Increase Patients with Dental Direct Mail Marketing

Every business can benefit from the use of a marketing plan. This is especially true for a dental practice. Today there are many dental offices and dentists need to use specific marketing techniques to help them boost the number of new patients and retain their existing patients.  One of the best ways to boost marketing is with the use of dental direct mail marketing. It consists of marketing materials that are sent directly to individuals, rather than being accessed online. 

What is Dental Direct Mail Marketing?

The most popular type of mail marketing is the use of postcards. These are typically sent to a group of local area residences that are within a specific radius of the dental office. Postcards are popular because they are proven to be successful. Other types of direct mailings can include full pages, coupons, and envelopes, to name a few. These items are sent to a localized area that is most likely where the majority of patients live. If your practice has specialized services that aren’t offered in many other dental offices, it will certainly increase the area you want to reach. 

Creating Dental Direct Mail Marketing Materials

The marketing materials that you send are entirely up to you. They should include the name and location of your practice and the main services that you offer. If you specialize in a particular type of procedure, mention it in your marketing materials. It’s a good idea to use actual photos of your dental office including the exam rooms, lobby, or equipment if they are useful to your marketing plan.

Patients want to know that the office is clean, bright, and professional. You should also let patients know about the dentists and other staff as well as how long the practice has been operating. If you’re using postcard style marketing you can use both sides of the card. Include as much information as you can without making the postcard appear cluttered – you want people to be able to easily read the information on the card. Include the hours your practice is open and make sure you print your phone number large enough for people to easily see. 

When to Send Marketing Materials

Many marketing specialists agree that dental marketing service materials should be sent out several times per year. This can be done to help boost business during some of the slow times. A typical marketing mailing should be sent to about 3,000 to 5,000 residents located near your practice. Each mailing should be different and include some unique information. One of the best ways to attract new patients using a direct marketing postcard is through the use of coupons. You can easily add a discount coupon to the direct mail to help increase the number of patients that are interested in your services. Keep in mind your target audience when designing marketing materials. For example, if there are a lot of families in your area create marketing designed to reach this specific group. Be sure to include your website address on all your marketing materials.

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Dental marketing attract more high-quality new patients! from Patient News

Great Tips for Dental Marketing Through Direct Mail

Dental Practice Marketing is no easy task, and if your firm wishes to stand out amongst the competition, you must follow the proper procedures. If you are unsure of where to start, check out some of the following tips on the best practices of a direct mailing campaign.

Effective targeting - Before you begin any dental direct marketing campaigns, start by analyzing the consumers who live around your practice and identify those most likely to purchase your service. It's likely you're not competing for every patient type, so this will help you hone your marketing message and save dollars.

Immaculate grammar and style - Regardless of what subject matter you are discussing, your articles should be error-free in terms of grammar and style. You want your messages to support your expertise and instill confidence in readers.

Avoid unclear branding - You need to write a clear tie-in to your products and services, and most of the time this can be accomplished by including a brand logo within written content. Communicating your key attributes, with a focus on patient benefit will help ease fears and attract callers.

Lack of Insurance Service - Your prospects number one concern is payment. Include information about how you go the extra mile to assist with insurance and payment plans. Once this is established, ensure that your piece instills value in your service.

 Original Source- http://www.patientnews.com/content/great-tips-dental-marketing-through-direct-mail

Improve Your Direct Mail Campaign

Consumers are seeking a deeper relationship in a world where there is so much choice. And talk about choice. For example, we have a client in Illinois who has been mailing with Patient News since 2001. Luckily, early on in our relationship they decided to dominate the area by mailing wide and frequently. Now there are more than 100 dental practices within ten miles of their location leaving a market opportunity of 700 families per dentist. Yikes! Yet they’ve secured 10x this number. This client has not missed a single issue of their neighborhood newsletter in more than 12 years … would your practice pass this test?

By continuing to build and deepen the bond between their consumers and their brand through their professional and informative newsletter mailings, they will continue to win. The educational content in the newsletter is helping their consumers; it offers something meaningful which has made their brand more meaningful than their competitors. When you have a positive meaningful impact while doing your work, you will have a strong long-term ROI.

Consumers receive thousands of marketing messages per day, so it’s no wonder they’re getting selective about who they choose to engage with. And if you consider that 95% of purchase decisions are made in the subconscious^*, then you’ll understand why we carefully consider human behavior when creating your direct mail campaigns. According to Harhut, there are several key steps to must-read mailings … here are a few to consider relative to your dental marketing campaign:

1.       People respect authority – a more professional presentation works, highlighting tenure and expertise

2.       People respect authority figures – include information about the doctor, their bio and lifestyle, and the practice competitive advantages

3.       Humans are naturally curious – they spend time with their mail; newsletters have 85% readership

4.       People look at who and where mail is from – use of color increases recall, recognition, and response

5.       People are inclined to touch – your newsletter and postcards are tangible and the quality will reflect your practice

6.       Eyes gravitate to certain words – free, new – people are irrationally drawn to free things – even when not normally interested

7.       No can really mean “tell me more” – continue to reinforce your message and grow your practice

8.       People are most interested in themselves – tell prospects how you will help them; provide solutions to their problems

9.       People make decisions for emotional and rational reasons – people are more motivated to avoid pain than find pleasure

10.   People feel obligated – free offers or  surprise gifts encourage people to buy from you to reciprocate

11.   We do what people like us – and people we like – do – use your testimonials, as many as you can get your hands on, which will provide people with the security that they’re making the right decision.

