Starting a new dental practice can be a daunting endeavor; and one that entails myriad critical tasks including hiring a quality office staff, dealing with building permits, and designing an attractive office space.
One of the most pressing challenges for any dental startup is figuring out how to get new patients in their chairs when opening day arrives. This is easier said than done, however, as you’ll likely be competing with more established practices nearby who have already gained the trust of your local demographic.
Fortunately, with a strong marketing strategy that focuses primarily on social media marketing, startups can effectively attract patients before they even open their doors.
Ensure You’re Posting on The Right Social Media Platforms
When it comes to social media platforms, and their effectiveness at reaching your audience, not all platforms are created equal. While posting on Twitter may work to help spread the word about a hot new automobile, it would be useless to try to sell car insurance on the same platform.
The same is true for dental practices. In our 10+ years of experience in dental marketing and consulting, we have found Facebook and Instagram to be the most useful platforms in terms of getting our clients new patients and building brand awareness.
Why? There are many variables at play when it comes to some platforms being more suitable for dental marketing than others. The main reason Facebook and Instagram seem to work better for dental offices is their ability to reach a localized demographic.
This is critical for dental (and other medical-related) practices, who rely solely on residents within a close radius of their location. Facebook also has dozens of local groups dentists can join to reach potential patients on a personal level.
Post Quality Content Consistently
If you think you’re going to attract new patients by simply creating a Facebook post offering dental services for a cheaper price than your competitors, think again.
While patients do consider price when they choose what dentist to visit, they care more about the capabilities and success rates of the dentist themselves. After all, who would want to visit an incompetent medical professional; even if the service was free?
This is why you should post content that clearly illustrates the quality of dental care a patient can expect by visiting your office. You should also promote your office’s overall experience, and the compassion you have for those who are nervous about going to the dentist. Use statements like “We’re the caring, gentle dental office” or “We understand your dental office fears, and we’re here to ease your mind”.
You could also post Facebook Live videos, where you answer personal patient questions. This helps build trust with potential patients before they visit, and gets them acquainted with you more quickly. Keep in mind,that you should also post on a regular basis (2-3 times per week) to keep fresh content flowing and increase your social media reach.
Emphasize Your Niche in the Industry
If your aim is to edge out competing dental offices in your area, then you’ll need to find your practice’s niche in the industry. What is it that you do or offer that is different from everyone else?
For example: if you focus primarily on dental services for children, your posts should be catered to parents and address concerns parents may have about taking their child to a new dental office.
If you’re unsure what your niche is, you can always work with a dental consultant — like NGT Partners Group. We offer consulting and marketing services that are tailor made for dental startups and can help distinguish your practice from the crowd. To get started, visit our website or contact us today at (754) 300-7547.
