Dentists
6 content ideas for dentist to outperform your competitors on social media
Published on 23/08/2024
Are you a dentist stepping into the world of social media? That’s fantastic news! Here are some tips to help you master this new chapter with a smile!
Why should you use social media as a dentist?
In Switzerland, many patients, including adults, feel apprehensive about visiting the dentist. This fear can be a significant barrier to gaining new patients. However, social media offers a unique opportunity to overcome this obstacle, providing several advantages:
Reassure your patients
In the US, 41% of patients check dental practices on social media before booking an appointment. While we don’t have Swiss statistics, it’s likely your patients have looked you up online before booking an appointment. Using social media can help you show a more human side of your dental practice and reassure your patients.
Reach new patients where they are
Smartphones are an essential part of daily life for most Swiss people. Be present in their daily routine through social media, as this presence can significantly increase your appointment bookings. You could even offer the option of booking an appointment directly in your Instagram bio.
Benefit from cost-effective advertising
Unlike expensive TV or newspaper ads, social media is free, and your content remains visible indefinitely. You can use hashtags to make it easy for you to gain visibility on social media. Plus, interacting with your patients on social media can strengthen their loyalty and maintain ongoing relationships.
Enhance your online presence
As mentioned in our article on filling appointment slots, an additional online presence on social media improves your search engine ranking, attracting more visits to your website.
In summary, social media is a powerful tool for any dentist looking to attract new patients, retain existing ones, and stand out from the competition. Use it to turn fear of the dentist into trust and make your practice shine as brightly as your patients teeth!
Which social media platforms should I use as a dentists?
We’ve already discussed various platforms in our article on using social media as a healthcare professional. To keep it brief, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and potentially Facebook can help you reach your patients. LinkedIn, on the other hand, helps you reach your colleagues. If you create a lot of videos, consider using YouTube as well.
What content should I post on social media as a dentist?
Social media offers diverse content, and it can be challenging to navigate. Here are some content ideas and examples. A tip: draw inspiration from your peers and seek out those who are successful on social media! Also, consider working with a graphic designer to give your posts a recognizable style, matching your practice’s colors. You can also put some emojis on your post description to lighten them up!
1. Informative content
While this type of content might not generate as many likes and comments as others, it’s valuable for providing information about your practice. Whether through static posts or carousels (multiple images in one post), you can share your opening hours, services, holidays, or fees with your patients.
2. Team photos
On Instagram and Facebook, team photos are a great way to start your account. Posting pictures of your team humanizes your practice. These posts are easy to create and generally generate good engagement. Patients are curious about who works in your practice and who might treat them.
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3. Dental tips and tricks
As a expert, people might look for you on social media to learn more about dental health. Short and explanatory videos featuring you or your team can boost your visibility. In this regard, videos like “5 Tips for Keeping Your Teeth White” or “How to Use Dental Floss Correctly” could work well on your social accounts. This type of content is particularly suited for Instagram Reels and TikTok. Two tips here: film vertically and add subtitles, as social media users often watch videos without sound! On Instagram, tips and tricks can also be done in carousel format.
4. Humorous content
Humorous content can be more challenging but usually ensures high engagement! Look at what humorous content is currently trending on social media, whether it’s short videos, challenges, or memes (images with captions). Adapting this content to your practice can give you a lighter image and attract an audience that wasn’t initially seeking information about your practice. However, be cautious—humorous content can easily backfire if not done correctly. In case of doubt, it’s better to avoid this content.
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5. Partnerships with influencers
Collaborating with influencers is a great way to introduce your practice to a broader audience. Partnering with influencers builds trust with your potential patients, who are likely to trust them.
6. Content related to world days
World Days are a great opportunity to share content relevant to your field! As a dentist, you can obviously post on March 20th, World Oral Health Day, but you can also share content for more whimsical days like February 28th, Tooth Fairy Day!
Bonus: Encourage interaction!
To boost engagement, invite your patients to participate in your content. Ask them to comment on your latest Reel or TikTok, and create interactive content on Instagram! For example, create a story with a question or quiz. These diverse content types can encourage your audience to interact with your posts. A tip here: respond to all the comments you receive. This will motivate your most loyal patients to engage while showing that you care about their feedback.
How often should I post on social media as a dentist?
There’s no definitive answer to this question; it depends on the platforms you use. However, algorithms tend to have a short memory, and posting 1-4 times a day on TikTok is sometimes recommended. But remember, these tips are mainly for full-time content creators. As a dentist, social media is not your primary activity. Therefore, we recommend posting 2 to 3 times a week if possible.
Keep in mind that social media notoriety doesn’t happen overnight (except in rare cases). Be patient and experiment to find what content works best for you and your patients.
Key takeaways for posting content on social media as a dentist
We hope these tips help you come up with content ideas for your social media. The essential point to remember is that your posts should reflect you and your practice. Your followers want to keep up with your expertise and your latest updates.
In any case: give it a try! Gradually, you’ll see what resonates with your patients and what doesn’t.
