The Future Of Dental Marketing – Are You Aware
“As one dental client of mine said, “It’s not about hanging your shingle out front and waiting for new patients to come in the door anymore”. How true… Likewise, the future shows limited opportunity for sustained success with yellow page ads, newspaper ads and TV commercials. In addition, how many companies can continue to ethically contribute to landfills with wasted paper that some direct mail campaigns produce?
Today we have an abundance of fresh (environment friendly, green) marketing options available from internet marketing to social media to blogs- and referral marketing of course. The major difference between the direction marketing and advertising is headed, from that of the past, is conversation. In the past much of marketing and advertising sought to “target” new clients with specific messages. Think one-way communication. For example, you (the consumer) see what I have to tell you and then you call me (the business owner) and become my customer.
In the future (in fact, it’s happening already), the most successful marketing and advertising will be a two-way conversation. One in which businesses share authentic, relevant information with potential clients… information which allows the potential new client to research, share, interact or participate with- before they make a decision about whether they want to become your customer or not .
Some practitioners will see “conversation” marketing as a burden. For those business owners, it was easier to invest in the biggest yellow page ad or cut a check for direct mail. All that was required was building the ad and they would come- maybe. In the future, the dentists who enjoy conversation, are comfortable sharing their personality/authenticity, and are willing to invest time and energy in getting to know others will find marketing a breeze.
In the end, marketing as a conversation will allow patients to more easily find their ideal dentist. Likewise dentists who participate in marketing as a conversation will find they are more apt to attract their ideal patients– it’s truly a win-win for everyone.
What’s your opinion?
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Internet marketing is the future of marketing of all kind of business, so why we miss this opportunity. We as dentist should prepare our site and do internet marketing for it.
Internet marketing is the future of marketing of all kind of business, so why we miss this opportunity. We as dentist should prepare our site and do internet marketing for it.
Hey Rita,
I totally agree. Two-way conversations are the key. The challenge is to some how convince these very traditional dentists that marketing is going in a very nontraditional direction.
Again great post
JB
Hey Rita,
I totally agree. Two-way conversations are the key. The challenge is to some how convince these very traditional dentists that marketing is going in a very nontraditional direction.
Again great post
JB
Thanks JB, you are right. Convincing not only the traditional dentists, but also some teams and even other service providers will be the challenge… Technology, social media and new consumer behavior/expectations are motivating the changes.
Forward-thinking and those dentists (and service providers) open to new options will lead the way, reap the benefits and hopefully lead by example for others to follow.
Rita
Thanks JB, you are right. Convincing not only the traditional dentists, but also some teams and even other service providers will be the challenge… Technology, social media and new consumer behavior/expectations are motivating the changes.
Forward-thinking and those dentists (and service providers) open to new options will lead the way, reap the benefits and hopefully lead by example for others to follow.
Rita