In this new digital age, personal branding has become even more important. Patients turn to online platforms to research and avail of virtual healthcare services. A strong personal brand can help healthcare professionals stand out from the competition. It can help them prove their expertise, and connect with potential patients and collaborators. It can also help professionals navigate networks and build relationships in their field.
Recently, Mylocum Healthcare Summit, entitled ‘Trust Me, I work in the NHS’, was launched. Two of our speakers shared their insights on the importance of Building A Personal Brand and ways to do it. One was Dr Asalet Yener, who is a surgical trainee with a special interest in Aesthetics and skincare. The other was Dr Azmain Chowdhury who is a healthcare influencer with an impressive following of 234K on Instagram.
In this blog, we will help you with everything that you need to know about building, and boosting your brand.
What is Personal Branding?
Personal branding is the process of building and promoting a unique image or identity for oneself. It is used to establish a professional reputation and increase one’s visibility and credibility in a particular field. For healthcare professionals, it is crucial to establish themselves as reliable in their areas of expertise. It helps them build trust with patients and colleagues and offers virtual healthcare.
Dr Asalet introduced personal branding as, ‘Personal branding is narrating your story. Tell your story in such a way that it is quite relatable to people and pulls people in. They develop a certain element of trust towards you.’
Wish to know more about her personal branding strategies? Here’s the link to her talk –
Define your brand
Here are some key elements that a healthcare professional might consider when defining their brand:
a) Values
Healthcare professionals have a set of ethical values that underpin their practice. Such as empathy, compassion, integrity, and respect for patient autonomy. These values can form the foundation of a healthcare professional’s brand. It can help differentiate them from their peers.
b) Strengths
Healthcare professionals may have a variety of strengths that they can leverage in their branding efforts. Such as –
- Clinical expertise
- Communication skills
- Leadership abilities
- A passion for patient advocacy
c) Expertise
Healthcare professionals have knowledge and skills that set them apart from other professionals. This might include –
- Clinical expertise in a particular area of medicine
- Research skills
- An understanding of healthcare policy and regulations
d) Unique perspective
A healthcare professional’s perspective might stem from their personal experiences or research interests. For example –
Professionals working in low-income communities might have a perspective on healthcare disparities.
Healthcare workers may also want to consider the patient experience when defining their brand. This could involve focusing on aspects of their practice that are patient-centred, such as –
- Communication skills,
- Bedside manner, or
- A commitment to personalized care.
Develop your online presence
An effective website and social media profile are crucial for healthcare professionals in this new digital age. Here are some reasons-
1. Establishing credibility
A professional website and social media presence can help healthcare professionals establish credibility. They can build trust with patients, colleagues, and potential employers. It shows that professionals are committed to their profession and take their work seriously.
2. Providing a platform for patient education
Healthcare professionals can use their online presence to provide valuable educational content. This content can help patients better understand their health conditions and treatments. It can empower them to make informed decisions about their care.
3. Networking and career advancement
A professional website and social media presence can help professionals connect with others in their field. It can expand their professional network, and advance their careers. They can attract patients, referrals and job opportunities by showcasing their expertise.
While sharing her experience Dr Asalet said, ‘I’ve gained so many amazing colleagues that I can now call friends. I’ve been there to support them there’s been times that they’ve supported me. Social media and it’s opened up different job opportunities.’
4. Differentiating from competitors
It’s difficult for professionals to differentiate themselves from competitors without an online presence. This can lead to more patients, increased job opportunities, and more recognition within the industry.
5. Maintaining control of online presence
A website and social media profile can help professionals maintain an accurate online presence. This can prevent inaccuracies or negative information from appearing before their virtual community.
Emphasising the importance of social media. And how he grew his brand online, Dr Azmain Choudhary said, ‘I aim to help Healthcare creators get a foothold in social media. Allowing them to network with each other and be able to level up their content.’
Curious to know how he managed to boost his social presence? Here’s the link to his Summit talk –
Build your network
Networking events allow professionals to stay updated with the latest research and trends in their field. This can help them provide better patient care and stay competitive in their industry. It can also help healthcare professionals expand their reach and increase their visibility.
Dr Asalet emphasised the importance of networking and said, ‘Network! Part of building your brand is meeting like-minded colleagues or colleagues from different niches. Have colleagues whether from social media or face-to-face. Go to different courses through social media and build your network.’
1) Attend conferences and events
Conferences and events are great opportunities to meet other healthcare professionals. The events can help learn about new research and developments in your field. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards and be proactive about introducing yourself to others.
2) Join professional associations
These associations provide workers with opportunities to network, and access job listings. Consider joining associations that align with your interests and goals.
3) Connect with other healthcare professionals online
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can be great ways to connect. It helps you stay updated with industry news and developments. Consider joining online groups and communities to provide virtual healthcare services as well.
Dr Yener mentioned, ‘You cannot have a personal brand without delving into social media. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are. People are likely to seek your brand if you are much more relatable to them and if you’re more accessible.’
4) Volunteer
Volunteering for healthcare-related causes can make a positive impact on the virtual community.
Create valuable content
Creating and sharing valuable content is essential for building a personal brand. It helps establish credibility, attract new patients, and position oneself as an expert in their field. Here are some ideas for the type of content that healthcare professionals can create and share –
1. Blog posts
Writing blog posts on health-related topics is a great way to share information and insights with a wide audience. Blog posts can be shared on social media and other platforms to reach a larger audience.
2. Infographics
Infographics are a visual way to present information. It can be effective for communicating complex health information in an easy-to-understand format.
3. Videos
Creating videos can be a great way to share information and connect with audiences. Healthcare professionals can create educational videos and patient testimonials. They can also share insights and advice on health-related topics.
4. Webinars/ Conferences
Hosting webinars or speaking at conferences can be effective ways to engage with audiences in real time. Webinars can share research findings, and provide updates on new treatments and insights on health issues.
5. Case studies
Sharing case studies and publishing research papers can be a powerful way to showcase expertise. It provides valuable insights to audiences. Professionals can share examples of how they have helped patients overcome health challenges. Along with ways to achieve better health outcomes.
By taking control of their personal brand, healthcare professionals can shape how they are perceived by others. They can have a reputation for providing quality care by creating social groups and virtual communities. Professionals can provide virtual healthcare services to a greater audience with branding strategies.
You can go visit our website and you can go to the CV-Library to find more job opportunities for All Healthcare Workers.
