The Pulse - Latest Comments

Re: How Many Tweets Could A Tweeter Tweet If A Tweeter Could Tweet, Tweet

TalstoneDJ — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:33:30 -0000

Sarah you couldn't be more correct. In the design world we often talk about less being more. I would think it would be better if a person tweeted the best of their knowledge rather than a million ramblings that people just ignore. Sadly, I think some people think they are much more interesting than they really are. Just because you have a computer, word processing program, and know some words doesn't mean you should write a novel.

Re: How Many Tweets Could A Tweeter Tweet If A Tweeter Could Tweet, Tweet

Sarah — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:19:42 -0000

Thank You! As one of the people who was categorizing those tweets for the study, I was truly amazed at some of the stuff that people Tweeted. Sure, everybody is offended that we called it pointless babble, because everything thinks everything they say is fabulous, or at least don't like to hear that other people think they're boring. But, if people just thought a little before tweeting, maybe they wouldn't have to wonder why they keep losing followers... I think people should realize that if someone else posted the same thing they did, would they find it interesting? Sure, your BFF might be interested to know what you had for lunch, but do your other 500 followers? Probably not.

Re: Would You Date You?

jackreed — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:55:17 -0000

The tips you posted here is very nice. I think you have hit the jackpot when dating. Hope to read more of this from you soon. Thanks for posting though.

Re: How To Create Grrrreat Marketing

TalstoneDJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:21:09 -0000

Approve.

D.J. Smith
Partner/Creative Director

Talstone Group
783 Old Hickory Blvd.
Suite 335
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Phone: (615) 507-1490 x11
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Blog: http://blog.talstone.com/

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http://www.talstone.com

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Re: How To Create Grrrreat Marketing

Bill R. — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:08:08 -0000

Some good points. Something akin to "KISS"

Keeping healthcare marketing fun can be difficult, especially when many look at the serious nature of potential ramification should a patient's care go awry.

Regardless, I think your points are well made.

Thanks.

Re: Don’t Cut Your Big Toe Off

Patrick Blessing — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:16:46 -0000

Yes. Yes. Yes. Very well said. Those that are staying the course and are on the offensive NOW will come out on top when the storm clears. Take for instance - hospitals who for the most part understand the importance of continuing their marketing / advertising efforts. Interesting article in NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/business/medi...

A great post DJ. Thanks.

Re: Focus, People, Focus

Carey — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:34:49 -0000

Great post and a lesson that serves as an important reminder among the influx of social media and other technologies! Healthbeat blog recently discussed how many medical providers use wikipedia for answers....instead of simply asking the colleagues they are working with or putting a call to their other colleagues in radiology or surgery for example. You post also reminds me of the recent NY Times article about the lost art of reading aloud and what a difference it would make if we took this practice seriously when embedded in a society who is doing must of their reading, generating knowledge and comprehending silently and alone...Again, thanks for the lesson. I think it's a step in the right direction and I hope it may become a model for others to follow...

Re: How a Phone Call and Starbucks Made a Difference

Dr.David Black — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:03:04 -0000

I always call a new patient to see how they are going.
Dr.David Black
www.blackchiropractic.com.au

Re: 10 Questions With GiggleMed

TalstoneDJ — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:13:33 -0000

Re: 10 Questions With GiggleMed

David — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:28:42 -0000

Your blog is wealth of information.I was happy to see the content,well done.Your article is more informative.
http://e-medicalwriting.blogspot.com/2009/05/medical-writing.html

Re: How A Bad Logo Can Ruin A Good First Impression (Or, Your Logo Makes Me Barf)

david_black — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:17:15 -0000

Your logo is the first impression and the one that people remember.
Dr.David Black
www.blackchiropractic.com.au

Re: Strike While the Iron Is Hot

Lisa Stiles — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:32:49 -0000

Kara- Thanks for your comment. More than anything this experience revealed to me the importance of a comprehensive strategy. I got the feeling that they had recently signed up for an e-mail service of some kind and then gave it a couple of shots and then it dropped off their radar. This happens quite a bit with internal marketing efforts because you end up with folks who are handed the job of marketing who are flying blind and don't have the time or resources to put together a strategy that will work.

The thumb is A-OK. I finally trust the stairs again. :)

Re: Strike While the Iron Is Hot

Kara Dowdall — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:12:55 -0000

What a great story.

Timeliness of messaging and integration with disparate customer data sources (i.e., clinical systems, practice management systems, web-based body behavior and registrations) are exactly what we enable.

Our technology would have enabled the physician to send a message that day, or the next day with a very simple yet personalized message: We hope you are feeling better!

And since we focus only in healthcare, we are quite aware of the concerns around patient privacy/PHI/opt-in/opt-out.

Thanks for sharing your story and I hope you ARE feeling better!

www.appatureinc.com
kdowdall@appatureinc.com

Re: Why Do Humans Have Two Ears But Only One Mouth?

RaiulBaztepo — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:04:11 -0000

Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I'v just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo

Re: Whose Hero Am I Supposed To Be?

Tom Stitt — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:49:13 -0000

One Maryland state senator has suggested granting non-profit tax exempt foundation status to newspapers. (I already know how much you will love that idea.)

I always thought newspapers were best at reporting stories. Never very good at advertising except classified and they gave that franchise away to Craigslist and others by ignoring the power of search and peer-to-peer.

Re: 10 Questions With Amy Fehn

Gienna Shaw — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:26:37 -0000

Great interview. With new changes and tougher penalties, it's more important than ever for healthcare marketers to understand HIPAA.

