HOW TO USE INFLUENCERS TO PROMOTE GLO IN YOUR PRACTICE

It’s no secret that social media has changed the way businesses market themselves. Approximately 19% of people agree that they’ve been influenced in a purchasing decision by something they saw online. Among millennials, that number is even higher- up to 47%. While traditional forms of communication can be helpful, consider adding more innovative methods to your repertoire.

Influencer marketing is quickly gaining momentum as a sure way to increase exposure and introduce your business to a broader audience. We often think of celebrities when we hear this term, but it’s much more than that. An influencer is a person with the power to affect the decisions of others through their authority, knowledge, and position in a certain field. They’re recognized for having a well-developed following on social media with whom they regularly interact and engage.

If you’re not currently taking advantage of using influencers to help bring in new patients and promote services in your practice, the time to start is now! Here are a few ways they can help you promote your office.

1. They can post about your services-Consider this marketing to an audience you wouldn’t have been privy to otherwise. You share your professional services with a selected influencer (with a free teeth whitening treatment, for example), and they create content and promote these services to their social network. Everything from testimonial videos to product and lifestyle images to product reviews can be shared with new potential patients through influencers with engaged followers.
2. They can help grow your social media network-When an influencer highlights and tags your practice in a post, it encourages people to visit your page. If they’re interested in what they see, they’ll begin following you, thus increasing your online exposure. Greater visibility leads to more patients and more revenue.
3. They can share specifically curated content-Smile makeovers and side by side comparisons are a great way to advertise the smile transformations you are creating in your practice. Once you’ve established a relationship with an influencer, they can share these images with their followers. What better way to share results than by promoting them to a larger, engaged social network?

How do you get started?

If you’re ready to use an influencer, finding one to work with might be easier than you think. To begin, seek out those within your niche. You may even have influencers who are already your patients! If not, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter all have search engines to find people who’ve recently mentioned a certain topic, such as teeth whitening, in their posts. Connect with people whose audience is similar to your own, as their followers will be equally interested in your business and services.

As your search narrows, you’ll notice both micro-influencers (greater than 1,000 followers) and macro-influencers (greater than 100,000 followers). Try not to worry too much about the size of their network. Influencers with smaller followings often have a higher engagement rate with their audience, which helps in marketing small businesses.

After selecting someone to work with, reach out with a friendly message to get the ball rolling. You’ll want to be clear of your expectations and find out cost (if there is one). Don’t let the investment deter you- research shows that influencers generate over 11 times more ROI than traditional marketing.

Many of our GLO practices have found great success incorporating influencers into their marketing of professional whitening services. We hope these tips encourage you to do the same.