults about health issues that matter to them.
As of now, there is very little competition on the platform. This presents a massive opportunity for you to reach a wider audience at a relatively low cost. So if you’re looking to build a solid online presence on the platform, now would be a great time to start.
