Category: Featured

The GDPR entered into force in 2016 after passing European Parliament, and as of May 25, 2018, all organizations were required to be compliant.

In a nutshell – the rule of thumb is:

“if the business’ aim outweighs the risk of data protection, you can contact them’ – that sounds a bit confusing but if you think about it; if someone calls you, or walks in to the practice – they have initiated contact which justifies further communication.”

Get GDPR Compliant

To ensure we are compliant, we have added a mandatory ‘opt-in’ tick box to all contact forms across our clients’ websites – as well as our own!

This effectively acts as a contract between any potential patient and the business to say that the user “wishes to receive further contact from you, and gives permission for you to use the data” by ticking this box.

We have also added an updated Cookie Policy to the footer of all our clients’ websites – so that current and potential patients can see how and why we use Cookies (with a few more helpful links if you want to learn more!).

Other than the changes that we can implement on behalf of our fantastic clients, if you are a dental practice owner reading this post it is very important to note that – if you send anything more than appointment reminders to patients, (for example offers, newsletters or emailing none/previous patients), then you will now need to re-gain consent from those people.

The best way to do this is to contact your newsletter/mailing list software, and ask for their advice on sending out an ‘opt in/opt out’ mailshot, just like this:

Finally – don’t forget the importance of ensuring that these rules also apply to your in-house systems and paper forms.

• Upon registering a new patient, you should add a mandatory tick box to your iPad/paper forms stating that the patient wishes to receive further contact from you ‘by ticking this box’.
• It must be made clear that if a registered patient does choose to ‘opt out’ (or doesn’t tick the box) that they will still receive appointment updates and reminders via phone/text or email.  

With regards to those who opt-out – GDPR states that you must ensure that ALL RECORDS, both paper and digital of that person’s details are either anonymised (replacing their personal info on your records with gobbledygook!), or removed completely from your records.

To anonymise a patient, just change from this:

To this:

…that way – any end of year analysis, summarising data, or patient value can be kept on record!

For more information on the new GDPR regulations, visit: https://www.eugdpr.org/

Or if you’d like us to take a look at your website, and ensure it meets the guidelines above, then get in touch! Email team@dominatedental.com and with the URL of your website and we’d be happy to take a look.

Your dental practice runs just like a small business. It depends on successful marketing campaigns to draw potential patients and keep current ones enthused about their oral health.

Dental postcards significantly impact marketing with designs that not only ‘pop’, but also provide enough information to interest patients.

A postcard design isn’t just about attracting the patient to your practice either. It should also provide useful, informative points related to their dental health. It should get them thinking, not only about you and your practice but also about their hygiene and oral habits.

Here we’ll discuss how to create an effective and catchy design that sells.

So, here we go!

Before You Get Started

There are a few different areas to be concerned with when choosing or creating a design for your dental postcards. All of them are equally important in creating a successful campaign that has positive and effective results.

Don’t run your marketing campaigns randomly but rather your focus should be to keep them running steadily. You should think about sending bi-monthly mailers so you may like to have more than one design prepared for these separate marketing events.

Identify Your Marketing Strategy

Before you can create a competent design you need to identify your target audience and what you want to say to them. This may include household income statistics, how many visits you intend to produce (ie, what type of household, family households, single households), and perhaps most importantly how many households you intend to target altogether.

A good marketing strategy can help you outline the design of your dental postcards before you get started. You should use this outline to create a budget that will allow for the designs you intend.

Create A Budget

Once you’ve outlined a marketing strategy, you need to prepare a budget that includes room for the design and the marketing campaign itself. This will help you better prepare your dental postcards with designs that you’re confident in. In return, this will also allow you to create a proposed ROI so you’ll know what to expect in the end.

Think about how many mailers you will be sending. How much does this cost per card and what is your expected return, say from a specific mailing zone or household size? How much do you intend to spend on the design itself? Basically, you need to prepare your budget for the entirety of the campaign, not just the initial costs.

Now that you have your marketing strategy outlined and a prepared budget you can get started on your designs!

Headline

First and foremost, make sure your dental postcards display a clear, bold, concise and clever headline.

What does your dental practice stand for? Create a slogan that encompasses those values. What are you marketing for exactly? Send a message right off the bat about the service you offer and how it enhances a patient’s health.

A headline should catch the eye of the patient from the moment they pull the postcard out of their mailbox, otherwise, it’s likely to become quick junk mail.

Make a statement and make it loud with a headline that reads easily but still sends an impactful message. You want it to say something that intrigues the reader enough to make them want to keep reading and learn more.

