15 Out-of-the-Box Dental Marketing Ideas to Drive New Patients to Your Practice

Use effective dental patient marketing plan to boost your practice's potential and reach your goals. Did you know that businesses with strong marketing strategies experience a growth rate x7 higher than those without? 

By targeting the right audience and keeping your patients satisfied, you'll not only drive revenue and client growth but also receive valuable word-of-mouth referrals. We have some ideas that will make your unique dental practice shine brighter than a Hollywood smile. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

 

1. Build Your Website

According to a survey by the American Dental Association, over 80% of patients use the internet to find a dental provider, and of those, nearly 90% have chosen a provider based on their website. So it is crucial to develop a marketing plan for a dental clinic.

It's like having a billboard on the busiest street in town! This highlights the importance of having a well-designed and informative website for attracting new patients to a dental clinic. Here’s the marketing goals you can achieve in promoting your dental clinic and get new patients:

1. Increased visibility. A website allows your clinic to be easily found by potential patients searching for dental services online.
2. Credibility. A professional and user-friendly website can establish your clinic as a credible and trustworthy provider.
3. Convenient information. Your website can provide patients with important information about your services, staff, and office hours, saving them time and effort.
4. Positive first impression. A website can make a great first impression on potential patients, increasing interest in your clinic.
5. Accessibility. A website can be accessed from anywhere, providing patients with 24/7 access to your clinic's information.

2. Make Online Appointments Available to Attract New Patients

Software Advice reports that 89% of patients prefer to schedule appointments online. Within your dental marketing strategy, making online appointments available to attract new patients to a dental clinic is crucial. It provides such key benefits:

1. Convenience. Online appointment scheduling makes it easy for patients to book appointments at a time that works best for them without calling the clinic.
2. Better time management. Online scheduling makes things easier for patients and staff by saving time and effort. 
3. Competitive advantage. Offering online appointment scheduling sets your clinic apart from others that still use phone scheduling. 

Plus, provide a service for online appointment canceling — it is convenient for people to cancel their visit just by clicking a link. And you will know in advance about canceling and be able to fill a free appointment slot.

3. Collect Before and After Photos

Patients before and after photos are an effective marketing tool for dental clinics. They showcase the results of treatments and procedures, and demonstrate the clinic's expertise and success rate. In fact, according to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 99.7% of patients stated that "Before and After" photos are very important when selecting a cosmetic dentist.

“Before and After” photos are a powerful dental marketing tool within your clinic's strategy for getting new patients to:

1. Demonstrate results of treatments and procedures.
2. Show the clinic's expertise and success rate.
3. Help new patients to make a choice.
4. Serve as a visual reference during consultations
5. Can be used in promotional materials such as brochures, websites, and social media
6. Build trust and establish the reputation of a dental clinic.

4. Reviews

Collecting reviews is an effective option on how to do marketing for a dental clinic. This approach builds credibility, increases online visibility, and attracts new patients. Here are some facts showing how important it is to collect patients reviews visiting your dental clinic:

1. 92% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase or booking a service, according to BrightLocal.
2. Positive reviews can lead to increased website traffic and higher search engine rankings, as search engines like Google often prioritize sites with strong reputations. As a result, your dental marketing strategy will bring new patients.
3. In a study by Dental Economics, it was found that over 70% of patients would recommend a dentist to others based on their online reputation.
4. According to Search Engine Land, negative reviews can impact a business’s reputation, with 72% of consumers saying they would not use a business with less than a 4-star rating.
5. Responsiveness to reviews shows potential patients that a dental clinic values customer feedback and is committed to providing high-quality service, which can build trust and increase patient loyalty.

By regularly monitoring and responding to reviews, dental clinics can demonstrate their commitment to patient satisfaction and improve their online reputation, increasing patient acquisition and growth.

 

5. Packages and Deals

Many studies show that patients who received promotional offers are more likely to schedule appointments than those who did not. Plus, the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found that offering package deals can lead to an increase in average transaction value and overall revenue. According to the ADA, patients were more likely to choose a dental clinic that offered packages over one that did not, especially when the packages included multiple discounted services.

