New year, new you, as the saying goes. Everyone is making their New Year’s resolutions, vowing to eat better, exercise more, volunteer at shelter, and begin composting in the backyard. And while those are all great things on a personal level, they won’t do much to help your dental practice. So, let’s think about making some New Year’s Marketing Resolutions to start the year off with a bang and hopefully avoid some costly mistakes.
Resolution Number One: Connect with your existing patients. Focusing solely on attracting new patients can really hurt your practice. Your existing patients are what got you to where you are today. These are the people who will refer their friends and family, thereby building your practice while also remaining loyal to you. Resolve to reach out to them, not just market to them, to keep them from going to another dentist. A good way to start is by sending an email reminding them how special and valued they are and wishing them well in the new year. Include a reminder of all the new procedures you’ve put in place to ensure their safety and that they shouldn’t put off appointments. You can also keep in touch throughout the year by sending a monthly email. Reaching out regularly will make them feel more connected to your practice, and they will be less likely to take their business elsewhere and more likely to come to you for procedures beyond just routine cleanings.
Resolution Number Two: Get online! and start paying attention to your digital presence. It’s a mistake not to take your practice’s online presence seriously, especially in 2021 when people use the Internet for practically everything. This means not only making sure your website is in good shape and that Google Maps has all the correct contact information, but also keeping up with the reviews your practice is getting. “Word-of-mouth” now also means online reviews, and even though you may not be able to control what people are posting, you can control how those reviews are perceived by responding politely and professionally, even to negative feedback. Having a strong digital presence and paying attention to your practices online reputation can really make a difference to the bottom line.
Resolution Number Three: Expand the scope of your current marketing strategy. Relying on a single marketing tool may seem like a cost-saving strategy, but it is more likely costing the practice potential patients. Yes, at the very least, a dental practice needs a functional and interactive website, which is a great marketing tool. But, a website can’t do everything. Ideally, a practice should also be on social media and use other online communication channels. Online marketing is key in this day and age. Patients expect to be able to contact business via the Internet and text. Expanding your marketing strategy to include more options will open up the doors, so to speak, to new, quality patients. You can do this yourself, if you have the time, or you can hire a professional marketing agency like My Dental Agency to do it for you.
Studies show that 80% of New Year’s Resolutions are abandoned by the second week of February. However, we know that these Marketing Resolutions will be easy to keep. They may not give you killer abs or excellent fertilizer for your garden, but they will definitely make 2021 the best year yet for your practice.
