February 26, 2020 by bettyhayden

Dental Office First Impressions – Your Online Presence

Hello Friends,

It has been said that “how you present yourself is how people first view you.”

Clearly, First Impressions Matter. How are you presenting your dental practice, your services, your care, yourself and your team online? What you’re showcasing or not showcasing provides a first impression. Are you attracting potential new patients or turning them away?

Let’s consider briefly just three areas where your online presence and first impressions matter most…

Website

It amazes me how many dental offices still don’t have a website or they have an old website with cookie-cutter, canned content and little to no information about the office, the doctor and team, and the services that they offer.

Your website should reflect the culture and personality of the practice and the team. The content should be fresh and relevant. The photos should be attractive and current. This reminds me if you have pictures on your website of team members that are no longer working at the office please remove them. Ensure that you don’t have any broken links or “coming soon” pages that have been there far too long. Think about this, when people visit your website are you welcoming them with warm and helpful messaging or inadvertently turning them away with poor messaging and unattractive pages? Keep in mind, this isn’t about what you like or dislike – this is about the patient and potential patient. For example, if I am researching dental implants on your website I do not want to see the step by step details of how an implant is placed – it freaks me out. What I want to see is the result – a beautiful tooth that allows me to smile with confidence. I don’t think that I am alone here. I feel it’s safe to say that most people care more about the why and not so much the how.

What’s in it for them to choose your dental office? Why should they choose your office over the many other dentist websites they’ve visited?

Google

SEO – Make sure people can find you without much effort.
Listing – If you have more than one Google listing for your office that can be quite confusing to potential patients and you end up being your OWN competitor. Make it easier on everyone by merging your listings into just one.
Information – Ensure that your name, address, phone number, website, etc. are all current and accurate.
Content – Are you regularly posting fresh content to your Google business page? If not, you should. It’s easy to do and people visiting your listing like to see fresh content. When you post on your page you can add a link that will direct people to your website or social media pages.
Photos – Have attractive photos (both inside and outside the practice) of your office on your listing. As well, share photos of you and your team. If you have old, outdated photos of the office or team members on your listing please delete them,
Reviews – You want Google reviews. You also want to acknowledge the reviews…the positive and the negative ones.

Social Media

Social media platforms such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Blogs, Online Community News Pages, YouTube and more help to build your dental practice. Even if you’re not a fan of social media, please remember that most likely many of your patients and potential patients are using these platforms regularly. You want to be where they are and since first impressions matter – you want to make sure that your office is making a positive impression. Learn more about how to use these platforms here: Dental Practice Social Media Platform Tips and Content Ideas

The internet is full of information and choices make it easy for your potential patients to find accurate information about your practice moving them to choose to make your office their dental home.

Another quick reminder is most often after someone finds your office on the internet unless they direct message you or utilize online scheduling they’ll be picking up the telephone and calling the office so please take some time now to ensure that your office phones are being answered during the times when potential patients are most likely to call and that they are being answered effectively. Learn more here: Dental Office Telephone Principles

I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave a review/recommendation for me here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK.

Don’t miss out on any of the ideas that I share each month! Are you receiving my complimentary Practice Management and Marketing Ideas in your email inbox each month? If not, please start following us today. If you prefer, send me your email address at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com and I will send you an invitation to follow my blog.

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty – Dental Coach

P.S. Please stop by and say hello to me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

October 8, 2019 by bettyhayden

Dental Practice Social Media Platform Tips and Content Ideas

Hello Friends,

Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, Oh My! Social Media Sites – Enough to wonder, why? (and maybe wanna cry 😉 )

Social media platforms such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google, Pinterest, Blogs, Online Community News Pages, YouTube and more help to build your dental practice.

How Can Social Media Help Your Practice? Here are just a few ways…

Build relationships between your office team and potential new patients
Stay in Touch with your Active and Inactive Patients
Increase your Online Presence
Learn what your patients/potential patients want
Improve Community Involvement
Manage and Increase your Online Reputation
Great Way to Advertise Special Events, Office Specials, and feature Dental Products/Services
Excellent Dental Education Tool

Surely, you can see that in order to be effective and successful with your use of social media, it’s not a case of “if you build it they will come”. Yes, you must build it; however, you must also develop and nurture it. It takes time and effort to build relationships. The key is engagement. Just posting to your sites will not effectively engage your audience.

