Communication – the good, the bad and the ugly

Lily Talbot.

Louise Saunders.

Over the last five years, social media has taken off in a way nobody could have anticipated. Not only has it become a way of life for most people, it also plays a vital role in promoting and helping businesses – many of which now rely on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The sites are plastered with photographs, videos and stories to entice people to pages. With 313 million active tweeters and 1.71 billion Facebook users, it's clear how social media is a marketing goldmine for potential clients.

Despite these endless opportunities, not everybody gets it right. Whether you like it or not, understanding social media potentials is paramount in this day and age. If you're not on it – or rarely use it – you're likely to get a frown from your clients, and a big smile from your tech-savvy competitors. From communicating with your clients to demonstrating just how effective your dental treatments are, social media – when properly monitored – can completely transform your practice. And this can be in words, photographs or even videos. Interacting with your target audience shows you care and want to help by spreading messages about dental hygiene. Many businesses refusing to jump on the social media bandwagon are now viewed as out-of-touch and, rightly or wrongly, incompetent. With most people now turning to Google with their questions, an online presence is more important than ever.