SEO Alone Isn't Enough

Solutions by Design

If your business has invested in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), you’ve already taken an important step toward improving your online visibility. SEO helps your website appear in search results and makes it easier for potential customers to find your business.

But in today’s competitive online marketplace, SEO alone is no longer enough.

Search engines have evolved. While keywords, website structure, and technical optimization remain important, Google and other search engines look at much more than what is on your website. They also consider signals that demonstrate your business is active, relevant, trustworthy, and engaged with its audience.

That’s why combining SEO with a strategic social media marketing program can help maximize your online visibility, drive more traffic to your website, and create additional opportunities to attract new customers.

The message is clear…an active online presence matters.

Consider these trends:

• More than 90% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses before making a purchase.
• Studies show that roughly 70% to 80% of people look up a business on the internet before they buy from them or call them.
• Businesses with active social media profiles can generate more website traffic than those relying on SEO alone.
• Companies that consistently publish fresh content across their website and social media channels create more opportunities to connect with potential customers.

SEO and social media should not be viewed as separate marketing strategies. When they work together, they can strengthen your overall online presence.

A consistent social media program can help increase brand awareness, drive qualified visitors to your website, provide fresh content, build credibility, and create more opportunities for customers to discover your business.

Every social media post is another opportunity for someone to learn about your company. When that person clicks through to your website, you have another opportunity to build trust, generate interest, and convert that visitor into a customer.

SEO helps people find your website. Social media gives them a reason to visit…and a reason to come back.

At Solutions by Design, we understand that successful online marketing requires more than improving search rankings. Our SEO and Social Media Programs are designed to work together to strengthen your online presence.

From optimizing your website and creating keyword-focused content to developing engaging social media posts and driving qualified traffic back to your website, we create an integrated strategy designed around your business goals.

If you’re already investing in SEO, adding a professional social media program can help you get more from that investment.

Don’t let your competition get ahead. Contact Solutions by Design today to learn how an integrated SEO and social media strategy can help your business get found, get noticed, and grow online.

 

 

Level Up Your Social Media Game In 5 Easy Steps

Solutions by Design

Social media has transformed the way businesses interact with customers, providing a powerful platform to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and increase sales. For many companies, an effective social media strategy is essential to long-term success. However, simply creating profiles on various platforms isn’t enough. To fully harness the potential of social media, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of how these platforms work, how to engage your audience, and how to align your strategy with your business goals.

Step 1. Choose the Right Platforms - One of the first steps in mastering social media for your business is selecting the right platforms. Not all social media networks are created equal, and the platforms you choose should align with your target audience and business objectives. Each platform serves a different purpose.

• Facebook: Great for community building, customer service, and targeted ads. It appeals to a broad audience and supports diverse content types such as videos, text, and images.
• Instagram: Perfect for visually driven businesses like fashion, lifestyle, or food. Instagram is great for high-quality imagery, short-form video content, and influencer marketing.
• LinkedIn: Ideal for B2B businesses, professional networking, and thought leadership. LinkedIn is where you share industry insights, company updates, and business opportunities.
• X/Twitter: Best for real-time updates, news, and concise content. Twitter is also a powerful platform for customer service and direct communication with your audience.
• TikTok: Popular among younger audiences, TikTok is best for short, engaging videos that can quickly go viral. It’s particularly effective for businesses looking to tap into Gen Z and millennial audiences.

Each platform caters to different demographics and content formats, so it’s important to tailor your approach based on your audience and business type.

Step 2. Develop a Content Strategy - A successful social media presence isn’t just about posting frequently, it’s about posting with purpose. To ensure you’re making the most of social media, you need a solid content strategy. Your strategy should include the following:

• Content Types: Social media supports various content formats, from blog posts and infographics to videos and polls. A mix of content types can help you engage different segments of your audience.
• Posting Frequency: Determine how often you should post on each platform. For example, Instagram might benefit from daily posts, while LinkedIn may only require a few updates per week.
• Tone and Style: Your brand’s voice should be consistent across platforms, but it can also adapt slightly to fit the unique culture of each network. LinkedIn might call for a more professional tone, while Instagram allows for a more casual, friendly voice.
• Engagement: Don’t just post and leave it at that…engage with your followers by replying to comments, liking their posts, and participating in conversations. Building relationships with your audience is key to growing your social media presence.

