Seems everywhere you look Facebook pops up, the twenty=something CEO changing the world...yet does it really mean anything for your dental practice?
According to a recent Deka Laser Survey, the answer is a resounding yes! Dentists love Facebook, communicating via mobile phones, and down at the bottom of the list is good old email.
So what happened? Has the world changed? Even more importantly, is the evidence of dental interest in Facebook a sign that your patients might also share this interest?
And what are you doing about it? At MyDentalChannel, we hope you are doing something more than just complaining.
Here's several ways Facebook can help you, along with simple advice to separate your business persona from your personal (that is, if you want to keep things private, a big issue with Facebook these days.
Rule 1. If you post on Facebook, consider it public; do you want to share everything about your life with your patients? One of the common misconceptions about Facebook is that everyone spends their life on it...
The fact is, many folks do, yet these are people who love this kind of daily social interaction. Others find that posting private information, from where you are to where your kids are, can open up a can of worms.
The decision is yours, of course, just one piece of advice; I keep 2 Facebook accounts (personal for REAL friends and family, and public for my business), and two Pages for business; one for my dental practice, and the other for MyDentalChannel. Because I don't think my patients want to hear the professional side, they want to know me, my Team, and how we can help them.
Like the say, it's not personal, it's business. But if you just randomly post your life story, what happens if a possible patient reads it? Will they interpret it the way you suggest, and with 600 million people visiting Facebook, there is a considerable group of people who will be aware.
Rule 2. Facebook is benefiting local businesses most of all, and this is a tremendous opportunity for any business. If you live anywhere near an urban area, you can be assured lots of people are there; you can look them up, see what they talk about, and more importantly, if you get good, you can target them.
Yet most service-based businesses are succeeding because their local populations are flocking to Facebook, and only a few dental practices (relatively speaking) are using this to their full advantage.
And it all ties into Google and local search, without having any techie help (though that can certainly help if you are really serious about growing your practice).
Remember the supposed promse of the Internet to deliver local customers? Facebook is one of the most important steps in this direction, and if nothing else, allows you to open up a Page (formerly called a Fan Page, now defined by people who "Like" you) where your local patients, and prospective patients, are looking for advice, assistance, and a local face.
This is a great way to network with your local population, just remember the separation of business and personal. It's your choice, yet a choice many of us made when we left our college days behind us, and keep our private lives private because that's how they work best...
That said, it's awesome to meet up with old friends, school chums, and the inevitable local patient looking for dental work in Santa Rosa California...which is where I practice. You really should not let this one pass you by...and of course, it costs nothing!
Rule 3. Be genuine, be real...be you.
Remember the old days, just a few years ago? Dentists would cultivate a confidential rapport with patients through media that did not invite feedback.
So when I wanted to introduce my practice via video on YouTube last year, I created a series that shows my style, approach, and most importantly, tried to recreate for patients the experience, and fun, of working with my practice. I called it "Dr Buzza on why he doesn't wear lab coats", to show people, and make it personal.
Odd isn't it? I warn you to keep things private, yet I make my practice personal...and I do keep my private life private, of course sharing with my true friends and family.
And while there's no right or wrong to Facebook for Dentists, it is clear that your message must resonate with your practice.
And if you are avoiding Facebook and hoping it will go away, this is your wake up call. Newspapers are closing and the Internet is spreading.
Why curse the darkness of your own lack of knowledge, when you can explore the endless possibilities?
When I started my practice 20 plus years ago, I would have LOVED to have this kind of access to my patients. Because they are the center of my practice, and they are going to Facebook in droves.
And so am I...want to be friends and explore? check out my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mydentalchannel or join MyDentalChannel - there's no cost and many dentists are taking advantage of the private, GOLD Practice social network built by and for REAL dentists, their Teams, and their practice.
What do you think about Facebook? Let us know, and share your thoughts and input.
The new revolution will not be televised, and it is fun...as long as you take the same professional approach you do for your practice in the "real" world.
Let me know what you think at MyDentalChannel.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Buzza
P.S. Facebook is the real world, filling in the gaps between being able to meet in person. If you need help, let us know and we can direct you to some great resources and advice, and will share more on MyDentalChannel if you think it's worth it..so let me know! | 
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