Having trouble attracting
new patients? Here are a few simple marketing tips you can use to get
the ball rolling for your practice.
Orthodontic Marketing: Why you shouldn’t ignore existing patients in your marketing plan
"Irving, Texas (November 11, 2013) – A large part of what orthodontic marketing companies do for orthodontists looking to expand their practice is to devise effective ways to get more new patients through the door. Business competition is fiercer than ever before, which is why getting to a new patient first is more important but more difficult than ever. Unfortunately, amidst all the noise and chatter, one critical aspect tends to get left by the wayside: the existing customer. According to a recent article from Dermatology Times, building rapport and selling additional services to your existing patients can be more profitable than trying to find and sign up new patients. There are a couple of reasons why: first, you already have a relationship with these patients, and they are more willing to trust your recommendations. Next, with the value of services and expertise you can offer, and the excellent customer service you provide, their referrals can be a cost- and time-effective way
http://orthosynetics.com/blog/orthodontic-marketing-why-you-shouldnt-ignore-existing-patients-in-your-marketing-plan
Orthodontic Marketing: Should you conduct marketing in-house or outsource?
"Professional campaigns are bound to positively impact your business, but they require time and effort to be implemented. Fortunately, you can turn to orthodontic consultants who have the experience and know-how needed to put together effective marketing campaigns. If you feel you can get more mileage for your money by doing things on your own, though, Ehow.com has a few useful tips you can try. For one thing, direct mail marketing is still very much alive; you can set up a regular mailing list and send out postcards to your regular clientele as well as prospective clients. Focus on a particular demographic that you think might need your orthodontic services the most (seniors and teens, for instance) and gear your postcard design towards something that they might be interested in."
http://orthosynetics.com/blog/orthodontic-marketing-should-you-conduct-marketing-in-house-or-outsource
Effective Marketing Tips for Orthodontic Dentists
All
orthodontic dentists have been educated and trained extensively on
how to fix improper bites or misaligned teeth, but not all
orthodontists have experience in marketing their practices
effectively. This can be especially difficult for orthodontists who
have just set up their first practice.
Use orthodontic marketing as an educational tool
Orthodontics
can help fix over-bites, under-bites and crooked teeth, among other
things. In a society where people equate good teeth not just with
health but with overall attractiveness as well, it comes as no
surprise that the popularity of orthodontic
dentistry is increasing. Unfortunately, many still fear having
their mouths worked on due to previous experiences or the fear of
enduring pain.
Beneath The Cracks and Crooks of Your Teeth
A smile is one of the
best assets a person can have, and as far as aesthetics are
concerned, having a set of perfectly aligned teeth is a must.
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that addresses the misalignment
of teeth. It is rooted from the term orthodontia─ from the Greek
word orthos, meaning "straight, perfect or proper"─
and dontos, which means "teeth". Orthodontics
specialists are referred to as orthodontists.
To address the
misalignment of teeth, orthodontists install dental devices such as
braces, which are constituted by brackets, wires, and bands. Metal
wires pass through the brackets and are attached to the bands.
Monthly adjustments to the wire are done to help the teeth move into
place. The color of the bands usually vary every adjustment period.
Usually, orthodontists give the patients the leeway to choose their
desired band color.
Orthodontists are not
specifically confined to straightening teeth; they also touch on
cosmetic dentistry which focuses on smile transformation. Teeth
whitening has been on the rise in previous years as it significantly
removes the discoloration of the teeth. Enamel shaping is another
trend that is done primarily to reshape the tooth and to remove some
of the enamel by means of filing. Due to varying beauty demands, even
reality shows partake in promoting a healthier smile.
Orthodontic marketing is a partnership
As
in any business, a thorough marketing strategy is necessary to reach
target audiences. Dentists and orthodontists are not excluded from
using unique marketing plans to attract patients. Even if most dental
professionals have quality dental care foremost in their mind, they
still need to keep their practices visible and profitable. To
accomplish this, they need to be creative and effective in promoting
their services.
Whatever
services they offer, general dentists and orthodontists should be
educated about the specific demographics and behavior of their target
patients as a necessary step in creating a more streamlined marketing
strategy. For example, a dentist who caters mostly to young patients
might want to keep them informed about the advantages of cosmetic
dentistry, while someone who regularly works with elderly patients
may need to think about referring them to a trusted orthodontist for
more specified services. Handling the marketing efforts as well as
the daily services to patients can be overwhelming, and hiring a
reliable marketing provider can help.
By
working with a marketing provider, dentists and orthodontists can
focus on patients and rest assured that his or her practice is still
running smooth. Aside from the obvious benefit of attracting more
patients, effective orthodontic marketing can help a practitioner
expand his or her professional network and potentially get more
referrals.
Marketing and Orthodontics
Without
a regular stream of patients, an
orthodontic practice will eventually close. With the wide
selection of medical professionals to choose from, patients will
naturally visit experts they were referred to or are familiar with.
Preference
in itself can be determined by a variety of factors like the
orthodontist's skill, charging rates, or even personality. But the
fact is, if prospective clients don’t know about your practice,
they most likely will not become your patients.
The
importance of a successful orthodontic marketing campaign cannot be
stressed enough. There are various ways an orthodontist can promote
his or her trade, and some of these methods don't even require
setting up a billboard or paying for TV and radio plugs. The simple
act of building a network with other medical professionals can go a
long way when it comes to attracting patients. For example, given
that not all dentists are trained in orthodontics, they will sooner
or later need to refer patients who need corrective dentistry to a
qualified professional.
This
network of dentists can also provide the perfect marketing channel
for an orthodontist. For instance, an orthodontist can create a
referral program that rewards patients referred by other dentists.
These rewards can take the form of a free checkup on the patient's
next visit or a significant discount for services rendered.
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