Step 3. Understand Social Media Algorithms - Most social media platforms use algorithms to determine what content gets seen by users. To ensure your posts reach your audience, it’s important to understand how these algorithms work. Generally, social media algorithms prioritize content that receives engagement (likes, comments, shares) and favors posts that keep users on the platform longer, such as video content.

To work with the algorithm, focus on creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Posting consistently and interacting with your followers will help increase visibility, as the platform will recognize that users find your content valuable.

Step 4. Social Media Advertising - Organic reach on social media is limited, and algorithms often favor paid content. Social media advertising allows businesses to reach highly specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer robust advertising tools that can help you promote your products, drive traffic, and generate leads.

Start by setting a budget and determining the goal of your campaign, whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales. Use tools like Facebook Ads Manager or LinkedIn Campaign Manager to create targeted ads that align with your business goals and monitor the performance of your campaigns to optimize results.

Step 5. Measure Your Success - Tracking the performance of your social media efforts is crucial to understanding what works and what doesn’t. Most platforms provide built-in analytics tools that allow you to track key metrics such as:

• Engagement rates: Likes, shares, comments, and clicks.
• Reach and impressions: How many people saw your posts.
• Follower growth: The increase in your audience size over time.
• Conversions: Sales, sign-ups, or any other actions taken as a result of your posts.

By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can adjust your strategy to better meet your business goals and improve overall performance.

Mastering social media for your business takes time, strategy, and a deep understanding of how each platform works. By choosing the right platforms, developing a solid content strategy, understanding algorithms, leveraging paid advertising, and tracking your success, you can create a social media presence that drives real business results. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your social media game to the next level, focusing on these key elements will help you build a thriving online community and grow your business effectively.

If you need additional help or just want someone else to handle all of your social media needs…give Solutions by Design a call. Everything we do at Solutions by Design is custom designed and developed with your company in mind.

 

 

Elevating Your Brand with Custom Social Media Content

Solutions by Design

Social media has become the heartbeat of brand communication. With millions of businesses vying for attention on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, the need for a unique and compelling social media presence is more crucial than ever. This is where the importance of hiring a company for custom social media content truly shines.

Every brand has its own story to tell, and generic content simply won't do justice to the intricacies of your identity. Hiring Solutions by Design for custom social media content ensures that each post, image, and caption is tailored to perfection, reflecting the unique essence of your brand. The one-size-fits-all approach is replaced with a bespoke content strategy that resonates with your target audience and communicates your brand values authentically.

Custom content not only captures attention but also creates a memorable impression. It allows your brand to stand out in a crowded digital space where individuality and authenticity are prized commodities.

The ultimate goal of social media marketing is not just to accumulate followers but to convert them into engaged brand advocates. Our professional content team understands the nuances of crafting posts that spark conversations, inspire shares, and drive meaningful interactions.

Consistency is paramount in effective brand storytelling. A unified brand story not only reinforces brand identity but also enhances brand recall. It creates a seamless experience for your audience, allowing them to navigate your digital presence with familiarity and confidence. Our team ensures that your brand narrative is consistently woven across various platforms…from Instagram stories to Facebook updates, every piece of content contributes to a cohesive and compelling brand story.

The social media landscape is ever-evolving, with trends and algorithms changing at a rapid pace. Our dedicated content team keeps a vigilant eye on market trends, ensuring your brand remains relevant and adaptive. Leveraging our expertise, you can navigate the social landscape with confidence, staying ahead of the curve and positioning your brand as an industry leader.

