Who doesn’t want more cosmetic cases? They allow you to practice your craft, and patients love seeing the transformation of their smiles when looking in the mirror.
It is absolutely essential that you practice good marketing to grow your practice. Cosmetic dentistry is a specific field requiring a unique approach to retain both current patients and attract new ones. You want to build a practice offering superior services at affordable prices, which allows your patients to be happy and spread the word to their family and friends.
Presented now are 8 ways that you can create additional interest in your cosmetic procedures.
1. Maintain existing patient relationships.
When thinking about ways to grow your practice, you will typically be focusing on attracting new patients. Although this is certainly important, you also need to make sure that you are following up with existing patients to ensure that they are happy with your cosmetic dentistry procedures.
One key way of getting the word out about your services is word-of-mouth. This is actually the oldest marketing strategy on the books. It has a proven track record of success, despite being somewhat slower than other types of advertising like TV and social media. Happy patients will share their experiences with friends and loved ones.
Building and maintaining positive relationships with existing patients has long-lasting benefits for everyone involved. This is one of the least expensive ways of marketing and getting the word out about your services. Your patients will also feel flattered and appreciative of your attitude.
2. Send out reminders.
An effective way to demonstrate that you care is sending out regular reminders of upcoming appointments or checkups. You can also inform your patients about any discounts that you may be offering for things like exams or lab tests.
These kinds of reminders demonstrate that you are providing additional value for your patients. Always select the appropriate channel for each group, whether it be email, text or a phone call.
Take care that you do not resort to spam when adopting this type of marketing approach, otherwise it will not be as effective. Stay on point with your patients and communicate in a positive manner.
3. Recognize your target audience.
Attracting more patients means that you need to be aware of the specific demographics appropriate to your area. Details like gender, location, average age, and occupation will influence how you or your marketing agency approaches its strategies and plans.
4. Developing a marketing strategy
After you have determined who your target audience is, you can have a marketing strategy developed that pulls in prospective patients. One key factor is the age of the patient, since every generation will utilize different sources of information to find you and your services.
If your location has a diverse population, you will require a diverse marketing strategy. When it comes to older generations, loyalty is the watchword, while younger patients are more influenced by technological innovations and internet marketing.
You may also want to put together a media kit containing all relevant information about your cosmetic dentistry practice, including contact information and useful links. Your media kit can be distributed across different types of media. You can even encourage your patients to distribute these kits to friends and relatives as a way of growing your practice.
5. Use local directories.
Particularly if you have just begun your practice, you need to let patients know that you are available. In the past, the Yellow Pages were the way to provide contact information. Today, the internet provides additional opportunities.
Utilizing a strong directory means that your cosmetic dentistry practice will be visible worldwide. New patients can find you and learn how to contact you. Many directories are available for free.
6. Use visuals.
Nothing attracts new patients like visual stimulation. This allows you to grab their attention far quicker and hold it there. Be sure that all information concerning your cosmetic dentistry practice is included within your visual materials. Instead of just listing details, you can have interesting infographics created that attract the attention of those who are bored by reading lots of text.
Incorporate visual components with all methods of advertising, including your website, printed materials, and social media accounts. Be sure that all included images are high-quality and properly express your mission.
When introducing your staff, be sure to include a photo of each staff member along with a short biography. This allows prospective patients to feel like they already know your practice and are comfortable with the entire process. This comfort level translates into trust and additional patients.
7. Enhance your website.
We provide you with an outstanding website that is constantly displaying fresh content to bring in return visitors who become aware of your procedures and book appointments and consultations. Great content always matters and is a way to offer additional value to your patients. Fresh content also helps with search engine rankings so that your cosmetic dentistry practice is more visible to prospective patients.
8. Provide multiple financial options to your patients.
Be sure to use a number of third-party financing choices to provide patients some options. Do not stick with just one. Multiple options mean that patients have backup plans. In most cases, cosmetic dentistry is more elective than an actual need, so make it easier for your patients to get that procedure done.
Other ways to attract new cosmetic dental patients:
Provide detailed information regarding all of your available cosmetic procedures right there on your website. Include extensive information, as well as images and videos. Make it as informative and engaging as you can. Prominently display before-and-after testimonials and photos.
Be sure that you have a cosmetic services search engine optimization strategy in place. If a prospective patient is out there searching for “Invisalign” or “porcelain veneers”, you want your website to show up first in the results, since it is the top few results that get the most clicks.
Utilize cross-promotional strategies with places like high-end gyms, salons, and designer stores that tend to match the type of clients that are most interested in the services that you provide.
