Who Updates The Veterinary Blog? What If I Don’t Have Time?

Being a veterinarian has always been a time consuming and tireless job. From staying up to date on changes in technology and veterinary medicine, to hiring and retaining superior staff, to our day to day work with clients, there often isn’t time for much else. There are certain tasks, however, which should be fit into your schedule in order to work on your business and continue to ensure the practice maintains healthy growth and profitability.

One of these is keeping up with your veterinary blog.

Blogs are an important marketing tool which helps to bring prospective clients to your website while allowing the practice to engage with active clients on a more personal level. The greatest hesitation in launching a veterinary blog is that the maintaining can seem overwhelming, especially when it means taking time out of the veterinarian’s or practice manager’s busy schedule. Before tackling this concern, lets first consider the task at hand.

How Much and How Often?

Part of what makes blog posts so effective for improving search engine rankings is the frequency with which new posts are added. This doesn’t mean you have to commit to writing seven days a week. Three to four posts per month is sufficient, although you can get away with as little as once per month. It’s also important to note that blog posts, by nature, are not long or extremely complicated.

As long as the material is timely and of value to the reader, 350 words is enough and this doesn’t have to take a great deal of time to compose.

Who Will Find The time?

Like everything in a busy practice, assigning responsibility is necessary. Whether it is a veterinarian, practice manager, or veterinary technician, one practice member should take charge of the blog.

Writing the articles on the other hand, can take several forms. The first is that the person in charge writes all the articles. At a schedule of every other week this should be achievable. Alternatively, if a practice sees the benefit and would like to ramp up their blogging frequency, the blog leader should schedule right into the appointment book time to create blog posts across a number of staff members. This ensures both that the work is shared and that the frequency is maintained. A final proofing from the blog leader before going live will ensure posts maintain a consistent practice voice and rigorous proofing. Practice managers tend to be the best at this sort of thing 🙂

What Do I Write About?

Take some time to come up with a few topics to start with. Don’t be afraid to ask your clients what they’d like to learn about – after all, they’ll likely be the ones reading your blog. What types of common questions do you hear in your day to day work that might make for an interesting and informative blog post? Staying abreast of industry news is also an excellent way to find relevant topics.

For instance, new tools, techniques or tips that would be helpful to your clients in caring for their pets make wonderful, informative posts. Additionally, comments you’ve received on previous posts can be a great resource of ideas for future topics.

Establishing and keeping up with your veterinary blog can seem like a daunting task, but it’s an incredibly important part of the modern practice’s online presence. Posting regular, unique, and fresh content will not only get your veterinary website ranked higher on search engines, but it will also foster valuable relationships with your existing veterinary clients.

If veterinarians can’t seem to find the time in their schedule to handle the task, it’s perfectly fine to delegate the responsibility to a staff member or even hire a professional company, as long as it’s done.

The benefits to a practice of becoming an expert educator within the community ultimately translate to increased client loyalty and increased new client acquisition rates.

Our Advice on Who Updates The Veterinary Blog in 2024

Why is blogging important for veterinary practices?

Blogging is crucial for veterinary practices as it serves as a powerful marketing tool to attract prospective clients and engage existing ones. Regular blog posts not only enhance search engine rankings but also establish the practice as an expert educator in the community. This fosters trust and loyalty among clients, leading to increased client retention and acquisition rates. By sharing timely and valuable information, such as industry news, pet care tips, and addressing common client questions, veterinary practices can demonstrate their expertise and provide added value to their audience, ultimately driving practice growth and profitability.

How often should I update my veterinary blog?

Updating your veterinary blog three to four times per month is optimal for improving search engine rankings and engaging your audience. While posting once per month is acceptable, more frequent updates are advantageous. Blog posts need not be lengthy or complex; 350 words suffice, ensuring timely and valuable content. Designate a team member, such as a veterinarian, practice manager, or veterinary technician, to oversee blog maintenance. Consider rotating blog writing responsibilities among staff members to share the workload and maintain consistent posting frequency. Consistently updating your blog fosters client engagement, enhances online presence, and reinforces your practice's expertise in the community.

How do I measure the success of my blog?

Measuring the success of your veterinary blog involves analyzing several key metrics. Firstly, track website traffic and engagement using tools like Google Analytics to monitor the number of visitors, page views, and time spent on each page. Additionally, assess social media shares, comments, and feedback from clients to gauge audience interaction and satisfaction. Monitor your blog's search engine rankings for relevant keywords to evaluate its impact on visibility and searchability. Ultimately, success is determined by increased client engagement, improved online presence, and the establishment of your practice as a trusted source of information within the community.

Besides writing, what tasks are involved in blog maintenance?

Aside from writing, maintaining a veterinary blog involves several tasks crucial for its success. These include managing the blog's editorial calendar to ensure regular posting, optimizing content for search engines through keywords and metadata, promoting posts on social media platforms to increase visibility, and monitoring analytics to track audience engagement and website traffic. Additionally, tasks like responding to comments, updating outdated information, and collaborating with team members or external contributors may be necessary to keep the blog relevant and informative for both existing and potential clients.

Are there any risks or drawbacks to having a veterinary blog?

While having a veterinary blog offers numerous benefits, there are potential risks and drawbacks to consider. These may include the time and resources required for consistent content creation, the need to stay updated with relevant information and industry trends, and the possibility of negative feedback or criticism from readers. Additionally, if not managed effectively, a neglected or poorly maintained blog could reflect poorly on the practice's professionalism and credibility. However, with proper planning, execution, and monitoring, these risks can be mitigated, and the benefits of a well-maintained blog can outweigh the drawbacks.

For more practice management tips, tricks, and expert advice, bookmark the DVMelite blog and check back often for fresh content.