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When they first originated, I don't think anyone could've imagined just how lucrative and powerful social networking websites like YouTube, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter were going to be for business growth and exposure. When I introduced social media and simple video marketing to the chiropractic profession three years ago, I was confident that these Web 2.0 platforms would change the face of marketing as we knew it. With that confidence, I still could not have predicted the explosion that has taken place globally in such a short amount time.

When they first originated, I don't think anyone could've imagined just how lucrative and powerful social networking websites like YouTube, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter were going to be for business growth and exposure. When I introduced social media and simple video marketing to the chiropractic profession three years ago, I was confident that these Web 2.0 platforms would change the face of marketing as we knew it. With that confidence, I still could not have predicted the explosion that has taken place globally in such a short amount time.

The amount of leverage that social media sites allowed me was tremendous. It was truly remarkable how much of my time was freed up by using the power of Web 2.0, and leveraging out the marketing work to other employees. This kind of marketing is absolutely free, so no longer was I in the hole due to overpriced marketing firms that yielded no results. I began 3 years ago to meet people in my community through MySpace, and the number of my new acquaintances grew to 50 people almost every single day. The traffic that this was bringing to my website was phenomenal. As I optimized my profile and experimented with different things, the phone calls from future patients just started to pour in. I was amazed by what was happening.

Marketing on social media can yield instant results but it's absolutely phenomenal for positioning yourself in the long-term! It's similar to planting seeds within the community and getting into every nook-and-cranny possible. If you set yourself up correctly, you can brand yourself as an authority in whatever specialty you choose and gain trust and credibility with your community. Then, you can keep tabs and consistently build top-of-the-mind awareness with the friends and subscriber lists that you've built. The avalanche occurs after you've amassed several thousand people that you keep in touch with regularly that need you or refer new patients to your chiropractic practice for the conditions that you treat.

One of the things that I was able to capitalize on very early in my social network endeavors was simple chiropractic video marketing. Making videos and uploading them is a fairly simple, quick process yet so few chiropractors have even thought to marketing to their community this way. A word of advice, though. After you shoot your video from a video camera or digital camera, many times you will need to compress the actual file using Windows Movie Maker (if you have a PC) or iMovie (if you have a MAC). Then, you will be able to edit or upload to a video sharing website like YouTube.

I first noticed years ago that videos were getting a wonderful index status on the major search engines. We are visual creatures, and people respond more to watching videos online than they do to articles and blogs. When someone can see your face and hear your message, they automatically feel like they know you and can trust you. This is pure gold for your credibility in your community and in the chiropractic world. These videos are available to be viewed 24/7, so you know the internet is working for you, even when you're sleeping! I carry my camera and tripod everywhere I go so that when I'm inspired to make an informative video, I can just do it. Some of the best I've made used the ocean or beautiful mountains as a background.

Now is the time to learn the power that chiropractic video marketing can have on your practice. Nearly 52% of online content today is video! When people go online to look for solutions to back pain and neck aches, they want to ideally find videos for "one on one" instruction and information online. The more videos and material you have online, the more they trust what you have to say and believe your credibility in the business. There is no better way to literally stifle the competition.

Take people on a journey with you through your office and in many different locations. I always bring my video camera and tripod with me wherever I go because I never know when I'm going to have a great idea for an educational or promotion video for my chiropractic practice or other business ventures. I've shot videos at the office, at home, in Costa Rica, at the golf course, in the mountains, on the ocean, and many other locations. Viewers love to tag-along with you on your journey and see a change of scenery. Also, in my opinion, natural light is the best and most flattering.

It's important that you put out 1-2 videos a month as a minimum. This is how you can canvas the search engines and come up in multiple places. You must keep pumping out material so that your position stays strong in search engines. There's no need to outsource your videos because it will cost a lot of money and it's so easy to do yourself.

It's so important to have a good time when you're making these videos. If you're relaxed, having fun, and educating people, then you're putting yourself in the best possible light, and that will mean that people will see you as someone they want to turn to when they need a chiropractor. When you continuously put out information that people enjoy hearing and want to learn from, then your power in the community rapidly expands.

Lastly, find a chiropractic coach with a proven track record who's been leveraging social media and social networking the past several years. Since the social media landscape is so vast, it's a good idea to find a consultant that solely specializes in this type of chiropractic marketing. This is not the type of material that can be effectively taught for an hour at a multi-topic seminar. After you find your mentor, hang-on for one incredible ride. Your chiropractic practice and business live may never be the same again!