Your dental practice likely knows the importance of having a Facebook page and a Twitter account, but what about Instagram? If you haven’t tried Instagram, your practice could miss opportunities to engage with patients and draw in new clients. The following tips on Instagram marketing for dentists will set your business up for success on this popular social media platform.
Instagram Dos for Dental Practices
Follow these Instagram pointers to connect with patients, improve loyalty, and attract new customers to your dental practice.
Do Feature Your Patients
Many Instagram users love to see themselves featured on social media1, so update your feed with pictures of real patients regularly. Try posting photos of smiling patients in the dentist’s chair or customers interacting with your team. Instagram users will receive a notification when you post, allowing them to interact with you through likes and comments. Just remember to obtain permission before posting.
Do Show Off Your Staff
When posting to Instagram, don’t forget about your staff. Share photos of your team working around the office to give users a behind-the-scenes look at their daily lives. Include interesting details about each team member, such as their pets, hobbies, favorite foods, and more. Patients will enjoy interacting with your staff and getting to know them better.
Do Use Instagram Stories and Reels
Instagram Stories and Reels provide a fast and fun way to connect with your users. Stories are temporary, meaning they’ll disappear from feeds within 24 hours unless users save them in their highlights. Your practice can leverage these to invite quick reactions and ask interesting questions to prompt user engagement. Reels are videos that can be very engaging with your users.
Do Run Exciting Contests
Everyone loves a contest, and that includes your dental practice patients. An Instagram contest will attract potential patients and improve engagement with your current ones. Need contest ideas? Try giving away a prize to Instagram users who:
- Refer new customers to your practice
- Record themselves completing a challenge
- Share the best photo
- Write the best caption for your image
- Answer a trivia question
Do Promote Upcoming Events
If your dental practice hosts exciting events or celebrates fun holidays, try using Instagram marketing for dentists to promote them. Your events will garner more attention and lead to better turnouts, translating into potential business for your practice.
Do Follow Other Local Practices
Following other dental practices and local businesses is a smart way to stay in touch with your community. You’ll gain insights into challenges, conversations, and events that can give you more ideas for your marketing strategy.
Instagram Don’ts for Dental Practices
For the best chance of success on Instagram, you can’t simply start posting and hope for the best. Below, learn what not to do when managing Instagram for your dental office.
Don’t Post Images of Your Patients Without Permission
Posting photos of patients without permission violates HIPAA rules, which could spell big trouble for your dental practice. Not only could you end up with hefty fines, but you’ll also lose your patients’ trust. Neither should you post a patient’s phone number, email address, or any other personally identifiable information (PII). Before posting any content featuring patients, remember to ask first. Patients can give permission by filling out a simple HIPAA consent form.
Don’t Post Too Often
Many dental practices are tempted to go overboard with Instagram, but posting too much only annoys users and can cause them to stop following your business. That’s why you should post just once or twice per day.
Don’t Focus Solely on Dental Services
Don’t limit yourself to posting photos of your practice and dental services. Users prefer variety, so too many posts on one topic can turn them off. Plus, they’ll feel like you’re constantly advertising, which can scare off potential customers too. Post a solid mix of other content alongside your dental service offerings to strike the best balance.
Don’t Rely on Filters
Instagram offers fun filters that make your photos stand out, but they can bother patients if you use them too frequently. Stick to simple, high-quality images without flashy effects to limit distraction and prevent user annoyance.
Follow These Best Practices for Instagram Success
Does your practice need a helping hand with Instagram marketing for dentists? At Dental Intelligence we offer marketing tools to help you with your social media needs. Schedule a demo to learn more about our services today.
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