By Janis Peiser
Are you using social media to promote your dental practice? If not, you may be missing out on an excellent way to connect with your existing patients, as well as gain new ones. In a recent survey of dentists by the Levin Group Data Center, 73.4 percent of dentists using social media claimed it helped them build stronger relationships with their current patients, while 58.9 percent said it helped them bring in new patients. Here is a quick guide to some of the best social media platforms for dental practices and how they can help your dental business thrive.
Top 5 Social Media Platforms Used by Dentists
Many social media outlets work well for businesses, but some seem to work better for the dental community. Most dental practices are looking to attract a certain type of patient, depending on their focus, so choosing the right platform to match their target audience is important. Here is a synopsis of five of the top social media platforms used by dentists, according to a research study shared by Dental Economics.
- Facebook. According to the Levin Group Data Center survey, 9 out of 10 dentists use Facebook as part of their digital media marketing. With 1.65 billion users reported in 2016, it’s the largest social media network, and it’s growing by 500,000 new users every day. This is a great platform for connecting with patients and creating organic reviews.
- Google+. At 64.1 percent, Google+ comes in a far second to Facebook, but it’s still popular among the dentists surveyed. Google+ is a valuable place to list general information about the practice and is tied in with Google searches and maps, helping new patients find dentists in their area. It’s also excellent for generating reviews that can help with branding your business.
- Twitter. Half of the surveyed dentists use Twitter for digital marketing. This is a solid platform for quick, insightful posts. Keep in mind that the character limit only allows short bites of information, but you can link it to other sites and include images.
- Instagram. Instagram is used by 42.4 percent of the dentist surveyed. Instagram is extremely popular with teens and young adults (think of millennials) — 90 percent of its users are under 35. This is a great platform for cosmetic dentistry because it’s a positive, visual platform for sharing fashion and trends.
- YouTube. While only 28.3 percent of dentists surveyed use YouTube, video is growing in popularity and effectiveness for marketing. This can be useful to share before and after videos or procedures to increase awareness and create interest. For practices looking to attract younger patients, this can be a great tool.
Because social media marketing requires a dedicated amount of time and resources to make it effective, it’s crucial to choose your platforms carefully. Creating a profile on several platforms and not managing them can cause more harm to your brand than not using those platforms at all. With social media, users expect a quick response, usually less than 24 hours, so choosing a limited number of platforms and monitoring them daily is crucial for success.
Using social media platforms can boost your dental practice by improving relationships with existing patients, building brand awareness and attracting new patients. Choose only the platforms that are best-suited to your target audience and that you can manage effectively for the best results.
Please contact us if you have questions on this topic, or if your practice is in need of assistance in the area of medical practice management.
Note: This content is accurate as of the date published above and is subject to change. Please seek professional advice before acting on any matter contained in this article.
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