With packages and deals, your dental clinic marketing plan will also bring:

1. Patient acquisition increase. By offering attractive deals, dental clinics can attract new patients who may have yet to consider their services.
2. Retention. Offering packages can attract new patients and return existing ones with promos and discounts.
3. Revenue boost. Packages can make a dental clinic more attractive among competitors, so you can grow patient flow. 
4. Brand reputation enhancement. By offering value-driven packages, clinics can establish themselves as trusted and reliable dental care providers, helping build their brand reputation.

 

6. Exclusive Services for New Patients

A key to a successful dental clinic marketing plan to attract new patient is to offer more than your competitors. For instance, if your dental clinic targets international patients consider how to satisfy them. Add something that will ease your patient life to your standard services — transfer, interpreting service, or hotel discounts.

As for transfer and interpretation services, a survey conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) showed that patients who received these services reported higher levels of satisfaction with their medical tourism experience compared to those who did not. The Journal of Medical Tourism also found that providing transfer and interpretation services was a key factor in patients' decisions to choose a particular medical tourism destination. 

7. Facebook Ads and Remarketing

Well, let me put it this way — if you want to reach the right people with the right message at the right time, Facebook and Remarketing are your secret weapons! Consider it a two-for-one deal, like getting a free toy in your Happy Meal. With 2.8 billion monthly users on Facebook, you're bound to find someone interested in visiting your clinic. And if they've already shown interest, remarketing will give them a friendly reminder — like a nudge from an old friend — to come to see you, making them 70% more likely to convert!

Not to mention, Facebook's advertising platform is like finding a hundred-dollar bill in your old coat pocket. On average, businesses make $3 in revenue for every $1 spent, so you can make a big impact with a small budget. And the best part? You'll always know what's working and what's not, like having a scorecard in a game. These tools provide valuable insights that help you optimize your campaigns and get the best possible return on investment. So go ahead, give it a shot!

8. Optimize Google My Business Page

Google My Business (GMB) is a free platform offered by Google that allows businesses, including dental clinics, to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. By verifying and optimizing your GMB listing, you can promote your dental clinic and reach new patients in your local area.

A step-by-step guide to using GMB for promoting your dental clinic:

1. Set up your account: Go to https://www.google.com/business and sign up for a GMB account.
2. Verify your listing: Google will verify that you are your dental clinic's owner or authorized representative by sending a postcard to your clinic's address with a verification code.
3. Complete your listing: Fill out all the information about your dental clinic, including hours, location, services, and photos.
4. Encourage and respond to reviews: Encourage your patients to leave reviews and respond to any reviews left on your GMB page, both positive and negative.
5. Monitor and update your listing: Use GMB Insights to monitor your listing's performance and make updates as needed.

Following these steps can increase your online visibility, improve your local search ranking, engage with potential patients, and build trust and credibility with your target audience.

9. Referral Program and Bonuses

Referral bonuses and programs are cost-effective to attract new patients and increase patient loyalty to your dental practice. You can provide discounts, free additional services, a free consultation, make whitening as a gift, etc.

According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family, and a Harvard Business Review study found that referral programs can lead to 16% higher conversion rates. 

By offering a referral bonus, you can tap into this powerful form of dental marketing and build a positive reputation for your clinic. Setting up a referral program is quick and easy, so why not try it and see the results yourself?

10. Email marketing and Appointment Reminders

Email marketing and appointment reminders are essential for promoting your dental clinic and building a strong patient base. Here's why:

1. Increased engagement. Email marketing allows you to communicate directly with your patients, keeping them informed about promotions, news, and updates. According to a survey by Hubspot, email has an average ROI of 122%, making it one of the most effective marketing channels.
2. Improved patient retention. Regular appointment reminders help patients stay on top of their dental health, reducing the likelihood of missed appointments and promoting long-term loyalty. A study by The Journal of the American Dental Association found that appointment reminders can reduce no-show rates by up to 38%.
3. Boosted patient acquisition. By including a call to action in your emails, such as a referral program or a special offer, you can encourage patients to share your clinic with their friends and family. According to a study by the American Marketing Association, referred customers are 18% more likely to become repeat customers.

 

11. Social Media Marketing for a Dental Clinic

Social media has become a crucial aspect of modern marketing, and dental clinics are no exception. You may use such examples of social medical marketing campaigns for dental clinics: before & after photos, patient reviews, health tips and advice, deals, and special offers. 

