Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics Tampa 2011 Conference on Social Media & Marketing for Dentistry

Slated for April 1st and 2nd, 2011, there are just a few weeks left to sign up. Can you afford to miss it?

If You Build It, They Will Come

Today’s marketing environment has changed dramatically. It’s gone viral, to say the least. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs are the hubs of social media and you can use them to leverage your practice, solidify your brand, and grow your patient base. If you’re not in the social media game, you’re simply not reaching your full potential.

A Social Platform

The benefits of social media marketing:

• Access is easy and inexpensive –anyone with the Internet can be a part of social media
• Increase communication that fosters brand awareness and better customer service
• Your patients become your mouthpiece by sharing information with their social networks
• Create content that attracts attention and generates buzz
• Centralize information and share new developments

For more information, or to sign up, visit ACE 2011 Conference on Social Media & Marketing for Dentistry.

With much debate in dental circles on whether or not to Web 2.0, Dr. Dalin, a St. Louis dentist, said in his article that he strongly believed in walking the walk, not just talking the talk. And so, using his own website as a case study, Dr. Dalin dove right into a re-skin of his old, stagnant website, hiring TNT Dental to lead the SEO charge. He also gave the go ahead to optimize his new site into a mobile friendly format for display on smart phones, such as the iPhone, Blackberry, and Droid mobile devices.

Besides being more visually appealing, what is Dr. Dalin’s goal with the new website? According to his article, it’s to place higher in search engine rankings, drive new traffic to his site, generate leads that will become new patient conversions, as well as keep his existing patients consistently engaged. Dr. Dalin also plans a series of follow up articles to appear in DE magazine over the coming months chronicling his website’s success. We’re certainly eager to see the results!

View Dr. Dalin’s new website, read his article about embracing dental search engine optimization, and then tell us what you think.

It’s all about the apps.

Fact: In only nine months, iPod app downloads topped one billion.

What is an app?

App is short for application. A website app is a downloadable version of a website that’s completely user friendly on a cell phone that has Internet capability.

Dr. Lance Timmerman of Seattle has a custom website with TNT Dental. The website features email contact forms, a blog by Dr. Timmerman, video introductions by the dentist, a before-and-after gallery, and many other cutting-edge features that promote conversion – turning web visitors into active patients.

Always on top of state-of-the-art marketing trends, Dr. Timmerman now has a practice website application from TNT.mobile.

Check it out:

Want a TNT.mobile app of your own?

It’s simple. Just call TNT Dental at 877-868-4932 for details. TNT Dental is your Internet marketing partner, and the folks there are anxious to take your practice to the next level!

Video testimonials seem real.

In the post “Why Testimonials Do (and Don’t) Work,” Holly Buchanan of Future Now tells us that testimonials hurt your marketing strategy if people don’t think they’re real.

How’s this for “real?” Dr. Harry Chambers of Oregon, a Gresham dentist, has a great example of video testimonials on his website by TNT Dental. The videos depict his real patients in his real practice telling their real stories.

Video testimonials can answer the right questions.

At www.yesmediaworks.com, The Video Marketing Blog tells us that the best video testimonials are case studies, which, in a causal form, is the style Dr. Chambers instituted on his Gresham dentistry website. The patients in his testimonials answered key questions that the viewer (the potential patient) wanted answered. Like, for instance, What problems did Dr. Chambers’ patient have with his or her mouth? What were the obstacles that kept him or her from solving the problems? How did Dr. Chambers address and correct the problem? Was the patient satisfied?

Video testimonials show and tell.

In your college writing courses, you probably heard “show, don’t tell.” Want better advice? Do both. Video testimonials tell the whole story – right from the patient’s mouth. A viewer feels like he’s sitting in your office, chatting it up with one of your very pleased patients. He feels a connection to the person on his computer screen and, according to studies, over 70% of the time, people believe online reviews or testimonials about services and products.

Let’s look at Dr. Chambers’ videos again. The featured patients are your average American folks who needed a dentist in Gresham, Oregon to solve their problems. They aren’t rich. They aren’t famous… and neither are your patients. Video testimonials seem friendly and genuine – because they are.

So how can you get video testimonials?

You have a few options here. First, you can record the videos yourself, or train someone on your staff to do it for you. Dr. Larry Emmott offers great tips on his blog here.

If you don’t want to hassle with buying equipment, you could use a service, like VSling by Smile Reminder.

