Since over 500 million people currently use Facebook, I assume most chiropractors have at least heard of this hugely successful social media network regardless if they utilize it or not.
For those that are innovators and early adopters, today I’d like to give you 5 Facebook tips that’ll help more easily market your chiropractic practice.
But, before I do, allow me to interject a prediction for 2011.
I hinted about it in an article I published at the close of 2010 titled Why Thinking Mobile to Market Local is Smart for Chiropractors and will spend more time and energy driving home its point throughout the New Year.
My prediction — correctly utilized local mobile marketing will outperform traditional Internet marketing.
How do I know this?
Because stats don’t lie. Currently, over 50% of those that connect to the Internet today are doing so via a mobile device. For more on this, see HERE.
What’s my point in revealing this?
If you’re not currently using a blog linked to social media networks to market your chiropractic practice, NOW is the time to get onboard!
Why?
Because if you want to ride the tsunami of mobile marketing and benefit from it, you MUST have all of the online pieces of the puzzle in place first.
The Internet is here to stay, more and more people are using it for making purchase decisions, and you’ll be left not just behind but completely in the dark if you don’t grab this thing by the horns!!
So, if you need help with this, check out Chiropractic Blog Designs. Its purpose is to help chiropractors get the most out of their web presence by driving traffic, converting visitors, and winning business.
For those chiropractors that are already online, here are 5 Facebook Tips that’ll help you connect with your local prospects.
- 1. Add a Facebook Like Box to your current website or blog.
The Like Box is a social plugin that enables Facebook Page owners to attract and gain Likes from their own website. The Like Box enables users to:
• See how many users already like this page, and which of their friends like it too
• Read recent posts from the page
• Like the page with one click, without needing to visit the page
To get started, simply visit the Facebook Developers Like Box page.
2. Create targeted marketing campaigns using the Facebook Ads section.
If you’re new to Facebook Ads, download the Facebook Ads New Advertiser Guide. Then head on over to the Facebook Ads section to get started.
3. Use your Facebook Page as a lead generator.
By using Static FBML and an optin form, you can capture leads from prospects who are visiting your Facebook Page more easily.
Just make sure whatever you’re providing in exchange for someone’s name and email address is valuable. If it’s not, you’ll quickly lose them from your coveted email marketing list.
For more on how to do this, read How to Build a Facebook Landing Page for Your Chiropractic Practice.
4. Offer specials, promotions, and coupons through a custom Facebook Page tab.
Another great way to use Static FBML is by creating a Facebook Page tab specifically to promote specials, promotions, and coupons.
Then, simply notify both prospects and patients when these items are ready to be used.
5. Promote events via Facebook Events
Easily get the word out about what you and your chiropractic practice is doing by creating a Facebook Event.
You can create an event directly from the “Events” box on the right-hand column of your home page. By typing your event into the “What are you planning?” field, a form will open. After you add a time and place, your event will be created.
You can also create events by going to your Events dashboard and then clicking “Create an Event” in the upper right corner of the page. From here, you can customize the event, edit its privacy settings and invite guests. Please note that you must include an event name and time. You can also create an event from the Publisher on your home page or profile.
Obviously, the above list is just a start. There are many ways that chiropractors can use Facebook to connect with prospects and patients. Regardless, since it’s the #2 website in the world, make sure you leverage its power toward building consistent traffic both to your blog as well as your practice.
Question: Are you using Facebook to market your practice?
If so, share with us your most successful tip(s) in the {comments} section below.
Dr. MacNamara,
Great post about a very underutilized marketing strategy by most of our profession. 2011 is definitely going to be the year of mobile marketing especially with Verizon getting the iphone (fingers cross about tomorrows annoucement) and the 4G phones coming out soon.
The question is how would a chiropractor utilize mobile marketing. I have looked at the ability to send out patient appointment reminders via text messaging but have not figure out how I would use it to market my practice? Any suggestions.
Thanks,
Todd P. Sullivan, DC
I’ve got my fingers crossed as well for the iPhone and Verizon marriage. Plus, legitimate sources have already confirmed its arrival on Verizon. Hang tight because I think your wait will be over very soon. 🙂
Without spilling the beans too much on what I’ve got up my sleeve for 2011 regarding mobile marketing, think more in terms of making your site mobile optimized, setting up your Goggle Places page correctly, and then running geo-specific, niche-targeted ads through the iPhone platform as well as other smartphone apps to drive local prospects to your office.
There are many variables to the aforementioned but I’ll cover them extensively in 2011. Stay tuned and MUCH success to you in 2011!!
As always, great post Dr. MacNamara. Just one question: I’ve been wanting to put a Facebook like button at the end of my posts but not sure what plugin to use as there are several options, which one do you use or recommend?
Great question. Even though I’ve tried various plugins and options, I prefer the WP Facebook Like plugin which can be found at http://johnny.chadda.se/projects/wp-facebook-like/.
Thanks Dr. MacNamara! I Just installed and activated it. I recently haven’t had the time to try all the various plugins and options that are available, so as always, thank you for doing the hard part.
My pleasure, doc!
Dr. Heins, your mailchimp RSS newsletter will automatically come with LIKE, TWEET AND BUZZ buttons. The readers who subscribed to your newsletter can click on those with just reading first paragraph of posts that you have published.
Hope that helped.
Hello Dr. Mac! I’m kind of late to the commenting party.
A potential new patient called me today and asked me if I have any specials for new patients. He found me via Google Search engine on his Iphone. My blog is Moblie Phone Friendly. However, he was not able to see my special on his phone because in mobile mode is ON it did not show the image – NEW PATIENT SPECIAL. Any suggestions on how to go about it?
Thanks and as always a great post!
Before answering your question, how did you setup your site for mobile optimization?
WPTOUCH
I’m assuming you’re using the free version of WPtouch. If that’s the case, you may want to consider upgrading to their Pro version. It gives you much more control of your mobile theme setup and will optimize images for mobile users.
I think it’s pretty amazing that 50% of people connecting to the Internet are doing so from a mobile device. I think a lot of chiropractors are missing out on this market.
You’re correct, Dr. Hawkins. Many chiropractors are missing out on the mobile market. But, it’s not surprising considering how many are lagging behind with just the basics of Internet marketing — maintaining a blog linked to social media networks.
Ok, thanks for the tip. Will work on it ASAP.
Dr. MacNamara,
I found your blog in doing research for one of my clients who is a chiropractor. You have some great tips and strategies for marketing. I want to suggest one more… hire professionals to design and build the initial website.
Why?
The same people who are looking at your website have just left the organized, clean designs of MSN, Google, or even the busier but still organized Yahoo. When they arrive at your site, if the page loads to disorganized chaos then they are going to think that like the low quality appearance of your website… your services are low quality.
I am not plugging my services, whatever professional you use is up to you… just get a professional to give your informative posts a professional and high quality location to be seen and welcomed by your potential patients.
I wish you success!
Hi, Deanna. Thanks for stopping by my site and contributing to the conversation.
And, I agree 100% with your comment and suggestions!
Matter of fact, that’s the whole reason why I founded Chiropractic Blog Designs — a web design, development, and hosting company for chiropractors. Its sole purpose is to build websites that are not only professional, clean, and uncluttered but that also harness the power of social media and Web 2.0 strategies.
And, right back at you! I wish YOU tremendous success!!
One last thing… you live right up the road from me. Matter of fact, my wife’s uncle is the one that started Ed’s Fishhouse in Jonesboro.
Cheers!