Why Dental Marketing Matters

Why Dental Marketing Matters

Hello Friends,

What is dental marketing? Do you need to market your practice? Does dental marketing even matter?

Oftentimes, dentists will proudly tell me that they don’t do any marketing in their practice and that they don’t need to market because they’re still growing with new patients each month. Others invest quite a bit of money to attract new patients to their practice. And some, tell me they need to start marketing because their office isn’t growing as they need it to.

It’s clear to me that people define what marketing is and why they would need it or not need it in different ways – in fact, here are a few dictionary definitions of marketing that I found:

“the act or process of buying and selling in a market.”

“The strategic functions involved in identifying and appealing to particular groups of consumers, often including activities such as advertising, branding, pricing, and sales.”

The American Marketing Association defines marketing as, “the activity, set of instructions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”

From these definitions, we can see that marketing your practice involves so much more than just spending money on advertising. And the offices that tell me they have never done any marketing have been marketing their practice without even realizing it was marketing that they were doing to retain their patients and attract new patients. Why do I say this?

Everything that you do, everything that the patient (and potential patient) sees, hears & feels is a form of marketing. Everything you do or don’t do, matters.

Marketing your dental practice is like planting seeds. Some seeds sprout right away, others may take a while. You may have written some seeds off as a loss and when you least expect it, there it sprouts and produces beautiful results. And some may sprout where you don’t even remember planting.

” If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not.  Speak then to me.”~ William Shakespeare

What are your marketing seeds? Marketing Seeds Include (but are not limited to):

  • Current Patients/Referrals
  • Social Media Platforms
  • Google My Business
  • Online Reviews
  • Direct Mail
  • Patient Appreciation Gifts
  • Staying in Touch with your Patients
  • The Patient Experience
  • Digital Marketing (Website, SEO, Emails, Mobile Devices, Google, Etc.)
  • Your Brand / Culture
  • Community/Charity Involvement
  • Local Business Partnerships
  • You and Your Team
  • Office Appearance (Inside and Outside)
  • Office Systems and Protocols

Take some time today and think about what you are sowing & producing.

Look at your practice through the eyes of your patients and potential patients.

Look closely at yourself, your team, the exterior, and interior of your building, all office systems, your lab, sterilization procedures, website & social media sites, marketing materials, marketing programs and the patient experience. Weeds can sneak in very easily if you don’t work to prevent them or if you ignore them when they are small.

Be wary of these two especially dangerous weeds: Poor telephone call systems and poor team member attitudes. See How to Effectively Answer the Dental Office Telephone & Happy Team

Examine your referral sources & patient retention numbers, this will be a key indicator as to the quality & quantity of the seeds you and your team are planting.

Friends, Do you know how many of your active patients have a future appointment and how many do not? Do you know how many new patients you are welcoming into the practice AND how many patients you’re losing each month?  To help you get that data quickly, like within minutes – if your PMS is either Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental you can request a complimentary, no-obligation practice data snapshot here: Game-Changing Awareness from Dental Intelligence  – Within minutes we’ll identify your practice’s strengths and uncover hidden opportunities.  I am happy to assist you with this at no charge and with absolutely no obligation to do anything further with me. 

Who is referring the new patients and who isn’t? And why? Are you known as the go-to dental expert in the community? If not, why?

Do you provide your patients with a consistent & quality experience over the telephone? What about during & after their visit? Are you exceeding their expectations?

Are you and your team members involved in the community? Are you tracking, acknowledging, and rewarding those that refer to you? 

Again, everything matters! 

Don’t give up and please, don’t ignore any of the areas we’ve talked about – you might not see results right away but seeds are being planted, impressions are being made. You never know where and when they will take root and bloom!

Bring in some fresh eyes if you need to, ones that will see, hear & feel what you are missing, and ones that will give you the push and help to get rid of any weeds and plant seeds of greatness daily & consistently!

Doctors, if you would like to grow and improve your dental practice and have wondered what it might be like to work with me and what coaching is all about… please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.

When considering your office needs and marketing plans, remember to…

  • Know Your Target Audience
  • Set Goals 
  • Create a monthly marketing calendar
  • Track all your marketing efforts. What’s working? What needs improvement? What needs to be eliminated?

Do you enjoy the dental leadership, management, and marketing tips and ideas that I share each month?   I would love and truly appreciate for you to please 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 (bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com) 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  FacebookTwitterInstagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

 

Dentist Office Marketing, Leadership, and Management Tips and Ideas for October 2020

Dentist Office Marketing, Leadership, and Management Tips and Ideas for October 2020

Hello Friends,

Well, here we are at the start of your final quarter for the year. It is my goal to give you ideas and strategies that will help you end the year strong. Ideas that when implemented will keep things fresh and fun in your office. More importantly, they will exceed your current patients and potential patients’ expectations which will allow you to focus on doing what you do best, helping your patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles.

