A dental marketing strategy needs to be implemented to promote your services to the local community. Whether you handle this on your own or work with an experienced digital agency, it’s vital to track the results of each campaign and ensure they are delivering determined ROI.
A website should be the centerpiece of your digital marketing efforts. It should be informative and easy to navigate, as well as mobile-friendly.
1. Social media
Social media marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach new patients and grow your dental practice. Whether you’re running paid ads on Google or Facebook or optimizing your website, the best way to reach potential customers is to know your audience and create content that speaks to them in a voice they can trust.
Using video marketing is another effective way to connect with prospective patients. Short videos can be a great way to answer frequently asked questions, provide demonstrations of a dental service or offer a day-in-the-life at your practice. Share these on your website and social channels to help bridge the gap between online research and that first visit to your office.
You can also use video to showcase your team, office amenities and services in a unique way. For example, you might have your patients take a selfie with their clean teeth after their appointment and then share it on social media, using your custom hashtag. Or you might offer a photo booth at your next community event to encourage people to tag your practice in their photos and share them on their social channels.
Postcards and mailers may seem like an old-fashioned marketing tactic, but they can still be a good way to drive phone calls and new patients. Postcards and mailers are relatively inexpensive to produce and can end up in front of potential patients when they need a local dentist.
A well-designed, modern, and user-friendly website is essential for any dental practice. A quality dental website instills trust and makes it easy for prospective patients to find the information they need and book an appointment. Incorporate SEO in your overall marketing strategy to ensure your website is found when local prospects are searching for a dentist.
2. Business cards
A business card is one of the most crucial marketing tools for a dental practice, as it communicates essential information to prospective patients. Printed on high-quality, glossy paper or plastic, dental business cards can showcase a variety of designs and options, such as bold colors, call-to-action buttons, social media handles, and other custom features. The best business card for dentists should also reflect the personality and branding of your practice. Choose from unique shapes, clear cards, foil stamping, and other design features to create a professional impression that stands out.
Color plays an important role in any marketing campaign, but the inherent nature of a dental practice provides unique opportunities to experiment with different hues. For example, a dentist can use the shade of blue in their logo to convey trustworthiness and coolness. This can help to sway potential patients to choose your practice.
While the majority of marketing for a dental practice is conducted online, offline methods can also be effective in creating a connection with prospects and generating new business. One method is to send welcome cards to new homeowners in your area, which can help to establish a relationship and put your practice in the mind of prospects when they need oral health care.
Another way to make an impact with traditional marketing is to give out promotional gift cards at events such as parades and community gatherings. These cards can act as a referral for your practice, as people are more likely to visit a dentist recommended by a friend or loved one. Gift cards can also be used to incentivize patients to return for their next appointment by giving them away after a certain number of visits or after they spend a certain amount of money at your office.
3. Referrals
Whether you’re a general practitioner or a multispecialty dental practice, growing your patient base is key to maintaining a healthy, thriving business. But it’s important to remember that your marketing strategy should be tailored to the unique needs of your community and target demographic. While attending webinars and continuing education courses can fill your brain with excellent tactics, it’s essential to translate those concepts into real strategies that will work for your dental office.
Start by analyzing your existing patient data and finding ways to delight current patients. It’s much cheaper to retain a patient than to recruit a new one, so focus on your existing clientele and turn them into an ambassador for your brand.
As you work to delight your existing customers, be sure to stay top of mind with them by sending out a monthly e-newsletter filled with exciting office news and service updates. You can even include a fun contest or giveaway where patients can win branded swag!
Another great way to generate more online reviews is by implementing a referral program that rewards your current clients for referring friends. The Pride Institute reports that 93% of people trust recommendations from their friends, so be sure to encourage your patients to spread the word. You can also promote your referral program by giving out business referral cards at check-out and tucking them into any mail you send out.
Finally, be sure to use Google Ads for Dentists to reach prospective patients in your area. This type of paid advertising will display your ad to individuals who are searching for “Dentists Near Me,” so it’s a great way to get your name out there!
4. Direct mail
Direct mail marketing is an effective way to connect with local customers and generate new business. It offers a low cost and high return on investment and is especially effective for dental practices that need to reach a specific audience. It can be used in conjunction with other marketing channels such as digital ads to help reach a wide range of potential customers.
To maximize the impact of your direct mail campaign, you will need to carefully plan and execute each element. Begin by determining your target audience and the message you want to convey. Then, create a call-to-action (CTA) that will drive your audience to book an appointment, sign up for a special offer, or visit your website. Finally, get creative with your design and make sure it reflects the tone of your business.
There are many different types of direct mailers you can choose from including postcards, brochures, and letter with envelopes. You can also choose to include a scratch-off or sample item to further elevate your mailer and capture attention. Whatever type of mailer you choose, be sure to add a method for tracking the results of your campaign. This could be as simple as a phone number with roll-over, or asking new patients how they heard about your practice.
When it comes to marketing your dental practice, you need a mix of traditional and digital strategies to generate leads and grow your patient base. Digital advertising is best for reaching a larger audience and tracking real-time results, while direct mail can effectively reach a local audience and build personal relationships. Combined with a solid referral program, these strategies can be a powerful tool to help your dental practice thrive.
5. Website
If you want your dental practice to be found online, it’s essential that your website is optimized for organic search. This is a long-term marketing strategy that will help your practice rank higher in Google searches and maps listings. If you’re not sure where to begin, contact us for a free website evaluation!
Your website is the first impression your patients will have of your dental practice. That’s why it’s important to design a website that highlights your strengths and appeals to your ideal patients. Think about the demographics of your local market – are you trying to attract families with young children, budget-conscious college students, or senior citizens who need extensive dental work? This will help you determine what content and visuals are best for your website.
In addition to having a beautiful design, your website should be easy to navigate and provide clear options for scheduling appointments. This is especially important in the age of smartphones, where most people search for services using their mobile devices.
This dentist website design does a great job of encouraging action by highlighting the options to request an appointment, connect through social media, and more right on the homepage. They also have a great ‘before-during-after’ section that explains what to expect during a visit.
Another way to increase conversions on your website is to use trust signals – these are elements that reassure patients that you’re legitimate and trustworthy. Some examples of these could be certifications, years in business, associated brands, and reviews.