New patients are great. There’s something undeniably exciting about attracting someone to your clinic who might not have found it otherwise. That’s the reason that new patient marketing gets all the attention. It’s the glitziest way to grow a dental clinic.
But guess what? It’s not a very cost-effective way to grow a clinic, which is why it never ceases to amaze me that local clinics ignore patient retention as a growth strategy.
If you’re wondering the best way to increase your patient retention, look no further. Email is the answer.
Onboard New Patients And Subscribers
Your plan to retain patients should kick off at the beginning of your relationship. A lot of clinics make the mistake of ignoring patient retention until people are at the point of leaving. We’ll talk about that later, but for now, let’s talk about what you can do after someone schedules an appointment with your clinic for the first time or subscribes to your list.
The first email you send should be a welcome email, but it can be more. After you’ve welcomed a new patient you should consider getting them to engage with your clinic brand in another way. Here are some examples.
- Encourage them to schedule a follow-up appointment.
- Ask them to respond to questions, so you can segment your list and send emails that feel personalized.
- Ask them to write a review.
If a subscriber doesn’t open or engage with your welcome email, you can consider nudging them with a follow-up email. Keep your tone light and friendly so your new patient doesn’t feel pressured.
Send Emails Based On Patients’ Behavior
The question of when to email patients is one that looms large for dental clinic owners. I think one of the best methods is to use a patient’s behavior as a trigger for an email.
For example, say a patient has just booked an appointment for one of your dental services. You may want to consider sending a confirmation email that suggests up-sell or cross-sell services to them. If you choose your service recommendations wisely, you might end up with a bigger sale as well as a patient who’s more committed to your brand than they were before you emailed them.
Here are some other examples of behaviorally-triggered emails:
- When a patient reaches a given point in their journey with you, send them a survey to ask for their opinion so far.
- Ask them to review your dental clinic.
- Send an email reminding them that they are due for their next cleaning and check-up.
- Send an email suggesting dental services based on their previous needs.
Emails like these can benefit your clinic in several ways. First, they offer an affordable way to acknowledge a patient’s activity and let them know that you care about their loyalty. Second, they can help you gather valuable information about what kinds of emails your patients want to get. And finally, each time you “touch” a patient via email, you’re solidifying their opinion of your brand and – hopefully – increasing their loyalty to you.
Segment Your Emails To Increase Their Appeal
If you send out a survey or behaviorally-triggered email, you can use the information you collect to segment your list. Then, when you reach out to subscribers, you can do it in a way that’s designed to appeal to their individual needs and wants.
Let’s look at an example. Say you own a sporting goods store. If you collect information about which sports and equipment customers are interested in, you can use that data to send emails that will appeal to your customers’ personal interests. A customer who is interested in winter sports might get emails when you have a sale on ski gear or introduce skate sharpening to your store.
You may even market one service in three different ways focusing on different benefits and uses for it. The specifics are up to you, but the main point is that segmentation can help you provide relevant email content to your subscribers.
Send Re-Engagement Emails
What happens when a patient is at risk of abandoning your clinic? You can get depressed about it or you can look at it the way I do – as an opportunity.
Patients don’t always abandon dental clinics because they’re dissatisfied. They might be cutting back on their spending or they might think they’ve seen everything you have to offer.
Here are some suggestions for bringing them back into the fold.
- Offer them an upgrade. Sometimes, injecting a little bit of excitement into the relationship is the way to go. A patient who’s visiting your clinic for a basic service may appreciate the added features of an upgrade and reengage with your clinic and staff.
- Solicit feedback. A dissatisfied patient may need to know that you care about keeping their business, and the feedback you collect can help you improve your services.
- Offer value. Sometimes, a long-term patient might need a reminder of why they came to you in the first place. Let them know about updated technology and services your clinic provides, or give them some tips for making the most of the services they’ve booked with you in the past.
If you can take a patient on the verge of leaving and re-engage them, you can give your clinic a boost and improve your retention rate at the same time.
Send Exit Emails
What happens when you know that a patient is leaving? There’s nothing you can do to stop them but that doesn’t mean you should do nothing.
What I suggest is sending an exit email. It may be useful to:
- Collect information about why the patient is leaving
- Keep the door open for a future relationship
- Leave things on a positive note
The last thing you want to do is make patients happy that they’ve left. Be gracious and express gratitude for the opportunity to serve them and let them know that you’ll be there if they decide they want to re-engage with you.
I hope you see the benefit of using email to increase patient retention. Retention may be less glamorous than new patient acquisition, but it’s also less expensive – and it’s also the best growth strategy I know. For more in-depth help marketing your dental clinic, book a discovery call with me today.
About the author
Ian Cantle is passionate about helping dental practice owners achieve their dreams by helping them systematically grow their practices, beat out the competition, and give back to their community.
