Facebook turned 10 years old earlier this year. I really admire Mark Zuckerberg and how he turned his vision into a $100 billion enterprise. As business owners, I think we all can appreciate what the guy has done.
In just 10 years, Facebook has 1.23 billion (yes, with a “b”) users, including 57 percent of the US population.
And it is valuable for you as a dentist – to reach your existing customers. Social media is important for building brand awareness; connecting with customers and prospects; and sharing your blogs, articles, videos and other content as part of your SEO campaign.
But if you still think you can achieve your business goals by pouring time and money into Facebook – paid or unpaid – you’re behind the times.
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, there is growing Facebook fatigue. More than a third of users don’t like people oversharing information or Facebook’s pressure to do so. Only 10 percent of users update their status daily, while 25 percent NEVER update their status.
So while it is OK to use Facebook to stay in contact with your patients and maybe even attract a few new ones, Facebook is NOT a marketing plan as some would have you believe.
But don’t take my word for it. If you’re relying on Facebook to market your practice, you have to read this TIME article.
As the report says, posting on Facebook reaches only 6% of people that follow your Facebook page. And that’s of the people who WANT TO FOLLOW YOUR PAGE! What’s more, that number is about to drop to 1% or 2%.
We’ve been telling our docs for the last 10 years that Facebook is not the way to attract more patients effectively.
So now that “the free marketing gravy train is over on Facebook,” as Time says, our clients will STILL BE REACHING prospective patients in 2014.
The only people making money on Facebook now are Facebook employees.
If you want to see how you can attract the patients YOU want, go to MoreandBetterPatients.com and get a copy of my new book that lays out a COMPLETE WEB MARKETING PLAN that doesn’t rely on Facebook.
Happy income tax day, and keep moving forward.