Is Social Media Impacting the Medical Industry?

Guest Post by Will Taylor, Medical Device Sales Rep and Field Sales Consultant for one of the largest Medical Distributors in the World. Follow him on twitter @weezie20.

 
I spent this weekend in Orlando, but to be more accurate in a convention center the size of a small city (The maps were very helpful in locating the bars and meeting rooms). While others were attending the NBA Finals, partying with Speed Raser or seeing $100 bills disappear in Disney World, I was witnessing historic change in my industry.

To first alleviate your worries; No, this meeting wasn’t a Marketing pyramid gimmick or lame “tweet-up” for people who bombard you daily on Twitter promising you financial freedom (I will save that for another day) it was, however, for something that affects every one of us: “The Medical Industry”.

As I walked around to the different booths that lined the walls with the largest names in the medical field I noticed something. No longer was a person in their late fifties explaining to me how their product is changing the world one patient at a time, it was now a 20 something college grad asking me if I would add them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with their company. Addressing me as if it was a given I had both. I then started to realize for the first time honestly, the power of social media. For companies that are giants across the board to recognize the importance to “stay connected” says something. There was an underlying message evident through out the whole weekend, the economy is truly affecting everyone, and even fortune 500 juggernauts can’t ignore today’s obstacles.

My question though; is social media a viable marketing tool in every industry? Can I expect my doctor to be twitting about the dangers of diabetes or that I need to get my flu shot? Considering the shear speed that social marketing is growing, is the question that far-fetched? Maybe not. Until now, I haven’t thought of how powerful of a tool this could be if used responsibly and if marketed correctly. Not to mention how attractive the price point is at the moment.

One thing I thoroughly enjoy during these national meetings is that at the end of an extremely long day you combine about 1000 sales reps with sponsored cocktail events (even though social media has a presence, the vendors know free alcohol is still the best way to market your product) The picture looks something like this:

Lastly, as the big closing ceremonies were in full swing the man sitting next to me pulled out his phone, looked at me and said “I’ve got to twitter this”, took a picture, and started typing away on his blackberry. Standing there among the laser lights, blarring music and pounding headache (refer back to sponsored cocktail party), I stood in amazement and a bit of amusement as the forty something year old man who hadn’t been using computers for more than a few years put his blackberry up and went about his way.

I realized that my questions were phrased wrong all along. This process is already in motion and no matter what the industry might be, these people are going to adapt or get left behind.

Related Category: Travel, marketing, social media

Tags: EMSI, John Raser, marketing, medicine, orlando, social media, speed raser, the medical industry, twitter, will taylor