The success of any dental practice depends on one thing: patients! While you may have the very best in training, expertise and equipment, the health of your business depends on the flow of customers through your door.
Here are a few ideas to keep returning patients and new patients coming in:
Getting Social
The power and influence of social media is well-proven. Are you taking advantage of it? There are both paid and free options to consider.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have collected an incredible amount of personal data on their users and, thus, are able to provide extremely targeted advertising to your business with a range of plans. This can be a great way to reach customers while spending as little or as much as you’d like.
However, there are also ways of reaching potential patients on social media without spending a dime. Consider appointing a staff person to update your business account. Spending as little as an hour a week actively posting pictures of your office, staff and happy patients (with approval of course) is an excellent way of sharing your practice’s story. People are drawn to others who are happy, positive and engaged. Sharing a simple patient success story or even a few photos and a caption from an office social function can position your practice in a great light.
The Traditional Route
Though online marketing is in its heyday, don’t dismiss traditional marketing options entirely. The old standbys of television, print, radio and outdoor advertising are still solid options to consider. Especially with so many businesses running toward online-only marketing, your business could stand out even more using traditional options—and often at a lower cost than a decade ago.
Consider starting with a simple newspaper or billboard ad and see where things go!
Website Refresher
Don’t forget to put a fresh coat of paint on your e-door occasionally too, your website! This is often the first place potential patients will visit when considering a new dentist.
Focus on keeping your homepage updated with current hours and contact information as well as some rotating content. You might consider posting a monthly blog, adding a news section, including some seasonal photos at your practice or even a posting a personal note from you to returning and new patients.
An up-to-date, easy-to-navigate website is a powerful tool that can be created and updated at a relatively low cost. A simple online search will yield thousands of possible companies to consider if you need help getting started.
By adding just a small bit of attention to your website, social media presence and traditional media advertising, you can see a tangible uptick in patient growth. The key is setting attainable goals and holding steady on your methods for a few months before expecting significant results. Soon, you’ll be seeing more and more smiles walking through your door!