Dental Marketing Agency | 3 Things You Should Be Doing on Social Media Social media marketing has become an opportunity worth considering for almost all business owners. With around 60% of users interacting with brands on social media[i] and more than 70% of the population having at least one social media account[ii], it is evident that these free tools are critical to capturing your full audience. For entrepreneurs who are struggling to grow your presence through social media, here are three tips to help you move in the right direction.1. Commit to consistency. If you decide that you’re going to start a Monday hashtag or a Tuesday series, then keep with it. Stay ahead on content to help meet your schedule. Being consistent with your posts will help your brand continue to resonate with your audience. Your followers will get to know you through repeated exposure and will begin look forward to your posts.2. Do something differently. If you’re in an industry that is very competitive such as health or tech, you need to innovate. If you start to post social media content that is rote and lifeless, you may lose sight of your target audience. Other brands will step in, pulling your presence toward them with stylish posts and content. Stray from the path. Change up the formula. Incorporate popular trends with a unique twist. With innovation, you can carve out your own niche.3. Don’t be afraid to invest money. Remember that Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media platforms are all businesses – and businesses operate on revenue. If you want exposure and you don’t have a sizable following yet, don’t be afraid to spend some money on sponsorships. Create a budget for your social media marketing and follow it. Boosting a Facebook post can cost as little as $10, but can market it to between 500 and 2,000 people. No matter what your budget is, you can always find a suitable tier of marketing that will help you grow.Clever use of social media can help your business reach its true potential – as long as you put a willing effort into it. If you are looking for new ways to extend your reach and online presence, contact our office today or check out the Dental Marketing with Grace Facebook group for more tips.Resources: [i] https://www.statista.com/topics/2057/brands-on-social-media/ [ii] https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/
What was the best business advice you were ever given? Everyone’s a critic. It’s easy to find advice from those around you, but the real difficulty lies in discerning what guidance is truly invaluable. Sometimes, the guidance you need impacts you immediately. For me, the best advice I have been given happened on two occasions, in two very different times of my life.The first was during high school. I had told a teacher of mine that I wanted to be a writer one day. His reply? “If you want to be a writer, then write.”That nugget of gold has stayed with me into adulthood. It reminded me that I didn’t have to wait to start doing what I love. I didn’t need someone to tell me I was good enough. I didn’t need a special degree or a burgeoning career before I started to pursue my passion. His advice taught me that I could become a writer immediately — I just needed to commit to it.The second-best advice came from my aunt, around 2009. I was developing my logo for Identity Dental Marketing, agonizing over the choice between two design options I had formed. I loved them both for so many different reasons. How could I choose?I shared my frustrations with my aunt. She looked at me and said, “Gracie, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. Pick one and go.”My aunt’s words were exactly what I needed to hear. I couldn’t afford to be indecisive. Taking too long to find solutions will hold you back in business. It’s best to make a wise and timely decision, before moving onto your next task.These two moments were very powerful for me, and I hope they’ve helped you in some way as well. Sometimes the best advice is just around the corner. If you are interested in learning more about Identity Dental Marketing and how we can help you succeed, contact our office today.
Dental Marketing | Show Your Business in Motion For years, Google Maps only allowed users to upload still images of a business. Did you know that users today can upload short location-based videos to Google Maps with an iPhone or Android device? Showcase your practice in motion, from patients walking in the door to the advanced technology you offer, by adding 30-second videos to your Google listing.How it Works Create or sign into your Local Guides account using a Gmail address. Take a video of your office. You will only be able to upload the first 30 seconds. Select your business on Google Maps. Scroll down and tap on “Add photos or videos”. Select the video from your camera roll. Click “Post” and it will be uploaded.Why this is UsefulPhotos help visitors gain an initial impression of your business, but video creates a more personal introduction. With video, you can take prospective patients on a mini-tour of your office. Highlight your expertise by featuring specific services and uploading video testimonials from your raving fans. This helps engage both existing and potential patients and enhances your SEO (search engine optimization) campaign and rankings.With quality video content, the possibilities are endless. Contact our office today for ways to implement video content in your marketing.
