UPFRONT | From the editor ‘Like’ if you agree At a conferece i recently attended, I overheard a conversation between two chiropractors about the many wonderful things Facebook can do for one’s public profile. One doctor was explaining how “sharing” one’s post works and the other nodding her head in enlightenment as if just finally realizing what those blue buttons on a Facebook page meant. I was probably being rude for eavesdropping, but the conversation made me realize how many people have taken social media for granted, believing it as a tool merely for keeping tabs on what friends and family are up to. In reality, the po-tential of social media to change people’s perceptions, influence decisions and even prompt them into action is huge. The boundless nature of the Internet, the ease of use and high uptake of many social media platforms make for an ideal combo upon which to build and grow one’s business. Despite the great potential of social media as a marketing tool, however, many businesses are still trying to wrap their heads around this phenomenon. More progressive organizations and professionals have embraced this trend and built an entire marketing strategy around it. But many have yet to jump on the band-wagon. As a chiropractor building a credible, successful and sustainable practice, it is wise not to ignore the important role social media can play in the growth and competitiveness of your practice – especially considering that 86 per cent of Canadians are Internet users and 91 per cent of them have a social media account. According to global Internet marketing firm, We Are Social, in its 2014 Global Digital Statists Report, there are more than 1.8 billion active social network users in the world – that’s 26 per cent of the world’s total population. Canada has the highest social media network penetration globally, with 82 per cent of us engaged in social media, compared to only 75 per cent in the U.S. Canadians spend an average of two hours and 19 minutes each day on social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. These numbers represent a huge market potential for your practice. Social media not only can be a potential source of new patients, but more importantly, it can provide an effective platform to promote the chiropractor as a resource for health and wellness. As with any business endeavor, it pays to do a bit of research before you embark on any social media strategy. Not all social media platforms are created equal, so consider which ones will best serve your purpose and concentrate on those first. Building a social media network will take time, but if done right, it will not only lead to better business performance, but will also build your credibility as a health-care professional. May 2015 Volume 20, Number 3 EDITOR Mari-Len De Guzman [email protected] (905) 726-4659 PUBLISHER Christine Livingstone [email protected] (519) 429-5173 • (888) 599-2228 ext. 239 SALES ASSISTANT Shannon Drumm [email protected] (888) 599-2228 ext. 219 MEDIA DESIGNER Brooke Shaw GROUP PUBLISHER Martin McAnulty [email protected] DIRECTOR OF SOUL/COO Sue Fredericks MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. P.O. BOX 530, SIMCOE, ON N3Y 4N5 e-mail: [email protected] Canadian Chiropractor is published eight times a year: February, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and December. Published and printed by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc., 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 Printed in Canada ISSN 1488-6952 CIRCULATION e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (866) 790-6070 ext. 201 Fax: (877) 624-1940 Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada – 1 Year $24.00 (with GST $25.20, with HST/QST $27.12) (HST #867172652RT0001) USA – 1 Year $35.00 (US Funds) Best pricing is available online at canadianchiropractor.ca Occasionally, Canadian Chiropractor will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. ©2015 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication. MARI-LEN DE GUZMAN, Editor EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD @CanChiropractor Victoria Coleman, DC; Connie J. D’Astolfo, DC, Dip HA, PhD (cand); Pierre DesLauriers, DC; Karin Hammerich, DC, MHS; James P. Laws, DC, FRCCSS(C)(Hon); David Leprich, DC; Wanda Lee MacPhee, DC; Peter Moore, DC; Don Nixdorf, DC; Renae Rogers, DC; Greg Stewart, BPE, DC; Greg Uchacz, DC, FRCCSS(C); Jessica Wong, DC; Emily Roback, BSc, DC; Catherine Bezeau (student member -UQTR). 6 Canadian Chiropractor May 2015 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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