Instagram is a powerful social media platform for businesses of all types, but it can be especially beneficial for orthodontists. With over 800 million users, Instagram provides an amazing opportunity to connect with current and future patients.
In this blog post, we will share tips for orthodontic practices on how to best market themselves on Instagram. We'll discuss creative ideas for sharing about your team, connecting with patients, and navigating best practices for medical professionals on social media.
Let's get started!
First, What is Orthodontic Marketing?
Orthodontist marketing focuses on a single target group of individuals: new and potential patients! While it may include tips about best dental practices and good hygiene, it works best when it focuses on orthodontic treatment.
By sharing what orthodontic practices do, what patients can expect when they work with an orthodontist, and connecting with the local community on a personal level, ortho marketing can encourage new patients to schedule the treatments they need.
Why Online Marketing Matters
Increasingly customers compare businesses online and try to learn everything about them before calling. They examine your costs, reputation, and your social networking pages.
If you don't use an orthodontic marketing strategy yet, then your chances of attracting new patients are slim. People don't look you up in a telephone book anymore. Internet advertising is an essential component of an effective business strategy.
How to Create Great Content for Instagram: The Basics
When creating content for your Instagram, it's important to keep in mind the basics of good social media marketing. These include:
- Posting regularly and consistently. Aim for one or two posts per day, and make sure they are high quality and helpful for your followers.
- Making your posts engaging. Use photos, videos, and text to make your posts interesting and visually appealing.
- Using hashtags. Hashtags are a great way to connect with other users who are interested in the same topics as you.
- Being trustworthy and reliable. As a medical "authority" on social, it is especially important for your orthodontic practice to build trust with your local community. You can do this by only posting accurate information. Make sure that when you post or suggest something, you can stand behind it.
Keys to Instagram Success for Your Practice
Let's dig into a few others keys to a successful Instagram account:
Mix Up the Types of Things You Post
One of the best things about Instagram is that it's so visual. This means that you should make sure to post a variety of different types of content.
Create posts about starting orthodontic treatment that will help new patients learn more about your practice. Continue to build strong relationships with loyal patients by featuring their stories and spotlighting your entire team.
Don't Be Afraid to Be Bold!
Posting photos and videos of your orthodontic offices in action, patient transformations, office tours, tips for orthodontic care, and more will help you attract more patients.
Don't be afraid to get creative with your posts! Instagram is a platform for bright colors, so showcase some orthodontic treatment fun!
Understand The Importance of Good Pictures
Understanding how to set up and take good pictures is important for all social media pages, but especially for Instagram pages. You can take good pictures with your smartphone if you keep a few things in mind.
Use Lighting and Angles to Showcase Your Patient
First, remember that natural or warm lighting is the most flattering. Make sure you don't overexpose your pictures, which will wash out your patients and make it hard to appreciate your dental work. Don't use a busy background, which will distract from the patient in the picture.
Use portrait mode and take pictures slightly above the eye level of your patients. This will allow potential patients to get a good look at the person's teeth, while being the most flattering for the patient in the picture.
Share on a Personal Level
Being personal and approachable on social media is important for local businesses. Your orthodontic website may not have space for all the fun facts about you and your team, so use Instagram to showcase your personalities!
Include Your Entire Team
If you or your team have had orthodontic treatments, share your own experiences. You can also share more about you and your team's hobbies. Getting to know the people behind the practice makes it much easier for new patients to feel comfortable.
Use Video To Share Orthodontic Treatment Success Stories
Video testimonials by delighted patients are one of the best marketing methods to promote your practice. People find other people more believable when it comes to sharing positive experiences.
This is especially true when they are on camera sharing their beautiful smiles! Videos can help you build trust, as new patients will see their neighbors and friends sharing why they recommend your services.
Share Your Services with Quick and Easy Videos
Videos are also an easy way to explain your orthodontic services and encourage potential patients to schedule a free consultation. You don't need expensive equipment: a quick video you record on your smartphone is as cost effective as it is powerful.
Other Considerations for An Effective Social Media Presence
There are some other things to consider when building an effective digital marketing strategy for Instagram. These considerations can also help you come up with great ideas for your content.
Know Your Patients and the Problems They Face
A good orthodontic marketing strategy starts out by understanding who your marketing is trying to reach and how to help them solve their problem.
Talk to your patients and find out what information they wish they had before they started treatment. Then, create content that shares that information with others who have not started treatment yet.
Answer Patient Questions Directly
You can also host live FAQ sessions once a month so patients can get immediate answers. Or, you can encourage questions in the comments to help patients learn they can come to your page for solid advice. If you're worried you won't have time to respond, find a trusted resource to help you stay engaged.
Use Instagram to Collect Online Reviews for Your Orthodontic Practice
You can also use Instagram to give your Google presence a boost! Share your Google Business profile in your stories regularly. This will encourage loyal patients to leave a review, while also inviting potential patients to learn more about you.
Sharing your Google Business profile shows you practice full transparency: you are proud to share your patients' feedback! This continues to build trust in your community.
Orthodontic Marketing Ideas for Your Practice
Here's a quick list of orthodontic marketing ideas to jumpstart your content strategy:
- Feature one of your employees every week with a picture a three fun facts about the chosen employee
- Spotlight treatment areas in your practice to make patients comfortable with the environment
- Create one minute or less video testimonials with happy patients during their final visits
- Answer the most common questions you hear, either in the post or in a written blog on your site that you can reference
- Remind patients that they can schedule consultations on your site
- Share exciting new orthodontic treatments you are learning or offering
- Explain the safety procedures your practice follows to help patients know they will be safe
Those are just a few ideas to help you get started. As you start posting, pay attention to what your audience likes. This will help you come up with more great ideas and know what to keep doing.
Need Help Implementing Orthodontic Marketing Strategies on Instagram?
While these orthodontic marketing tips are helpful, they may also be overwhelming! Taking care of your patients is your top priority and your area of expertise. Luckily, you do not have to navigate the world of digital marketing alone.
Find a Partner to Manage It All
By finding an experienced orthodontic marketing company, you can utilize Instagram to market your practice without taking time away from your patients.
A marketing agency with the right experience can be a valuable partner when promoting your practice. An agency that has worked with other orthodontic and dental practices will know how to find accurate information and reach the audience that needs to find you.
The Diamond Group Knows Ortho Marketing!
The Diamond Group has years of experience working with healthcare companies who want to build their presence on social media. We can help you create a content strategy that takes little effort to implement while bringing in the new patients you want.
Social Media Pages, Websites, and Everything In Between
Whether you want help with your social media pages or are looking for someone who can work on your website too, we can give your total digital presence a boost! We specialize in offering comprehensive services for busy medical professionals who want to grow their practices without taking time away from their patients.
You can read testimonials from other professionals who have worked with us on our website here.
We Want to Meet You: Schedule a Call
We want to learn about your orthodontic practice and the ways you are ready to expand your digital presence. Schedule a complimentary call with The Diamond Group today or visit our website. We look forward to meeting you!