Dental Marketing with Grace | How to Define Your Target Market When determining your target market, you need to first think about who you are and what makes you unique. Once you have this figured out, take some time to envision the ideal patients that you want to attract.For example, if you’re a dentist who loves performing high-quality cosmetic work, you’ll need to determine who will be most likely to need this kind of service. You will also want to consider the region that you’re in and make sure this ideal patient exists in your area. To help you further define your target market, here are three steps to guide you along the way. Review Your Current PatientsIf you have current patients who trust you with their care, figure out why. This may sound simple, but if you are able to discover and name the main reasons your current patients come to you, you will be able to market this as your unique selling proposition (USP).Finding common interests and characteristics in these patients will also help you develop your ideal target market, especially if they are bringing in the most business. Peek at the CompetitionSince you don’t want to copy your competitors, it can be beneficial to know who they are targeting. This will help you know who not to target and possibly find a different niche that they are overlooking.If you are limited to a specific target market, knowing how your competitors are leveraging their own marketing can help you stay ahead. Target Specific Demographics There is a difference between the people who need your services and those who will buy them. Targeting specific groups and demographics will help you tailor your marketing to the people who are most likely to purchase what you have to offer. You can also tweak your target market as you see fit to try to attract a new type of patient.As you consider your ideal patient’s age, location, gender, income, education, and more, you can begin to fine tune your marketing to address their specific needs.Your target market is your ideal patient, and this is who will ultimately be your main source of income. Having a specific idea of who you want to visit your practice will help you adjust your marketing to fit their specific wants and needs.If you would like to learn more about developing a target market, or to schedule a complementary 1-hour marketing planning session, contact our office today.
Dental Marketing With Grace | Community Outreach for New Dentists Local outreach is a great way to gain exposure in your community. However, this type of marketing can be easier for some than it is for others. We have met with doctors who are more introverted and are less comfortable going out into the community. In these instances, I recommend elevating someone on your team who will be fully dedicated to being the face of your practice.Having someone to be your spokesperson and generate relationships will go a long way in creating growth for your practice. Outgoing hygienists can also play a strong role in your marketing and can help balance out the dynamic of your team overall.If you are an outgoing dentist, look at a calendar of your community’s events and see which ones offer opportunities for engagement. Find events you can naturally get involved in and even sponsor.Whatever you decide to invest in, do it thoroughly. For example, if you invest in sponsoring a baseball team in your community, don’t just sponsor the team. Make sure you show up to some of the games, hand out a gift to coaches and parents, and work on building those relationships.Making your presence known in the community is what will take your initial investment and create an actual return. If you are looking to generate buzz in your community, ask about our Press for your Practice service that will help you gain media attention.For more marketing tips, join Dental Marketing with Grace on Facebook. To schedule a complementary 1-hour marketing planning session, contact our office today.
Marketing with Grace | Why Do Dental Practices Go Out of Business? Dental practices are typically thriving businesses that continually grow. However, what happens when a dental practice is seeing a decrease in profits or is struggling to get off the ground? When I see a failing practice, there’s usually one common denominator: the dentist is leading the business without solid business advice or training from a counsel. If you are a highly skilled and technical doctor, you may need business support to keep your dental practice running smoothly.Let’s face it, you went to school to become a dentist and are trained in all aspects of dentistry. You may have not yet received the necessary training to start a business from the ground up. Marketing your practice effectively, maintaining your accounting books, and hiring the right employees are all aspects that are needed for every new business.Too often I see practices start up and then quickly break down because of the lack of help on the business side. There are many resources out there that can help you build your practice up into a thriving business.Dental Consultants: Highly trained consultants who are widely known in the dental field are ready to work with you. Contact us today to get you in contact with the right consultant for your practice.Dental Marketing with Grace Facebook Group: With over 6,000 members all interested and practicing in the dental industry, there are unlimited discussions, posts, and comments that can help you grow your practice.Join the group here.Identity Dental Marketing: Grace Rizza and our talented team can effectively market your practice to your desired audience for rapid growth. Contact us today for a free 1-hour consultation.Unfortunately, dental practices go out of business all the time. The sooner you get the needed support in your career, the better.If you are looking for more resources to grow your practice, contact us today at (847) 629-4646 or visit us online.
Daily Grace | Four Ways to Improve Your Team Meetings If you own a business, it is important to find time to meet with your team. The frequency of these meetings will depend on what type of business you run. At Identity Dental Marketing, we work with a lot of dentists and encourage them to meet with their teams daily to identify the opportunities in each day’s schedule.In our office we have two team gatherings every week. Every Monday morning, we have extensive team training and business discussions to prepare each other for the upcoming week and on Friday’s we have a one-hour lunch together to build team morale and relationships.Ultimately, the frequency and agenda of your team meetings is up to you. To get you started, here are four ways to effectively run your team meetings.Be Consistent It is important to stay consistent with your meeting schedule so your employees know when to expect them. Establishing a habit for everyone on the team helps create momentum for the business.Have an Agenda It can be easy to get sidetracked as a group, so having an agenda for each meeting will make sure they stay productive. Your team will also be able to prepare beforehand and bring valuable insight to the discussion.Encourage ParticipationAvoid team members from sitting idly by with plenty of opportunities for everyone to speak or add insight. You can do this by asking questions, opening the room to comments, or even taking turns leading the meetingHave Some FunAdding some fun and excitement to your meetings can lighten the mood and get everyone involved. It can be as easy as highlighting a job well done by one team member or playing a short game at the end.To learn more about leading a team, or online marketing tips, contact our office today!
