You’re busy running your practice, caring for patients, and keeping everything moving. You know a strong social media presence is essential, but where do you even start?
Here’s the good news: we’ve helped countless practices like yours create social media systems that are effective, sustainable, and (dare we say it?) fun. The secret recipe? It’s simpler than you think:
1. Establish Your Brand Pillars
Before you start posting, make sure your social media aligns with your practice’s identity. Clarify what sets you apart—your brand pillars. These will shape the kind of content your team creates, ensuring every post reflects what makes your practice special.
2. Identify Your Practice Growth Goals
What are your goals for this year? Or this quarter? Your in-house social media team can use these goals to guide their content, keeping posts aligned with what you want to achieve. Whether it’s boosting wellness visits or showcasing advanced services, having clear targets makes a big difference.
3. Choose the Team
A good in-house social media team doesn’t need to be big—2-4 team members are typically enough for 2-3 quality posts per week.
- Look for team members who are familiar with social media (and aren’t still using a flip phone!).
- Play to their strengths: someone might love taking photos, another may excel at writing captions, and another might thrive at planning posts.
- Encourage collaboration! Happy pet photos, case studies, and fun behind-the-scenes moments all come together to make your content shine.
4.Create a Posting Calendar
A posting calendar is your roadmap for consistent social media. Use a free tool like Google Calendar to plan posts by theme, such as educational tips, patient highlights, or team spotlights.
- Color-code for different types of posts (e.g., newsfeed vs. stories).
- Keep it flexible! A calendar is a guide, not a rulebook, so you can adjust as needed.
5. Use Tools to Set Your Team Up for Success
Here are two must-have tools that we recommend for every veterinary social media team:
- Canva
Canva makes designing posts a breeze, even for team members with no design experience. With templates, animation options, and the ability to add your practice’s branding, it’s a game-changer.
- Facebook Meta Post Scheduler
Save time by scheduling posts for both Facebook and Instagram in batches. This free tool is perfect for busy teams and ensures your content goes out consistently.
Need a Boost?
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t worry—we’ve got your back! At Tapir, we specialize in helping practices just like yours. Whether it’s 1:1 training for your in-house team or taking the reins entirely, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If building a social media system sounds like more than your team can handle, check out our 6 Click Social Media Management Service. All we need are six quick photos from you, and we’ll handle the rest—content creation, posting, and community engagement.