Photos and Colour Patterns

It may seem like a small detail but the photos and colour patterns you choose for your dental postcards have a significant impact on the exposure you get to patients.

Choose bright colours and light photos that will not only catch the eye of the patient but also draw attention to the information provided on the card. You want to use a colour scheme that pops and also supports your brand image.

If you’re using a colourful script, it’s important to use base colours that don’t interfere with the legibility of the words. And don’t use too many colours or the patient could become confused and overwhelmed by the schematics.

Include photos that represent your business in fashion and integrity. This will be the first look your potential patients have at your dental practice. It will give them an opportunity to gain trust in your establishment.

Valuable Offer

Think about the people you’re targeting and their specific needs. Try to offer something that will entice them and help you create a relationship.

You can be educational with your message, incorporating an offer that signifies proper health care while still saving the patient money. Your message should provide information that will trigger a response from the patient.

Offers should be valuable to the patient like free consultations, two for one deals, and other discounted services. The offers should be attractively displayed and easily promoted.

Make sure that the terms of the offer are clearly stated to alleviate confusion on the behalf of your customer and your staff. This can also benefit your time frame for the promotion in terms of scheduling.

Call to Action

After you’ve informed the patient of your offers and other pertinent details, you need to create a call to action. This should be something that prompts the patient to contact you for additional information, or hopefully, to schedule an appointment.

The details that you include in your call to action are important for conversion depending on how you intend your patients to reach you.

Phone Number

Make sure your phone number is bold and large enough for the patient to read. It should stand out on the postcard, somewhat on its own in relation to the other information provided.

Include your area code to present yourself professionally and accurately.

You might consider placing the phone number on both sides of the postcard so the patient has easy access to your immediate contact information.

Unless you have a particular colour scheme for your script, the phone number should always be black and draw the readers attention, perhaps with an exclamation mark.

Address

You don’t have to include your address if you’re short of space but if there’s room, it’s good to provide your patients with a sense of where you’re located.

This can also be a marketing strategy that draws attention to patients close to your dental practice.

An address should be clearly written, not using fancy fonts or scripts. It can be small as long as it’s large enough to read. Try having someone with bad eyesight review it before publishing.

Email Address

Another line item that you can provide is your email address. This is a very forward gesture and you should be prepared for the outcome.

You’ll need to respond to potential patients that may inquire about services and products that you offer. You should also prepare your staff for this influx in potential communications.

Website

Hopefully, you have a website where your patients can review your services, find your location, and get to know your practice before making a decision to contact you.

Include your website on the dental postcards to ensure that your patients have a way to access your business. You can provide distinct details and instructions on your mailer that interact with your website. This will help draw patients to the website and further, to your office.

Say Something Different With Your Dental Postcards

Advertise your dental office as one that stands out among other competitors. Enlist short details stating why your dental practice is more valuable, more professional, more fun even! Tell your potential patients why they should choose you over a different dentist, perhaps one that is closer to their home that has also sent them a mailer.

What really sets you apart from other dental practices? What can you offer your patients that other dentists simply cannot? This is all important information to provide to your patients up front so that they can make an educated decision on their oral health care.

Make it clear that you’re educating the patient instead of just putting down another practice. Your message should reflect your sincerity and care for the patient.

Marketing Campaigns

A good marketing campaign involving dental postcards can significantly improve your return on investment when done correctly. Be proud of your design and it will exude confidence and create trust in the community.

Make sure to edit your designs carefully to avoid errors. Even minor errors can confuse or distract a patient from the original, intended message.

Create tracking numbers for each mailer with recording so that you may gauge the success of conversion rates.

Once you’ve completed edits, you can sit back and wait for the new patients to start calling.

When you’re ready to get a mailer package moving out to your potential patients, contact us! We’ve got you covered.

Are you tired of waiting for the phone to ring?

It’s time to stop waiting for the patients to come to you. With these 15 dental marketing strategies, you can start drawing in the patients in no time at all.

Managing dental marketing strategies isn’t always easy. You need to find the perfect balance.

Make sure your current patients are satisfied with your service. But at the same time also getting out your marketing message to attract new patients to your dental practice.

It’s certainly the case that effective dental marketing strategies are an essential part of any successful dental practice. By following these 15 tips you’ll have the phone ringing off the hook.

Let’s take a look at the 15 dental marketing strategies to increase phone calls at your dental practice.

1. Community Involvement

Have you ever thought about getting more involved in your local community?

