You’ve set up your practice Facebook page properly and gained some followers, but it doesn’t seem to be producing many new patients. What’s going on?
Setting up a Facebook page, while discounting other online assets, isn’t an effective marketing plan. To turn Facebook into an impactful promotional campaign, it takes an integrated strategy and a persistent mindset framed with reasonable expectations.
What Not to Expect from Facebook
Sure, Facebook can generate new patients. But it’s not your sole source for marketing. In fact, it’s not even your primary source.
What is the number-one source for getting new patients online? Google. This is where most prospective patients search for healthcare providers. They’ll search something like “chiropractor in Chicago” to find a list of practices located near them. They can then browse through a number of websites to find the chiropractor they feel most comfortable visiting.
Prospective patients would have to already know your practice name to find you in a Facebook search. Existing patients might be able to find you, or those with the direct link to your page, but not likely prospective patients (unless you run Facebook ad campaigns.)
What Facebook Can Do For Your Practice
Facebook can attract new patients, just in a different form – generally in the form of referrals. Have you ever asked for a recommendation on Facebook? Something like, “Hey, I’m looking to renovate my kitchen. Does anyone know a good contractor?” The new patients you get from Facebook typically come from your existing patients, not from prospective patients who have never heard of you.
In addition to referrals, Facebook helps improve patient retention. By posting regularly on your page, you stay at the top of your patients’ minds throughout the year. In turn, your social activity serves as a reminder for them to schedule their next appointment.
Facebook builds a sense of patient community. But only if you build it the right way. Authenticity is essential. This is why most of your Facebook marketing should be done in-house. While an outside source can provide ideas and support, only you (or a staff member) can represent the personal flair your patients want to see. This personal touch will help stimulate referrals and keep your practice in the mind of existing patients.
Why a Practice Website is Critical
Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t rely solely on Facebook, but rather use Facebook as a complement to your website marketing efforts:
- You’re at the mercy of Facebook. While Facebook is unlikely to disappear anytime soon (or ever), nothing is stopping them from making changes. In fact, they’ve already made significant changes. Businesses now need to spend money on Facebook for most people to see their posts.
- You’re limited on content. A few sentences with an image aren’t enough to establish trust with prospective patients who have yet to hear about you. Whereas your website allows you to share all the content they need to read to decide if you’re the chiropractor for them.
Facebook and Google are quite different and are most effective when utilized together. Creating awareness on Facebook has different advantages and requires a different approach than promoting your practice through search engines. Both are important in their own unique ways.
Look at Facebook not as a replacement for, but rather an extension of your practice website. Your website is your marketing hub. It is your property, which means you have control over it. A practice website gives you the opportunity to describe your services and tell your story in a compelling way. As a bonus, your site can be optimized for search engines.
Your Facebook page must cohesively align with your website, and the branding should be consistent. While your website and social profiles are separate entities, they should have a similar look and feel.
On your website, you can send visitors to your Facebook page, where they’ll see that you’re active and engaged with your followers, and sharing compelling content, further supporting the conversion process. In this day and age, prospective patients want to scope out your social vibe before making a commitment.
Meanwhile, existing patients want to see your passion for natural healing – that you believe in the chiropractic care you provide for them. Facebook allows you to relay this message in a fun, nurturing way.