And if you really don’t want ANY hassle, hire a videographer and have an after-hours party – a wine tasting or hors d’oeuvres event – during the video shoot. Invite your favorite patients as honorees and enjoy yourself while someone else shoots the video. Simply have your videographer clean up the videos and send them to your web company for inclusion on your site. It can be that simple.

The article also features a downloadable pdf of a testimonial questionnaire for your patients – free! Don’t miss out on this valuable information – it’s a quick read you can’t afford to miss.

• 5 Mistakes that Cost You Thousands
• Dental Assistants & Case Acceptance
• Fewer Teeth Linked to Heart Disease
• Healthcare Reform and Dentistry
• Journal of an Out-of-Work Hygienist
• MacPractice for the iPad
• The Going Rate for a Baby Tooth
• Tomorrow’s Hot Careers: Dental Hygiene

Go to www.facebook.com/dentalblogs and request friendship right now, so tomorrow you can have your finger on the latest dentistry news!

For dentists, the first point of reference in advertising guidelines should always be the state board’s regulations. The Texas Dental Association, for instance, does not allow dentists to use testimonials in advertising. Other state dental boards regulate issues like statements of superiority, promising predictable results, and use of misleading statements.

Once your advertisement or website passes through the state board’s filter of regulations, consult the FTC guidelines. New policies prohibit promises of atypical results in testimonials, even with a disclaimer; revealing material connections with endorsers; and even on talk shows and in social media, celebrities have to tell people if they’re being paid for the endorsements they discuss.

These days, with online communities like Facebook and Yelp!, dentists who want to boost their advertising often look for testimonials from their patients. Demandforce and other marketing companies for dentists provide a service to acquire and post testimonials from current patients. Not a bad idea if you don’t know the rules and don’t have the time.

For video testimonials, the new guidelines could mean that you’ll need to script the patient testimonials prior to shooting or edit the videos for compliance before use.

A set of guides are available online to make the “16 C.F.R. Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” a little easier for you to digest. Get the scoop here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm.

• Adding or Adjusting Hours of Operation
• Adding Services
• Hiring Associates (for extended hours & services)
• Do More General Dentistry
• Cut Overhead
• Cut Staff Hours
• Fully Use Assistants & Hygienists

Tips from the experts include…

• Change your hours to three full days rather than four short days.
• Open the office early – those appointment times always book up!
• People work 9-5 and don’t want to dip into paid time off (or unpaid) to go to the dentist, so make sure your hours accommodate the working class – the people who have money to spend at your office.
• Book up empty schedule times with patients scheduled a month or two out.
• Book appointments together, rather than spread out all day. This way, if there are no bookings, you can send the staff home early.
• If you have empty operatories, consider hiring an associate, another hygienist, or a traveling specialist.
• Promote yourself as the “emergency dentist” to local hospitals and hotels.
• If it’s legal, let your hygienist work alone on the weekends.
• Use your down time to learn new services and train your team about customer service and internal marketing.
• Really think about what sets you apart. If your answer sounds generic, make plans to work on your IT factor.
• Can you offer a service or technology not otherwise offered in your area?
• Market yourself to your patients. As you’re working, talk about the new and exciting procedures you offer: white fillings and crowns, bonding, teeth whitening, laser surgery, digital X-rays, or CEREC. Market yourself!
• Share statistics about oral health so your patients appreciate the importance of recall and restorative visits.
• Invest in marketing that works – a search engine optimized dental website that works as an extension of your front office and patient education efforts.
• In slow times, your hygienist or office administrator can learn to blog. This will give you an online newsletter with archives and it’ll increase your SEO potential. Blogs are indexed fast and well by hungry search engine spiders. Call TNT Dental for more information.
• Get involved in the community. Along with your staff, work events and volunteer to speak at local schools, nursing homes, and daycare centers. Get the word out about your practice.

If you don’t want to assess your own site, TNT is offering a free website analysis. All you have to to is call 877-868-4932 and ask for your usability analysis. You may also want to request an SEO analysis a the same time. In this economy, TNT wants to help dentists make the most of website marketing, so take advantage of this opportunity for free expert advice! TNT is leading you to water…

Question is, does the vast medical and dental information on the Internet educate and inform patients well? Does it make your job as a dentist easier or harder?

That really depends on where patients are getting their information and whether it’s accurate and relevant. Wikipedia, for instance, is a great resource, but you don’t have to be an expert to post information. (Wiki means “what I know is.”) Blogs, too, give the average Joe access to opinions and not-necessarily-factual information.