Dental Leadership, Management, and Marketing Tips and Ideas for October 2020 

Leadership Tips & Ideas:

Employee Appreciation – National Massage Therapy Week: 25th – 31st – Treat your employees with gift cards for a massage. Or if possible, bring in a massage therapist to the office.

Customer Service Week: 5th – 9th – Discuss with your team strategies and goals to ensure that your customer service and patient care are in harmony with your core values and vision for your practice.

Boss’s Day: October 16th – Plan now to make this a special day for your boss(es).

Doctors, if you would like to grow and improve your dental practice and have wondered what it might be like to work with me and what coaching is all about… please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.

Practice Management Tips & Ideas: 

Insurance Use it or Lose it Reminders – Did you get your end of year insurance dental benefit use it or lose it reminder letters/emails/texts/calls out?  

Dental Office Insurance Renewal Reminders Betty Hayden Consulting

Friends, how do your hygiene schedules look for October & November? Do you know how many of your active patients have a future appointment and how many do not? Do you know how many new patients you are welcoming into the practice AND how many patients you’re losing each month?  To help you get that data quickly, like within minutes – if your PMS is either Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental you can request a complimentary, no-obligation practice data snapshot here: Game-Changing Awareness from Dental Intelligence  – Within minutes we’ll identify your practice’s strengths and uncover hidden opportunities.  I am happy to assist you with this at no charge and with absolutely no obligation to do anything further with me. 

Marketing Tips & Ideas: 

Exceed Expectations for your current patients and the potential new patients that you engage with in your community. 

October is National Dental Hygiene Month –  

All month-long share posts and short videos on your social media platforms regarding the importance of regular preventive dental visits to the dentist.

National Dental Hygiene Month Betty Hayden Consulting

National Orthodontic Health Month – See some ideas here: https://bettyhaydenconsulting.com/2020/09/15/tips-and-ideas-for-octobers-national-orthodontic-health-month/

Apple Month – See more ideas here: https://bettyhaydenconsulting.com/2020/09/15/tips-and-ideas-for-octobers-national-orthodontic-health-month/

Patient Appreciation Gift Idea: October is National Popcorn Poppin‘ Month – Give your patients a bag of microwave popcorn or little bags filled w/flavored popcorn with a tag attached that says: “You make us POP with Appreciation” or “Your Referrals are POPPIN’ – Thank you!

Patient & Community Dental Health Education Idea: 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – See more ideas here: https://bettyhaydenconsulting.com/2020/09/24/dentist-office-ideas-for-octobers-breast-cancer-awareness-month/

Social Media Post Ideas to Improve Engagement during the Month of October ~ 

Spinach Lovers Month

Betty Hayden Dental Social Media Contact Spinach Day

World Smile Day: 2nd

National Taco Day: 4th

National Kick Butt Day: 12th

National Chocolate Day: 28th

There you have it some fun and effective tips and ideas to help you have the best October ever!

Do you enjoy the dental leadership, management, and marketing tips and ideas that I share each month?   I would love and truly appreciate for you to please 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 (bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com) 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  FacebookTwitterInstagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

Dental Office Practice Management, Leadership, and Marketing Tips and Ideas for October 2019

Dental Office Practice Management, Leadership, and Marketing Tips and Ideas for October 2019

Hello Friends,

Ready for a fantastic final quarter?

October is the start of your final quarter for the year. It’s your opportunity to make it your best fourth quarter ever. To help you plan for that, today I’m sharing some tips and ideas with you. Ideas that when implemented will keep things fresh and fun in your office. More importantly, they will exceed your current patients and potential patients’ expectations which will allow you to focus on doing what you do best, helping your patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. Why? Because exceeding your patients’ expectations will help keep them loyal to your office.

Dental Leadership, Management, and Marketing

Fall Dental Marketing and Management Tips and Ideas Betty Hayden Dental Coach

Tips and Ideas for October 2019

Leadership ~

“A boss has the title; a leader has the people.” Simon Sinek

Employee Appreciation –

National Chocolate Day – October 28th / Bring in a sweet chocolatey treat for the team.

Continuing Education – A great way to end 2019 on a high note is to attend TBSE 2019 (The Best Seminar Ever!). You will love it!! Plus, I’ll be there, and it would be awesome to meet you in person!!  (If you’re already registered to attend please send me a message that you’ll be there!) FYI, TBSE 2019 (25th Anniversary) is the last year for TBSE!

See why this is truly the best seminar here: The Best Dental Seminar Ever

Practice Management ~

Improve Your Office Day – October 4th – Take this opportunity to openly and honestly examine ways to improve your office. This might be the perfect time to schedule a complimentary consultation with me to learn how a coaching relationship will help you to improve your office.

Boss’s Day is October 16th  Plan now to make this day special for your boss(es).