Original Source- http://www.patientnews.com/blog/key-tips-improve-your-direct-mail-campaign

 

Creative ways of attracting new patients to your dental practice

How to get new dental patients?

One of the most tried and true methods of dental practice marketing for acquiring new patients is by issuing dental postcards to all the houses and apartments within a small community. Dental postcards - featuring bright graphics, pertinent information about the practice and relevant new findings in the oral healthcare industry - are a proven method of bolstering new patient acquisition. Dental postcards can alert potential new patients to your practice if they have not heard of it previously, and can impress them with your proactive personalization efforts. However, sometimes it can be beneficial for a dental practice to consider thinking outside the box beyond traditional direct mail to try and acquire new patients. Here are some creative ideas for reaching out to potential new customers to supplement your direct marketing campaigns.

Dental Office Marketing Ideas

Referral bonus system
One way to attract patients while simultaneously motivating staff is to offer a broad referral bonus program. The motivation there for patients is simple - if that person recommends your practice to a friend who ends up visiting, reward that original referrer with a bonus such as a discount or a dental product. This has the twin benefits of engaging with both patients and endearing both of them to your practice. Additionally, it can be easily done, with simple referral forms attached to dental postcards. Meanwhile, sharing in the system with your employees will give them added incentive for improving the practice - not just through referrals but in all facets of your operations.

Get out in the community
Many dental practices are ultimately community businesses, largely serving the neighborhoods within close proximity. Because of this, it is essential that your dental practice has a positive community image. One way of doing this is to get your practice’s name out and participate in community events, such as volunteer activities or neighborhood celebrations, according to the Houston Chronicle. You may even decide to sponsor a local little league team. This can serve as a brilliant opportunity for networking with actual potential new patients while establishing your practice as a firm fixture in the community.

Fun events
Host fun, themed events at your office to let the community know that you’re not only all business, but can provide an enjoyable experience as well. These can range from a information seminar with free snacks and beverages to an elaborate photo shoot for patients with cosmetic treatments. A patient who has a good time with your practice is sure to pass on those good tidings to his or her peers.
For additional information on Dental Office Marketing Ideas From Patient News call 888.377.2404

Original Source- www.Patientnews.com

50% Of Dentists Not Doing Anything About Their Declining Revenues

We’ve all read and heard the research and reports about why patients avoid the dentist – fear, anxiety, the sounds, the smells – but have you heard that a third of people who used to maintain regular dental appointments have not been to the dentist in 2 years? I think everyone is feeling a bit of that pinch. Hearing this latest statistic reminded me of another survey from a while back. That report indicated that many people don’t visit the dentist because they didn’t see a need.

It certainly makes sense… I mean if it’s not your favorite thing and you don’t think you need it, you’re not going to do it. Kind of like me and running. Or my daughter and onions.
So what are dentists doing about the lack of business? Not much according to Lisa Philp, President of Transitions Group. This week Lisa told me that a new survey indicated that 8 out of 10 dental practices admit they’re on a decline but only 4 out of 8 said they were going to do something about it. Whaaa?

What can we derive from this information?

Patients should be educated about their oral health so they understand their various needs and prioritize treatment for themselves and family members.
Patients need to be informed about what they can have so they develop a desire for it, want to buy it, and put a priority in their budget for it.
The competitive advantage is huge for the dental practice that takes action.
Now is the time to act if you haven’t. According to Small Business Trends, luxury spending is on the rise and it’s expected to continue. Consumers are still value conscious, but it’s about the value they want to receive from the products they purchase, not the cost of them. And I think we all know it’s never really about price, is it? OK, so what now?

Get your name out there! 

Take advantage of available exposure in your area that your competitors aren’t.
Showcase your brand attributes and help educate your prospects to establish your practice as the expert and the one people will turn to.
Demonstrate and communicate the quality and value patients will receive in your marketing communications; educated patients who know what they want are more profitable patients.
Develop a marketing plan that includes a mix of reliable methods of advertising and communication.
Just this week I had a conference call with a client in Virginia. His print campaigns generated a 5:1 return within the same year, grossing almost ½ million dollars from first year new patient revenue – imagine the exponential growth that his one year campaign will generate over patient lifetime! A great example of why targeted direct mail really should be pivotal in any marketing plan.
Earlier this month Print in the Mix posted data from Nielsen research. Close to 70% of shoppers said they look at printed paper material mailed to their home or inserted into newspapers at least once per week. The only digital tactic that matched printed paper’s weekly reach was email. Nearly 90% of consumers said they want to receive print advertising in the future. 72% also want email with only about 1/3 interested in social or smart-phone advertising.

Meatloaf sang, “two out of three ain’t bad.” But which 4 out of 8 are you?

Feel free to call 1.888.377.2404 for immediate expert dental marketing advice and request free sample information. We respect your time. You’ll talk to a real person between 8:30am-6:00pm EST, and outside of these hours, your inquiry will be returned within one business day.


Source- www.patientnews.com