First impressions matter and visual appeal is at the forefront of capturing attention. The team at Solutions by Design understands the visual language that resonates with your audience. From eye-catching graphics to stunning photography, we craft visuals that not only pop but also leave a lasting impact.

Timing is everything. A strategic posting schedule takes into account peak engagement times, regional differences, and platform-specific nuances. It's the key to ensuring that your content doesn't just exist in the digital space but actively contributes to your brand's visibility and engagement. We develop strategic posting schedules tailored to your audience's behavior. This ensures that your content reaches the right audience at the right time, maximizing its reach and impact.

The importance of hiring a company for custom social media content lies in its strategic significance in elevating your brand in the digital landscape. From tailoring content to perfection and amplifying engagement to consistent brand storytelling and staying ahead of trends – custom content transforms your social media presence from ordinary to extraordinary.

Contact Solutions by Design and elevate your brand, tell your story, and forge meaningful connections with our custom social media programs.  

 

Harnessing the Power of Social Media

Solutions by Design

In today's digital era, social media has become an integral part of our lives, transforming the way we connect, communicate, and consume information. But its impact doesn't stop there; social media platforms have also emerged as powerful tools for businesses, opening unprecedented opportunities for growth, engagement, and brand visibility. From small startups to large corporations, companies of all sizes are recognizing the potential that social media holds in reaching their target audience and achieving their business goals.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, boast billions of active users worldwide. These platforms are not only spaces for personal interactions but also serve as virtual marketplaces where businesses can establish their online presence, engage with their target audience, and build meaningful connections.

The Advantages of Utilizing Social Media for Your Business

• Enhanced Brand Awareness: Social media allows you to showcase your brand identity, values, and unique offerings to a global audience. By creating engaging content you can amplify your brand's visibility and attract potential customers.

• Direct Customer Engagement: Social media provides a direct line of communication between your business and your customers. Through comments, direct messages, and feedback, you can engage in conversations, answer questions, and build loyalty and trust.

• Competitive Edge: Having a strong and strategic social media presence can set you apart from your competitors. It demonstrates your willingness to engage with your audience on platforms where they spend a significant amount of their time.

Using social media effectively can significantly contribute to your overall success. 

Five Strategies to Help You Utilize Social Media Effectively:

1. Set Clear Goals: Determine your objectives for using social media. Whether it's increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, generating leads, or improving customer engagement, having specific goals will guide your social media strategy and help you measure success.

2. Choose the Right Platforms: Select social media platforms that align with your business and target audience. Each platform has its own user base and characteristics. For example, Facebook is versatile and widely used, Instagram is visually oriented, and Twitter is focused on real-time updates. Invest your efforts in platforms that will reach and engage your target audience effectively.

3. Develop a Content Strategy: Create a content strategy that aligns with your brand identity and audience preferences. Plan a mix of content types, such as informative articles, visual content, and educational videos. Maintain a consistent posting schedule and focus on providing value.

4. Build and Nurture Relationships: Social media is a powerful tool for building relationships with your audience. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions. Engage in conversations, offer assistance, and show appreciation for feedback. Building strong relationships on social media can lead to customer loyalty and valuable word-of-mouth promotion.

5. Stay Up to Date with Trends: Social media trends and features constantly evolve. Stay informed about the latest updates, algorithm changes, and new platforms to ensure you are using social media to its full potential. Experiment with new features, such as live streaming, Stories, or polls, to keep your content fresh and engaging.

Remember, social media success takes time and consistency. It's important to evaluate and refine your strategy based on your audience's response and evolving trends. By effectively utilizing social media, you can build a strong online presence, connect with your target audience, and drive positive business outcomes.

 

Are You Creating Engaging Content?

Solutions by Design

Social media engagement is an important metric to consider when building your brand. While it is important to increase the size of your audience, it is just as (if not more) important to increase your engagement. When you engage with your audience on social media you can turn some of your followers from fans into clients. The time you devote to building relationships through social media engagement can lead to an increase in client loyalty and higher positive reviews. Social media engagement is not just about looking popular…it’s about making meaningful connections with current and future clients, which will boost your brand online.