Daily Grace | How Do You Measure Success? Success is individual and personal—each individual has their own vision of success for their life. To some, success is intertwined with monetary wealth, or how they feel at the end of a productive day. To most, a healthy work-life balance drives feelings of success and accomplishment.Here are a couple tips on finding your own meaning of success.When in Doubt, Write It OutSit down and envision your ideal life. Then write it out. Start with your ideal day. How would that day look and feel? What would you accomplish in your ideal day?Once you’ve determined your dream day, move on to your dream week, month, and year. Write down the goals and achievements you’d like to accomplish over the next few years and, ultimately, the course of your life. This exercise will help transfer the ideas from your head to the page—from thoughts to actions. Like a vision board, this writing exercise can help you visualize your goals and pursue them.Go Confidently in the Direction of Your DreamsEach day, take at least one measurable step toward your goal. When a goal seems insurmountable, break it up into smaller, achievable goals. Celebrate your successes. Acknowledge your defeats, but don’t let them define you. Life can take unexpected twists and turns, and you may not see the fruits of your labor until many months or years down the road.Success is subjective. Take the time to sit down and think about the life you’d like to live, and then take your first step in that direction. And while you’re creating your dream life, don’t forget to pause, look around, and take stock of all the joy in your life.If you are looking for more tips on success, please do not hesitate to call us at (847) 629-4646 or read more of our blogs.
‘Know Thyself’: The Core Values Driving Identity Dental Marketing At Identity Dental Marketing, we are deeply committed to running an ethical business. We market honestly and always prioritize the best interest of our clients.Our core values are at the heart of and affect every decision we make as an organization. We live out these values—displayed in our hiring practices, accepting new clients, and throughout our daily lives. These core values shapes our agency, our marketing, and us as individuals.The values discussed below have laid the groundwork for Identity as a truly successful organization, in every sense of the word. Continually Seeking Personal and Professional GrowthWe pride ourselves in enriching our lives, and the lives of others, through personal and professional growth. We pursue continual self-improvement and keep an open mind to create growth for ourselves, our business, and our clients.DiscernmentGood judgment and discernment drive our success. We seek out and hire team members who we know will benefit our clients. We use discernment to weigh the most cost-effective and compelling marketing strategies for our clients. Discernment affects our company from the bottom up, and we are mindful of the ways in which this is vital for our success and the success of our clients.IntegrityWe accept responsibility for our actions and refuse to let pride interfere with what truly matters: our clients’ success. We aim to be problem-solvers and address issues as they arise. We value honesty and integrity and let these values drive us as we make decisions in our professional and personal lives.Excellent CommunicationWe maintain open lines of communication and transparency across all levels of our organization, among colleagues and clients. Transparency allows us to swiftly identify and rectify issues as they may emerge.We live, hire, and accept clients by these core values. They help Identity flourish. They accelerate our clients’ success. Contact us today to experience our core values first-hand. Call us at (847) 629-4646 or visit us online.
Daily Grace | What is the Best SEO Tactic? Like an investment strategy, successful SEO requires you to diversify your portfolio. Utilizing a variety of strategies on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis will help your website rank in the top of search engine listings.In this article, we break down four ideas that will help you build a winning SEO strategy: KeywordsDo the necessary keyword research for your brand and website. To publish relevant, timely content, you need to know which keywords will lead your audience to your website. Create Stellar ContentPublish quality content that sparks genuine interest from your audience. High-quality content is rooted in unbiased data and will ultimately lead to higher conversion rates. Avoid Black Hat TricksWhile “white hat” strategies play by search engine rules, striving to publish quality, relevant content, “black hat” tricks aim to fool search engines and “beat the system.” These unethical gimmicks—including spam comments and cloaking—will ultimately get you banned from search engine results. Stick to honest, ethical strategies. Keep Up with SEO NewsYou can positively affect your search listings by staying abreast of the latest news and strategies and implementing them into your SEO campaign.To learn more about SEO strategies or online marketing tips, reach out to our office today!
