Though social media was once the realm of young adults in their early 20’s, today it has become an integral part of most people’s lives. It is precisely for that reason that social media is key to your dental practice growth. If your dental business management team is not using social media to its full advantage, it’s time to improve your online presence.
At Dental Practice Enhancement, we offer administrative and clinical training to take your dental business management to the next level. By building on the strengths you already possess, we offer personalized strategies to help your practice run more smoothly and bring in new patients.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to set up a coaching session.
Do you really need to use social media?
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of Americans say they use social media. Use is still most common among young adults ages 18 to 29, but the majority of adults of all ages utilize at least one social media platform. With these high numbers, social media is one of the most effective ways to reach a wide range of patients.
Other reasons to consider social media as part of your dental business management include:
- It is completely free to use.
- You can stay connected with your current patients by offering tips and relevant information, which may improve your patient recall.
- Paid ads on social media platforms are a great way to reach new patients.
- It can improve your SEO.
- You can build your practice’s image by introducing your team, sharing your sense of humor, and showing what sets you apart as a practice.
Which social media platforms should I use?
There are so many social media platforms to choose from that it can be overwhelming. When determining which ones to use, consider your target audience and the type of procedures you want to perform.
- Facebook: The oldest of the bunch, Facebook is still the most popular platform. If you are just starting out with social media, this is a great place to begin! Be sure to set up a business page with your practice contact info and office hours. A business page is necessary if you want to do any advertising.
- Instagram: Instagram is targeted for younger users. And because content is primarily visual, it is harder (though still possible) to link out to your website or blog. However, if you are a cosmetic dentist, Instagram can be invaluable for sharing before/after photos and the like.
- YouTube: YouTube actually attracts more users than Facebook. But it does require some experience with video creation. Though it may be a bit much to take on at first, eventually branching out to YouTube can be great for your dental business management.
- Twitter: Twitter tends to be focused more on current news and related content. It is quick to make a post, but you may need to post several times a day and stay abreast of the latest news. If you don’t have a dedicated social media manager on staff, Twitter may not be the most effective platform.
Contact Us for More Dental Business Management Tips
Looking for more tips on dental management and practice growth? Contact Dental Practice Enhancement to learn how to improve your practice!
Contact us online or call us at (833) DPE – FOR – U.