You’ve spent years mastering your dentistry skills, and you’re expected to become a master of marketing overnight. Don’t worry! It’s not as hard as it looks. These tips will help you get started on marketing your dental practice.
1. Host a charity event
Hosting an event is an easy way to get your practice in front of the community, and you can do a lot of good in the process. There’s nothing better than helping others in your area, and it has an impact on the people around you. If the community loves you, then you won’t have a problem finding new patients. Just pick a cause that you can get behind, and start taking the necessary steps to bring everyone together. There are tons of organizations you can contact, and there are lots of charity events that you can sponsor.
2. Get creative with your advertising placement
Running a dentistry practice is just like running any business. You’ve got to clearly define your ideal customers. What types of hobbies do they have in common? Think outside of the box, and be a little more creative than the average dentist down the street. You might get more calls if you place a billboard in front of a skating rink than in a newspaper. A local amusement park might be the perfect place to advertise a children’s dentistry. Just take some time to think about where your patients spend their days. Don’t be afraid to promote your services in places where a dental emergency might occur.
3. Offer discounts and rewards for loyal patients
You have to make sure you can keep every patient for as long as possible. You’ve already spent your own money getting them in the door, and you can’t afford to lose them. Loyalty is the backbone of your practice, and your business will suffer without it. You can easily give a long-time customer an exclusive discount, and you can offer package deals for families. There’s nothing wrong with going above the call of duty to make sure your clients stick with you.
4. Encourage patient referrals
Finding new patients is expensive, and it’s usually a lot cheaper to give your existing clients a little reward for bringing in referrals. You’ve got to find out how much cash-flow each new patient brings in every year to clearly define a cost-effective strategy. It’s worth considering offering free cleanings to anyone who brings you a paying customer. Any kind of discount offer can work wonders as long as it eventually brings in more money than it costs you. This tip creates more patient loyalty, and it saves you advertising costs.
5. Contact other professionals in your area
Networking is a powerful tool that can generate consistent revenue for you. Think about all the other health-related industries in your area that don’t specialize in dentistry. You’ll be surprised how many referrals you’ll get from local chiropractors and doctors. You might be able to put a few brochures in their waiting rooms for free. They may even put in a few good words for you. Just remember to cheerfully return the favor. You can always attend events at your local chamber of commerce to meet like-minded people.
6. Contact your patients regularly and check in on them
Everyone wants a dentist that cares about their patients, and checking in periodically is the easiest way to show you care. It’s as simple as having your secretary set a few reminders. Don’t neglect to make followup calls after every procedure. Even something as small as a routine cleaning merits a phone call to see how the patient feels about their experience. See how they are doing after a few months, too. This little tip alone can make a lasting difference in how your patients think about you.
Make them smile
Marketing is all about connecting with others. Do something good for your community, and put your ads where they’ll be seen. Be sure to offer discounts for a loyal customer, and don’t be afraid to give incentives for new referrals. A strong network is priceless, so do your best to make new friends with other professionals in your area. Your patients are everything, so always do your best to make them feel appreciated.