Ian is an author and expert in the fields of strategic marketing for local businesses, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and Web Design.
Want to discover the Dental Marketing Heroes difference, book a free discovery call or call us at 905-251-8178.
Ian Cantle is passionate about helping dental practice owners achieve their dreams by helping them systematically grow their practices, beat out the competition, and give back to their community.Ian is an author and expert in the fields of strategic marketing for local businesses, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and Web Design.Want to discover the Dental Marketing Heroes difference, book a free discovery call or call us at 905-251-8178.
You may also like
Subscribe to our newsletter now so you don't miss out on the latest trends, tips, and articles!
search engine, marketing strategy, reputation management, web design, brand, search engine optimization, online advertising, patient, return on investment, digital marketing, investment, orthodontics, content creation, expert, lead generation, accessibility, revenue, marketing plan, reputation, visibility, strategy, search advertising, landing page, analytics, research, social media marketing, content marketing, cosmetic dentistry, influencer marketing, search engine results page, social media, all rights reserved, privacy policy, target audience, company, technology, dental marketing services, marketing for dentists, online dental marketing, dental marketing agencies, digital dental marketing, dental practice marketing, dental digital marketing, dental seo, dental marketing company, dental marketing agency, dental marketing, dental internet marketing, dental implant marketing, dental marketing videos, consultant, customer, customer service, video production, online and offline, email marketing, faq, understanding, cost, knowledge, copyright, testimonial, link building, sms, magazine, competition, pricing, automation, transparency, conversion rate optimization, pleasure, dental, marketing services, dental implants, marketing campaigns, dental marketing strategies, digital marketing services, promise, digital marketing experts, gilleard dental marketing, marketing agencies, marketing budget, method, web marketing, discovery call, program, prime dental, build, dental marketing expert, dental marketing ideas, marketing program, plan, dental practices, marketing agency, personal marketing, dental practice, dental marketing experts, pediatric dentistry, advertising campaign, periodontology, gift card, text messaging, pediatrics, dental marketing companies, direct mail, dental ppc, dental website design, ppc management, review management, local search, brand awareness, credibility, consumer, gift, prosthodontics, target market, risk, copywriting, landscape, practice management, confidence, toothbrush, business marketing, statistics, web presence, fee, social proof, user experience, storytelling, contract, button, new york city, dental care, marketing solutions, dental website, marketing team, smile dental, tough, dental social media, seo, dental marketing strategy, premier dentistry, marketing department, local seo, complete dental, workflow, motivation, productivity, dental marketing consultant, web development, skill, dental office, medical, marketing consultant, online marketing, digital marketing consultant, service marketing, marketing tasks, social media presence
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I assess a consultant's effectiveness?
To assess a consultant's effectiveness, focus on tangible results, alignment with your goals, clear communication, and the consultant's ability to adapt to your changing needs.
What are common dental practice marketing strategies?
Some common dental practice marketing strategies include search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, direct mail, and patient referral programs. These tactics can help attract new patients and retain existing ones.
How can a dental clinic increase patient acquisition?
A dental clinic can increase patient acquisition by implementing effective marketing strategies, such as improving their online presence, leveraging social media, and offering promotions or incentives to attract new patients.
What roles does a marketing consultant fulfill?
A marketing consultant helps develop and implement effective marketing strategies, analyze data, identify growth opportunities, and provide guidance to improve a business's marketing efforts and overall performance.
Can consultants improve online marketing efforts?
Yes, consultants can improve online marketing efforts by providing strategic guidance, analyzing data, and implementing proven tactics to enhance a business's digital presence and drive measurable results.
What metrics measure marketing success for dentists?
The key metrics for measuring marketing success for dentists include new patient acquisition, patient retention, average revenue per patient, patient referrals, and return on investment (ROI) from marketing campaigns.
How often should marketing strategies be revised?
Marketing strategies should be reviewed and revised on a regular basis, typically every 6-12 months, to ensure they remain relevant and effective in responding to changing market conditions, competitor actions, and customer needs.
What digital marketing trends impact dental clinics?
Digital marketing trends impacting dental clinics include increased focus on patient experience, rise of telemedicine, growth of social media marketing, and optimization for mobile devices.
How to balance traditional and digital marketing?
Balancing traditional and digital marketing involves strategically combining both channels to maximize reach and engagement. Integrate print, broadcast, and direct mail with a robust online presence, social media, and targeted digital campaigns for a comprehensive marketing strategy.
How to choose the right marketing agency?
Look for an agency with proven dental marketing expertise, transparent reporting, and a focus on delivering measurable results that align with your practice's objectives. Ensure clear communication and a collaborative partnership for long-term success.
