Category: Web Marketing

Social Media Marketing & Small Business… Worth Your Time?

I’ve said before that Facebook may or may not bring you new business, and I stand by that statement. However, we have to look at the nature of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other Internet communities to understand how and why social networking can be profitable.

You’ve been to a face-to-face networking event; the awkward feel that everyone’s there to sell something (that’s why you’re there). The odd-looking people who you know are there because they have nothing else to do–which is not a good sign. The somewhat interesting (if you’re lucky) speaker.

You leave with a handful of business cards and a dream that maybe from the two hours of your life you just invested, maybe one, just one of the folks you met will bring you a new client…somehow. But networking online is different. It’s so much better!

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The Formula for Writing a Great Dental Practice Tagline

Some folks call it a tagline, others call it a motto or slogan. What we’re talking about here is the short phrase that follows your practice name. The little cluster of words tagged onto the end of your message. For instance, Modern Dental Practice Marketing’s tagline is: We’re in the Business to Make Dentists Smile!

TAGLINE QUIZ

Can you remember the companies for these taglines?

  • Over 10 billion served
  • Always low prices
  • You’re in good hands
  • Don’t leave home without it
  • Something special in the air
  • Good to the last drop
  • Zoom Zoom
  • Just do it
  • The nighttime sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever so you can rest medicine
  • That was easy

I want to talk with you about how to come up with a good, catchy tagline for your small business or dental practice.

To gather the clouds for a good brainstorm, read your mission statement, philosophy, and/or vision. Write down single words that represent your practice.

Small Business Social Media Management with a KISS

I read an article on Mashable today that listed over 30 different social media sites. There are a bazillion more out there. If you’ve heard about smart phone advertising, social networking by location, and other crazy technical stuff you don’t understand, the words “social networking” can seem scary or overwhelming. Problem is, EVERYONE has jumped on the bandwagon. When any business succeeds to unprecedented levels like Facebook has, every Tom, Dick, and Harriet wants a piece of the pie…or even better, their own pie.

Here’s the deal:

  • As a small business owner, you need social networking as a part of your Internet marketing plan.
  • As a small business owner, you do not need ALL FORMS of social networking. That would be a gross waste of time and energy.
  • As a small business owner, you have NO TIME for anything social! If you did, golf would come way before Facebook.
  • As a small business owner, I understand and empathize.

Let’s apply the KISS philosophy (keep it simple, silly). Read More

The Secret to Patient/Customer Loyalty & Excellent Word-of-Mouth Referrals

We have three main grocery stores in my town. One is super cheap, and I have to admit, I shop there. It’s the American Way. Another is staffed by teenagers who are more interested in texting than bagging. As a shopper in this store, I’m a guinea pig for workers in training. And I’m paying for this privilege? No thank you.

The third grocery store is amazing…so it’s the store I prefer and recommend. Prices are higher, sure. But being greeted with a smile and, “Can I help you?” is priceless. If I can’t find what I’m looking for, an employee reads the confusion on my face and rushes over to help. He actually walks me to the product I need—never points or gives me directions. I love Tom Thumb in Trophy Club, Texas. Those fine folks could write a book on excellent customer service.

One of my favorite quotes is from Einstein. He said something like Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Logic tells us that the reverse is true. Good sense is doing the same thing over and over if you want the same results.

I decided to analyze why I like Tom Thumb. My main appreciation is for the employees. As a somewhat intelligent businesswoman, I should apply these points to my own business. I’m no Einstein, but I figure that mimicking the customer service that I appreciate will foster the same loyalty in my clients that I feel for my favorite grocery store.

Fact: Word of mouth advertising has the best return on investment of any marketing.

Fact: Seventy percent of Internet users believe the testimonials
they read online. It’s modern word of mouth.

Fact: If you get good reviews on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yelp!, Google, etc.,
you’ll benefit not only from readers of those reviews, but also from search engines loving the backlinks to your website.

So what’s the secret to rave reviews, loyal customers, and excellent customer service? Read More

Dentists, Websites, Blogs, and RSS Feeds

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Technology is not as intimidating as wild animals, and neither is dental marketing. On the contrary, with a good safari guide, you’ll  enjoy the hunt and the trophies.

Today I want to talk with you about RSS feeds. You’ve probably seen that little orange icon and wondered, What’s that orange thing?

It’s the RSS icon.

What the heck is an RSS icon, and why should a dentist care? Let me explain.

  • RSS stands for really simple syndication.
  • An RSS feed provides an alert when new content is added to a blog or website.
  • Anyone can add an RSS feed to their Yahoo, Google, or other homepage, or they can bookmark the feed for quick access.
  • To subscribe to an RSS feed for a blog or website you like, look for the orange icon, click it, and follow the instructions.

Pretty simple, huh?

Let’s take it a step further. After all, you have a doctorate degree. You like learning! Read More

Dental Website Blog Tips for Great SEO Rankings

Do you have a dental website? A blog? If you’re a blogging dentist, you may already know the importance of SEO and building up backlinks through comments and link swapping. Sounds like Greek to you? It’s not! Here’s a little rundown, a Blogging 101 class, to get you started. I’ll define SEO, blog, blog comments, and backlinks, and I’ll also give you some practical tips for your online dental marketing strategy.

SEO
Search engine optimization, referred to as SEO, is the procedure of making a website or blog attractive to search engines, like Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

Blog
Blog is a word derived from web + log. Essentially, a blog is an online journal. However, in business, a blog is much more. Dental offices can rely on blogs to act as a practice newsletter. Blogs also get a lot of attention from search engine spiders because they are considered news. The bottom line is, blogs do great on search engines and are a practical, effective, and free way to promote your dental practice on the Internet. Read More

Hey, Dentist… Which is More Important: Web or Community Marketing?

Why do you have to choose? Truth is, both types of marketing could really boost your patient base—and retention—in the Dallas – Fort Worth area. And never forget, the whole point is to leave an impression! Tried and true, good ol’ boy advertising does not appeal to the younger generation…the technical gurus who invest money in their health and appearance.

So let’s look at the balancing act between Internet and community marketing for dentists:

Internet Marketing for Dentists

  • Web marketing should start with a website that ranks well on Google for the keywords your potential patients most often use.
  • Beyond that, social networking, like Facebook and Twitter can be beneficial. However, you and your team have to use these resources correctly. Just posting random thoughts on a Facebook Fan Page and Tweeting about an article you read won’t effectively promote your dental practice. At MDPM, we offer one-on-one coaching for you and your team, so you can learn how to fit social networking into your schedule and get the most pop for your posts. There’s a simple formula that’s easy to manage, and you’ll find it highly effective.
  • You’ll also need a blog that feeds onto your Facebook page. The blog should be updated with keyword-rich, relevant posts at least once a week. The MDPM dental copywriters can make posts on your behalf, or I can teach you and your team how to write solid blog posts that appeal to dental patients and search engine spiders.

That’s a synopsis of web marketing for dentists. But when you consider that the Internet is international and your practice is local, you can see that community promotions are a necessary component to an effective dental practice marketing strategy—particularly in North Texas towns, like Keller, Colleyville, Southlake, Grapevine, Murphy, and Frisco. We’re in Texas, and what rules Friday nights? Football. That’s right. Read More