5 Tweaks To Boost Your Facebook Page In 15 min Or Less — Guest Post

The following is a guest post from a dentist and social media friend.  In addition to dentistry, she’s got a love for social media and a talent for writing …  Enjoy her tips!

Do you have a  practice Facebook Page and not enough time to get to it?

Join the club.

Yes, we all know marketing is important but it’s difficult to make time for social media when you’ve got patients to treat and a practice to run.

But what if you could spare 15 minutes a couple times week? That’s doable, right?

Here are 5 tweaks to get your Facebook Page moving along, or revive it from dormancy:

1. Use a profile picture, NOT a logo

On your Facebook Timeline, the little picture box is the place for a profile, and that’s what it should be. Having a human face–yours or a team picture–is much more appealing to your audience, them being human and all. The logo can sit comfortably in the cover image (the bigger spot behind the profile picture).

Why not the opposite? Because your profile pic will show up next to every update, while the cover image exists only on your Page.

2. When people comment, REPLY

Yes, I may be stating the ultra-obvious, but leaving comments (especially questions!) without a response on Facebook is the same as not responding to a person in real life. Too simple? Then why aren’t you doing it?

3. Give and get ‘Likes’

Giving and receiving go together like PB&J. Getting ‘Likes’ feels good, so why not give some too? And when you do the same for other businesses, ‘Like’ or comment under your business name. A ‘Like’ for them, more visibility for you.

4. Photos, photos and MORE photos

According to the pros, images are the number one attention-getters. This means that for a Facebook Page that wants attention (i. e. yours), the majority of your updates should have an image. And I don’t mean dental pictures. I mean pictures of office events, happy patients (with consent), or images obtained online, free or paid, with credit given where it’s due.

Another great fast and free way to do this to just share the pic from another Facebook Page whose pics are amazing.

5. Keep a list of ideas

Great ideas rarely pop up and stand in queue to be used exactly the time we need them. So what is a busy dentist to do? Why, keep a running list of ideas, photos, links, articles, etc. in one central place, and use them when needed. No fancy equipment required–pen and paper do just fine, or a simple word or Google document for web links. Copy, paste and your done. My iPhone keeps all my in-office photos ready to use. Another great (and free!) resource is Evernote. List anything and everything–web or otherwise–and access from anywhere. It even comes with a free app.

None of these require more than a few minutes, and can be accomplished under 15 minutes a few times a week. This system works because with a time commitment this small, it’s much easier to be  consistent long term.

Put them in action and these tweaks will not only boost your Facebook Page, but do what you ultimately want–more engagement with your patients, and keep the conversation going–without taking all your time.

Ritu Rao is a mom, dentist, practice owner and a blog junkie. She authors Bizzy Tooth Mommy, a blog designed for shifting and lifting female dentists in bits and bytes. Join in for her latest, 17 Ways to Grow as a Dentist, a creative series you’ll enjoy against your will.