Identity Dental Marketing

Change is constant, especially in the dental industry. Practices must constantly evaluate their business and innovate in order to stay ahead of the curve.

Here are some tips that will help you reach more patients and stay up-to-date with their evolving needs:

Onsite Amenities

Too often, dental practices make the mistake of appearing far too clinical. Consider making patients feel like they are a guest in your home. Remember, they are often anxious about their visit and they want to feel comfortable while they are in your office.

Welcome them with modern, innovative amenities like heated massage chairs in the examination room. Keep them comfortable by providing throw blankets and pillows. TVs installed on the ceilings and complimentary earphones can offer a safe distraction while you perform the procedure.

Dental Insurance Coverage

Many patients are turned off at the thought of visiting a dentist who is out-of-network. Whether you decide to be in-network with more plans or use targeted marketing for successful out-of-network care, you can open the door to many potential patients that may have gone elsewhere.

Many potential patients do not have a work-based dental benefits plan. Consider offering monthly payment plans, financing, or working with a third-party to provide affordable options in these cases.

When presented with an opportunity to receive care within their budget, the patients who lack insurance will be more likely to accept treatment.

New Technology

Upgraded equipment and modern technology can be a game-changer for many practices. Whether offering a quicker, more comfortable experience or ensuring a safe and effective treatment at a lower cost, employing the latest advances can help a dental practice expand while targeting patients who are anxious or have a tighter budget.

Bolstered Online Presence

The Internet provides nearly limitless ways to target and reach prospective patients in any area. Encourage them to learn more about the practice, schedule a visit, and ask questions through a branded website, social media channels, and other online resources.

In today’s economy, digital marketing is a must!

Don’t let a practice fall into the past – stay relevant by putting these advances to work. If you have questions, please contact Grace Rizza to schedule a complimentary marketing planning session.

We’ll discuss your specific growth goals and present a plan that considers your:

• New Patient Goals
• Brand / Reputation
• Ideal New Patient
• Capacity
• Current Marketing and New Patient Flow
• Budget

Please accept this opportunity to schedule a complimentary marketing planning session at your convenience by clicking here. If none of the available options are convenient for you, please email Grace@identitydental.com for more info.

Many dentists, dental speakers, and consultants are determined to achieve personal brand recognition as key opinion leaders (KOLs). They may be charismatic figures with truly groundbreaking ideas, but don’t make the grade when it comes to building and leveraging a following on social media.

Here are a handful of reasons most aspiring dental KOLs fall short of the professional recognition they deserve.

They’re Invisible

Emerging thought leaders cannot achieve success if they are difficult to find. Without a social media presence, blog, or podcast, they lack visibility and credibility in the eyes of their intended audience.

Recognized experts leave their digital footprint everywhere. Their branding and messaging are consistent and on-point. Their channels are smoothly interconnected. For example, their social media posts feature a strong call to action that drives traffic to their site, which may also feature a prominent opt-in link to their email newsletter.

Do you have an organized process for leveraging your expertise online? There are many steps to building a robust online presence. Identity Dental Marketing can help with custom blog creation, email marketing, social media marketing, and more.

They Don’t Create Live Content

Some would-be experts have no problem with social media posting but they fail to create one type of content that will push them into influencer territory: Live events. What stops them? Their topic isn’t distilled, so they ramble; they try to memorize a script, which usually sounds stilted; or they suffer from performance anxiety, which stops them before they start.

Established influencers make live Facebook events a routine part of their week. They recognize that being authentic is more important than sounding perfect, and that buoys their confidence. They don’t agonize over every syllable they utter, but they do prepare and learn to modulate their tone, pitch, and pacing. They speak on subjects they know, following a bulleted outline instead of memorizing a script. They do not fear the “GO LIVE” button because they are confident in the value they bring.

If you are ready to head into the live event arena and need inspiration, check out Identity Dental Marketing’s 52-Week Video Marketing Series.

They’re Inconsistent

Many budding thought leaders come out of the gate strong, posting and tweeting madly for a few months, and then — crickets. If no one has seen you in six months, they will assume you aren’t available or reliable.

Key opinion leaders post to various platforms on a schedule and train people to tune in. They streamline their efforts, spinning a single insight into a Facebook live event, a tweet, a blog, an infographic, and a podcast.

They might post once a week, three times a week, or more, but they know success is all about consistency. They are intentional with their use of hashtags, so their posts reach an interested audience.

The key to success is publishing valuable content regularly. Identity Dental Marketing can handle your social media posting to elevate and amplify your brand.

They’re Basic

Novices are more likely to share content than create it, missing opportunities to differentiate themselves. While they might see slight benefits from a service that supplies topical posts in bulk, they fail to add their brand and fade into the background.

If you want to boldly lead, stop following what is being done by others. True authorities share information that is unique, interesting, and helpful. They post content that is custom-designed to enhance their brand while sharing new information in a way that positions them as experts.

Their Website Looks Old

Beginners tend to laser-focus on their social media presence at the expense of their website. A site that looks outdated, is difficult to navigate, and is not mobile-friendly projects an unflattering image.

A KOL recognizes that their website is a digital storefront, and that social media, SEO, and advertising are waypoints. Their site is clean and well-organized, reflecting their brand with a modern sensibility. Pages are updated regularly and align with the ever-changing demands of Google and other search engines.

Identity Dental Marketing has more than a decade of experience creating custom dental websites that grab attention and rank at the top of search results.

They Try to Go It Alone

Many aspiring trailblazers believe they can build a recognizable brand on their own. Determined to save money, they fail to realize that the wrong strategy will cost them more in the end. When their brand-building blitz cuts into business and family time, many give up or burn out.

The old saying, If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting applies here. Successful opinion leaders understand the value of a marketing team in positioning their brand .For help with launching your leadership value on a wider stage, or to engage me as a motivational speaker, email grace@identitydental.com or fill out our contact form. And join our Facebook group, Dentistry’s Growing with Grace.