Testimonials!

Today at our office we got a very nice email from a patient informing us of how happy he was with the services he received at our office.  Soooo....... I responded to the email reassuring the patient that our number one goal is to provide the best dental care possible and also how appreciative we were to hear the good words.  I asked him if we could share the testimonial on our web site and our social media sites.  The patient responded that it was perfectly okay to share.  I love getting testimonials from our patients, but I love sharing them even more.  When you get a testimonial it is so crucial to add it to your testimonial page and your social media sites.  People like hearing what others think about your practice.  It is reassuring to exsisting patients as well as potential new patients.  Share, share, share!

What is a QR Code?

QR codes can be very useful to your practice. A QR code is free and you can direct people anywhere you want. It stands for "quick response code".  Here is a free website that will make you a free QR code.  Click here .  Here is what the QR Code looks like for my blog on the right.  If you scan this with your smart phone it will direct you right to my blog.  You can add different URL's and created several QR Codes.  Create one for your facebook page and put it on your business card! 

The year of "Reviews"

This is the year of "Reviews".  I wanted to bring this up because I feel it is important to every business, not just dentists.  People are always online looking for information when searching for a "new dentist" or information about dentists in a specific area.  When people search for your business, what does your Google Place Page look like? Google plays a big part in the search world so if you have not updated or claimed your Place Page, I would start there.  You can add photos and valuable information about your practice.  The first thing however that people are going to look for and see are your "Google Reviews".   The more reviews you have that recommend your business, the better chance you have at gaining new patients.  

So how do you build your Google Reviews?  Ask for them!  In our office we have  a photo that is framed with a QR Code directing people to our Places Page.  While patients wait, they can be raving about your practice. You have to talk about reviews with your patients and ask for them to leave feedback.  In our office we track where new patients come from and you can bet a large number of them come from Google.  We don't pay a company for SEO or to be on the first page of Google.  We have built up our reviews and made our website "noticable" to Google.  We do Google Ads from time to time, but we can get into that later.  There are some practices that offer incentives to patients who leave a review.  We have not tried this, but I hear it works.  The ony downfall is that patients need to have a gmail account to be able to leave a review.  Also, if you find you have a negative review you should respond to it immediately. What does your practice do to obtain Google Reviews?  Anyone have any input on Reviews? 

Ideas of what to post on your Facebook page!

Good morning! Yesterday was the first day of my blog! I am hoping this goes well and I can get some feedback from other Social Media guru's! 

Facebook has many fun ways you can interact with your patients.  You can post several things.  Here are some great ideas of things you can post:

Before & After photos of your dentistry!
Events happening in your office (Give kids a smile or fundraiser)
Trivia & Questions about dentistry
Share photos of you and your staff getting involved in the community
Video Tutorials
Post your blogs that regard to dental health

These are just a few.  Does anyone have any other fun ideas you would like to share?

Where are you now?

Some of us are new to Social Media and others are pros at it. When I think of Social Media, I think of all the ways to communicate online socially with in your network or a variety of networks.  There are many ways to communicate online.  The most common ones that are good for dental offices would be: Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and through a business website.  Some of you are thinking, Pinterest? Really? Yes, I am serious.  There are many people out there and you have to be able to connect to those that are not connecting with us through Facebook!  I think that Facebook is the most commonly used social network, so I would start with that first. 

 

 

Oh yes the "f" symbol! This little sign should be posted everywhere you do your business. On your website, emails, throughout your practice, newsletters, business cards, and anything that has your businees logo on it.  You will want to make sure you add other social networks as well, but start with the most important one first:)

 

What about you? Where do you put your Facebook logo? What other social media sites are you using?



Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I am new to blogging and one of my goals for 2013 is to work with other dental professionals in the Social Media world!  Many are afraid of Social Media and spend lots of money paying other companies to do it!  Social Media is really simple and a should be a "huge" part of every practice.  My goal is to provide helpful tips about getting started, maintaining, and having fun reaching out to patients online! 
      I  also love learning, so I would love to get feedback and other tips from other dental professionals!  Working together and learning what works for others will only make each one of us successful!  I would love to share dental tips and ideas with those who have come across new dental ideas!  If you have questions or comments please feel free to ask or email me!