Levine’s article is a great starting place for you to make a decision as to how you feel about “web-informed” dental patients. However, if you want to make sure your patients are getting the solid, accurate information they need so that they can make informed decisions about dentistry, consider expanding the education center on your dental website.

Share Your Expertise and Get More Web Traffic
TNT Dental, www.tntdental.com, a leader in custom dental website design, hosting, and search engine optimization, offers a library of stock articles that provide solid, easy-to-digest information about many dental procedures and health concerns. The company also offers blogging services and GhostPosts. For dentists who want to publish good educational information for patients AND get more hits on their websites, GhostPosts provide a simple solution. A trained dental writer will compose articles on topics of your choice, then optimize the text for search engines, add a high-quality image, and post the blogs for you. If you’d like to add your opinion and expertise, post your own blogs alongside the GhostPosts as often as you’d like. TNT clients who sign up for a blog receive free, one-on-one telephone training on how to use the blog.

Another great way to get good information to your patients and potential patients is by putting your own recommendations, links to websites you trust and agree with, on your site. A “patient resources” or “favorite links” page can list the sites of your choice, with links and descriptions.

If you’d like to take information sharing a step further, consider joining Facebook. Simple applications will allow you to quickly post any online article to your Facebook page.

Getting Started

• First, read the full article at DentalProductsReport.
• Next, contact TNT Dental to discuss how your website can become more informative and successful.
• Visit http://tips.tntdental.com to learn more about making your voice heard online.
• Sign up for a free Facebook account at www.Facebook.com.

Trimira™ Offers Online Library of Oral Cancer Images
HOUSTON, TX: July 15, 2009 Trimira™ LLC, manufacturers of the Identafi 3000™ Oral Cancer Screening Device, have developed the Trimira Clinical Image Library, a comprehensive online catalog of clinical photographs taken by leading scientists and researchers. The images show a diverse array of lesions in various locations in the oral cavity. Access to the library is free and available at www.trimira.net. A demo version can be accessed by anyone; the full library is available only to registered Trimira customers.

Photographs in the Trimira Clinical Image Library were taken under the three proprietary multispectral lights produced by the Identafi 3000, providing optimal visualization of the lesions. Images are categorized by location in the mouth, type of dysplasia, and appearance under each light wavelength. Trimira plans to increase the number and diversity of photographs in the coming months.

The Trimira Identafi 3000 is a small, cordless, affordable handheld device that helps clinicians effectively detect early cancers not visible to the naked eye. The device uses a three-wavelength optical fluorescence and reflectance technology patented by Trimira LLC of Houston. The Identafi 3000 was developed in collaboration with scientists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Rice University, and British Columbia Cancer Research Center, and is now available through dealers nationwide. Trimira LLC is a subsidiary of Remicalm LLC, a privately held medical device and optical imaging company.

You’re probably familiar with the popular patient education programs that include a DVD to play on loop in your lobby. While these systems are great, there’s a new option that has taken patient education to a more personal level. Lobby Vision is a custom video that can feature information about your team, your tools, your procedures, and your office – rather than generalities. This personalized approach to patient education is a favorite with Dr. Henry Pinkey. Read his testimonial below.

The following is a letter written by a dentist currently benefiting from the Lobby-Vision Program.
This letter was sent to the Madow Brothers for use in their newsletter.

I have no financial interest in this company or product and no relationship with any employee. I am
writing this in an effort to inform dentists around the country about what I believe is one of the best and
most cost effective internal marketing devices I have seen in my 32 years of practice and to help a
group of young professionals who are attempting to help dentists around the country, succeed.
I am a dentist in the suburbs of Detroit and before you feel sorry for me being at the epicenter of the
economic meltdown in our country I would add that we are finishing three of the best months we have
ever had. I feel Lobby-Vision has had a significant part in this. Suffice it to say, we are not involved in
any PPO’s, we collect 99% of the work we bill and we have an enthusiastic staff that believes in what
we do.

Basically, Lobby Vision is a customized program that combines information about you, your practice and
your services with some fun dental quiz questions and facts. It has great graphics and transitions. It
plays on a TV monitor that you mount in your reception room. It repeats every 30 minutes or so and
plays all day. Best of all, it is totally silent so it is not intrusive and doesn’t drive your front desk staff
crazy. Working with their designers, we put together a program that showcased our office in a way that
we were never able to do before.

