Grow Your Practice Through Social Media

Where do you see your veterinary practice at the end of 2017? Do you see it in exactly the same position it’s in today, or do you see a bigger, brighter, and better future?

If your answer is the latter, then one of your first tactics should be to focus on your practice’s social media presence. Social media is a great, low-cost way to promote your practice and see it grow dramatically in a short amount of time.

Developing a social media strategy doesn’t have to be difficult. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the platform, you can craft a strategy that’s right for you.

Do More Good Than Harm

In 2017 and going forward, the worst social media strategy will be avoiding social media altogether. How much harm can you possibly do by being active on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social media sites? The answer may lie not in your expertise, but in your commitment and character. If you want to avoid being “bad” at social media, follow these tips.

Be Yourself

Your veterinary practice is unique, as are the individuals who work there. This individuality doesn’t come across simply through your name, logo, or practice sign, but you can easily display your personality through social media. Social media platforms can easily tell the public who you are and why pet owners should visit your practice instead of your competitors’.

Create posts that illustrate the unique personality of your team. Have fun, but don’t try too hard—just be yourself and be as human as possible. Include willing clients and patients (with express permission only) in pictures or on your feeds.

Involve the Whole Team

Because social media is all about creating an experience for your clients, the more your staff is involved, the more the personality of your practice will shine through. Your clients want to know who they’ll be communicating with when they come to your practice, and telling them through social media is an easy way to make them feel comfortable.

Social media is particularly important for veterinarians looking to build not only their patient base but their community.

Give It to the Expert

You don’t have to be digitally savvy yourself to capitalize on social media opportunities. All you need is a budding Mark Zuckerberg on your team.

You’re looking more for enthusiasm than expertise when it comes to this person. Someone who is familiar with these social media platforms and uses them personally is a plus! Just be sure you have strict guidelines in place that mirror the public image you want people to perceive through your social media accounts. It also wouldn’t hurt to review posts periodically before they go live if you can.

It’s time to get out there on social media in 2017. You may even find yourself further along next year than you could have imagined.