16 replies
Hey everyone,

Next Thursday I have an appointment with a local dentist. Long story short, the dentist has been established for 20 years but his daughter just got done with Dental School and is joining his practice. They are looking to bring in new customers for her.

They do not have a website right now so obviously that is the first thing I will do.
They wanted to talk about sending postcards out to their zipcode.
And I am tempted to do some videos to get them to rank high
I am a big fan of email too

Any sage advice you can give me that would help bring in general dentistry clients for this new dentist in their office?
#dentist #newbie
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    I have a great idea but I need the answer to one question:

    Is the daughter HOT?
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    • Profile picture of the author stewane
      Hi OnlineStoreHelp:

      You Need an incentive like free teeth whitening or something for "free" that people will want..like ebook that says "Top 10 Tips to Choosing the Best Dentist"
      Then once they optin have an autoresponder that entices them to take IMMEDIATE action.

      Here is what is working for me:

      I have a site that is top ranked for my keyword it is a landing page that is only one page with NO other links to other pages. They have to put in name email and phone number to get the "Coupon" I then have an autoresponder send them an email with how to take immediate action

      I've been verysurprised at the optin and conversion rate. I have about a 40% optin rate and conversion rate of around 15%

      Let me know if you have any other questions
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      • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
        A 20 year established dentist doesn't know to put up a sign in his office announcing the arrival of his daughter? Sounds strange. But, he doesn't have a website either.

        In HI family origin still ranks as importnat right? It would seem letting the family community know of her joining the team would make a big difference too.

        Two thoughts...

        Tom
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        • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
          Originally Posted by sandalwood View Post

          A 20 year established dentist doesn't know to put up a sign in his office announcing the arrival of his daughter? Sounds strange. But, he doesn't have a website either.

          In HI family origin still ranks as importnat right? It would seem letting the family community know of her joining the team would make a big difference too.

          Two thoughts...

          Tom
          Of course he does have a sign up announcing it. That is not the point. She is trying to bring the office into the 21st century and build a practice since her father probably wont retire for another 5 to 10 years.

          I think you would be surprised at how low the uptake of technology is in Hawaii. The number of dentists that don't have websites and don't want them amazed me. I passed the three year mark here so I am starting to be accepted as someone local that people will pay attention to.

          The one nice thing about Hawaii is very low un-insured so people will go to the doctors and dentists more then others.
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      • Profile picture of the author serryjw
        "Top 10 Tips to Choosing the Best AFFORDABLE CHILDREN'S Dentist"
        I think that going after the children's market would be great.
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    • Profile picture of the author DABK
      Get them to rank #1 in the 7 pack. Also, place an offer there too.

      And the idea with the whitening incentive is awesome.

      And get the list of former clients, and invite them back in, tell them about the whitening offer.

      Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler View Post

      I have a great idea but I need the answer to one question:

      Is the daughter HOT?
      I had the same idea. Go figure!
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  • Profile picture of the author ItsmeChris
    I also suggest to use postcard or any offline marketing strategies, it is really effective promoting a business.
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  • Profile picture of the author MelanieandMiles
    Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

    Hey everyone,

    Next Thursday I have an appointment with a local dentist. Long story short, the dentist has been established for 20 years but his daughter just got done with Dental School and is joining his practice. They are looking to bring in new customers for her.

    ...They wanted to talk about sending postcards out to their zipcode.
    We have a fair amount of experience in using greeting cards and post cards with local businesses to help increase business and we've learned a few things, mostly around the power of referral marketing.

    The biggest thing is that this dentist could send out a fun greeting card to all of his past clients for the last 20 years saying 'Thank you for your business' and letting them know it is... 'We've extended our family business and were ready to help your extended family' or something to that effect.

    Notice we aren't recommending blanket marketing your 'pitch' via greeting cards? We have tried that with business owners who wanted that service and it has never performed anywhere as good as a simple 'Thank you for your business, we appreciate you' in a card.