So, what can Lobby Vision do for you? Do you believe that forming a personal bond between yourself
and your patients is important? Then tell them something about you as a person: your interests, hobbies
or family. Do you want to establish your competency? List the continuing education classes you took in
the last year? Do they know all of the services you provide? Tell them. Tell them about the laser you
bought, the digital x-ray you spent tons of money on, the gizmo that you never use.
Tell them how long your assistants have been working with you and show them their pictures. Patients
want to form a personal link. Make it easy for them. Let them know your hours, your emergency
protocol. Build value in the relationship. Tell them the things that they never see: the fact that you use a
water filtration system and only American dental labs.

Many patients have commented positively about Lobby Vision. Some have asked how they can get one
for their own optometry or medical offices. I only am sorry I didn’t have this years ago.
And the cost? Lobby Vision is a bargain. All you need is a DVD player and a TV. Every expert says that
internal marketing is the best place to use your dollars and I am convinced that Lobby Vision pays for
itself every day.

You can see more at http://lobby-vision.com or call them at 866-230-5588.

Henry Pinkney, D.D.S.
February 26, 2009

]]> http://www.dentalblogs.com/archives/administrator-2/lobby-vision-introduces-you-to-patients/feed/ 0 http://www.dentalblogs.com/archives/administrator-2/vsling-from-smile-reminder/ http://www.dentalblogs.com/archives/administrator-2/vsling-from-smile-reminder/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:05:23 +0000 Administrator http://www.dentalblogs.com/?p=2748 DentalBlogs has covered VSling video testimonials by Smile Reminder in the past, but now we bring you a visual explanation. Let us introduce Robbie Warren who’ll tell you about VSling. We met Robbie at the Star of the South Meeting in Houston on April 18th.

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First of all, if you are unfamiliar with Facebook, join up for free at www.facebook.com, if for no other reason than to say you did! Facebook is a social networking website where people across the globe post profiles and connect with other folks. Facebook is a form of “social networking” for individuals and businesses. Do dentists do social networking?

I decided to see what turns up on Facebook with a simple search for “dentist.” Here’s what I found (my regional network is Dallas/Fort Worth)…

• First, I found a dentist. Actually, I found one of Dallas’ top cosmetic and implant dentists who has websites and a Facebook account. Alas, the Facebook was empty!

• Next, I found “Cad Cam Dentist,” apparently a doc who signed up over a month ago, posted some D4D pictures, and got busy elsewhere. Not much action going on there.

Then came the groups:

• DENTIST (159 members), a “common interest” group with a silly little old man dentist for an icon.
• Dentist (169 members), a “just for fun – Facebook classics” group. It’s a closed group, so you have to be invited or approved to get in. They must be plotting how to take over the world with teeth?
• From there, it really went downhill – sad, forgotten groups with a handful of members.

So all in all, dentists are not using Facebook in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for social networking. Let me explain how an active, beneficial Facebook account works for a dentist.

1. If you want in on social networking, start with claiming a home on the Internet. Start with a website! Contact TNT Dental if you need direction in this area.
2. Set up a free Facebook account for business. You might use your logo for the picture, put speaking events on the calendar, and for your profile, use a professional bio.
3. Ask your web design/hosting/support provider to add the Facebook logo and link to your website’s homepage.
4. On the newly established Facebook account, create photo albums for before and after cases, special events, team pictures, etc. Invite your patients (by email form on Facebook) to “become your friend” on Facebook.
5. At least once a week, if not more often, post an update, such as a testimonial video from YouTube, a before-and-after case in your album, information on a particular product or technology, news in dentistry, a cool link that your patients might like, and/or a tip for patients’ oral homecare.
6. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT! Many, many dentists start out gung-ho, then get busy with life. If you do not have time to devote to social networking, you have two options: 1) don’t even get started, or 2) teach your admin staff to manage your Facebook account and make it part of his/her job description to keep it up to date.

The benefit? The more presence you have online, the better your Internet marketing. The Yellow Pages is in bankruptcy. People look for dentists online. You want to appear like you’re technologically savvy and genuinely interested in your patients? You want to leverage the web to your advantage? Social networking is the key. It takes time and commitment. There’s just no way around that part.

So you have a website or two, and your practice has an active Facebook account. Take your social networking strategy a step further – start a blog on your website, and when you post to your blog, Twitter it! Sounds Greek, you say? We’ll review Twitter soon, so stay tuned to DentalBlogs for more info on social networking for dentists!

