The dental industry is constantly evolving and one of the biggest changes we’ve seen in recent years is the way that dentists are using social media. In the past, dentists largely used social media to post special offers and attract new patients. However, nowadays, we’re seeing more and more dentists using social media to engage with their existing patients and build relationships with them.
One of the reasons why social media is so important for dentists is because it’s a great way to build trust with patients. When patients see that their dentist is active on social media and regularly interacts with other patients, it helps to build trust and confidence in the dentist.
Let’s understand some of the ways in which dentists can use social media to engage with their patients and build a community.
Here are the 5 social media tips for dentists:
1. Figure out what voice you want to use
Your voice on social media should be in line with the overall voice and tone of your dental practice. For example, if you are a cosmetic dentist, you might want to use a more fun and light-hearted voice on social media, paired with educational content, because it is more likely to grab your patient’s interest.
Once you know what voice you want to use, be consistent with it across all social media platforms. This will also help your audience easily identify your content and make sure they are following the right account.
2. Define the target audience
As a dentist, it’s important to remember that not all patients are the same. Just as you might tailor your treatment approach to each patient in your practice, you should also tailor your social media content to different segments of your patients.
For example, if you have a lot of young families in your patient base, you might want to focus on content that is educational and informative to that segment, such as blog posts about children’s dental health. If you are a cosmetic dentist, then your social media content should focus on before-and-after photos and videos, testimonials from patients, and patient reactions to show the value in every treatment.
Divide your audience as follows:
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What they do- occupation, interests
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Where they live- location, demographics
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Who they are- age, gender
3. Experiment with your content
When it comes to social media, experimenting with different types of content is key to keeping patients engaged. You might want to try educational, inspirational, or entertaining social content to see what works best with your audience. Whether it’s a static post, carousel, or video, a mix of content keeps things fresh and helps you understand which type of content performs well with your audience. Flexibility with the content also allows you to keep up with the ever-changing social media algorithms.
“Instagram Stories are a great way to show behind-the-scenes content and give patients a sneak peek into what goes in your life; it’s like documenting your life as a dentist.” Says Dr. Joyce Kahng
PS: that doesn’t mean you have to post that you are not comfortable with sharing.
4. Use social media to educate your patients
One of the best ways to use social media as a dentist is to educate your patients about dental health. To create that impact on social media, one must start by providing that value to the patients. Patients should feel that they are learning something from your content, and you should try to establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information. This way, not only will patients appreciate the content, but they will also be more likely to trust the dentist and feel comfortable booking an appointment. Also, social algorithms are curated in such a way that educational and valuable tends to perform better and get more reach.
5. Be consistent and patient
When it comes to social media, consistency is key. Patients should be able to see that you are regularly active on social media and posting fresh content. Showing up on the audience feed regularly also helps you to stay top of mind.
Moreover, building a social media following takes time and patience. Do not get discouraged if you do not see results immediately. Keep putting out quality content and engaging with your patients, and you will eventually see the results.
To conclude, information, relatability and conversation are something dentists should aim for on social media. More community-focused content will show that you care and be more effective in the long run.
Even at evident Digital we stress the importance of better support. Each of our clients, whether they are dental lab or dentist, has evident concierge to make sure your cases are exactly the way you want them. No more wasting time retouching your cases. Outsource to evident!
Watch our recent webinar with Dr. Joyce Kahng on How To Get Patients With Social Media.
