If they “like” you and “follow” you, there’s a better chance they’ll also call you.
Last minute appointment cancellations and reschedules can and do happen. Even if it’s rare, and even if you charge your clients when this happens (on occasion), you can still maximize profits for you and your staff if you utilize social media marketing to fill those last minute empty chairs.
It’s also a great way to boost your Facebook and Twitter following, even if you never have an empty appointment slot to fill.
Step 1: Gain More Facebook Fans & Twitter Followers
Grow your fans and followers on social media by announcing this new program to your existing patients. Tell them during their appointments that if they like you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, they have an opportunity to get in for last minute cancelled appointments at a discount rate. You should also let patients who call in to book an appointment that they may be able to get in earlier if they opt-in to receiving these notifications (opting in requires a Twitter follow or a Facebook like), especially if they seem disappointed that they couldn’t get in for an appointment sooner.
Step 2: Offer Incentives to Book Last Minute
As stated above, the incentive is to let them know that if they fill this last minute appointment slot, they get something out of it. It can be a discount, a free product, or a gift card. It could also just be that they are satisfied at being able to come in earlier. It’s your call.
Step 3: Announce Specials via Social Media the RIGHT WAY
Make the announcement through all of your social platforms. Be brief, and offer a clear and easy-to-follow call-to-action. This last part is most important. Announcing the last minute deal or opening does you no good if your patients have to scramble to respond to the offering. Make it easy for them to call and book that appointment.
Step 4: Profit!
This is a great way to get any patients into your social media spaces who have maybe been resistant to engaging with you online, which helps grow your reach to their personal networks too. It also keeps you on their radar, so they are coming in more often for more services, spending more money with YOU! There’s also the obvious benefit of filling appointment slots, which increases profits and makes better use of your staff’s time.
Contact our interactive marketing team to find out how you can best implement this system into your practice and other ways you can fill empty appointment slots using different marketing channels.
