The Bottom Line
This quick-to-read unassuming book is a must have road map for veterinary practices looking to start or enhance their web presence. Brenda Tassava provides excellent insight on the art and skill of engaging with clients and other veterinary professionals using social media.
This book also provides concrete step-by-step tips for setting up and managing social media within a practice; setting up guidelines for employee duties and responsibilities as they pertain to representing the practice in various online venues.
Pros
- Excellent coverage of social media topics relevant to veterinary practices.
- Helpful legal information and examples of how to handle client confidentiality.
- Useful glossary and resources at the end of the book.
- A quick read that is a good "handout" manual to share with staff.
- Good social media marketing and time management tips for busy practices.
Cons
- Some of the early pages are jargon-heavy for people new to social media, but info is covered later.
Description
- A concise guide for veterinary practices looking to start getting involved or improve their online presence.
- Learn the lingo of Facebook and Twitter - RTs, likes, hastags, and so on throughout the book and in the glossary.
- Learn how to guide and educate your staff to be the "voice" of your practice online and time management tips for these tasks.
Guide Review - Book Review: Social Media for Veterinary Professionals
At first glance, this is an unassuming little book. The cover didn't grab me and the title, while descriptive and a topic I am interested in, didn't have me tearing open the cover.
But don't let these things stop you. This book is a gem.
This book, authored by veterinary practice manager Brenda Tassava CVPM CVJ, guides you in the process of getting your practice online, engaging with current clients and learning how to attract new clients to your practice via the Internet.
I am on the Internet all of the time and regularly use Facebook and Twitter. I found this book to be an excellent guide, covering many aspects of practice web sites and social media sites, but it was a bit jargon-heavy in a few spots if you are not already on or familiar with social media. However, a few pages later, the basics of Facebook and Twitter were covered in good detail. Readers will also find the glossary and appendices at the back of the book to be a useful learning guide and reference if basic definitions are needed.
This book is not a how-to guide for setting up social media IDs on sites such as Facebook - they change too rapidly for info to remain current. The author does give good guidance about setting up a Facebook profile page (personal page) first and then a 'fan' page as the business page. This is confusing to many people.
Educating the entire staff - doctors, practice managers, receptionists and techs - about the goals and vision of the practice online presence is a theme throughout the book, with many good insights and tips.I was glad to see that "transparency," being who you are and being genuine in your interactions, was discussed throughout the book, with tips to ensure good honest communication while also appreciating client confidentiality. Client (and staff) confidentiality are important issues, and this topic is addressed near the end of the book. Learn ways to handle and manage legal permissions to use photos and present case information online using a best practices approach.
Whether you are online or not, your clients are. And they are talking about your practice. This book is a great way to get started "monitoring your brand" online and interacting with clients and colleagues.