First off…what is social media engagement?

“Social media engagement is an umbrella term for actions that reflect and measure how much your audience interacts with your content.Social media engagement can include likes, comments, and shares, but varies by platform.”

Activity and engagement are crucial when trying to build a positive brand experience. Social media engagement is measured by a range of metrics that could include the following:

• Shares 
• Comments 
• Likes 
• Follows 
• Mentions 
• Click-throughs

When potential clients engage with your posts, you’re presented with an opportunity to get to know those clients and build relationships with them. By helping your clients when they’re in need, offers a one-of-a-kind customer experience that they may not get from your competitors.

OK…great. But how can you increase your engagement?

1. Share Engaging Content - Creating unique and relevant social media content is great for attracting new followers and it also keeps existing followers engaged. When creating content for your social media channels, follow the 80/20 rule where 80% of your social media posts either educate, entertain,or help followers solve a problem, while the remaining 20% directly promotes your business. This will help you focus on creating quality content your clients like. Keep in mind…if you’re just talking about how great your brand is, or what you have for sale, it’s going to be harder for your clients to connect and stay engaged.

2. Run Social Media Contests - Hosting a social media contest or giveaway will get people talking and interacting! Social media contests should be designed to entice your audience with a prize and push them to engage with your content by following, liking, sharing, or commenting.

3. Ask questions - When you post questions as content, you can get your audience to engage more with your business. Asking questions is one of the best social media engagement strategies for getting people to participate. Try encouraging your audience to post photos of your products or results from your services. Invite them to tag your business in the picture. When you find their posts, ask permission to post them on your social profile, and once granted, schedule the content to post on your page. User-generated content is a great way to improve social media engagement, which can lead to word-of-mouth recommendations.

That said…social media is a full time Job.

To make Social Media work for you, it’s not enough to create engagement…but to stay engaged.

If your Social Media engagement is slipping, it might have something to do with your post frequency. Potential clients use social media at all different times of the day. Some are online throughout the day, while others may only check it in the early morning or evening. If you’re business is randomly publishing a few posts each day, there’s a good chance some of your audience will miss them. By the time consumers check their feed, your content could be buried.

Did you know…

• As of 2022, there are 4.9 billion active internet users worldwide.

• There are roughly 500,000 new internet users every single day.

• There are 4.74 billion social media users around the world in October 2022, equating to 59.3 percent of the total global population.
  

• 80% of consumers making buying decisions based on a friend's social media post. 

If you need help or ideas on how to create more engagement with your social media posts, contact Solutions by Design. Our team has the experience, along with proper knowledge and planning to assess the effectiveness and the impact of your Social Media Marketing.

Social Media: Instagram “Likes” are Disappearing

Social media likes may soon indefinitely be a thing of the past, at least on Instagram. It seemed like 2019 was full of updates for all social media platforms. From Facebook to Twitter banning political ads to Instagram’s various updates, social media is constantly changing and evolving.

One noticeable social media change happening to users of all kinds is the disappearance of “likes.” It was first announced that Canadian users would experience their likes disappearing back in April 2019. In July 2019, the same changes applied to users in Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand. Facebook began testing hidden likes on its platform for some Australian users in the Fall.

“The new feature hides users’ public like counts on videos and photos in the Feed, on the web, and within profiles.” Instagram announced that it wants followers to “focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get.”

“As you scroll through your feed, there are no like counts,” explained Mark Zuckerberg at F8. “You can see who liked a photo or video, you can tap through to see [the list], and if you have the time you can add them all up yourself.”

Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps with more than 1 billion monthly users and about 500 million daily users on Instagram Stories. There is no opt-in or opt-out to hiding Instagram likes and only time will tell if this feature will altogether be removed for everyone on the popular platform.