Michigan Dental Coach Bosses Day

Use it or Lose it Reminders – Did you get your end of year insurance dental benefit use it or lose it reminder letters/emails out?  Would you like a sample Use it or Lose it letter? Email me at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com and I will gladly send one over to you.

Betty Hayden Dental Coach End of Year Insurance Renewal Reminders

Customer Service Week: 7th -11th  –

Excellent theme for your next team meeting.  What ideas can you come up with as a team to exceed your patients’ expectations by consistently delivering excellent customer service?

  • What do you do when you run late? (If you’re habitually running behind, please change that habit! It’s disrespectful to your patients’ and your team)
  • What do you do when the lab (or you) screws up a case?
  • What about comfort? How are you making the visit as comfortable as possible for your patients?
  • What about your telephone skills? SEE How to Effectively Answer the Dental Office Telephone (Telephone Principles)
  • How about after the treatment – are you making post-op calls?
  • How are you staying in touch with your patients in between their 6-month hygiene appointments?

Marketing ~

Exceed Expectations for your current patients and the potential new patients that you engage within your community.

Theme #1: Apple Month – See more ideas here: Dental Office Tips and Ideas for October’s National Apple Month

dental office tips and ideas for apple month betty hayden

Theme #2: Candy Buy Back – Host a Candy Buy Back Event for your patients and potential patients within the community.

Theme #3: Breast Cancer Awareness Month – See more ideas here: Dental Office Ideas for Octobers Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Theme #4: National Orthodontic Health Month – See more ideas here: National Orthodontic Health Month Tips and Ideas For Your Ortho Office

Patient & Community Dental Health Education Idea ~

October is National Dental Hygiene Month –

National Dental Hygiene Month Betty Hayden Consulting

All month-long share posts on your social media platforms regarding the importance of regular preventive dental visits to the dentist.

National Field Trip Month –

Invite local schools to come to the office for a free & educational field trip to the dentist.

Social Media Post Ideas to Improve Engagement during the month of October ~

Spinach Lovers Month

World Smile Day: 4th

Wear Something Gaudy Day: 17th

National Knock-Knock Jokes Day: 31st

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  FacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedIn and Pinterest

Dental Marketing and Practice Management Ideas for June

 

Hello Dental Friends,

NOTE: For updated dental marketing ideas for the month of June, visit HERE

How is your second quarter looking? I hope you’re happy with your production, collections, new patient numbers and the appointment schedule.

Today, I’m going to share some marketing and practice management ideas with you to help you close out your second quarter better than ever.

dental marketing ideas for summer hayden consulting

Theme: Cruise on in for Better Dental Health

Product Feature: Sealants (Adult & Child)

A Tooth Without A Sealant is like a Car Without A Seat belt”

Half off Sealants during the month of June or special pricing on full mouth.

Pull Incomplete treatment plan report – Call anyone with sealants treatment planned and send a card that creates urgency for treatment and highlights the special offer.

If you are interested in having me help your office create a custom “Cruise On In For Better Health” (or different themed) campaign that includes ideas for special offers, patient give-aways/drawings, community involvement, cross marketing with local businesses and recare/incomplete treatment scripting, please contact me today at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com

Here are some more ideas for you…

National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month & National Headache Awareness Week: 2-8 Educational Opportunity – If your patient doesn’t suffer from headaches they surely know someone who does so this can be a great referral opportunity as well.

Opportunity to Exceed Patient Expectations ~  Got a Patient going on a Vacation? If you are planning a summer vacation, be sure to pick up a complimentary toothbrush & travel-sized toothpaste!

Gift Certificates See  Dental Gift Certificates Make Great Presents for ideas on how to use gift certificates to grow your practice.

Practice Management Ideas and Reminders ~

 Hygiene Continuing Care/Recare Reminders:

Postcard & Social Media Site Scripting Idea: Summertime is a great time of year and it can also be a busy time of year. We encourage you to remember to take the time to squeeze in your regular dental visit before the summer months fly by. Regular dental visits are so important to your overall health.

 

Recess At Work Day: 16 (Third Thursday)

Get outside for a few minutes with your team for some fresh air. If you can’t all get outside, open the windows, turn up the radio and dance indoors. How about a sweet treat to enjoy during “recess”? (ie: ice cream, frozen drink, etc.) **Remember to take pictures and video of the team having fun together so you can share on your social media sites. 🙂

Hope you enjoy these ideas and are able to use some of them to help make the month of June a fantastic one for you, your team and your patients. Please let me know how you plan to use the ideas and what the outcome is. I love to hear about your success stories!!

If you have any other thoughts or ideas feel free to comment below. Or if you liked these ideas, please click the like button. Thank you! Should you have any questions about this post, please email Betty: bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com

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. (Simply click  the link on this page that says subscribe via email) This way, you won’t miss a single idea! PLEASE, feel free to share my blog with your colleagues. 

Please stop by and say hello to me on FacebookTwitterInstagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest

Yours for Greater Success,

~Betty