Saturday Helps Another Hospital Step into Social Media

Several months ago we were approached by Stanly Regional Medical Center, to help them create a social media program. They knew they wanted to get into the wild world of social media, but they weren’t sure how. They were also a bit wary of the time commitment with so much already on the communications department’s plate. After extensive input from the hospital and from our own research, it was clear that we needed a simple set of tools that would allow the hospital to broaden their lines of communication with the community, all the while positioning the organization as the go-to local resource for health care news and information.

Wanting to start small and grow later, we kicked off Stanly’s program with a blog, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Rounds, the multi-author blog we created, gives Stanly a new, additional way to connect with residents in their area. In addition to sharing valuable need-to-know health care news, the blog is offering information about upcoming events and hospital news that is relevant to surrounding communities. The Rounds will routinely be bringing to light important health topics, in addition to timely news and information. Different departments in the hospital plan to contribute monthly columns and we are planning to add an Ask The Expert feature in the near future.

Stanly’s Facebook page will allow people to stay up to date with the latest Stanly Regional news and events, connect with others who like the hospital and participate in contests and trivia. We’ve also had fun collecting photos from big hospital events, as well as employee contests. For example, this week we will post entries for the SHS Christmas Card contest, in which employees’ children and grandchildren were allowed to submit designs in hopes of being selected as the “official artist” of this year’s card. We’ll extend the contest online so that more entrants have a chance to win a prize.

Our YouTube Channel will give individuals access to important video features, as well as Stanly’s Medical Minute commercials that are airing on WSOC-TV.

(Never forgetting we are an advertising agency) Saturday also developed a promotional campaign which will run this month and introduce Stanly’s larger digital footprint. Tactics include print ads, an online banner, Stanly homepage graphic, press release, direct mail snipe, table tent for the hospital’s cafeteria, as well as an article for the quarterly newspaper.

Stay tuned for additional updates as the program continues to grow!