Connecting with pet owners may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider LinkedIn, because it’s definitely one of the more professional social media platforms. But that doesn’t mean your clients aren’t on there.
LinkedIn is a popular platform for many professionals, and given that many pet owners have professional lives, they’re probably familiar with the website. Plus, LinkedIn profiles rank well in search engine results, so skipping the platform altogether could mean losing out on potential new clients, and exciting professional opportunities too.
Still unconvinced? We’ve compiled a quick overview for you, detailing some of the best benefits of using LinkedIn at your veterinary practice.
Attract new clients
Let’s be real—when your main priority is animal care, the last thing you want to worry about is building an online presence for your practice. That’s why you should be picky about where to invest your time on social media—and LinkedIn makes it easy.
Since LinkedIn company pages rank so well in search results, pet owners are more likely to come across your business before they find your competitors. Plus, if you optimize your profile with local SEO best practices in mind, alongside links to your website, you’ll be even easier to find.
If you have a veterinary blog, LinkedIn allows you to widen your reach easily by posting your content to a different group of followers. Sharing blogs or interesting links—with your own two cents to introduce them—can also showcase you as someone who is knowledgeable about animal health, and as someone who cares enough to pass along important, relevant information.
Increase your credibility
Building stronger bonds with pet owners starts with earning their trust. With LinkedIn, you can share content from your blog, or from other trusted industry publications, as status updates right on your company page.
Another great benefit of LinkedIn is its ability to allow your connections to recommend your services publicly—almost like an endorsement. When potential clients land on your company page and see these referrals, they may be more inclined to reach out to you because you really know your stuff.
When a client can see your expertise showcased by the positive reviews of others, they are more likely to trust your advice, which can improve communication and ultimately lead to better pet owner compliance too. But in order to get the best reviews, you need the absolute best team first—and surprise, surprise, LinkedIn is a great space for headhunting top talent.
Find the best staff for your practice
Let’s say you’ve noticed an increase in the number of avian patients at your clinic, but you only have one exotics specialist on your roster. LinkedIn allows you to search for candidates with specific filter options based on location, skillset, and specializations.
Once you find people of interest, you can view their profiles, and get a more in-depth look at their experience, their connections and their activity, before calling them in for an interview. This type of pre-screening venture can help save heaps of time in the hiring process and ensure you’re getting the best candidates in the industry.
Build your industry network
Social media is a great tool for breaking down boundaries to help you stay connected, no matter where in the world you work. LinkedIn is no exception; it allows you to connect with other veterinary professionals, and stay up to date with industry news and events.
As you build your industry network on LinkedIn, you can tap into niche topics and keep tabs on important discussions with other veterinary professionals. As a bonus, online networking can open doors for your practice through finding new referral opportunities with specialists, to whom you might consider sending patients for certain procedures—or vice versa.
Continue your learning
On the flip side of professional networking, sharing your own expertise with other veterinarians is only the start—you also have the unique opportunity to continue your own education by making connections with those who share your interests and specialties.
Whether it’s about running a practice, or getting the latest scoop on a new diagnostics tool, or even online marketing, LinkedIn has a variety of groups that let users ask questions, share tips and engage in valuable discussions.So there you have it—the lowdown on what a LinkedIn profile can do for your veterinary practice. It’s free, it’s easy, and it has heaps of benefits for your busy clinic, all without the fuss and muss of more time-consuming alternatives.