By volunteering at local sports events, or donating branded merchandise to charity events, you’ll increase your presence around the community and get to know people.

If people get to know you outside of your dental surgery, they’re more likely to feel connected to you.

It’s especially important to make connections with a new residence. If someone moves into to the neighbourhood, make sure you send a greetings card introducing yourself and your practice.

New arrivals will often be searching for a family dentist. Make yourself known and you’ll add new patients in no time.

2. Start Blogging

What time of day is best to brush my teeth? Which is the most effective toothpaste on the market? How often should I floss?

These are just a few of blog posts ideas you could include on your company website.

Potential patients are always looking for advice on how to keep their mouth clean and healthy.

By offering interesting and engaging information on your blog, you could help get the word out that you’re a dentist with know-how who can be trusted look after teeth.

3. SEO-Optimised Website

One of the most effective dental marketing strategies is SEO techniques. With so much competition from other dental practices, you can’t afford to have an SEO-optimised website.

By selectively using keywords or writing SEO-optimised content you can maximise your position on the ranking of search engines such as Google.

For more information on SEO, check out our ultimate guide to SEO for Dentists.

4. Offer Deals and Freebies

Offering deals and freebies is another great way to get people calling begging for an appointment.

You could consider offering new patients discounts on their first checkup. Maybe you could throw in a free toothbrush for a limited time only.

However, make sure you don’t simply offer the same deals as your competitors. You need to make sure your practice stands out from the crowd.

Some dental practices have problems with patients not showing up for appointments. This can also be solved with a juicy deal.

You could offer patients the chance to get a 10% off if they make the payment upfront. This way you don’t just attract patients on the lookout for discounts. You also increase the probability of patients turning up when they said they would.

5. Make Use of Social Media

Nowadays, it doesn’t matter what business you are, you can’t avoid social media. But it’s also a great way to engage with your existing patients and reach out to potential patients too.

Although it’s important not to spread yourself too thin, make sure you have social media presence on at least one of the following social media platforms:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that every social media platforms require a different approach. But every Tweet, Facebook post, and uploaded photo needs to offer your online users a way to engage with you.

Keep your content relevant and interesting. Try creating posts that your users want to share on their own social media platforms. This could include one of your latest deals or a recent blog post you wrote.

Facebook can also serve as an excellent way to promote your dental practice. Your patients can write up reviews of your dental work for other potential patients to see.

Social media is also another great way to remind your patients that they have an appointment coming up soon.

6. Cross Referrals

Have you ever visited a barber that recommended a drugstore? Or, a pet store worker who recommended a trustworthy dog-walker?

By developing cross-referrals with other businesses you can definitely increase the number of calls coming into your surgery.

There are many benefits to working on creating a network of other local businesses. However, make sure you do your research before recommending your patients to a specialist or a doctor that isn’t up to scratch. This could seriously backfire if not done properly.

7. Referral Incentives

Have you ever had a happy patient recommend your dental practice to a friend or family member?

Wouldn’t it be great if this happened all the time? Well, there’s a way to achieve this with referral incentives.

By offering your current patients discounts and freebies for referrals to friends and family, you can drastically increase the number of the patients visiting your practice.

8. Develop Dental Expertise

Patients don’t want to visit any old dentist. They want to come to visit an expert in their field. By developing and promoting your expertise you can show your patients they’re being cared for by the best of the best.

One way to do this is by writing medical articles in magazines or journals. You can then promote these around the dental surgery offices and on your website.

9. Design a Great Logo

Whatever you’re trying to market, designing a great logo is one of the first lessons of any aspiring marketer.

A great logo allows you to promote a consistent message and show off your brand to potential patients. This way they’ll recognise your dental practice when they see a social media post, or when they walk past your surgery on the street.

10. Send Out Regular E-Newsletters

Sending out a regular e-newsletter is another great example of dental marketing strategies. It’s important to keep in touch with your patients and branch out to new patients.

Let your patients know about any business developments, interesting and useful mouth care tips, and emerging products on the market.

Keep it SEO optimised, chatty and light-hearted. It’s always best if you include pictures.

Always include a call to action in the end that urges your patients to book another appointment to make sure they keep their mouth clean and healthy.

11. Encourage Patients to Leave Reviews

Before they give your dental practice a call, patients are likely to check out the reviews online. Reviews and testimonials from current and former patients are becoming increasingly common in every business.

If potential patients find your dental practice online but there aren’t any reviews, they may reject you immediately out of hand.

You can avoid this by kindly requesting your patients to write reviews on Google reviews and sites such as Yelp.

