What Dentists Need to Know About Short-Form Social Media Videos

Let’s face it, short-form videos (videos under one minute) have taken over social media platforms. Brands and influencers are all-in on posting choreographed dances, trendy challenges and day-in-the-life videos to engage their audiences on pretty much every platform. So what does that mean for you and your dental practice? Keep reading for short-form video ideas that feel authentic to your practice and tips to consider when posting them.

Before we get into that, this is a reminder that you do not have to post videos on social media. Some dental teams don’t have the capacity to add this to their to-do lists, and some practices are content with the results they are getting from their channels — and that’s amazing! However, videos aren’t going to lose their popularity or effectiveness so it is recommended that you stay informed, starting with the tips and ideas below.

Why Short-Form Videos Are Trending

Social media users love snappy videos featuring trendy music, funny skits and creativity galore. The algorithms also love this content, which is why businesses are willing to dedicate the extra time to producing videos for their channels. Basically, if you post a short-form video (think TikToks and Reels) then the platforms you post on are likely to show it to more people outside of your followers. Ideally that would lead to more engagement on the video, which also feeds into the algorithm sharing your video more. With smaller brands not having large budgets for their social media marketing, this has become an effective and organic way to expand reach, engagement and following. The downside is… everyone is doing it! The new challenge is actually finding a way to stand-out while staying authentic to your business — that balance is where the best results will come from.

Tips for Making Engaging & Authentic Videos

🔒 Protect yourself, your practice and your patients before you start recording.

🙊 “Don’t just read from a script.” Easier said than done, right? We shared some tips here to make this easier and give you confidence on camera.

🦷 Check out this FREE video series featuring five dental industry leaders (including Rita!) for the do’s and don’ts of videos, how to avoid commonly made mistakes and SO much more. 

▶️ The first couple of seconds are pivotal, so plan a strong intro for your video that will keep viewers captivated.

⚖️ How do you find the balance between being fun and professional on social media? Consider this before posting another funny video.

🎯 Make content with your patients in mind. That means skipping the technical dental posts (that only other dental professionals would appreciate) or consecutive comedy skits (save that for your personal page). 

✅ Follow Connect90 on Instagram for more insights, updates and tips you need to know!

Content Ideas for Your Social Media Videos

🤗 Do a walk-through of your dental practice! Start with a team member opening the door and take them on a tour, complete with smiling team members at every turn. See an example here.

👩🏻‍🏫 Yes, you CAN make your posts educational and engaging… here’s how!

🫶 When in doubt, share a positive message. Maybe you record yourself sharing a #MondayMotivation message or have each team member wish your audience a #HappyFriday.

💜 Try a free 30-day trial of Connect90! We work WITH you to post personalized content that can attract new patients and engage your community (without needing to learn a trendy dance).

👀 If you’re struggling for ideas of what to post, check out other dental practice’s social media channels for content inspiration. Here’s how it can help you!

💌 Subscribe to Rita’s monthly newsletter for content ideas, including relevant dental appreciation days you don’t want to miss out on posting about.

Don’t be intimidated! There is a lot you can do with short-form videos on your social media channels, but it’s ultimately up to you how you do it. Keep your dental practice’s brand in mind, get your dental team involved and have some fun! And if you’re still unsure how to move forward, get in touch to see how Rita and the Connect90 team can help.