FBML for Dentists
by DentalPlanet on 11/05/10 at 9:49 am
Starting a social media strategy is a major step in the right direction. As we have shown before, social media is taking over marketing in a big way. Dentists are starting to embrace the platform, and using its tools to get the word out. If you are like me, once you start a profile and use it for a while, you begin to ask “Whats next?” The big “what’s next” for Facebook is FBML.
Many of you who have used Facebook have already experienced FBML in use. Almost all of the apps and games (Farmville and Mafia Wars) use FBML. Many other big brands like BestBuy, McDonalds, and Coca Cola use FBML to customize their Facebook pages and give them rich graphic content. FBML is not just for big brands like these. Dentists can also use FBML to create mini websites within their Facebook page, and improve a visitor’s experience there. FBML can allow visitors to make an appointment, get directions, or fill in a email contact form right on your Facebook page.
So what is FBML? I am sure the majority of you out there have a web page or at least have visited one. Many of you also know that HTML is the backbone of these websites. HTML is the code that is used to assemble websites from pictures and text, and tells where to place them all to create a functioning website. In simple terms, FBML is the HTML of Facebook. Facebook is obviously based in HTML, but it has a lot of interesting features. FBML allows a designer to easily change HTML within Facebook by using a simple code. The results allow Facebook to have interesting graphics, tools, and games that interact with its users.
How do I get started with FBML? We give a quick starter about FBML in our book “Social Media for Dentists” , and I recently posted a “Make an appointment button” feature on our blog (socialmediadentist.com/blog). These will show you how to get FBML on your Facebook page, and to get started with a simple exercise. Once you have FBML activated on your page, the possibilities are endless. The best way to use FBML is to create a custom landing page. It is important to have a call to action, collect information, and get the visitor to make an appointment. You can have up to 9 FBML based tabs on your Facebook page. I often suggest to have a welcome page then address other topics on subsequent pages.
FBML is the future of Facebook pages. Contact us at http://socialmediadentist.com or email me at [email protected] for more information about custom Facebook pages.
Jason T. Lipscomb is a general dentist in Richmond, VA and a co-author of Social Media for Dentists. Dr. Lipscomb has developed the methods used by Social Media for Dentists after several years of private practice. He maintains a unique perspective on dental marketing by operating two busy practices and researching social media practices. Social Media for Dentists is one of the only dental specific Social Media marketing books. Social Media for Dentists L.L.C. offers hands on training to dentists all over the country.