Zuckerberg said as much during his keynote, stating: “We want people to be less interested in how many likes a post gets, and focus more on connecting with other people.”

Here is what it looks like when the likes count is gone:

Photo: CNN

What does this mean for users and businesses altogether? The challenge is to continue to create engaging content and engage with your followers. Download selfie signs and a social media calendar of fun holidays for free here. This will help you stand above your competitors and help create new content for your social media platforms.

5 Twitter Marketing Tips for Orthodontists

Did you know there are 500 million tweets sent out every day? That’s 5,787 tweets being sent out every second! According to Twitter in 2018, 326 million people were using Twitter daily. That number continues to grow every day. That is a lot of potential engagement for a platform that mostly goes inactive for most business owners, specifically Orthodontist.

Several accounts are set up for practices but rarely are updated or remain inactive. It can be a challenge for orthodontic offices to use this social media platform, especially if they do not know what to publish in the first place. Assuming most orthodontic practices are active on Facebook or Instagram, they may ask themselves, do I post the same thing from Facebook? How do I even share something on Twitter? Will anyone even see it?

Before you follow these tips, be sure your Twitter account has all the appropriate links, bio description, and images, all match your website and other social media profiles. Here are 5 Twitter marketing tips for an orthodontist to utilize on Twitter, expand their audience reach, build a following and engage with potential customers.

1. Tag / Engage with Accounts:

Social media is meant to be social. Engaging with other accounts will help you build a following and provide value. By tagging other accounts (such as the local chamber of commerce, a school that visited your office or brands) you are starting a conversation online. This also helps with Twitter algorithms, which determine how your tweets get seen by followers.

For example Kelly Orthodontics, in Saint Charles, Illinois, tweeted this fantastic photo of a patient with an American Doll, comforting her as she received braces. Kelly Orthodontics tagged American Girl Doll and their tweet was seen by 323 non-followers.

2. Utilize a Branded Hashtag (#)

A hashtag is a word or phrase comprised of letters, numbers or an emoji, preceded by the hashtag symbol (#). This clickable word the main feature for social media platforms, especially on Twitter. You can see who posts content using that same hashtag.

For example, if I wanted to find what Twitter users are currently saying about braces, I would simply type in #braces and I would see the latest and top post of twitter users talking about braces. Using a branded hashtag for your practice, allows you to see what other people are posting.

Wentz Orthodontics uses the hashtag #WentzOrthoodontics in every tweet they sent out and encourage others to use that same hashtag across Twitter and Instagram. By clicking on that tweet, Wentz Orthodontics can discover other users who have used the hashtag and tagged their photos or comments.

3. Follow People in Your Community

Growing a following on Twitter can be a challenge, especially if you are choosing to do so organically. The most simple and effective way to gain twitter followers is to compile a list of businesses, organizations, and people in your community who are [active] on twitter. By following them, it is most likely they will follow back, thus creating a digital community online that is truly a representation of your hometown (or home state).

One easy way to discover twitter accounts within your community is to search for your local city government or local news stations on Twitter. They will most likely be following other businesses and organizations already.

4. RT Relevant Information

Twitter is an engaging platform that has the ability to spread information so fast, it is often the place where news breaks. With millions of tweets being sent out every day, there is a great wealth of content being shared and spread throughout twitter. As an orthodontist, spreading relevant information on teeth and overall health tips can be easy following different people within the industry. A Retweet can help connect and engage with others in your industry and gain a following.

5. Cross-Promote Correctly

Cross-posting is posting the same content across multiple social networks, often from one place. For example, posting an image from Facebook and automatically posting on Twitter. Which looks like this:

The negative perceptions can be laziness, losing credibility and bad for branding, which can ultimately lead to a decline in engagement and social media growth. For orthodontists and staff members, it might be the easiest way to “be active on social media.” However, there is a difference between cross-posting and cross-promoting.

