User-generated media has become fertile ground for health and fitness content, Back in 2005 Forrester Research found that 85% of Americans seeking health-related information were turning to the Internet and the growing interest in health, wellness and fitness has only increased since then. As consumers strive to assume active control over their medical choices they’re searching for information, ratings and recommendations online.
Today millions are logging on to contribute information about topics stretching from avian-flu pandemics to the extraction of wisdom teeth or the use of acupuncture to overcome infertility. You could call it user-generated health care, or Health 2.0, writes The Economist.
The trend of trusting information from 'others just like me' takes on a new twist when it comes to health and wellness. People no longer turn to perceived experts as they did in the past. There is just too much medical information for one doctor to know. Someone with a rare disease can feel isolated. By going online they can find and connect with hundreds of other sufferers.
This connection and support online is also helping those pursuing fitness goals. About two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight, and almost one-third are obese, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A slew of social media sites have sprung up to help Americans reach their weight loss and fitness goals.
Fitizens.com provides content and resources to connect fitness enthusiasts to fitness gurus. Sweat365 allows everyday athletes to learn from and inspire each other as they work toward their individual fitness goals. Membership in the community is free and the site allows members to track their workouts with tools that provide graphical feedback on their fitness progress.
f you provide products or services that are health or fitness related, think seriously about how you could get your content seen online. Do keyword research. Find out what search terms people use to find information you could supply. Find the sites your audience visits. Identify the influencers in your space. Then get creative about how you could supply relevant and useful content to the people interested in this topic. They are online, searching for and talking to others in the same frame of mind. Use the new media tools at your disposal and join the conversation.