Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media provide excellent opportunities for sharing news about the practice, giving valuable advice about oral health, building relationships, raising brand awareness, and much more. However, it should not be done "on the fly." Develop a plan, decide which team member will be in charge of handling social media, and establish your practice's online presence as soon as you can.
Create synergy between your website, blogs, email, and social media accounts. The real power of the internet lies in its connectivity. Whatever you put online should have easy connectors to other elements of your online presence --share, email, and social media buttons on your website; Facebook links to recent blog entries; and so on. The more connections, the stronger the bonds with your market.
Don't forget to publish content that is shareable. Use social media to inform and entertain patients, not just as an excuse to talk about your practice. While a tweet or a Facebook post can discuss important practice announcements, you should also share stories about oral health, nutrition, and other subjects that patients may find interesting.
Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the CEO of Levin Group, a leading dental management consulting firm, and one of the most sought-after speakers in dentistry. Dr. Levin has authored 65 books and more than 4,000 articles on dental practice management and marketing. You can sign up for the Levin Group Tip of the Day.
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