At LUMN, we are pepper with dental marketing questions on the regular-
“How can I drop insurance?”
“Is SEO still important?”
“I am buying a new practice. Where should I start with marketing?”
And so on…
But one of the most common (and earnest!) questions we get is “how do I attract more of my IDEAL patients?”
Running a successful dental practice isn’t just about offering top-notch dental care; it’s also about attracting the right patients – or ideal patients – to your practice. Your ideal patients are those who not only need your services but also appreciate the value you provide and are likely to become loyal, long-term patients. So, how can you attract more of your ideal patients to your dental practice? These eight tips will get you off to a hot start in attracting the patients you want to attract:
- Define Your Ideal Patient Before you can attract your ideal patients, you must clearly define WHO they are. Consider factors such as age, gender, income level, dental needs, and location. Creating a detailed patient persona will help you tailor your marketing efforts to effectively reach the right audience.
- Optimize Your Online Presence In the online shopping age, a strong online presence is essential for attracting ideal patients. Ensure your website is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and contains relevant information about your services, team, and office hours. Many of these efforts will in turn benefit not just your conversion rates on your website, but your SEO rankings. This will improve your website’s visibility on search engines like Google, making it easier for potential patients to find you online.
- Create High-Quality Content Content marketing is a powerful tool for attracting ideal patients. Regularly publish informative and engaging content on your website’s blog, covering topics related to oral health, dental procedures, general wellness, and relevant events in your community. This establishes your practice as a trusted source of information and draws in patients seeking answers to their dental questions.
- Showcase Patient Testimonials Positive reviews and patient testimonials can significantly influence potential patients’ decisions. Encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp. Showcase these testimonials on your website and social media to build trust and credibility. The term for this we use in the biz is “social proof.”
- Leverage Social Media Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok provide opportunities to connect with your target audience in dynamic ways. Share informative posts, dental tips, before-and-after photos, and behind-the-scenes content to engage your followers and demonstrate your expertise.
- Promote Your Financing Options Financial concerns can be a barrier for some patients seeking dental care. Consider offering flexible payment options or partnering with dental financing companies to make your services more accessible to a broader range of patients.
- Invest in Local SEO and Google Ads To attract patients in your immediate vicinity, invest in local SEO strategies to improve your ranking in local search results. Additionally, Google Ads can help you target potential patients in your geographical market, increasing your chances of attracting local ideal patients.
- Collaborate with Other Local Businesses Building partnerships with local businesses can be mutually beneficial. Consider collaborating with nearby healthcare providers, gyms, or wellness centers to cross-promote your services and reach a wider audience. In essence, you want to turn strategic partners into an expanded sales force for your practice.
SUMMARY
Attracting more of your ideal patients to your dental practice requires a well-thought-out strategy that combines both online and offline efforts. By defining your ideal patient, optimizing your online presence, creating valuable content, showcasing positive reviews, and leveraging social media, you can position your practice as the go-to choice for dental care in your area. Don’t forget to offer flexible payment options and collaborate with local businesses to further enhance your reach. With these tactics in place, you’ll be well on your way to growing your dental practice and serving more of your ideal patients.