If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what a whole thread of pictures would be worth.
The answer is FREE! I know, I know, nothing in this world is free. Which is true in most cases, but this will cost you limited time, but absolutely $0.
We are going to be talking about Social Media; and more specifically, Instagram. It's a great way to market your business in photos! Do I need to remind you, it's FREE?! Instagram is a great platform to display your work daily by simply posting a picture on your account.
Let's Get Started -
The first step would be creating an account. If you already have an personal account, it may be wise to get one just for your practice or lab. This allows people to see things that go on in your everyday practice or lab. Creating an account is as easy as just giving your email and a password. (Don't worry you don't receive any SPAM emails, or advertisement.)
You Are Who You Associate With -
You'll want to start "following" accounts (people) as well as cross promote to gain some traffic. Tell people you have an Instagram from your website and Facebook. (That is, if you have a Website and Facebook. If not... Let's start there.) Now the people and accounts you follow might be people you know, or could be people/things you support: local collegiate teams, local businesses, friends, family, neighbors, even other doctors. But they could also be people you don't know. Instagram is a great way to see other ideas. From marketing, to practices and even improvements to your business. Keep in mind, people can see who you follow, so you may want to check out their profiles before. (You can always "unfollow" people/accounts.)
Business in the front and Party in the Back
Instagram is a great way to let people know you are human. Most people buy with emotion. If they can relate, feel, or appreciate something you do or post, they are more inclined to become clients/customers. If your are just getting started, post about a half dozen pictures. That way your profile isn't blank if someone comes across it early on. You can make your profile as fun or as business like as you want it to be. Make it your personality and your practice, but you also have to know your audience. If you have only friends following you and you keep posting "business" type photos, and vice versa, it probably won't draw a whole lot of traffic. There is a family practice from Charlotte, North Carolina that does "Dubsmash" with all of her patients, of ALL ages. Then there is another doctor in Miami, Florida that does elegant work. He does great esthetic restorations and then has photo shoots and makes short video clips to post. Both of these accounts are VERY different, yet both have thousands of followers and generate a ton of traffic.
Are #Hashtags really necessary?
They aren't necessary, but they do help for traffic. Just click on the hastags and see what pops up with them. There are relative ones like: #CEREC #cerecdentist, #Omnicam, and #DigitalDentistry. And then there are made up and fun ones that people get involved with like: #BestDentistEVER #NationalDonutDay #NationalNursesWeek. Be on the look-out when at an events to try and be involved with your posts. For example: #SiroWorld, #TheArtOfDentalPicture, and #ADA events.
A little time goes a long way
Finally, just have fun with it. It's another way to socialize and also show-case your work. Why not spend a little time during your lunch, or in-line at the coffee shop to see what others are doing. Also, show them what you have been up to and why they should come visit your practice!
Contact Jesus Romero at Bella Vita Dental Designs for questions or help.
We at Bella Vita Dental designs are proud to be spotlighted in "Lab Management Today" (LMT) for this very newsletter! Click on the picture below to read all about it.
