What is Instagram?
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing service, one of the social media powerhouses.
Instagram is the 10th most popular Google query. About half of the top 10 searches are generic terms like weather, news, and videos. But Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Amazon also feature in the top 10, and all ahead of Instagram. However, since Instagram is not primarily used through a web interface, the app’s high download rank is a more relevant figure. – Source HootSuite
Instagram is Everywhere
We may not always have our wallets or handbags on us but bet your bottom dollar we will have our mobile phones, which is another solid reason you should have a responsive, fast, beautiful dental website. That is one of the trends that has helped Instagram grow in notoriety within the social media industry.
One billion people worldwide use Instagram each month, which doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, with 500 million people using Instagram stories daily.
How Important is Instagram:
- Instagram’s median engagement rate is 1.6%. That’s 17x higher than Facebook posts and 33x higher than a Tweet (Source: Rival IQ)
- A total of 4.2 billion likes occur on Instagram each day ( Source: Smash Social)
- 60% of all Instagram accounts visit the social platform daily (Source: Pew Research)
- 80% of people on Instagram follow a business (Source: Instagram)
- Instagram is the second most important social platform for marketers, behind only Facebook (Source: Social Media Examiner)
Instagram Posting Insights:
- Posts with high engagement have an average of 5.44 hashtags (Source: Mention)
- 60% of businesses who use Instagram Stories include an interactive element (hashtag, @mention, or poll sticker) in at least one of their Stories every month (Source: Instagram)
- Videos posted to Instagram receive 21.2% higher engagement than single photos and 18.6% more engagement than carousels (Source: Sprout Social)
- Instagram posts that include faces receive 38% more likes than those without faces (Source: Georgia Tech)
10 Instagram Post Ideas:
1. Photos with the patients
@perfectiondentalspa does a great job of taking photos with their patients. This beautiful photo of Dr. Mckenzie and her patient shows how well she connects with her and displays two pearly white smiles.
2. Before & after smile photos
This beautiful before and after photo by @lindseymarshalldmd shows that the changes don’t have to be dramatic to make a great post. They need to show the results and happy patients.
3. Staff birthday photos or videos
The group at @toothtales knows how to celebrate a birthday and how to make lasting memories from it with moment-capturing photos like this one.
4. Staff anniversaries photos or videos
@toothtales shows how much their staff means to them in this heartwarming photo. Behind each business are real people just like you and me. It is preceded by a cool graphic highlighting the anniversary girl.
5. Patient photo or video testimonials
When patients send photos of their radiant smiles, that’s free Instagram posts everyone will love. @perfectiondentalspa
6. Office parties, events & fun photos, or video
A @perfectiondentalspa, a good time is not off the menu. This photo shows just how incredible and relatable the team can be. I’m getting a Charlie’s Angels vibe from this one.
7. Q&A having followers submit the questions
8. Volunteer & Community Events
9. Philanthropy
@drwrightortho They have the Wright idea, ;-) See what I did there.
“Project WrightSmiles operates through local schools and community organizations where we can best identify children who need orthodontic care. The program is coordinated with the help and support of each organization’s administration, and applications are accepted every quarter. From this group, we select one individual to provide a full course of treatment, without charge.” – DrWrightOrtho
10. Foodie or Otherwise Lifestyle Photos
The @thefoodie_dentist does a fantastic job connecting with her following using meal photos. Let’s face it; dentists do not want to talk or see dentistry-related things all day. So give it a break now and again and post some real lifestyle photos. Not into food? How about the gym, beaches, pets, etc?
Above, we have some cool ideas for posts ideal for dental practices. Feel free to use all or any, and be sure to add more. If you have any other great social media ideas, please add them in the comments.
