How Dentists Can Transition into Social Media Management After BDS
Looking to transition from dentistry to a creative field? Explore social media management after BDS to blend your skills with the field of digital marketing. Explore the guide below!
Understanding Social Media Management
Social media management involves creating new ideas, scheduling, planning, executing, and analyzing various types of content to engage consumers through different social media platforms.
It is done to optimize a brand’s online presence and connect with target audiences to enhance marketing and build brand loyalty.
This can be done with the help of social media managers, who provide expertise in building the brand’s online presence and tools like Meta.
The social media platforms that can be used to promote a business include Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit, and WhatsApp.
Reasons for Transitioning to SMM after BDS
The social media industry is growing robustly and is expected to reach USD 124.63 billion globally by 2032, with a value of USD 55.37 billion in India alone. 1
The digital marketing space allows dentists to utilize their healthcare knowledge and effective communication skills in new and innovative ways, like:
- Collaborating with healthcare companies
- Brainstorming ideas to increase engagement rates
- good work-life balance
- Remote job opportunities
Transferable skills from Dentistry to SMM
As dentists, the following are the acquired skills that can help you with SMM.
- Communication and patient interaction: Understanding consumer’s mindset and creating strategic content relies on effective communication skills.
- Attention to detail: graphic design and algorithm analysis tools require focus and concentration to achieve the best results in social media marketing.
- Healthcare knowledge: Our strong background in healthcare can be used to create informative and engaging healthcare content for various healthcare brands.
- Prior experience: Showcasing your dental work or clinic on social media to create your brand during college or while practising can help you build an engaging portfolio highlighting your strengths.
Exploring Social Media Management
Benefits of a Career in Social Media Management
- In-demand career options as every brand works to establish a strong social media.
- Refine your creativity and explore innovative techniques to improve consumer engagement and content in this field.
- Working remotely and having flexibility with your schedule.
How Much Does a Social Media Manager Earn?
The average social media manager’s salary in India is given in the table below.2,3
Average social media salary
| Experience years | Annual salary in INR |
| Fresher (0-1 years) | 2.5-2.9 Lakhs |
| 2-5 years experience | 3.5 Lakhs |
| More than 5 years experience | 7.5 Lakhs |
| More than 10 years of experience | 12 Lakhs |
Necessary Skills for Social Media Management
The following are the skills required for SMM:
Educational Pathways to Transition to SMM After Dentistry
Courses and Certifications
- Courses
- Social Media Management course by Social Media Training
- Understanding Social Media Promotion by HubSpot is available online.
- Other helpful courses are available on Coursera, Meta, and Udemy.
- Certifications
- ‘Social Media Marketing Certification’ by HubSpot
- ‘Certified Digital Marketing Associate’ by Meta Blueprint.
Networking and Mentorship
- Connecting to the right people and mentors on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can open you up to various job opportunities related to social media management after BDS.
- This helps you keep up with the latest developments in this ever-evolving profession.
- Finding the right mentors to guide you as you embark on this new career path is crucial as it can significantly impact your career trajectory.
Building a Portfolio
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rHTvAC18ZiP7l_wbJZvR0bXfZI6V3u9ilGKdkOWINaE/edit?tab=t.0
- An active presence on social media and engaging content on Instagram and YouTube about interesting themes
- Volunteering to build a brand on social media for local businesses, such as your dental clinic.
- Consistently creating a weekly or monthly blog will give you the confidence to take up bigger projects.
- Internships and part-time jobs offer a good entry point into the industry, which can later be converted into a full-time job. You can find these opportunities on Internshala.
- Make your portfolio by compiling all your relevant work and the results you have achieved with the resources you were provided.
- Highlight the outcomes of the different projects, like the engagement rates and other metrics, to give your potential employer a clearer picture of your digital skills.
Job Search Strategies for Social Media Management After BDS
- Updating your LinkedIn profile, actively posting relevant content on different sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and other platforms, and connecting with recruiters.
- “Network is your net worth!”– enough emphasis can’t be placed on the power of networking.
- One quick tip: As a dentist, you can create a social media presence for your clinic or the clinic where you practice to prepare a profile to show recruiters.
- Customize the resume and cover letter.
- Prepare for interviews with the help of generic questions.
We at Odigio also offer services like resume building, networking, and interview preparation, exclusively tailored to your personality and roles, and help you transition into various non-clinical roles.
Conclusion
Social media management is an exciting and upcoming career field that allows dentists to utilize their healthcare knowledge and skills to explore their creative and analytical skills.
FAQs
References
2. Payscale: Average Social Media Manager Salary in India
3. glassdoor: Social Media Manager salaries in India