Social media is a phenomenal way to share the behind-the-scenes of what makes your hospital unique. And with the cutest patients imaginable, how could you NOT share those sweet faces? Today, we will give some best practices and tips to share patient images without worry.
Why It Matters:
Sharing patient photos is a great way to get your community involved and build trust with clients. When it comes to how people perceive content like this (as opposed to an infographic or stock imagery), 90 percent of people say authenticity is essential when engaging online. Real patient photos establish a deeper trust with your patients and welcome more potential clients to get to know the community before their first appointment.
Am I Doing This Legally?
Although HIPPA laws do not apply to veterinary practices, all clients may feel differently about sharing on social. This is why it’s best to receive consent before sharing images of pets. Legally, you should be aware of the privacy policies for the various social media platforms, as those differ and can change frequently.
How To Ask Permission:
Some of our hospitals have a release form within their new patient packets, which most people are happy to sign off on. When sharing content of pets on your social channels, it’s also good to ask if the owner would like to be tagged or prefers to be anonymous.
(Scroll down to see an example of verbiage that you can include on a photo release/consent form!)
Sample Verbiage: Photo Release Forms:
I grant permission for [HOSPITAL NAME} to use photographs and videos taken of my pet in publications including website and social media entries. I hereby authorize the publication or distribution of photographs and videos for purposes of publicizing your programs and any other lawful purpose. I waive any right to compensation related to the use of the photograph. By signing this consent, I give authorization to use my pet’s name and information as printed below.
Pet Name: _____________
Owner’s Name: _____________
Owner’s Signature & Date: _____________