5 ways Facebook can grow your medical practice
Regardless of who or what your medical practice treats, advertising is extremely important. Retaining satisfied patients is great, but if your practice isn’t drawing in new clients it’s time to make some changes to the way you’re getting the word out. People will always need medical services, so finding new patients shouldn’t be difficult. What IS challenging is encouraging patients that they need your practice’s services. Facebook just may be the one thing your practice hasn’t tried- or isn’t utilizing properly. This particular social network is used by 2.2 billion people. Here’s how you can use that to your advantage in order to grow your practice.
Utilize Detailed Targeted
The first, and arguably most important, detail related to advertising is figuring out your target audience. Facebook is a great tool to have at your disposal, because it offers a number of options for finding specific individuals who fit your ideal demographic. Think “women who have recently reached menopause” or “individuals who have just relocated to your geographic area.”
Take Advantage of Testimonials
Your current clients are invaluable when it comes to growing your business- and you should absolutely be taking full advantage of them. People want to visit a practitioner they trust, so video testimonials, quotes, or photos of satisfied current clients are a fantastic way to establish credibility. Seeing real people who are happy with your services is a great way to inspire new clients to put their faith in you. Don’t forget a Call to Action button, like “Learn More” or “Contact Us.”
Get Checked In
When you’re checking patients in at the front desk, consider asking them to check in as well- using Facebook! When a patient checks in to your practice, a notification will pop up on all of their friend’s timelines: “John Carson is at Vitality Dental.” This will reach a few hundred people, all of whom know, and somewhat trust, your patient. Not only does this provide visibility to your brand, it also encourages their friends to visit your page. The patient also has an opportunity to write whatever they would like…so make sure they have an experience that’s positive and worth mentioning! Incentives are everything, so offering a discount on services or a free product is a great way to encourage your clients to follow through with their check-ins. Speaking of…
Create Offers & Promotions
Increasing visibility and getting people excited about your practice is vital- and one of the best ways to do this is with contests and promotions. You can offer a limited time deal to new patients, or a referral bonus (or money off services) to existing patients who bring new clients to you. Offering incentives is also a great opportunity to engage with prospective clients and show why your practice is unique. This allows you to connect with people on a more personal level and to show them who your practice really is.
Automate Facebook Messenger
Ditch emails, which only have a 20-30% open rate. Just as you might with an email list, you can set Facebook to send an automated message to every patient who interacts with your page. In addition to boasting an 80-85% open rate, Messenger has the ability to schedule appointments, allows patients to take advantage of promotional offers, and lets you set up guided FAQ conversations.