    See... Marketing pieces get thrown away while greeting cards get put on display. And it is when cousins, sisters, neighbors, etc come over to the past customers' house and see the card, they ask 'what is this' and the introduction begins.

    Also, it keeps your client top-of mind with their previous customers... So, when a co-worker mentions their toothache, or whatnot, your client gets the referral via a 'Oh, I've got the best dentist ever and he just brought his daughter on board to help' type referral.

    These warm market referral systems can absolutely transform local businesses and we've got a simple system that would allow you to get them all setup to send their own cards in bulk and you'd receive a % off of every card they ever send...

    PM if you are interested in learning more about the system... But know that even hand-written cards done by their secretary could create the same effect. We are just all about automating those tasks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
    AS a consumer of plenty of dental services (5 kids!) I think that the offline methods like post cards are still quite effective. Except for dental emergencies like a broken tooth, I believe most people have plenty of time to think about a new dentist and that asking friends and neighbors is still quite common. A nice website is a plus to reinforce the recommendations but to build brand identity and recognition when the recommendation first is made, a post card in hand (sent at reasonably frequent intervals) is best.
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  • Profile picture of the author ocd
    Are you considering suggesting a Facebook presence? Google+ with loads of testimonials from a 20 year practice should work wonders...minimum of 10
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    The link of great joy and happiness...but this one? This is the one that all window cleaning companies in the free world are inspired by. Hey, where did the sarcasm font go?
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  • Profile picture of the author Arzak
    Some promotional videos on YouTube. A direct mail campaign with a contest (for free whitening or some other prize(s)) you can enter on Facebook or Foursquare and perhaps gather opt-ins for coupons/discounts that way too.
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    • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
      Thanks everyone for the great advice. I landed the client and it was really interesting talking to the Dentist. He has been in business for over 20 years, ha never had a spot in the Yellow Pages, never done direct marketing and done just fine. All his business has been referral based. I think he makes his money off of more cosmetic procedures and his daughter will be running the family practice side.

      I am going to get the website up and going first then head back in with some other marketing programs when that is done. They are really comfortable with post cards and I have talked to them about Google Places but I worry how difficult it will be to break into the top 7 since it is very competitive where I live but I think I can persuade them as we move along.

      BTW, love the greeting card idea since they send xmas cards out anyway.
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      • Profile picture of the author MelanieandMiles
        Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

        Thanks everyone for the great advice. I landed the client and it was really interesting talking to the Dentist. He has been in business for over 20 years, All his business has been referral based.

        BTW, love the greeting card idea since they send xmas cards out anyway.
        Great news! Congrats.

        They probably already take down each patients date of birth, so a birthday card is a great touch point.

        With cards, the real trick is to refrain from self promotion and keep it about their bday, or an honest 'thank you for choosing us' card.

        Just like they already have been experiencing, people like them and referrals happen. Get them up to 4 cards per customer each year and their referral business will continue to grow and grow.
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    Free exams for kids would be a great way to introduce
    the family practice.

    Dan
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    "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    The real advantage of using post cards for a Dentist is that as he sends them out regularly...he uses them to educate his customer...not just dangle a carrot in front of them.

    He uses headlines that draw attention to an issue..and the emotional response from the reader is...ahh I didn't know that I better check that...or uh oh that sounds like me..

    When people get something that draws their eye to the teeth whitening thing first...people have seen that 100 times from every dentist, so the quick response is...ok another teeth whitening deal...then there is nothing to draw them in to read further, and they don't.

    The postcard, gives your guy the opportunity to solidify himself as the authority...the go to guy in an emergency.

    Its nice to be ranked on local google...but in reality...that's not a whole lot different than being in the yellow pages....because you are STILL in the disadvantage of having to wait for the customer to move at his own pace and decide to go looking.

    That is never a good marketing position to be in.

    For every 1 person who goes looking..there are what, at least 500 more that STILL need your dentist....Postcards get him in front of that 500.
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  • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
    I've helped several local dentists over the last few years with web design/marketing services - PM me if you need any advice!
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