Re: I See Your Message But All I Read Is Blah, Blah, Blah

tstitt — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:44:47 -0000

Along with Blah Blah Blah, my other (least) favorite type of writing is Barney Blah aka "we love you, you love us, let's be friends" copy. While only slightly better than talking to yourself (or looking in the mirror), Barney Blah also lacks the essential conversational engagement element you describe above. Customers don't make decisions based on how an organization appears its own mirror (Blah, Blah, Blah) or whether the organization is as nice and friendly as a purple dinosaur named Barney.

Re: I See Your Message But All I Read Is Blah, Blah, Blah

TalstoneLisa — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:26:01 -0000

Thanks Lorraine - I totally agree. Often jargon slips in or a misunderstanding about the reading levels of the audience is apparent.

Everyone expects your service to be "quality" or "the best" - you have to dig deeper to reach the USP that truly resonates and raises the bar. After all, there's quite a bit of noise out there.

Really appreciate your thoughts!

Re: I See Your Message But All I Read Is Blah, Blah, Blah

TalstoneLisa — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:15:14 -0000

I like the term "Barney Blah" - that's great. I'll have to remember that. There's more opportunity than ever for organizations to have actual, authentic conversations with their audience to find out what their needs are. It's a different dynamic.

Re: I See Your Message But All I Read Is Blah, Blah, Blah

Lorraine — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:03:46 -0000

Great post.

"The problem is, quite a few organizations fall prey to the belief that their audience thinks just like them..."

Yes. Part of the issue is "The Curse of Knowledge," as Chip and Dan Heath call it in their book Made to Stick.
In many healthcare organizations physicians sign off on concept and even copy. Though they don't think so, docs like copy that's positioned for other physicians, ergo the--to them--collegial medicalese that's so alienating to patients.

I always tell clients that superb products and service do not a USP make. In an extremely competitive market--I write for NYC healthcare organizations--an outstanding offering is the baseline, not the differentiating factor.

Beside, EVERYONE claims world-class, cutting-edge, innovative, blah, blah. If not quantified, such claims lack credibility.

Copy must always start with the patient--her fears, hopes, needs and wants--BEFORE moving on to offer medical services or pharmaceuticals as the solution.

Re: Can We Please Talk About Something Else?

Andrea Marlow — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:16:47 -0000

Amen to your suggestion of updating/revamping Web sites. I cannot tell you how many times I've engaged with an organization through Twitter or Facebook, only to be linked through to a horribly depressing Web site. Yikes! Perhaps instead of reading "Twitter for Dummies" such organizations should pick up "Web sites 101."
Thanks for the great post!

Re: Can We Please Talk About Something Else?

Suzanne Dewey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:48:56 -0000

What a great post with thoughtful comments lining up as well. I am relieved to hear more than one marketing professional indicate that social media is not the only conversation that we should be engaging in. DJ, you ask some very useful questions especially in the experiential marketing arena. So often our health care services ARE the marketing elements. And, sometimes in our excitement with other tools, we overlook some of the basic and less thrilling standards.

I do want to point out that I "know" the three who commented above via our connecting on Twitter. Just like the conversation in this blog, social media has some side benefits of helping us engage and be reflective in ways we may not have been able to in earlier days.

We are fortunate to have new tools in out tool-box for new connections and engagement. We also have those old standards and with a thoughtful integrated strategy, we can help our organizations reach lofty goals using the combination. And to one of DJ's points, doing a quick check in on our actual service lines to make sure they are as appealing as the marketing messages touting them, can only be a positive.

Thanks for the reminder that there is more to our work than the social stuff!!

Re: Can We Please Talk About Something Else?

everyonebutyou — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:07:15 -0000

But social media is fun. Who wants to do all these "basic" activities when you can strike forth and blaze new trails?

The answer is no one. The new, sexy, shiny toy gets all the press, but the consistent and dependable tactics are what keep the lights on. Over time if these aren't done well, no one's going to be left to pay for the Internet access to get to Facebook.

Thanks for getting everyone back on track.

Re: Can We Please Talk About Something Else?

Jim - medXcentral — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:04:59 -0000

Unfortunately, for so many, the conversation of social media in health care is still brand new. Therefore, though we consider it old news, the story is fresh for many.

Regarding proper use and other things we can discuss: I love what you've covered above. None should be exclusive. A well done, clean, easy to navigate educational website should be the cornerstone of your internet presence with social media being an extension of your customer service...not your marketing team. Great customer service educates and leaves the best memory possible in the client's mind. And, that....well, that's great marketing.

The health care industry needs to let go of the rigid ROI conversation with respect to social media and simply accept it as an extension of the inner-office experience they provide to their patients. That will make the "why" much easier to comprehend. After all, who does not accept the idea that good...scratch that...great customer service positively impacts the bottom line and the quality of one's brand?

Traditional marketing, such as print, should be used to increase awareness of the new level of social intimacy available to prospective clients through the various social media online venues while welcoming the "old school" to continue "their way." No medium has 100% penetration.

So, DJ, I agree. Social Media is being discussed endlessly. And, any business who does not try to build the complete package is missing the point.

Re: Can We Please Talk About Something Else?

TalstoneDJ — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:28:29 -0000

Thanks Tom. I'm not against social media.I use it all the time.It just isn't smart to talk about one thing all the time. We also need to talk about other valuable tools available that enhance social media and vice-versa.Otherwise, are we not leading people down a narrow-minded path? Just a thought. Really appreciate your thoughts and willingness to comment.