A painless guide to social media marketing for dentists

By 2021 the dental industry is projected to be worth around $36.8 billion. That's a lot of teeth for the tooth fairy. But if your practice wants a piece of the profit, it's incredibly important to start a social media marketing plan for dentists and your specific industry.

For decades, dentists relied almost exclusively on reputation and word of mouth marketing to help them build their practice. But it's 2018 and more likely than not, your audience is on social. Whether it's blogging, video marketing, paid social ads or even podcasts, you have to learn the specifics of social media marketing for dentists.

Just like any other industry, there are ways to better attract, retain and ultimately market to your patients. And for the sake of this article, we're looking at the dentists needing the extra push for social marketing efforts.

Let's get started!

Why Does Social Media Marketing Matter For Dentists?

Social media marketing for dentists is still in the early roots of adoption, but more dental practices are seeing the power of being active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For an industry that leaves 15% of the population quivering with dread, what better way to earn a loyal patient than to consistently show them there's nothing to fear?

Dentists are in a bit of different position than many other industries. Clothing stores, software companies, restaurants and other industries have to convince people that what they're selling is worth their money—even if it's something they don't need. Dentists on the other hand don't need to convince people they need to get their teeth and gums checked. Everyone knows they need to visit the dentist.

The challenges most dentists face are simply getting people to remember to schedule their appointments, and helping them overcome the fear and anxiety associated with dental visits.

Ultimately, it comes down to building trust and earning a patient's confidence.

Social media marketing is the ultimate way to build relationships with your audience. For a dentist that means convincing your patients that you can deliver a pain-free experience.

Use social media to help patients feel more comfortable before they even visit your office. Showcase your authority, track record and industry experience by letting clients know they're in safe hands. Remove some of the stigma around going to the dentist through fun and light hearted social content. By giving your practice an interesting personality, you ensure that people look forward to seeing you. Again, it's all about trust.

Remember that you're not just selling toothpaste and root canals–you're selling comfort, good health, confidence, trust and above all a good experience. Social media gives you the platform you need to connect with your patients. Remind them that you're all about people, not just teeth.

The Benefits of Social Media for Dentists

For dentists in both big and small cities, advertising is a bread and butter tactic to gain new customers. However, how much of this time and effort are you spending on social media? If you need more convincing, Facebook ad revenue is expected to outpace print ads by 2019.

The more digitally focused the world becomes, the larger amount companies from the healthcare industry realize that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram aren't just channels for sharing cat pictures. They're a place where businesses discover new clients, interact with prospects and build a better brand name. Here are just some of the ways social media benefits dentists:

1. Better Establish Relationships

Many people consider going to the dentist to be a nerve-wracking experience. In fact some people are so scared that they avoid going to their appointments. It's no wonder that marketing toward this experience is well, like pulling teeth.

Fortunately, social provides you the chance to create relationships with your audience through customer testimonials, client experiences, friendly office images and most importantly, the results of your work. For instance, when it comes to relationship building, responding to a question through social media about dental care demonstrates your effort of care and knowledge. You want to show you're there to help. Tweets, Facebook shares and liking patients' Instagram posts shows support on a friendlier level.

2. Attract New Clients

People take their healthcare decisions very seriously–and a lot of folks turn to Google for help. More than half of people use search engines to find a dentist. However, another survey discovered 15% of people said their No. 1 reason for not booking a dentist appointment was due to trouble finding an office.

At Collins Bay Dental, we think that prevention is key in maintaining a healthy smile and proper dental hygiene. Book your appointment with us today! https://t.co/z2FjHUecwG pic.twitter.com/cyzd4Nwco9

— Collins Bay Dental (@collinbaydental) April 30, 2018