With such a strategy, you will get the following perks:

1. Increased visibility. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have billions of active users, making them a powerful tool for reaching a large audience. According to Statista, as of 2021, there are over 2.7 billion active social media users worldwide.
2. Improved engagement. Social media lets you directly interact with your patients, building relationships and promoting patient loyalty. A study by Sprout Social found that 52% of consumers are more likely to become loyal customers after a positive social media interaction.
3. Boosted local search rankings. By creating and maintaining a strong social media presence, you can improve your local search ranking, making it easier for potential patients to find your clinic online. According to Google, online reviews are a factor in local search rankings.

12. Content Marketing

Content marketing is a crucial aspect of promoting dental clinics and can significantly impact attracting new patients and building a loyal patient base. Here's why content marketing is so important for dental clinics and some examples of successful campaigns:

1. Establishing authority. You can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your industry by creating high-quality, educational content related to oral health, dentistry, and your clinic's services. This can help you build credibility with potential patients and set you apart from your competitors.
2. Improving search engine rankings (SEO). Creating and sharing regular, relevant content can improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for potential patients to find your clinic online. According to a study by HubSpot, businesses that publish blog content regularly have 434% more indexed pages than those that don't.
3. Building relationships. By creating and sharing content that appeals to your target audience, you can build relationships with potential and existing patients, making it more likely that they'll choose your clinic for their dental needs. According to a survey by the Content Marketing Institute, 88% of B2B marketers use content marketing to engage with their target audience.

Here are some examples of successful campaigns you can use to promote your dental clinic:

• "Smile of the Month" where you showcase a patient's transformation through dental treatments.
•  "Oral Health Tips" series to educate your audience and promote healthy habits.
• "Patient Stories" highlighting positive experiences and testimonials from your clinic's patients.

13. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of digital marketing for dental clinics. SEO involves optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential patients to find your clinic online. Here are some reasons why SEO is important for promoting dental clinics:

1. Increased visibility. SEO helps improve the visibility of your website on search engines, making it easier for potential patients to find you online. According to a study by BrightLocal, 97% of consumers search for local businesses online.
2. Improved local search rankings. Optimizing your website for local search keywords can improve your local search ranking, making it easier for patients in your area to find your clinic.
3. Growth of website traffic. Higher search engine rankings increase website traffic, which can result in more leads and conversions for your clinic.
4. Improved user experience. Effective SEO involves creating a website that is easy to navigate and provides a positive user experience, which can improve patient engagement and promote patient loyalty.

 

Here some examples of successful SEO campaigns you can use to promote your dental clinic:

• Keyword-rich content creation
• Local directory listings (e.g. Google My Business)
• Link building for improved search engine rankings and visibility.

14. Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads are essential for promoting dental clinics and reaching potential patients. Here's why:

1. Targeted advertising. Facebook's sophisticated targeting options enable you to reach your ideal audience by demographics, location, and interests.
2. Cost-effective. With the ability to set a budget and target audience, Facebook Ads offers a cost-effective solution compared to traditional advertising methods, as you only pay when someone clicks on your ad.
3. Measurable results. With performance analytics, you can track the success of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize future efforts.
4. Proven success. Numerous dental clinics have seen success with Facebook Ads, such as a 50% increase in website traffic and 20 new patient leads per month or a 200% increase in appointment bookings.

These benefits make Facebook Ads a valuable tool for dental clinics to promote their services and reach new patients effectively.

15. Medical tourism platforms

Be open to getting new patients to your dental clinic only in one country. Use medical tourism platforms to scale your business globally. Here are the reasons why:

1. According to the Medical Tourism Association, medical tourism is a growing industry, with an estimated 14 million people traveling internationally for medical treatment in 2019. This growth presents an opportunity for dental clinics to reach a larger international patient base through medical tourism platforms.
2. Additionally, a study by Patients Beyond Borders found that dental procedures are the third most common reason for medical tourism, with patients traveling for treatments such as dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics.
3. Furthermore, a survey by Treatwell Health found that almost 60% of medical tourists choose their destination based on online reviews and recommendations, making medical tourism platforms a crucial aspect of promoting dental clinics to potential patients.

Final Take

Dental clinics can attract new patients and grow their practice with the right marketing strategy in place. According to a study by Marketing Zen, businesses that invest in digital marketing see an average of 12-30% growth in their first year. By implementing these tactics, you can attract new patients, establish a strong online presence, and grow your dental practice.

 

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