Social media essentials for dietitians. Presented by Kristy Schirmer MPH,Health Promotion/Education
As health professionals, making the most of the opportunities of social media makes sense. Yet, the skill set is typically outside of our core scope of talents and the potential for time overwhelm is ever present. To enhance our social media influence as health professionals we need a deliberate approach and strategies to maintain our capacity. Kristy Schirmer guides us through the essentials offering a clear plan of action along with the encouraging message to simply “Be you”.
Developing your ‘why’ is foundational for considering engagement opportunities with purpose. Kristy establishes that it is unnecessary and unrealistic to do ‘all the things’, and so playing to your strengths is a solid starting point. She offers a framework to organise and prioritise content, highlighting that all social media efforts should include both WHAT it is like to work with you and HOW to work with you.
The sheer volume of platform options is another focus point for prioritisation, narrowing down and targeting your audience and content type. Don’t allow your efforts to go without review! Using metrics evaluation against your goals is an essential step that affirms your approach and allows you to redirect when needed.
Right throughout Kirsty Identifies critical strategic approaches to avoid social media burnout. Helpfully, she finishes with a clear reflective framework for mitigating challenges and bolstering your capacity and motivation to sustain your efforts ongoingly.
With over 15 years’ experience in health promotion, both in Australia and abroad, Kristy Schirmer MPH, BHlthSc (Health Promotion/Education) has developed a passion for supporting health promoters to keep up with the demands of social media. Through Zockmelon, she runs the Health Promotion Social Media School , consults on social media strategy, and speaks at workshops and conferences. To support self-employed consultants, Kristy co-founded the Australian Public Health Consultants Network. Kristy has been named in the ’40 under 40’ business leaders in South Australia by Deloitte and the Adelaide InDaily.