You effectively engage (build relationships) by;

Acknowledging comments and likes on your posts.
Interact with other local business pages, this means, visiting & liking their pages, commenting on their posts and sharing their content. Remember, every time you do this, all of the people (potential patients) that see these business pages will also see your office comments and likes. It’s planting little marketing seeds.
Post quality content. WIIFM (What’s In It for Me?) not you, but your target audience, your patients and potential patients. What content will capture their attention?
Be real – share information, pictures, and videos not only about your office but of you and your team. Show your audience that within the office building are real people, people who care about dental health, care about changing smiles & improving lives, care about each other, care about their patients and care about their community.

I understand that not all business owners (Doctors) want to nor do they have the time required to start and grow a social media presence. Take a look at your employees; do you have someone who is a good candidate to help you do this? Someone that you can train to be the “voice” of your practice?

If not, I happen to love working with social media as a dental marketing source. Fresh content and posts just for your office! Done in a way that your patients and potential patients believe it’s coming straight from your office. Sound good to you?

Contact me today bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com to set up your complimentary consultation.

Perhaps, your social media pages are set up, yet, you struggle to know what to post on your pages.

Here are some quick ideas for you:

Dental Health Tips
Dental Emergency Instruction
How to Videos/link to YouTube
Testimonials/Reviews
Health Tips
Office Contest Information
Trivia Questions
Fill in the Blank statements
Quotes (Motivational, Funny and/or Inspiring)
Community News (Events, weather, sports news, etc)
Team Member News (work anniversaries, family news, etc)
Patient News
Product & Service Information
News/Photos about Dental Continuing Education Events/Classes
Employee Spotlight
Before and After Smiles
Pictures of team members having fun and being silly
Acknowledge all “likes” and “comments” on your posts
Share local business posts to your social media pages
Comment and like other businesses posts
Ask your audience to please share your page with their friends & family
Openings in Schedule (note: avoid saying “we have a cancellation” instead say something like: “__ has an opening in his/her schedule today at 11:00 for your all-important dental hygiene visit…” Whatever you say, saying a change in schedule is better than saying cancellation.

A few more tips…

Vary the times you post or share on your social media sites.
Don’t spam with too many posts in a day.
Occasionally boost your Facebook posts.
Use Facebook and Instagram Ads
Invite your patients to check-in on your office page.
If your team is active on social media sites, encourage them to engage with the office social media pages (ie: like, comment and share posts)
Ask your patients to please review your office on Google and recommend you on Facebook. (Hint: Don’t simply rely on third-party companies to ask for you – it is so simple to ask your patients while they’re in the office to please review the office or share their experience on Google and/or Facebook.)

I will show you here how simple it really is to ask for reviews and recommendations:

Did you enjoy these tips and ideas? I would love and truly appreciate for you to please take a second to leave a review/recommendation for me here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK

Easy right? 😉 (I can’t wait to receive that verbal sunshine from you!)

Are you following my complimentary dental leadership, marketing, and practice management ideas that are sent right to your inbox each month? If not, take a second and sign up. You can subscribe right here on this page or send me your email address to bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com and I can send you a link to subscribe. This way, you won’t miss a single idea!

Yours for Greater Success!

~Betty

P.S. Please stop by and say hello to me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

October 1, 2019 by bettyhayden

Dental Office Tips and Ideas for Health and Wellness Fairs and Expos

Hello Friends,

If your office is planning on participating in a community health and wellness fair or expo, I have some ideas to help you make it a big success.

Health Fair settings can be challenging for a couple of different reasons.

One, there are a lot of vendors and booths/displays so you’re going to want to make sure that your display table stands out. Your goal is to attract not detract.

Second, most people are there for something free. Well, I guess this really isn’t a challenge though because you’re going to ensure that no attendee leaves your table empty-handed.

