Making a high-quality and professional social media profile

Maintaining a professional image and providing content that is honest and ethical is required and appropriate

Social media and its well-known platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have become so popular that many medical aesthetic practitioners have some form of social media presence. While many may also have personal social media profiles, posting content in a professional capacity, compared with what is posted on a personal platform, should have very different considerations. When posting in a personal capacity, there is potentially a different purpose and audience. However, on a professional/medical person's profile, maintaining a professional image and providing content that is honest and ethical is required and appropriate. Guidance on this can be found in the Code (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2018) or from the General Medical Council (GMC) (2013).

This article will provide tips on how social media presence can be boosted, how content can be created for specific audiences and how a professional and appropriate image can be maintained. It will also cover specific social media features and how to adhere to relevant guidelines.