Social Networking websites have become very popular.  Before you spend any money on a social media plan, it is best to know what you would like the outcome to be. Know your goals and have realistic expectations. You also should take a quick assessment to see what tools you already have in place, and if they are optimized to their full potential.

Do you have a Web site?

• How often is it updated?
• Has it been optimized properly for SEO?
• Is your site connected to any social media sites?
• Do you collect any information from visitors to your site? What do you do with this information?
• Do you provide any helpful resources that visitors can download to begin a conversation with you?

Do you have a blog?

• How often is it updated?
• Does it transfer a consistent message and design from your Web site?
• Do you link to your blog from your Web site or other social media networks?
• Is your blog optimized for SEO? Are you using any SEO plug-ins?
• Is useful content embedded (e.g., YouTube videos)?
• Do you actively ask visitors to comment on blog posts?
• Do you send people to your blog from other social media sites?

Do you collect your patients’ e-mail addresses:

• from your Web site?
• from your blog?
• from their visits to your office?
• Do you currently have an e-mail campaign or use software to manage your e-mails?