If someone reviews your surgery, remember to respond to every review. It doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative. It always looks better if you respond.

12. Website Compatible with Smartphones

The days of people only using their laptops and computers to use the internet are over. Nowadays, people search on their smartphones and tablets more than they do on computers.

This means that you need to make sure your website is compatible with smartphones and tablets. Make it easy to navigate and find the information the user wants.

If your website doesn’t work on a smartphone, people will quickly get tired and find another dentist.

14. Start Creating Videos

The potential and current patients who aren’t willing to read your e-newsletter or blog posts might have the time to watch a quick video.

Videos are another fantastic example of dental marketing strategies. Have fun by creating your own videos promoting your dental practice.

You could urge patients to book an appointment with you or show off your new surgery facilities. Keep videos brief or people will quickly lose attention. Post them on Youtube to get the most views possible.

14. Focus on Positive Results

Another way to promote your dental practice through dental marketing strategies is by focusing on results.

If you want to get people to pick up the phone to call you, you have to offer something patients want. This may be a gorgeous smile or whiter teeth. This is much more attractive than the prospect of another cavity filling.

15. Targeted Online Marketing

SEO marketing is an affordable way to promote your dental practice. But targeted marketing with Google Adwords is also an effective way to drive traffic.

With successful use of Google Adwords, you can make sure when someone searches for “dentist [location]” your practice comes up on the search engine results.

Start Your Dental Marketing Strategies

With these 15 dental marketing strategies, you can make sure you’re increasing the number of calls you receive.

If you found this blog post useful, then consider checking out our free resources for more help on marketing.

For more advice and information on how to market your dental practice, get in touch with us today.

When you create dental giveaways, you should get a return on your investment — in the form of happy patients, better reviews, social likes/shares, and ultimately more patients.

A giveaway isn’t cheap. You have to buy in bulk to get great prices. You lose a lot if your efforts fall flat.

So don’t let that happen.

Let’s look at how to get your name out there on the right stuff.

Check out our list of dental giveaways people actually use.

Water Bottles

You care about your patient’s overall health.

The American Dental Association reminds us that hydration is good for teeth and gums.

As a dentist, you’re targeting people who care about their health.

When health-conscious people get a nice water bottle, they use it. They take it everywhere.

If your information is on there, it’s a constant reminder to make/keep an appointment or perhaps to recommend you to others.

Tooth Healthy Snacks

First of all, stay away from peanuts and pretzels. We don’t want patients to feel like they’re on an air plane.

Lead by example. Show patients how easily they can eat tooth healthy foods on the go.

Hand out packets of almonds or calcium-rich snacks. If refrigeration is an option, hand out small packs of carrots or cheese cubes after their visit.

Xylitol Pops/Candy/Gum

Many people won’t try something to find out they like it unless it’s given to them for free.

Introduce your patients to Xylitol sweetened candies and gum with your logo.

Most people will try it and if you give them several pieces, maybe they’ll share it too.

Grocery Bags

It all depends on your budget. If you can do tote bags with your logo, they’ll be a big winner.

Many people today opt for reusable grocery bags. They use them again and again.

They carry them to their cars with your information proudly displayed for all to see.

But they’re not just for groceries. They tote sports equipment, school supplies, and they can be used for trips.

Everywhere they go, you go with them on the side of their tote.

Mp3’s

We have two takes on this.

You could offer stress relieving Mp3’s for your TMJ sufferers to chill out before bed.

Or you could offer 2-minute tooth brushing songs for kids.

The nice thing about these dental giveaways is that they’re free. You can simply send the songs through social or email.

Or create a page on your site for downloads.

Ear buds

Ear buds are inexpensive these days. You can put your logo on the pouch.

People remember you as they’re listening to their favourite songs.

Brushing Timers

It’s very useful and it directly relates to healthy teeth.

There are many fun-to-brush timers out there that you can personalise. Choose ones that speak to your target patients.

Why not give your patient an extra to share with a friend?

Tube Squeezer

It’s a universal problem. How do you get all of the paste out of the tube?

Most people would never buy a tube squeezer in a store. But these dental giveaways can seem like the best ever because they solve a real problem.

USB Wall Charger

People love their devices. USB wall chargers are small and versatile, but just big enough for your practise’s information.

They’re something that many patients would use every day to charge up their iPhones and other devices.

Don’t be afraid to venture out beyond dental-related items if you know it’s something that your patients will absolutely love.

Travel Pouches

Everyone needs them. A little plastic zipper pouch to put their toothbrush, tooth paste, floss, and mouthwash in is one of the best dental giveaways.

