Referrals Are Not a Stand Alone Dental Marketing Tactic

I have been in the business of business development for over 20 years. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear business owners say “I get all my business from referrals.”

Years ago business owners may have been able to get away with relying on word-of-mouth referrals almost exclusively as a business development tactic. The internet has given people an unprecedented ability to check you out even after they get referred to your practice. The result is, you are missing out on referrals if you believe you don’t need a more comprehensive marketing plan. Read More

FAQs About Social Media And SEO

As a business owner, you want draw new clients to your business. To do so, you need to let people know what services you offer and show them that you are an expert in your field, someone they can trust for products and services. How do you accomplish this? Increasingly, people are turning to social networks to attract new leads and even help improve search engine optimization rankings. Do you have questions about social media and SEO?

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Client Feature Friday

Each Friday, we feature a client who recently launched a new aspect of his or her web presence. Why? So that we can congratulate our valued clients on taking their websites to the next level and to show how we work with our clients to design and execute online marketing plans to fit their unique needs and reach their target audiences.

But, when is the right time to launch a website for your practice? For Tomball, Texas, dentist Dr. Ginger McElravy, the answer was in April of this year — 4 months before her practice, Spring Pearl Dental, opened its doors in early August.

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Client Feature Friday

Every Friday, we like to showcase the beautiful and effective work that we do for our clients. Whether we’ve recently built their brand new site, or rebuilt/redesigned their previous one, we are always excited when a client’s website goes live!

One of the many things that set us apart from the competition is how closely we work and collaborate with our clients when building their online presences. After all, as a virtual extension of your practice, your website IS your practice in the online world. This week, we are proud to feature Dr. Arjang Naminik and the new site for Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA. Read More

Client Feature Friday

Your website should be more than just attractive; it should convey your practice’s philosophy, and what sets you apart from the competition. With our clients, we accomplish both, in addition to optimizing their sites with original content and design/build elements.

In this week’s client feature, we take a look at a new addition to our expanding client base – Dr. Brent Cornelius of Keller, Texas.


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Banking on a brighter future: Profile on Andres Bedoya of BBVA Compass

Last week, we announced that MDPM Consulting will join forces with the North Texas Hispanic Dental Association, MassMutual, BBVA Compass, and Optimal Economics Capital Partners at a business seminar geared toward dentists, CFOs, and industry controllers on Thursday, September 10, here in Dallas. MDPM Founder and CEO, Jill Nastasia, will discuss what online marketing can do for your dental practice. The evening — which includes dinner and a plethora of networking opportunities — is an exclusive event that you won’t want to miss. Only 50 seats are available for this free business seminar, so register online now!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature each of the event sponsors here on our blog. This week, we’d like to introduce Mr. Andres Bedoya, who is the business banking officer and vice president of the Dallas/Fort Worth market for BBVA Compass.

Mr. Bedoya is a business banking officer who has helped many business owners in the north central Texas area reach their financial goals. During his 16 years in business banking, Mr. Bedoya has provided many clients with customized solutions for their companies by listening to their individual needs. With a background in financial sales and an education from Cornell University, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, and Universidad de San Buenaventura, Mr. Bedoya’s goal is to interpret your company’s aspirations and identify how BBVA Compass can help you meet your strategic goals.

Mr. Bedoya and the team at BBVA Compass understand that the healthcare industry has unique financial needs. At BBVA Compass, you’ll find expert financial partners who are ready to provide you with solutions tailored specifically for your hospital network, healthcare system, practice, or association. BBVA Compass Healthcare Solutions are designed to improve your cash flow, save time, and facilitate growth so that you can continue to put your patients and customers first.

Learn more about BBVA Compass solutions at www.BBVACompass.com.

This free business seminar on September 10 is the first in a four-part series that we invite all dentists, CFOs, and industry controllers to attend. Read more about the event, and register online here: marketing-dental-practice.eventbrite.com.

On behalf of MDPM Consulting, Mr. Bedoya/BBVA Compass, and the other sponsors, we can’t wait to see you there!

Obtaining Reviews and Testimonials

If someone tells you to try out a new restaurant or if you’re curious about a new business, what do you do first? In most cases you check online for reviews. After all, you want to hear first hand what previous patients or customers think of a service. As a dentist, your online marketing strategy should always include reviews and testimonials.

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Do You Know Your Patients’ Family Trees?

When a patient comes to your practice he/she is looking for a professional who can improve the health and possibly the appearance of his/her smile. As the doctor, how much should you know about the patient’s family tree? Is a patient’s family history crucial for maintaining optimal oral health?
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Cause Marketing for Dental Practices

Today’s dental practice owner is faced with a number of challenges. You wear several hats as a business owner — an entrepreneur as well as a dentist or dental specialist. It is a real challenge to be all of these things at once, which can result in something slipping.

The area that slips is typically the execution of your marketing plan. The problem is this: without an effective marketing plan being executed consistently throughout the year, you will struggle to maintain a steady flow of new patient acquisitions and maybe even to retain the patients you already have.

There is an even bigger problem you face. Nowadays, even when you do all of the right things with your marketing plan — and stay on top of executing your plan — you will still struggle to grow your practice.

The main reason for this is that consumers (potential patients) are overloaded with information and give their attention to only the things that are important to them.

Your challenge is to get and keep their attention.

Assertion

One of the most effective ways to capture and retain the attention of your audience is to appeal to the things they are interested in. In many cases, dentistry is not what they are interested in, even when they need it the most.

The reality is that people have passions — things they connect with on an emotional level. It is through these passions that you will find your most successful dental marketing campaigns. One type of passion is the support of social causes on either a global or a local level. Cause marketing is the way to align your dental practice with the causes being supported by the audience you are trying to reach. Read More

What do you have that other dentists don’t? YOUR PATIENTS! Part 1

The Importance of Capitalizing on General Referrals

Back in April, we answered a very important question in our monthly newsletter: What do you have that other dentists don’t?

The answer: your patients!

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be discussing how your relationship with your valued patients can work for you when it comes to growing your practice. This week, we’re focusing on the importance of capitalizing on general referrals.

As a dentist, referrals can make up a large portion of your patient base. When you receive a referral, you should follow up quickly to take advantage of the patient’s interest. Capitalizing on general referrals accomplishes two things: (1) brings new patients into your practice and (2) encourages current patients to express and share what they like about the care and service they receive with both your office and their network of friends, family, and acquaintances.

Respond Quickly

When someone is referred to you, don’t take a passive approach. After all, a referral doesn’t become a patient until he or she is in your dental chair. Once a referral rolls in, the potential patient should be contacted by your team within 48 hours. If possible, find out what services the potential patient is looking for and, better yet, schedule an appointment for as soon as both your schedule and the patient’s schedule allows. This prompt, friendly phone call gives the potential new patient the impression that you and your team are very eager to help him or her achieve improved oral health and that you value the business. Remember, this call is the patient’s first official interaction with your office, so show him or her that you are a friendly, welcoming, and professional practice that has the best interests of your patients in mind. Read More