Top 10 social media tips

As a physician who loves to create and share social media content, I realized there aren’t a lot of tips or guidelines available when it comes to posting, specifically as a #medfluencer. I’ve had to learn the hard way, taking bits and pieces from mentors, fellow creators, and my own experiences. There have been a lot of growing pains when it comes to posting and I thought with new resident physicians who may want to grow an online presence just around the corner (hello July 1st) it makes sense to share my own top 10 tips for social media posts, especially as a “medfluencer.”

Take these or leave them but they helped me on here and I hope they help you 👩‍⚕️

1. Be original, be unique, be you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Quality beats quantity any and every time. While it's true that people often find success with "niching" themselves, I am of the philosophy that these platforms are for us to share what makes us happy, inspires us, surprises us, or teaches us something new that we can share it with others. So I suppose you could say my niche is lifestyle with a mix of any and everything. Other people prefer a niche of only medicine or only fashion, only food, only [fill in the blank] meaning whatever topic they are most passionate about.
2. If you have to question it, don’t post it. If you’re second guessing yourself there is probably a reason so listen to your gut. It can help to have a second opinion by someone else to give you an outside perspective whether it's a photo, video, or even a caption. Generally if you're unsure, it's best to move on and go in a different direction.
3. Check your facts then check them again. It is so easy to re-post and re-share an image, a quote, or a caption you see online. As a result the spread of misinformation is rampant. Cite your sources whenever possible/indicated because credibility is huge both on and offline.
4. Speaking of credit, don't forget to credit your inspiration - whether a song, a dance, a quote, etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as long as it is clear who inspired you. However, stealing or plagiarizing another person's work is wrong.
5. Adhere to HIPAA so you do not jeopardize patient care or privacy. This is especially true for all the aspiring #medfluencers out there. Take into consideration the environment you're in not only when you're shooting content but also when you're posting it.
6. Follow your job duties/social media policy. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the policy at the organization where you work. It can help to meet with the marketing team as well to ensure you are following the guidelines.
7. Be professional and kind. This is also a networking opportunity and a chance to build connections both in and outside your field. Engage with others and don't be afraid to ask questions. We all started somewhere.
8. Be wary of brands reaching out, especially when it comes to conflicts of interest and ethical dilemmas. Think of the disclosures you have when it comes to presentations. Also think of the prevalence of scams. Don't give out personal information unless you're 100% sure it's a legitimate company.
9. Be supportive of others. Being a #medfluencer comes with the ability to connect with others who also love to show what it means to practice the ART of medicine. Liking, commenting, sharing, saving, and re-posting are all great ways to lift one another up on here. I'm in several local as well as international social media groups online where we share tips and advice for one another. It's also a great way to make friends :)
10. Have fun! This is a chance to explore your creative side and balance out the left side of your brain, known for its logical and analytical thinking with the right side of your brain, known for its more artistic and imaginative nature.

Additionally, some of my favorite FREE apps for photo and video editing include:

LightRoom, Snapseed, FaceTune, ReTouch, Canva, Mojo, Picsart, InShot, and CapCut.

What tips do you have? Leave a comment below