Some may wonder what they should talk about and what sort of items they should give away?

How about these ideas…

Services/Talking Points ~

Teeth Whitening
Implants
Sealants
Smile Makeover
Orthodontics
Fluoride
Dry Mouth
Dentures
Oral Cancer (on-site screenings?)
Oral Systemic Links – the mouth-body connection
Good Foods / Bad Foods
Sugar (How much sugar is in your favorite drink display)
Healthy Snack Ideas
How-to Demonstrations – Proper Brushing and Flossing
PowerPoint Presentation/Videos on a laptop, tablet, or large monitor with before and after photos.
In-Office Savings Plan / Financing Options

Display ~

Tablecloth
Banner (Office Name and Website address)
Brochures (Dental Services, Products, Financing, Office Welcome Info)
Business Cards
Use nice baskets, containers, and frames to display your items.

Keep your table neat but attractive – too much information and “stuff” will be overwhelming in that setting.

Call-To-Action & Appointments ~

Include a Big Call to Action with a deadline: You could hand out a sheet of paper that has a special offer on it: Complimentary Oral Cancer Screening, New Patient Special or Teeth Whitening Offer. On that sheet include some of the other services you offer. Also, include your social media sites and of course all your office contact info.

Or have a form they can fill out on a tablet.

Make certain that you’ll have the ability to schedule complimentary consultations and New Patient Hygiene visits right there on the spot. (Access to schedule…at the very least a copy of the schedule for the next 2 weeks.)

Very Important: Your display table must include friendly, smiling, approachable and outgoing team members. (also wearing professional & clean attire)

Other things you can do to attract people to your table…

Balloon Animals
Photo Booth w/photo props
Face Painting
Toothprints
Prize Wheel
Lots of free stuff! Which brings us to…

Give-Away’s ~

Bottled Water 0r Imprinted Water Bottles
Healthy Snacks
Xylitol Products- Gum/Mints/Suckers
Imprinted Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Floss / Imprinted Floss Cards
Imprinted Pens / Pencils
Magnets
Drink Koozies
Lip Balm (my go-to; www.lipbalmexpress)
For the little ones: Stickers, Dental Coloring Books with Crayons and Small Toys.
Reusable Bags with your Office Information on them is a handy give-away, one that allows them to carry their free gifts in and advertise your office for you If you’re not looking to spend a lot on the bags, please consider using small imprinted plastic bags so no one is fumbling with their gifts.

Raffle / Drawing ~

Electric Toothbrush
Whitening Pen/Trays/Strips
Gift Cards
Gift Baskets ( Themes: Dental, Family Games, Gardening, Seasonal items, BBQ, Winter, Fall, Spa, Etc. – don’t hesitate to team up with local businesses for basket items)
Free Teeth Whitening and or $ off Dental Treatment ( NOTE: they can either check the box for which one or all that they are hoping to win. Use a full sheet of paper with prize options and large space for them to fill out their name, email, address & phone (to be used later to send nice to meet you cards).

Should you decide to use a Prize Wheel instead of Raffle/Drawing be sure to find another way to capture their information so you can follow up with a “pleasure to meet you” thank you card after the event.

Social Media Engagement ~

Encourage attendees to “like” your office Facebook page and “follow” your office on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Perhaps you can offer some type of incentive/reward for visiting your social media sites. Make it easy for them to find your social media pages with QR codes that they can quickly scan with their phone.

Introductions ~

Take a few minutes before and after the event to briefly introduce yourself to the other vendors and businesses at the expo. Give them a gif bag with some of your office freebies. This is a great opportunity to build relationships within your community.

So many ways for you to have a fun and successful health and wellness fair. Do you have any other ideas that have worked well for you? Please, share them with me.

Did you enjoy these tips and ideas? I would love and truly appreciate for you to please take a second to leave a review/recommendation for me here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK

Have you signed up to receive my complimentary dental marketing and practice management ideas that are sent right to your email inbox each month? If not, take a second and sign up. Or send me your email address and I will send you an invite to follow. This way, you won’t miss a single idea.