It helps them remember to take tooth care with them when they travel.

It keeps the tooth brush clean. And it prevents water, paste, and washes from getting on other packed items.

Sunscreen

When we’re moving into summer, remind patients to protect their skin and visit their dentist by providing travel-size 30 SPF sunscreen.

Dental Floss (the good stuff)

Don’t go cheap when it comes to dental giveaways. Patients will notice if you gave them the very basic floss.

We know it’s just as effective. But people today want more.

Give away flavoured flosses and dental tape in appealing packaging to get their attention and show you care.

Hand Sanitiser

Lots of people like to keep hand sanitiser on hand when things get messy.

You can get it in a spray tube or gel.

Travel Tissues/Wet Wipes

Travel tissues and wet wipes can be a “life saver”.

You can be a part of that relief that they’re there for the patient when they need them by offering them as dental giveaways.

Denture/Retainer case

It’s practical. And every partial, denture or retainer wearer needs it and uses it every day.

Your name and location should be on it.

Cases come in basic colours, sparkly or with designs.

You’ll find the perfect one for your patients.

Lip balm

Help patients keep their lips healthy and moisturised when the days turn colder.

Give them SPF sunscreen lip balm for blistering days.

Many patients use lip balm constantly.

What a great way to show you care!

Travel Mirror

Who hasn’t needed to check their teeth after eating salsa or veggies? What if there’s no bathroom in sight?

Travel mirrors are something that everyone wishes they had when they needed it.

You can be a part of that solution.

Key chain Light

If you give someone a key chain light, they will use it.

People understand the value.

It will go right on their keys immediately. It likely won’t be removed until it’s falling apart.

Go where they go on a key chain light.

Herb Seeded Paper/ Plant pods

Celebrate life and spring with seed pods. While these may only have a one time use, they mean so much.

These biodegradable packets can be buried in a pot or a flower bed to produce seedlings in a week or so — then flowers or herbs.

Want to add some fun for children?

You could include a small pot with your name on it. That way, the experience will be even better remembered.

Hot/Cold packs

When someone gets a toothache, you want them to think of you.

Mouth-sized hot/cold packs in the shape of a tooth are the perfect dental giveaways. They reach patients at exactly the moment that they need your service.

Pedometer

It’s not a Fitbit or Apple Watch. But for many who don’t have these more expensive devices, pedometer are great dental giveaways.

They encourage overall health and those who wear them are constantly looking at them to check their progress.

Shouldn’t your information be there?

Key chain (get creative)

Besides the flashlight, you can design many trendy key chains to represent your business. Give it some personality with colours and clever shapes.

Just like the flashlight, once they put it on there, it stays so you go with them everywhere.

Mouse pad

Don’t go ordinary. Make it fun. Shape it like a tooth. Make it colourful and friendly.

Mouse pads are a great way to get your name into a person’s workplace.

Co-workers see it, which starts an interesting conversation.

Gift Cards

They can seem impersonal for birthdays and gifts, but gift cards as prises get people excited.

Run a contest on Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat. Offer gift cards to the winners.

They don’t have to be worth £100. People will get excited over £5 to their favourite sandwich or coffee shop.

People just like the joy of winning something.

If you’re shooting for a harder contest with fewer winners, offer a £10 or £15 as the grand prise. Then lower amounts for the runners up.

Encourage sharing with others to expand the reach of your contest to new patients.

But be careful not to suggest that people have to share or like something in order to enter. That goes against social media rules.

Information

Today everyone is on the Internet.

They want to know what those white spots on their tonsils are.

They want to know if a cavity always hurts.

They want to know if over the counter teeth whiteners will damage their teeth.

Sharing information in the form of a blog should be among your dental giveaways bag of tricks.

Creating Effective Dental Giveaways

Do know your target audience. Dental giveaways should match your demographics.

Are you an orthodontist? Then a retainer case is a perfect fit.

Are you targeting busy parents with kids? Hand sanitiser, tissues and travel cases will do the job.

Are you located in the trendy, eco-conscious part of town, re-usable grocery bags and seed pods speak their language.

Do see what your competitors are doing and do it better.

Don’t be cheap. You want people to get good use out of your item and think highly of you. Cheap doesn’t send the right message.

Always have a strategy. Know what you want to achieve and measure the impact of your campaign.

Do you want to know more about how to get more patients and wow the ones you have? Have you struggled to create a positive buzz around your practice?

Check out our Dental Marketing Services.

We will help you grow your practice.