How Dental Offices Can Use Instagram to Increase Business

Imagine scrolling through your Instagram feed to find a competing dental office in your area. They’ve posted a patient success story with amazing results and they’re getting hundreds of likes and comments. You immediately realize your office should be getting the same level of attention from new patients, but you’re getting something wrong when it comes to Instagram marketing. 

As a dental office manager, your goal is to do everything you can to bring in new patients and keep them happy. One of the most effective things you can do to reach that goal is to use Instagram strategically. 

Over 500 million worldwide use Instagram every day. When the app launched in 2010, it was a social network for people to share pictures from their day-to-day lives. Now fast-forward 14 years, Instagram is one of the most valuable places online for businesses to share content and engage with potential customers.

Leveraging Instagram for business growth is a strategic move that tech-savvy dental practices are making to grow brand recognition and bring in new business. 

Here are some techniques to help your team use Instagram more effectively to grow your dental practice:

Showcase Expertise with Educational Content

Share informative posts, carousel images, or short videos that educate your audience about oral health, dental procedures, and overall well-being. This will help you establish your practice as a go-to source for valuable dental insights.

Highlight Patient Success Stories

Encourage satisfied patients to share their positive experiences through testimonials, before-and-after photos, or short video clips. Authentic patient stories build trust and serve as powerful endorsements for your practice. If you’re posting on behalf of the patient, make sure you get their approval first! 

Engage with Visual Content

Instagram is a visual platform, so prioritize high-quality images and graphics. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your practice, team members, and community involvement. Engaging visuals can humanize your practice and foster a sense of connection with your audience.

Utilize Instagram Stories and Reels

Leverage Instagram's interactive features like Stories and Reels to share time-sensitive content, promotions, or educational snippets. These formats create a sense of urgency, encouraging users to stay engaged and regularly check your profile for updates. If you’re using any patient images, make sure to get their approval first!

Run Contests and Giveaways

Boost engagement by organizing contests or giveaways. Encourage users to participate by following your account, tagging friends, or sharing your posts. This not only increases visibility but also expands your reach as participants involve their network.

Optimize Bio and Contact Information

Ensure your Instagram bio is concise, informative, and includes essential contact details. Make it easy for potential patients to reach out by providing clear instructions on appointment scheduling, inquiries, or visiting your practice.

Use Instagram Ads

Invest in targeted Instagram advertising to reach specific demographics or local audiences. You can promote key services, special offers, or upcoming events to attract new patients. 

Instagram ads enable you to target niche audiences such as parents looking for an orthodontist for their teenager or adults interested in innovative teeth whitening procedures.

Engage with Followers

Creating and promoting your content is just the first step. You’ll also need to make sure you’re actively responding to comments, and direct messages, and engaging with your audience's content. Building a sense of community fosters loyalty and encourages positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Collaborate with Local Influencers

Partner with local influencers or dental professionals to amplify your reach. Influencers can create content featuring your practice, reaching their followers and potentially driving new patients to your doorstep.

Monitor Analytics for Insights

Regularly analyze Instagram Insights to understand your audience, track post performance, and identify trends. This data-driven approach allows you to refine your content strategy and optimize for better engagement.

Boost Your Dental Practice’s Online Presence 

By incorporating these Instagram strategies, dental practices can cultivate a dynamic online presence, connect with their community, and ultimately drive business growth.

After you master the art of Instagram posting for your dental office, you’ll need to have an infrastructure in place to keep all of your new patients satisfied.

Sign up for Sindi to manage referrals digitally in just a few clicks – opening the door to more and better stories to feature on your sparkly Instagram profile.