5 Marketing Ideas to Promote Orthodontics
There are several ways to grow any business. One is to expand the volume of services offered. Or you could diversify into related service types. When you complete an orthodontic course for general dental practices, you need to let current and prospective patients know you can fulfill additional dental needs.
Spring is a time of renewal, which makes it the ideal juncture for refreshing your marketing strategy to include practice growth. Five simple steps can help present new service offerings to patients and the public.
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Refresh Your Website Content
Studies have shown that over 90% of consumers have their first interaction with a business online. When they search for dental and orthodontic services, you want them to find you before your competitors.
This means, first and foremost, that you must update your website to reflect the new services you offer. This will likely include refreshing your homepage, adding an orthodontics page to detail the services provided, and perhaps including before-and-after cases and customer testimonials.
However, you also need to consider the best search engine optimization strategies to secure top placement for targeted local searches. Adding monthly blogs with relevant topics and keywords, updating landing pages, and gaining placement in artificial intelligence search results can all help drive online visibility and performance.
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Educate Your Existing Patients
If orthodontic services are a new addition to your practice, you can let patients know directly in various ways. Include information about new service offerings in your email newsletter for patients.
You can add signage or pamphlets in the waiting room for patients and their families to peruse and inform patients about your new services during consultations and treatment appointments. The focus should be on raising awareness and answering questions initially, rather than pushing sales.
Not every patient wants or needs orthodontic services, but they may have friends or family who are interested, or they may decide to take advantage of these options later. Don’t discount the value of brand ambassadors to spread the word as a trusted resource among family and friend groups.
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Leverage Social Media
Social media platforms offer a unique opportunity to connect with current and prospective patients in a casual setting. Consider how you can provide added value through short, educational posts about simple orthodontic procedures delivered by trusted family dental offices.
You can feature patient transformations (anonymously or with patient permission) and address frequently asked questions to get patients familiar with the idea.
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Promote Limited-Time Offers or Consults
Creating a sense of urgency is a tried-and-true marketing tactic to drive interest and profit.
Spring offers plenty of seasonal chances for promotions, with a range of holidays and events like spring break. If you want to grab attention and encourage interest in new orthodontic services, consider limited-time promotions, such as discounts or complimentary evaluations.
The goal is to create urgency for patients to consider additional services without making them feel pressured.
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Train Your Team to Talk About Orthodontics
Before rolling out any new services, make sure your entire team is prepared to discuss them in detail and address patients’ questions and concerns. This includes your front desk staff and all clinical team members.
Every member of your staff should understand what the services are, which patients can benefit from them, and how they contribute to your existing loyalty program for patient retention. Consistent messaging is important in setting realistic patient expectations and maintaining trust.
Create a Comprehensive Marketing Plan
When you add a new service to your business offerings, you have a unique chance to craft consistent messaging across marketing channels through comprehensive planning.
A great place to start is with an introductory campaign to increase awareness of orthodontic services, followed by a regular rollout of blogs, social posts, and promotions, ideally over the course of several months or a year.
Once you understand the ebb and flow of interest, you can put more thought into where your marketing spend will show the greatest returns.
Build on Your Existing Business Model
Completing a general dentist orthodontic course so you can diversify your business doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul your operation or focus less on your bread-and-butter offerings. With proper planning, you can actively promote new services over time, building momentum without compromising your core clientele.
Added services should increase the value you provide to existing patients and help you attract new customers.
If you’re interested in adding orthodontic services to your dental practice, contact the friendly and knowledgeable team at Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars. We’re always happy to discuss our comprehensive courses and how they can enrich your practice.