Dental Articles

A Primer By Dick Chwalek, NicheDental.com

The concept of Connective Communication^© incorporates these elements: improvers, gatherers and creators. The communication structure is visualized with these elements: a Pie Chart, three color slices and the π symbol  – image below.

This formula takes into account both simplicity and complexity in defining a path towards communication and marketing ongoing success, internally and publicly.

Marketing IS communication. Communication makes things work. Nothing occurs in our society or changes our approach to living without a heavy dose of communication. Dental patients, dentists, and dentistry practices all work (or don't) with gears greased by communication and the 'marketing' surrounding it.

Of course, our brains are always there to mess things up. The mind easily falls into stereotypes. The cerebellum will often travel down the rabbit hole of wackiness. Our prehistoric noggin presets can and will, without warning, leap over the logic wall. Therefore, we need to take the time to strategize rather than merely let our evolutionary senses propose pre-programmed reactions.

Everyone wants a solution that sets sail successfully the first time. Most dentists have just skirted around the edges of dental marketing. Why? Something else usually takes precedence. 

Unfortunately, at some point the winds change and luck, location (cubed), and trial and error are no longer on your side. A strong, consistent, proactive connective communication strategy is the only way to sail on these rough seas.

The following are seven dental marketing strategies that will increase new patient numbers and completely unfurl your sales!

Invigorate Your Referrals & Refresh Your New Patient Numbers

Dental brands can become stagnant and then deteriorate very quickly, depending on the condition of the local and national economic environment and strength of the practice structure and management. Generally, within five to seven years many branding elements can begin to go spread apart and lose their strength without a focused reenergizing effort.

A dental brand includes the office location, facility decor and layout, dentist expertise, team presentation, practice mission, advertising statements and of course, logo design and the look of other marketing materials. Some dental brand elements will have a much longer life and other brands become outdated even before Google can rank it.

Doing some kind of consistent marketing is vital, but what and why? In an economy like this, consumers need to quickly know why your expertise is valuable and be reminded regularly.

First, Determine What Your Dental Brand Is.

To many people and dentists, branding sounds like pure marketing hooey. Sadly, it often is in dentistry advertising. Not because there is no value in branding, but because few dentists develop their brand adequately, using rationale data and appropriate examination of their business goals.

It is no secret that the current economic situation has probably affected many of us in some shape or form. Despite what is happening consumers still need and want dentistry, which is why practices should be looking at ways to maintain activity and stimulate growth.

Be proactive and develop a dental practice marketing strategy to increase your pool of new patients. Don't let the negative news talk get to you or in to your practice. The important thing is to always be positive when talking with your patients and your dental team.

   By Dick Chwalek - Dental Marketing Coach & Consultant

Videos are a powerful way to communicate how your dental expertise improves lives. Putting videos on your website creates limitless potential for spreading the word about the value of advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and smile makeovers.