Google Maps, formerly Google Local, is free to you, but it also lines Google’s pockets, so it’s a win-win.

What is Google Maps?
First, visit http://maps.google.com if you are unfamiliar with Google Maps. This tool helps consumers find businesses anywhere on the globe. For instance, you could type in “Plano dentist” in the Google or Google Maps search bar, and the top 10 listings appear. You may click “next” to see more. Each location is marked on the map with a red pin. Believe it or not, these listings are free!

How can I take advantage of free advertising with Google Maps?
To list your practice with Google Maps, simply register your business with the company name, address, website, and profile information. You can even add coupons. Google will send you a postcard in the mail (snail mail) within a few days. Confirm your registration by entering the postcard’s code online; instructions will be provided. In about six weeks, your listing will show up on Google Maps.

People can add reviews to your listing, but you cannot remove reviews easily. There is a process for having false (not those you dislike but only those that are untrue) reviews removed, but it is a daunting process.

Editing your business information is simple. Personal profile, help, and account buttons are located on the top right of the screen when you’re logged in at Google Maps.

What Not to Do
If you try to cheat the system, Google may ban you. We advise that you be cautious and do not press your luck. If you follow these simple rules, you should be okay. However, Google rules can change.

Do Not lie or make false statements. Represent your business accurately by using the real name, address, and phone number. One phone number should be listed, even if you have multiples. In addition, list your website address directly instead of a directory page. Only post listings for businesses you own or represent.

Do Not add multiple listings for the same business. Do not post a listing for each area you serve or service you provide. Your listing will feature a description where you can list this type of information. One listing should be posted for each company, and that’s it.

Do Not post fake reviews. If many reviews are posted in a single day, or if Google determines that the reviews are not real, they will be removed. Because of this, don’t encourage all of your patients to rush to Google and post reviews. Instead, if you want to request a review, do so infrequently.

If your listing is banned, or removed, from Google, you may submit a request for re-inclusion once you comply with the guidelines. The Business Listing Quality Guidelines can be found here.

How to Shoot Dental Video Testimonials in Yourself
http://emmottontechnology.com/archives/emmott/video-testimonials-how-to/  

How to Put Dental Video Testimonials on Your Website
The easiest solution to get your videos posted is to sign up with a company like TNT Dental that offers website hosting and support. All you have to do is send them your videos, and they’ll post them on your site. If you produced and manage your own website, the process could be more difficult. You’ll have to review your software instructions and hosting service to determine the specifics.

Why Video Testimonials?
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, video testimonials have transformed the “What Are Patients Say!” page of dental websites. Here’s a quick rundown of advantages:

• Emotional appeal for dental phobic, cosmetic, and full-mouth or implant patients
• Cool videos will makes your practice seem more technologically advanced
• The above comes with an increased perceived value of your services
• Do people really READ testimonials?
• Marketing opportunity on YouTube, etc. with video versus text
• Claim the best of both worlds with video and text testimonials
• Update your videos as often as you like
• Use your equipment to capture videos of yourself explaining procedures, then post these on your website, blog, or social media page

Why NOT Video Testimonials?
Disadvantages include the time, expense, and hassle of learning, then implementing and managing a video testimonial program. An office administrator or assistant could learn the ropes and become proficient at the entire process. However, as with all new marketing techniques, weigh the pros and cons for your unique practice. Consider:

• What could video testimonials do for your business?
• Would they continue to be effective, or would the “new” wear off quickly?
• Is it worth the work necessary to do it correctly? (A half-hearted production could hurt your reputation.)
• Is it worth the time?
• Is it worth the money?
• Are video dental testimonials in line with your practice, business, and marketing goals?
• Do you have (eloquent) patients who would allow you to film them, then distribute the video online?

Other Considerations
Keep in mind, testimonials aren’t allowed in every state. Dentists in Texas, for instance, are not permitted to advertise with testimonials, per the State Dental Board. Also, you may want to get a legal release signed by the patients in your videos.

Samples

http://www.englewooddental.com/patient-testimonials.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNwI4wr80Eg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAJ03KIP7PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsTXYSWl1Rg&feature=PlayList&p=3C3AB2FC0FADA6D9&playnext=1&index=1

This one’s actually really funny… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPyh3ccAzFk

The survey says…

• 86% of women and only 66% of men brush their teeth twice daily
• Women change toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months; men wait 5 months
• 49% of people floss daily
• 33% think bleeding while flossing is normal

Brushing twice daily and flossing once is important – you know this, but do your patients practice it? Do they know that  bleeding while flossing can be a sign that they need to floss more often or it can indicate gingivitis? The ADA recommends replacing a toothbrush every 3 to 4 months for effective brushing. Consider surveying your patients to determine how they measure up against the statistics.

