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RevUp Dental
RevUp Dental
Is your dental practice stuck growing? It's not your dental skills holding you back, it's what's happening under the hood. RevUp shows you where you're losing patients and fixes it with proven systems, training and marketing that makes you money.
Blog By:
Nick Fotache
Nick Fotache

Should Your Dental Practice Invest in Social Media Ads?

Should Your Dental Practice Invest in Social Media Ads?

4/17/2024 1:28:14 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 39



Deciding where to spend your marketing money can be tricky, especially when it comes to social media like Facebook and Instagram. These platforms are everywhere, so it might seem like a good idea to advertise there. But it’s important to think about whether this is really the best way to use your budget.


How Effective are Social Media Ads?

Sure, advertising on social media can bring in new patients. You might notice more people coming in after running a big Facebook ad campaign. This can sometimes even seem better than older methods like handing out flyers. However, you should really think about whether social media gives you the most bang for your buck.

Good marketing isn’t just about getting results; it’s about getting the best results for the least amount of money. Even though social media can work, other methods like search engine optimization (SEO) or Google Ads usually give you more for your money. This is because they connect you directly with people who are already looking for dental services.

The main problem with social media is that people aren’t there to find a dentist. They're usually just scrolling through to see what their friends are up to or to watch funny videos. This is very different from someone who types “best dentist near me” into Google because they are actively looking for dental help and are more likely to actually make an appointment.


Examples of Targeted Social Media Ads

You can still use social media smartly to reach certain people. For example, you might run an ad that shows a young woman graduating and looking happy with a beautiful smile. The ad could say, “Celebrate your big day with a beautiful smile. Find out about Invisalign.” This ad targets young adults who are graduating—a specific group who might be thinking about their appearances.

Or, you could target ads to brides-to-be by highlighting the importance of a perfect smile for their wedding photos. An ad could show a happy bride and say, “Make your wedding photos shine with a bright smile. Ask us about teeth whitening today.” These ads tap into important life events and can make people think about looking their best for these occasions.


The Short Lifespan of Social Media Ads

Another issue with social media marketing is how quickly the effectiveness of ads can drop. An ad might work great for a few days, but then it stops reaching people as Facebook's algorithm prefers to keep content fresh. This means you might end up paying more to keep the ad running, even though fewer people see it.

This situation is different with Google Ads. If your ad works well, Google will continue to show it and even reduce the cost over time as long as it remains relevant and effective. Google rewards ads that people find helpful, unlike social media platforms, which prioritize entertainment over utility.


When is Social Media Useful?

 Social media is best used to connect with potential patients, develop your online presence, and establish trust even before patients walk through your door. By sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, introducing team members, and showcasing patient success stories, dentists can create a more personal connection with their audience. This human touch can go a long way in building trust and loyalty among potential patients.

Additionally, social media provides dentists with a platform to educate their potential patients about oral health and dental procedures. By sharing informative content, such as tips for maintaining oral hygiene or explanations of common dental treatments, dentists can position themselves as trusted experts in their field. This can help alleviate any fears or misconceptions that potential patients may have about visiting the dentist.

When it comes to social media, many dentists want to use it for their practice; they see their competitors being active but don't know what to post, or they post really generic photos and captions that are meaningless. Even worse, they might pay thousands of dollars per month to a company that will do this for them.

We've built a guide that has many ideas for effective content that you can post for your dental office, and also what to avoid posting so you can create engagement with potential patients and increase your chances of booking more appointments. You can download the guide for free by clicking here. You can also join us tomorrow for a webinar on the same topic.


Conclusion

In conclusion, unless your dental practice has a large marketing budget and you’ve maximized other marketing strategies, social media might not give you the best bang for your buck. Focusing on platforms where people are actively searching for dental services and building your practice's reputation through Google reviews, educational content, and patient video testimonials will likely be more cost-effective and yield better results in the long term.
Category: Marketing
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