Cross promoting allows you to tailor your social media content/message to each platform. This includes specific information, image sizes, using hashtags and tagging people such as using the @ symbol. This will allow your content to stand out on Twitter and be Retweeted by others. Each message should be tailored to each platform to ultimately accomplish your goals on Twitter.

Need help with social media or some tips, contact us for more information at info@solutionsbydesign.com.

3 Tips to Get Google Reviews

Google Reviews are one of the most important aspects of online marketing for businesses of all types. Not only is it easy to manage and set up, but it also brings plenty of benefits to your online listing, when potential customers are searching for a product or service you offer.

The value aspect of Google Reviews is the high ratings and the volume of reviews, which can be a challenge for most people. Depending on what type of business or practice you own, getting Google Reviews can be difficult. Here are a few ways to gain positive Google Reviews:

Tip 1: Include links to your Google My Business on your website – Do not make it hard for someone to find you on Google. Encourage those who visit your website to visit your Google My Business listing and write a review of their experience with you.

Tip 2: Use Communication: Asking customers for a review via email after they have visited you, is a great way to get reviews and remind them to rate their experience.

Tip 3: Don’t Buy Reviews: It’s all about authenticity in the online world of Google and search engines and the ever-changing SEO algorithms, can recognize reviews and determine which ones are authentic. Do not fall into the trap of buying reviews, as this can cause serious consequences such as your practice/business being fined, your Google account being shut down. Not to mention, it is also illegal according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Google Reviews are a big deciding factor for potential customers and by leveraging this simple tool, your business can benefit greatly. Need help with social media or some tips, contact us for more information at info@solutionsbydesign.com.

Google Plus Shuts Down! What this Means for You?

In December 2018, Google announced to shut down Google+ in April 2019 due to low usage and challenges in maintaining their social platform.

Launched in 2011, Google + (Plus) was Google’s own social media network that was aimed at being different from its competitors back in 2011, such as Facebook and Twitter. Google + was said to become the next big social media platform. If you are unfamiliar with Google +, it allowed users to organize their connections in circles like “family” or “acquaintances”, the names of which remain private. There were no friend requests, and users could be added to each other’s circles, reaching out to people and following their updates.

Like many products that never fully take off or get to the level of social media giants such as Facebook or Instagram - Google + eventually decided to shut down entirely in 2019. What does this mean for you?

If you or your business utilize Google + as another way to distribute information or post updates such as photos, you will want to download all your information before it all disappears.

As of right now (Feb. 2019) you will no longer be able to create new pages on Google + (Plus). On April 2nd, your Google+ account and any Google+ pages you created will be shut down. Google will begin deleting content from Google +. According to Google, photos and videos in your Album Archive and your Google+ pages will also be deleted. You can download and save your content before April. If you have photos backed up in Google Photos, they are safe and will not be deleted.

If you utilize the Google+ Sign-in button when logging into a website, these buttons will stop working in the coming weeks but in some cases may be replaced by a Google Sign-in button, according to Google. You'll still be able to sign in with your Google Account wherever you see Google Sign-in buttons.

With that said, this is another example of technology and social media ever-changing daily. It is important to adapt and have a great social media strategy that is adaptable. Social programs are very much like any other specialized task or responsibility in your business. There is a steep learning curve that requires full-time attention and a continual focus on changing technology. Need help or some tips. Contact us for more information. 

5 Ways to Increase Organic Reach on Social Media

Social media is changing the way we view content, the way we check our phones and the way we view businesses. With social media algorithms constantly changing day to day, your content can find it tough to stand out from other content on search engines or social media platforms.

A lot of businesses/practices rely on organic reach on social media. Organic reach is how your social media posts perform without money behind them. Social media algorithms are always changing, with its most recent trend, organic reach is declining with social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram favoring advertising and posts with a budget behind it.

Early last year, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg announced a change in how Facebook displays one's feed. “You’ll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media,” Mark Zuckerberg said at the start of 2018. “And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard—it should encourage meaningful interactions between people.”

