Foursquare: Why practices should claim their spot

Foursquare--and other services like it that allow users to 'check in' to a location they are visiting--represents a valuable opportunity for practices to promote themselves via social media. It's also "one of the easiest and most effective social networks medical practices can join" to expand their digital footprint, social media advisor Glen Gilmore told HealthcareIT News.

To do so, the first step for businesses is simply to visit Foursquare online and claim their venue. Once you create your practice's profile, patients or other guests who use the site can use their smartphones to alert those in their network when they visit your office. Not only do these virtual announcements provide individuals, such as patients' friends looking for a local doctor in your specialty, with a GPS-enabled map to your door, but they also often include comments about the visitor's experience. For example, if your staff is friendly or the wait in your exam room too long, Foursquare users likely will include these tidbits when they check in.

If you don't claim your location, however, chances are that one of Foursquare's 8.5 million users will do it for you, as anyone can add a place to the site. While being added by a patient increases the chances you'll be found by others, it's best not to leave your brand in the hands of someone else who may not describe your practice accurately.

Nonetheless, a recent survey indicates that fewer than 10 percent of hospitals have claimed their locations. According to healthcare social media expert and blogger Ed Bennett, healthcare organizations needn't put too much time into managing their social profile on Foursquare, but they should at least take ownership of their location so that they will be notified of activity and feedback that may require their attention.

To learn more:
- read the article from HealthcareIT News
- see this blog post from Ed Bennett
- check out this post from Miller Medical Marketing
- read this post from the Wall Street Journal

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