Today, dentists are faced with a unique challenge: we need to stay active on social media if we want to increase our business. In the past, dentists were able to rely on word of mouth and advertising in the Yellow Pages to bring in new patients. However, those days are gone. Nowadays, dentists have to do more than just advertise; they also need a strong social media presence.
The Importance of Social Media
There are several reasons why dentists need to stay active on social media. First of all, social media is a great way to connect with potential patients. By creating a strong presence on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, dentists can reach out to more people and create awareness about their services.
In addition, social channels can help dentists get in touch with existing patients. For example, dentists can promote new products, services, or specials on their channels to let people know what they are offering and encourage old patients to come back in if it’s been a while since their last appointment.
Building a Strong Social Media Presence
In order for dentists to stay active on social media, they need to invest time into creating content that is worth sharing. It’s important for dentists to create interesting posts that will entice people to like and share their content. For example, dentists can promote healthy living by sharing articles about the benefits of flossing or improving dental health through proper nutrition.
Another way for dentists to build a strong social media presence is by creating accounts on multiple platforms. There are several social platforms that dentists can use, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Facebook is great for reaching out to a large audience, while Twitter is perfect for sharing short updates about dental news or specials.
Catering Content to Your Following
When creating content for social media, dentists need to be sure to cater their posts to their audience, and post content that will add value to the lives of their followers.
By staying active on social channels, dentists can increase their business by making more connections with patients and creating awareness about the services they provide. Social media offers a unique opportunity for dentists to expand their client base while also educating others about dentistry.
Use your accounts to educate your following on how to best care for their teeth and gums, proper brushing technique, foods to avoid for optimal dental health, and more. Refrain from using your dental pages to talk about things that aren’t relevant for the people who are following you there.
Gaining New Patients from Social Media
The amount of followers you have doesn’t have to be a lot for you to make a difference and get new patients in your door. If someone hears about your clinic and looks your clinic up online, they want to see that you’re active on your accounts. Further, they want to see that you’re posting informative, accurate information. If a new patient clicks on your Facebook and sees that it hasn’t been updated since 2018, they might choose a different dental clinic solely based on that.
Post consistently and keep your social media accounts updated. If you have a blog, link to it from your Facebook account, so that people can read up on all of the latest information about dental care.
Take Advantage of Social Media Today
If you’re a dentist who hasn’t quite utilized their social accounts, change that today! Log on and start utilizing all of the amazing benefits that social channels have to offer dentists. Do some research on which platforms work best for you and your target audience, and then get started! You won’t regret it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A native of West Virginia, Dr. Robert Berry graduated dental school from West Virginia University. He excelled in the clinic and participated in the Honors program helping underclassmen. After dental school he worked in a small Texas town, treating all types of people. As a member of the Army National Guard, Dr. Berry has undertaken humanitarian dental trips to Nicaragua and the Navajo Nation, as well as several other areas of need. Now, Dr. Berry maintains his practice Mountain Aire Dentistry in Broomfield, Colorado.
