by Mickie Kennedy
Managing a successful, interesting blog is of great benefit to a small practice as most people begin their health-related research online.
This can be incredibly tricky and time-consuming; HIPAA rules and increasing government regulations have seen to that.
Providing reliably accurate information is absolutely essential: not only so your readers and potential patients view you as a trusted source, but also because providing incorrect information could result in your website being removed and even a huge fine levied against your practice.
But blogging on your own website can get lonely, especially when you’re just starting out. One great way to get in front of a new audience is to guest post on another blog.
Start by offering a guest blog post to a colleague or partner.
Or take a poll and find out where your colleagues and patients get their information online and ask to write a guest post there.
Not sure what to write about? Here are some topics to get you headed in the right direction:
- Medical Research
Share some news on the latest advancements either in technology or medicine to give readers better insight when it comes to making health-related decisions. - Conferences and Events
If your company is attending a conference or promoting a health event, write about it. You can also do a giveaway of any conference or event swag.
- Share a Personal Story
Write about a health experience that you have had personally or get permission to share another person’s experience. (Always be very aware of HIPAA rules!)
- Common Problem
If there is a common problem (like allergies) that your practice sees often, blog about. Patients looking for an allergy doctor will see you as an authority on the subject. You can also research comments on the blog to see what readers have questions about most often.
- Infographics
Health information can be a lot to process and infographics can help! Share one that your company has created or another public infographic on health issues.
There are many other topics will result in a successful guest blogging experience, which helps to build your practice’s credibility. Some other thoughts to keep in mind as you pursue writing opportunities include:
- Research
It is imperative that you know the blog that you are writing for and are familiar with their readers. It is near impossible to be granted a writing opportunity from a cold call or email.
- FAQs
If they have a frequently asked question section on their page, review it for potential guest topics. Is there a particular subject that your practice deals with regularly?
- Recycle
Look at previous posts from either your blog or theirs and find topics that you can explore more in depth.
- Crowdsource
Ask your readers which topics they want to know more about or take a look at trending health topics through Google or Twitter.
As you know the medical field changes rapidly so choose your topics with care, especially when covering subjects like new technology or emergencies; be sure to state your qualifications up front to prove your great track record; and be sure to add a call to action at the end of your guest post so that their readers can follow you as well.
Do you have any other tips for writing practices in the healthcare field? Talk to us in the comments.
Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, offers Free Whitepapers and eBooks for businesses of all stripes.
Featured image via Flickr, Creative Commons: www.audio-luci-store.it
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