This could mean that your posts may not be reaching as many people as before. However, there are ways you can ensure your target audience is being reached and that your content is being displayed and given preference. Here are 5 ways to increase your organic reach on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

1. Publish Quality Content 

It is no use to constantly publish content if there is no strategy behind your posts. It is also hurting your rankings if you are publishing too many posts at one time. Ensure your work is quality content that your audience will want to engage with - news links, photos, videos or questions. The more your audience engages with your social media, the more it gets pushed at the top.

2. Create Unique Content: 

Don’t just repost to every platform - instead, take the time to ensure your content is posted and captions are written specifically for each appropriate platform. Tailor each social media post to each platform. 

3. Share Content: 

Sharing content from others in your community or industry, will not only give you additional social media content but help increase your organic reach on social media. Whether it is a retweet, a user-generated post on Instagram or sharing blogs and articles, sharing content is beneficial for both you and your audience. 

4. Know the Algorithms 

Social media algorithms are what determines how and when content is displayed to you, and it is constantly changing. Each platform has its own social media algorithm. At Solutions By Design, our social media marketing services, keep track of social algorithms so you don’t have to, ensuring you are always ahead of the changes in digital marketing and social media. 

5. Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are becoming a big component of Instagram and can help businesses of any type grow their following and reach more people organically. If you are not using Instagram Stories, you are missing a big marketing opportunity. Launched in 2017, Instagram Stories allows you to tag locations, tag other users and use hashtags - all which make your story and profile discoverable by other methods.

Want to know how Solutions by Design can grow and impact your social media strategy? Solutions By Design can help you make professional and intelligent decisions that will be advantageous in setting the fate of your overall digital marketing efforts. Give us a call at 800-888-4084.

4 Instagram Tips for Orthodontists

To stand above the crowded noise of social media, you must have excellent content! Canned posts, status updates with no images, posting at random times are a big red flag that will get your content pushed behind, lost where few people will see it. Instagram now has more than 1 billion users. With more than 1 billion users on the popular social media platform, your target audience is most likely on the photo-sharing app. With filters, selfies and sponsored posts, you have to ask yourself, “is your orthodontic practice on Instagram?” If you are on Instagram, great! But are you utilizing the platform efficiently? 

Here are 4 Instagram tips to help you stand above your competitors in 2019!

1. Real Photos! 

As a practice, you are interacting with your patients every day and providing a wonderful service people prioritize and spend money on. If you are not capturing photos with your patients before, during and after treatment, then you are missing out on a big marketing opportunity. You should prioritize and take the time to take photos with your patients because it would create content for your website, social media, search engines and for people to see the amazing work you do. 

2. User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content is content that your patients share on their social media accounts. By simply posting their smile (and if they are satisfied a great review) they expand into their network and community. You benefit from this by getting a solid reference from your patient and of course content that you can repost and share on social media. Be sure to encourage UGC by telling your patients to tag you in their social media posts. 

3. Instagram Stories 

Launched in 2016, Instagram Stories quickly became a staple component on Instagram. If you are not using Instagram Stories, then you are missing out on an important marketing opportunity on Instagram. Instagram Stories are another great way to showcase information and reach a new network of an audience who may not be following you. You can do this by using hashtags and tag locations on the Stories. It is also a great way to showcase fun, behind the scenes of your business. 

4. Story Highlights

Story highlights was a feature launched in 2017! You now are utilizing Instagram Stories, fantastic! Now curate your stories and save them on your profile. This allows your stories to be saved and archived on your profile. A great way to utilize this as a practice is to put patient reviews, a smile gallery and an "About Us" - this way users searching for an orthodontist, will not miss all the information from you. 

Solutions By Design can help you make professional and intelligent decisions that will be advantageous in setting the fate of your overall digital marketing efforts. Never miss a fun holiday, by downloading our yearly calendar of fun holidays here.