Face Book, By Dr. Ogi Ressel
November 15 2009, 12:00 am
Warm hellos to everyone!
I've been thinking about this issue for some time now and have been debating the
best way of tackling this icon. This pillar of social networking. This sacrament of social
media - Face Book.
But.....before some of you get a crimp in your shorts, let me pre-frame this THOT by
stating emphatically that I am not against Face Book in the least. Absolutely not! This
THOT is not about the horrors of Face Book. This is not an attack! On the contrary,
Face Book is a fabulous way to keep in touch with others - many others - whoever they
may be. And for that reason, it is fun!
My daughter, Christie, who is an image consultant and also on Face Book, suggested that
I join and have both, a personal as well as a professional page. I was a bit resistant at first,
not having been born glued to a computer keyboard, but I must say that I am having fun
with it.
My purpose has always been to be able to teach doctors how to reach and help more
children and their parents. Face Book represents an wonderful vehicle to help with this
mission. With that in mind, I've been sending out all sorts of pediatric and family practice
gems and secrets to my "friends" and "fans."
Ok.....you are wondering where I am going with this.....
Face Book is wonderful, but there are pitfalls.....
Let me give you a common scenario:
You just saw a new patient. You did an amazing work-up, the patient was impressed,
and wants to refer their whole family to you, and pay cash - they even scheduled all their
children to see you on their way out of your office!
They are excited and place you on a pedestal. You are delighted and walk around all day
with that silly grin on your face that all doctors who were complimented by their patients have!
Fabulous! You deserve it! Life is great! Yes!
The next day, your new patient doesn't show up, cancels all the appointments for the children
and there is no explanation. They do not return your calls and emails, and you are absolutely
crushed.
What could have happened to cause this turn-around? I mean, you did change your underwear
and use deodorant. Right?
So, what is going on?
Let me take you behind the scenes for a moment: Let's take you to the home of your new
patient as the whole family is relaxing after dinner and your patient is recounting their wonderful
experience in your office. Everyone is excited and the kids - both teenagers - are looking forward
to their visit with you.
One of the kids is doing their homework on the computer, and you know how it is - they also have
Face Book open and toggle between it and their school work.
Suddenly they ask their parents, "Mom, what is the name of that doctor you saw today?" She mentions
your name and this teen suddenly searches for you and pulls up your page.....And there you are - no
secrets! All is revealed! They scan trough all your posted photos - all of them, even the ones where
you are guzzling beer on the beach, or standing on your head at some party, or with some scantily
clad partner, or acting like a moron (we all do this). And they all watch your cool videos in raptures.
You know the ones. The ones you wouldn't want your mom to see - but they are Ok for your patients.
Those ones.
And after they perused your page, your new patient utters a single word that sums up and mirrors exactly
how they all feel - "Idiot."
You just lost a new patient - and their family, and all their future referrals. Nice.
And you have no clue.
In the short time I've been on Face Book, I've seen photos and pictures of doctors that I am certain
they would not want their patients to see. I agree!
Somehow we forget that this social networking carries an incredible responsibility - you, as a
chiropractor, represent our profession. There are no secrets. You cannot hide behind your veil of
professionalism. This transparency of staging. This alter ego.
No.
And here is the zinger: If your patients and community do not resonate with what they see, you are done.
If you do not fulfill their expectation of you as their doctor, you might as well move out of town.
You are toast!
Some of you are feeling crushed. You've earned that right.
Face Book is fun but don't forget for a moment that it is open to everyone. How people in your
community perceive you, means everything! Will their perception be one you are proud of to hear,
or do you need to fix your Face Book image? Remember - it is your life and your practice. You get
to decide!
For those of you who may not be aware - you can make different types of "friends lists" - you can
create different privacy settings for each list.
I highly recommend you make two lists - one for patients, the public, and other professional contacts,
and the other for family and your friends. This way, you can ensure you'll still make a professional
impact with those you are "socially networking" with, while still posting fun things you'd like your family
and friends to see.
For those of you who don't know how, click on your "friends" tab. In the tab above the listings of your
friends, it will read; "create new list" - choose those individuals you want on the list you choose to
create. When finished, go to your privacy settings, and choose which parts of your profile, tagged
photos, videos, and photo albums you want them to see (or not).
..........I can see all the cards and letters already!
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Ogi Ressel
I also wanted to let you know that there will be no THOT next week - I'll be teaching Module II.
