Ep 204: Finding Your Voice on Social Media, with Adam Christman

Episode DescriptionIn this podcast episode, Dr. Adam Christman and Dr. Moriah McCauley delve into the importance of defining your brand and embracing what makes you unique in the social media realm, particularly for new graduate veterinarians looking to establish a presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.Key Takeaways from the Episode:Uniqueness in Branding: Dr. Christman stresses that every individual in the veterinary field possesses a unique voice, perspective, and brand. He emphasizes the significance of avoiding comparisons with others and recognizing the value of one's own experiences and expertise.Starting with Your Why: Before immersing yourself in social media, it is essential to understand the motivation or "why" behind wanting to be active on these platforms. Whether the goal is to educate pet owners, share clinical insights, or simply showcase a love for animals, having a clear purpose will guide your content creation.Establishing Boundaries: Dr. Christman and Dr. McCauley discuss the importance of setting boundaries when sharing personal aspects of your life on social media. It is crucial to determine which parts of your life you are comfortable sharing and which you prefer to keep private.Choosing Your Focus: The hosts recommend selecting a few key areas of interest or expertise to concentrate on initially. By narrowing down your content themes, you can maintain consistency and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the vast content possibilities in veterinary medicine.Handling Criticism: The episode acknowledges the presence of trolls and critics on social media and stresses the importance of developing resilience. Dr. Christman advises not to let negative comments deter you from your mission and to prioritize self-care by limiting exposure to harmful feedback.Overall, the episode conveys a message of empowerment and encouragement for veterinarians navigating the social media landscape. By staying true to their why, focusing on providing value, and maintaining authenticity, veterinarians can make a meaningful impact in the online community while finding fulfilment in their profession.Episode Outline[00:02:21] Should new grads use social media?[00:05:04] Branding in veterinary social media.[00:09:41] Developing a personal brand.[00:13:36] Content creators versus influencers.[00:15:26] Social media impact and profession.[00:20:48] Reflective Dog Collars.[00:22:39] Supporting early stage vets.Quotes"Think about, would this make my mom and dad proud? Think of it that way. Before you hit post, is this something that could make your parents proud? Is this something that can make your colleagues and profession proud?""Because if your why is because you want people to look at you and be like, oh, she's an influencer, then just like that pile of meat needs to go in the trash.""Your haters are going to be your motivators.""We're here to be collaborative. We're here to support one another."Episode LinksDr. Adam's website: https://dradamchristman.com/Dr. Adam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam_christman/Mentioned in this episode:So You're a Vet, Now What? - The CourseAre you a new or recent veterinary graduate? If so, Dr. Dave’s course, ‘So You’re a Vet… Now What?’ has been put together specifically for you. The course focuses on non-clinical skills. This is not as dull as it sounds. In fact, almost every career problem that people face is due to not having well-developed, non-clinical skills. These are skills like client communication, so you have great relationships with clients. Emotional intelligence, so you've got...