Dental practices often struggle to connect with patients. Many people fear going to the dentist because of past experiences. However, when you create an atmosphere that feels welcoming and comfortable, you will see increased patient retention. A great way to get started is to focus on the positive aspects of your practice. For example, highlight the fact that your office is clean, well-lit, and quiet. Also, let your patients know that you offer a range of services, including preventative care, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics. Finally, emphasize the fact that you provide exceptional customer service. These simple changes will help you to establish a strong relationship with your patients
1. Go Live!
When potential dental patients start searching for a new dentist they are looking for a place where they feel comfortable and safe. They want to know they will be heard and treated with respect. The personal touch that comes from a strong doctor- patient relationship can go a long ways to ease anxiety about any visit to the dentist. A video introduction to your office staff and team is much more effective than just text. Have a little fun while you introduce your team and show them off, too!
You might believe that you need high-end cameras and editing software to create engaging videos, but that’s not true. Our coaches coach our clients how to create videos using their cell-phone cameras and a $20 lapel microphone.
Video is an incredibly powerful medium for connecting with patients. But there are very few dentists who understand how to use video effectively, so videos may look like another expensive form of advertising that doesn’t accomplish much.
That’s why we’re here! We’ve got 5 tips for making the best possible use of video in your dental practice.
1. Create Content That Builds Trust With Patients
People love being able to watch themselves talk on screen. You can use video to create content that builds trust with patients, showing them your office before they come in, explaining procedures, answering questions, and getting feedback from them as soon as problems arise.
2. Use Bumper Ads On Videos
It makes sense to put patient education videos near the top of a webpage to catch patients’ attention immediately when they go to the site. However, if you just insert a short, informational video into every page, it won’t stand out to anyone looking for information. Instead, make sure that the video appears only on pages related to specific topics, such as x-rays or tooth treatment planning.
3. Add Social Proof To Video
People tend to trust information coming from sources they recognize. So, add a call-to-action button to videos that invites viewers to share them with their social networks.
4. Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile Friendly
If your website does not load properly on mobile devices, patients will think twice before visiting. So, make sure your site loads quickly on all devices. Also, consider adding buttons to videos that link directly to your Instagram or Facebook profiles.
5. Engage With People Who Like Your Stuff
Your audience loves seeing videos featuring smiling faces with happy music playing in the background. And it drives engagement. So, ask fans to tag you in their posts and follow you. They’ll feel like part of something special.
2. Collaborate with Current Patients and Peers
Your patients are a valuable resource. You should always ask them what they think of your practice and what they like about coming here. If you haven’t done so already, start asking them to participate in surveys and interviews. These will give you great information about your practice and your patients. You can also create videos of your patients talking about their experiences with your office. You can then post these videos on social media sites including YouTube. Many times, your patients will love seeing themselves on video so you should expect a bump if they share your posts on their profile.
In regards to working with your peers.
Collaborative marketing is becoming a popular strategy among dentist practices of all sizes. As a result, there are now dozens of local and regional organizations comprised of thousands of dental professionals across North America. These groups typically meet monthly during conferences and workshops, and organize events throughout the year including holiday parties, awards ceremonies, networking functions, and educational summits.
In short, these collaborations provide members access to valuable information and resources to aid them in reaching out to patients and referring colleagues. And the best part is that they’re free!
Here’s a list to get started:
1. Dental Collaborative – Dental Collaborative is a community of over 50,000 dentists located throughout the United States. Members receive discounts on office supplies, equipment, insurance products, and various other related benefits. But it is also a great tool to reach out to other practices to share tips, tricks and tactics about how they acquire new patients.
2. Dental Networking Exchange – DNE provides several different levels of membership, ranging from individual practice associations to multi-practice alliances. Each level provides its members with networking opportunities, education, training, promotional materials, patient acquisition and much more.
3. Stay Connected
Your current patients are one of the most important resources you have when it comes to building a successful marketing campaign. Make sure that you are maintaining an ongoing relationship with them. After every procedure, if it is possible, make sure that you call to check in the next morning to make sure everything still seems okay. This can be done via text or phone. But consistency and empathy is the key. Send birthday cards and make sure you have a solid referral program in place to thank your patients for referring you.
Want More Dental Marketing Ideas?
For more dental marketing ideas, contact our team at Farotech today. We are excited to help your practice put these and other strategies in action for your practice. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our services.