This Valentine’s Day (and every day), love your patients by showering them with information on how to improve and maintain oral health. Here are some ideas:

• Include a page on halitosis on your website. Title it, “The Secret to Becoming a Good Kisser.” The page can discuss causes of bad breath and how to reduce or eliminate the problem.

• Print Valentines for your patients. Feature 10 problems (based on statistics), along with solutions. These could  include the above dental health information, as well as the gum disease link to overall health, oral cancer information, dental phobic stats, the children’s caries increase, and other topics.

• Put a “We Love New Patients” offer on your dental website. Include an incentive, like free take-home whitening or a discount on an initial exam.

• Take the above offer one step farther. Give heart-shaped cards with this offer to current patients. Put the patient’s name on the back of the card and the words “Because I Love Your Smile.” The patient can deliver the card to a friend. When that friend presents the card as a new patient to your office, the referrer would receive an account credit or free whitening.

• Adults and children love trivia. Take advantage of this! Post statistics and little-known facts about dentistry throughout your waiting room, treatment rooms, and restroom as a fun way to educate and inform. With every patient’s checkout paperwork, include a printed Dental Trivia Quiz with answers upside down at the bottom.

Generation G defined
The lag in popularity for cosmetic dentistry is blamed on the economy, but perhaps this new generosity mindset has something to do with it as well. Generation G is defined on Trendsetter.com: “growing importance of ‘generosity’ as a leading societal and business mindset.” The article says that consumers are tired of greed and the economic consequences of such. They are pushing for a movement toward caring, giving, and sharing. The Internet poses a great opportunity for businesses in this regard.

Copyblogger.com tells us that this mindset is not new and that business has long used generosity for success. For instance, many dentists want a patient-focused, friendly website, rather than a glitz-and-glamour site. To bolster the generosity factor on your dental website, consider these concepts:

Add a community service page
Without giving the impression of wanting a pat on the back from the community, a service page can let your website visitors know that you hold giving back in high regard. Mission trips, school speaking engagements, donated dental services, and inner-city projects can be presented in a way that simply says you care. Photos of these events can prove your dedication. In some cases, your web visitors may not want to believe your sincerity. Photos and heartfelt testimonials from staff and patients can help your site overcome this hurdle.

Focus on patient education
Information on your website can appear to not directly sell services, but to inform and educate. With compassion and genuine concern, your site’s patient education articles can focus on how dental care helps people – a) avoid future oral health problems, b) avoid future overall health problems, c) avoid pain, d) avoid expense, e) enjoy renewed quality of life, and more.

Give stuff away
Again, not for the direct purpose of selling. Sure, free take-home whitening kits are a great marketing incentive to get new patients in the door, but letting people know that 10% of all your profits from teeth whitening will go directly to Donated Dental efforts, or something of that nature, can also be appealing. In this scenario, by choosing you, the patient can become part of your giving.

Another opportunity is providing free athletic mouthguards for children in school or community athletics. Your offer may read like this: “For our young athletic patients of record, Dr. X will provide complimentary athletic Mouthguards. As your trusted family dentist, our team is dedicated to your lifelong oral health. Mouthguards play an important role in protecting athletes from sports-related injury, and custom-made mouthguards are comfortable and effective.” You might even add: “Dr. X’s children wear dentist-fabricated athletic mouthguards when they play soccer and football, and he wants no less for your child.” Mentioning that the doctor coaches Little League baseball or financially supports the local high school booster club would fit nicely here, as well.

Take a cue from a pro
Zig Zigler’s platform is to help other people succeed. Apparently, it works. Mr. Zigler is a household (ok, boardroom) name. By tweaking your website marketing campaign to cater to Generation G, you will foster loyalty in your patients, as well as your own reputation for being a good steward.

Who to ask for help
TNTDental is one of our participating contributors. The dental marketing experts, graphic artists, and copywriters there will be happy to help you redirect your website marketing to appeal to Generation G.

Share your story
The DentalBlogs editorial staff would like to encourage you to share your ideas on generosity in marketing. Simply post your comment to this blog. Tell us how you give back to your patients and community!

SOURCES: Trendwatching.com; Copyblogger.com