Sixty-one percent of dentists indicate they are concerned with patient care yet feel pressure to provide low-cost care. There are many ways to help alleviate the burden on your practice, especially by marketing for improved patient satisfaction. The following ten tools will help you market more effectively and at a lower cost.
1. Email Marketing
Email marketing is the perfect way to reach your current patients from any location. The major benefit of email marketing is that it can be done from home, at Starbucks, even from the golf course. All you need is a cell phone or landline and a laptop or tablet to send out your postcards and newsletters.
2. Text Messaging and Call-in Marketing
Text messaging has the same benefits as email marketing, with the added benefit of reaching potential patients who may not yet be your patients but may be interested in your practice. Statistically, most cell phones are now receiving text messages. If you are looking to make your practice more efficient, text messaging is the way to go.
By setting up a call-in system, you can reach more prospective patients. Instead of waiting on hold, you can leave voicemails for your prospects. This way, they can reach out to you with questions about your practice right away without waiting on hold.
3. SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the act of optimizing your website to appear at the top of search results for specific keywords. When consumers search for dentists in their area, it is important to be ranked higher than others. A larger presence online will enhance brand awareness, which will lead to higher patient conversion.
4. YouTube
YouTube is the second largest search engine and is one of the most popular sites. The video platform can educate patients on what to expect during their next trip to the dentist’s office. It can also be used for answering questions about treatments or procedures. It can be an effective way to attract first-time patients but also patient referrals.
5. Pinterest
Pinterest is an image-sharing website that allows users to organize and share visual content in categories. With over 70 million monthly active users, it is a great tool to educate current and potential patients on dental procedures. Patients will be able to view images of past procedures, compare before and after shots, or learn more about what they can expect when they visit your office.
6. Facebook
Facebook is the third-largest search engine and is a great tool for reaching current patients and potential new patients. You can use this platform to update your status, add photos, and connect with friends. You can use Facebook to showcase new products or services you are offering or celebrate birthdays with your patients.
7. Google+
Google+ was once known as Google Plus but has since been changed to reflect the newer name. The social platform is similar to Facebook but allows users to share content in more categories than Facebook. Google+ allows users to connect with other patients, share content, and see what others learn about their dental care.
8. Instagram
Instagram is a photo-sharing service that allows users to share photos. Instagram is similar to Facebook in the way you can post images and see others’ images. The photos are limited to 16-megabytes but can be shared with your patients.
9. Twitter
Twitter is a microblogging site that allows you to post short updates. With almost 500 million users, Twitter is an effective platform for reaching current patients, introducing new patients to your practice, and informing current patients of upcoming events.
Use Twitter to share photos of past patient care, post updates regarding new product launches, or post important news regarding the dental profession.
10. Google Analytics
With Google Analytics, you can track the effectiveness of your website in terms of where it ranks in search engines. You can also see how long patients spend on the site, which pages they visit, and how often they view your website. You can also determine what content resonated with each patient. This data comes in handy when you want to do marketing for dental services with targeted strategies.
Final Thoughts
You must implement the right marketing tools at the right time to achieve success. As your business grows, so does your marketing plan. As you utilize the above tools to reach your patients, you will see more patients at your practice and take advantage of the latest dental technology.