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty (Dental Coach)

P.S. Please stop by and say hello to me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

August 14, 2019 by bettyhayden

Dental Office Tips and Ideas for September 2019

Hello Friends,

What does the month of September typically look like in your office? Do you struggle to fill the schedule? Or do you find that it is a productive month for you? Whether or not September (aka Sucktember) is a historically slow month for your office – we’re going to make it a Supertember! Who wouldn’t love that?!

The ideas that I am sharing with you for September will help you attract more new patients, build relationships within the community, as well as exceed your current patients’ expectations. As always, my goal is to also help you all stress-less and have more fun at work! Even if you can’t fill the schedule despite your best efforts – we can still make it a productive & happy month.

Leadership Tips:

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” Arnold H. Glasow

Clarity – Do you have a clear vision and fully know your “why” behind that vision? If you want your team to focus on change and take ownership of their responsibilities, they need to know what’s in it for them. To be engaged they need to know the “why.

Communication – Your body language and tone of voice send cues to your team as to whether you really care or not. Are you approachable?

Courage – Your team must believe that you understand them and want to help them succeed as they take ownership of their responsibilities instead of micro-managing them which moves them to believe that you think your way is the only way and that you don’t trust them.

Care – Put your team first…always. Treat your team like they make a difference and they will.

Practice Management Tips –

Office Yearly Goals – September will close out your third quarter for the year – will you surpass the third-quarter numbers from 2018? Where are you at with your Production, Collection, and New Patient Goals for 2019? What needs to change in order to successfully reach your goals? Discuss this as a team.

Unscheduled Treatment Plans & Hygiene Continuing Care –

Insurance Renewal Letters – Send out your “Use it or Lose it reminder texts, emails, and letters. Pick up the phone and call your patients that have treatment planned, maximum remaining that renews in January but hasn’t scheduled appointments to start/complete treatment.

September is National Courtesy Month – Take this opportunity to remind your patients that: “As a courtesy to our patients we remind you of your dental reservation 2 days prior. We kindly request that you try to keep your dental appointments as scheduled. If you do require a scheduling change, please notify us with at least a 48 hours notice of your appointment date. Thank you!”

Take control of the schedule. Here are some helpful tips and ideas: How to Reduce Same-Day Cancellations

Marketing Tips and Ideas – (Exceed Expectations for your current patients and the potential new patients that you engage with in your community.):

I will give you two theme ideas:

Theme #1: Fall into a Beautiful & Healthy Smile

Focus: Preventive & Cosmetic Services (ie: add “would you like to whiten your teeth at your dental hygiene visit?)

Giving-Away – Drawing for a Fall Themed Gift Basket / Patients can enter the drawing by leaving a review on Google and/or Facebook, referring their friends & family, and for coming in for their appts in September.

Theme #2: Patient Appreciation

September is National Honey Month: Give away little jars of honey with a label or tag that says, “Thank you for Bee-ing our Patient!” or “Our Patients are Sweet as Honey!”

Patient & Community Education Idea:

September is World Alzheimer’s Month – Share educational posts to your social media platforms and website about the connection between dental health and Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn more here: https://www.perio.org/consumer/alzheimers-and-periodontal-disease

Also, use this as an opportunity to educate your patients and the community about the importance of dental health care for Alzheimer’s patients in helping to keep them comfortable and healthy.

Social Media Content Post Ideas to Improve Engagement with your Current Patients, Potential Patients, and the Community.

National Cheese Month

Grandparents Day: 9^th

Banana Day: 14^th

National Clean-Up Day: 21^st / Schedule your all-important professional dental cleaning, examination, and oral cancer screening.

First Day of Fall: 23^rd

World Heart Day: 29^th

National Chewing Gum Day: 30^th

I recommend that you choose at least pick one marketing item and one practice management item to implement – work together to make it happen and you will see greater results, more quickly! 🙂

If you enjoy the complimentary ideas that I share each month, I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave a review for me on Google and/or Facebook – here are the links: GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty

P.S. Please stop by and say hello to me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

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