There is no question that a properly maintained Internet presence is essential to any 21st century business’ success. However, with the myriad of websites, apps, and online services available today, it is easy to get confused and waste your valuable time. We have created a short list of social media "Do's" to help you get the most out of your social media marketing efforts.

Do: Ask Clients to Follow/Like

These days, it seems that everybody and their dog is on Facebook and Twitter. People check their social feeds quite regularly, which makes social media an excellent way to market to your practice and stay connected with your clients. The first step to successfully leveraging social media is to build an audience, and one of the best sources of followers are the clients you already serve. After a checkup, give your clients something to take home with them, like a treat for pets, and include a note that reminds them to like your Facebook page and follow your Twitter account.

Do: Post During the Internet Rush Hour

According to the FCC, peak Internet traffic times are between 7 and 9 pm. This makes sense because most of the family is home and the workday is over. An eye-catching post created during this time is more likely to be viewed by your audience, which means that it is more likely to be shared.

Do: Use A Social Media Management Platform to Keep Organized

It can be easy to get overwhelmed by social media, especially if your clinic has a presence in multiple social networks. There are a plethora of tools that you can use to organize and schedule posts, as well as get statistics on how effective your posts are. We use the Buffer app, because it lets us pre-schedule our posts, and it allows us to post across our social media accounts from a single place.

Keep and eye out for Social Media Do's & Don'ts: Part 2!