Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Chiropractic Video Marketing Made Ridiculously Simple

By Matthew Loop, DC

No one could have guessed how phenomenally successful social networks like YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace would become. The power and potential of these top sites are mind boggling. When in 2005 I began to introduce the power of these sites to chiropractors and show them the impact it could have on their marketing, I knew that web 2.0 could bring all of them phenomenal marketing success in these difficult times. Knowing all this, I still couldn't even fathom the remarkable success that was really still to come.

The amount of leverage that social media sites allowed me was tremendous. It was truly remarkable how much of my time was freed up by using the power of Web 2.0, and leveraging out the marketing work to other employees. This kind of marketing is absolutely free, so no longer was I in the hole due to overpriced marketing firms that yielded no results. I began 3 years ago to meet people in my community through MySpace, and the number of my new acquaintances grew to 50 people almost every single day. The traffic that this was bringing to my website was phenomenal. As I optimized my profile and experimented with different things, the phone calls from future patients just started to pour in. I was amazed by what was happening.

Marketing on social media can yield instant results but it's absolutely phenomenal for positioning yourself in the long-term! It's similar to planting seeds within the community and getting into every nook-and-cranny possible. If you set yourself up correctly, you can brand yourself as an authority in whatever specialty you choose and gain trust and credibility with your community. Then, you can keep tabs and consistently build top-of-the-mind awareness with the friends and subscriber lists that you've built. The avalanche occurs after you've amassed several thousand people that you keep in touch with regularly that need you or refer new patients to your chiropractic practice for the conditions that you treat.

One of the things that I was able to capitalize on very early in my social network endeavors was simple chiropractic video marketing. Making videos and uploading them is a fairly simple, quick process yet so few chiropractors have even thought to marketing to their community this way. A word of advice, though. After you shoot your video from a video camera or digital camera, many times you will need to compress the actual file using Windows Movie Maker (if you have a PC) or iMovie (if you have a MAC). Then, you will be able to edit or upload to a video sharing website like YouTube.

I first noticed years ago that videos were getting a wonderful index status on the major search engines. We are visual creatures, and people respond more to watching videos online than they do to articles and blogs. When someone can see your face and hear your message, they automatically feel like they know you and can trust you. This is pure gold for your credibility in your community and in the chiropractic world. These videos are available to be viewed 24/7, so you know the internet is working for you, even when you're sleeping! I carry my camera and tripod everywhere I go so that when I'm inspired to make an informative video, I can just do it. Some of the best I've made used the ocean or beautiful mountains as a background.

Now is the time to learn the power that chiropractic video marketing can have on your practice. Nearly 52% of online content today is video! When people go online to look for solutions to back pain and neck aches, they want to ideally find videos for "one on one" instruction and information online. The more videos and material you have online, the more they trust what you have to say and believe your credibility in the business. There is no better way to literally stifle the competition.

It's truly awesome when you have the ability to give people a tour of your office, so that they can really see where you work and the environment of your practice. I know it sounds funny, but I carry my video camera and tripod with me everywhere, because I'm always inspired by some new idea for an informational video and promo for my chiropractic practice. I've shot videos everywhere! It says something about the success of my practice that I've made promo videos in the office, at home, in the mountains, near oceans, and even in Costa Rica! Wouldn't you like to hear answers about your back pain from someone sitting in a majestic location? Viewers come with me on this journey, and are better able to trust me when I speak to them in the flattering natural light.

Keep in mind that volume is really important when it comes to chiropractic video marketing. You want to make at least 1-2 videos a week to begin to successfully canvas the search engines with your material. This helps you to gain credibility in the market. When you outsource the videos production, you're going to pay a lot of money. It really is so simple and easy to do it yourself. Ask people to subscribe to your YouTube video channel at the end of each one.

Make sure you're relaxed and having a good time while making these videos. You want to present yourself as being the warm, professional, and friendly person that you are. That way, people will feel like they know you, and they'll want to stop in to your office and utilize your services.

You truly do need a good chiropractic coach that understands the current marketing climate, and how modern technology and communications function for chiropractors today. Find a coach that specializes in chiropractic marketing utilizing web 2.0 and social media sharing sites. There's no use finding someone who specializes in anything else. Once you find the right mentor, fasten your seat belt because your practice is about to explode on the internet! - 16738

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