Top 10 Reasons Why a Doctor Should Blog

The world of blogging is continuing to grow on a daily basis. Online presence for a doctor is a need these days, not just a passion. Blogging opens up an entire world of possibilities where you can connect to other trusted medical experts and establish a professional network of resources. The more valuable information you share, the more your brand will grow. Moreover, you have the opportunity to drive visitors to your site and keep them engaged with fresh, unique content. The more effective you are at communicating with your visitors, the larger the impact you will have. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should get out there and blog:

1. Distribute knowledge

Sharing your ideas with patients, students, collaborators, and staff is teaching, not boasting. Your experience and wisdom can benefit others. The more content you contribute to your blog, the more your content is seen. This way, you can build your professional reputation and your visitors will enjoy getting first-hand information and responses from your practice rather than going through red tape.

2. Enhance patient safety

Most patient inquiries come from online searches, which has grown to be the public’s number one source for information on aesthetic, medical, and healthcare-related issues. Symptoms checking, a new diagnosis, or impending surgery drive patients right to Google. Yet, all patients want to receive information from a trusted source. Your blog can help raise awareness and enhance smart patient decision-making.

3. Recognize collaborators

Links to information and insights from other physicians get noticed. Most often, physicians return the favor, thus creating a network of medical experts who cite and support each other’s ideas and interests. Mentions lead to new collaborations and increased opportunities. 

4. Increase SEO and search engine results

Blogging is an extremely easy and efficient way to improve your business’ SEO. If you have compelling enough content, you will likely develop a large group of followers. This means visitors will be reading your writings. Start an engaging dialogue and share your unique voice and perspective. Capture visitors’ attention and even capture their hearts with real and honest posts.

5. Drive traffic to your site

Using social media to drive traffic to your blog is key. The use of videos and visuals to enhance your message also keeps visitors engaged along with exciting, unique content. Not to mention the fact that blogging is one of the cheapest ways to drive traffic, and it has the potential to generate high revenues.

6. Help build your brand

Even if it is your personal blog, you are still selling a product: yourself. Let your blog portray your portfolio and share your wisdom and expertise with the world. This is a great way for visitors to see you are passionate about your work and that you want to share your knowledge in an easy to understand format.

7. Help position yourself as an authority in your field

Lawyers, medical software developers, and other professionals require specialist advice and knowledgeable insight from qualified physicians. They tend to search relevant topics online and filter through search results to find a knowledgeable and credible expert. Create a demand for your expertise and help these experts find you.

8. Create trust with your patients

A lot of blogs are written to help patients going through certain phases or circumstances. They work in a therapeutic way to create closeness and identify others who are going through the same situation. Sharing your passion for medicine gives your patients a view before and after they see you, so they know what to expect before coming to your office. Writing what is important to you, medical or non-medical, offers your patients a greater understanding of who you are and what makes you tick. After all, trust is a crucial element when it comes to doctor-patient relationships.

9. Show your human side

It is not uncommon for individuals to perceive doctors and nurses as some sort of super-human. You deal with patient illnesses and challenges all day long and do so in a calm, composed manner. Blogging can be a way to show the more human side of your life as a doctor. It is a way to bring true humanity to your profession and help your patients see you as a well-rounded individual.

10. Help foster potential patient engagement

Blogging provides an opportunity for self-expression and connection with patients and peers that time-crunched doctors don’t always have outside the exam room. Building your network through blogging can also help you professionally by increasing your contacts and even referrals.

For many individuals, blogs have become their diaries, their journals. They pour their hearts out, hit post, and, instantly, the world can read it. As a doctor, blogging can be a valuable way to grow your practice, educate the public, and target patients. A well-written and informative blog can result in high online visibility and build up your position as a powerful and dominant “expert source.” You can learn more about what your visitors read, click, and share, which allows you to plan your marketing efforts better and better cater to your users. Creating a blog will allow your current and potential patients to get a greater understanding of your passion and inspiration for patient care. Start sharing your ideas and perspectives today. The world awaits your words, so get busy blogging!