What constitutes a successful marketing campaign?
A successful marketing campaign effectively targets the right audience, delivers a compelling message through the appropriate channels, and produces measurable results aligned with the organization's objectives.
How to gauge patient satisfaction with marketing?
Regularly gather patient feedback through surveys, reviews, and personal interactions to understand their satisfaction with your marketing efforts. Monitor metrics like website traffic, lead generation, and appointment bookings to assess the effectiveness of your marketing.
What should a dental marketing plan include?
A dental marketing plan should include strategies for patient acquisition, retention, and referrals, incorporating tactics such as website optimization, social media engagement, email marketing, and targeted advertising to reach and connect with the desired patient base.
How does a consultant optimize marketing budgets?
A consultant optimizes marketing budgets by analyzing data, identifying high-performing channels, reallocating resources, and implementing cost-effective strategies to maximize return on investment.
Are there specialized marketing tools for dentists?
Yes, there are specialized marketing tools and strategies for dentists, such as dental-specific SEO, social media management, lead generation funnels, and reputation management services to help grow dental practices.
What's crucial for a dental website's success?
A dental website's success hinges on a user-friendly design, compelling content, strong search engine optimization, and a seamless patient booking experience to attract and convert visitors into loyal patients.
How can SEO improve a dentist's online presence?
SEO can improve a dentist's online presence by increasing their website's visibility in search engine results, driving more targeted traffic, and enhancing credibility through higher search rankings.
What's the role of social media in marketing?
Social media plays a crucial role in marketing by allowing businesses to engage directly with their target audience, build brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales through cost-effective and measurable campaigns.
How to create engaging dental marketing content?
Develop a content strategy focused on providing valuable information to your target audience. Use visuals, storytelling, and thought leadership to create content that resonates and builds trust with potential patients.
What innovative marketing tactics attract new patients?
Innovative marketing tactics that attract new dental patients include targeted social media advertising, creating a strong online presence, offering promotions for new patients, and leveraging patient referrals through loyalty programs.
How to manage patient feedback effectively?
Actively solicit patient feedback, respond promptly to concerns, use feedback to improve processes, and regularly communicate with patients about changes made based on their input.
Can targeted ads increase dental appointment bookings?
Targeted ads can be an effective strategy to increase dental appointment bookings by reaching potential patients who are most likely to need and seek dental services. Careful targeting and ad optimization are key to maximizing the impact on appointment bookings.
How to build a referral network through marketing?
Build a referral network through consistent content marketing, strategic partnerships, and exceptional customer service. Leverage testimonials, rewards programs, and personalized outreach to encourage existing patients to refer new business.
What are the compliance considerations in dental marketing?
Dental marketing must comply with regulations on patient privacy, advertising claims, and professional conduct. Practices should consult legal counsel to ensure marketing activities adhere to relevant laws and industry guidelines.
How to measure ROI from marketing expenditures?
Measuring the ROI from marketing expenditures requires tracking key performance indicators such as website traffic, lead generation, conversions, and revenue generated. Regular analysis of these metrics can help determine the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and guide future investments.
What's the impact of branding on patient loyalty?
Effective branding helps build trust and credibility, which can foster stronger patient-provider relationships and boost patient loyalty. A strong brand identity differentiates a practice, creating a memorable impression that keeps patients returning.
How to navigate competitive analysis in dental marketing?
Conduct thorough research on competitors' marketing strategies, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and use these insights to develop a unique value proposition and differentiate your dental practice in the market.
How can analytics improve marketing decision-making?
Analytics can improve marketing decision-making by providing data-driven insights into customer behavior, campaign performance, and marketing channel effectiveness, enabling more informed and strategic decisions to optimize marketing efforts and drive better business outcomes.
What is the importance of a marketing audit?
A marketing audit provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of a practice's marketing efforts, allowing for data-driven decision-making to improve ROI and better align strategies with business objectives.
How does a consultant streamline marketing operations?
A consultant can streamline marketing operations by evaluating current processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing more efficient workflows, automation, and data-driven decision-making to optimize resource allocation and improve overall marketing performance.
dental marketers, dental marketing team, dental marketing company, dental marketing audits, dental expert marketing, dental marketing guy, dental marketing experts, dental marketing agency, dental marketing consultant, dentist marketing agency, dental marketing expert, dental marketing specialists, best dental marketing agency, dental marketing consulting, hero marketing system, dental marketing toronto, dental marketing consultants, dental advertising agency, dentist dental marketing agency, dentist marketing consultant, dental marketing services, marketing consultant for dental clinics, dental marketing firm, online marketing heroes, strategic dental marketing, dental marketing firms, marketing agency for dentists, dentist marketing, heroes dental, dental advertising firms, dental social media agency, dental marketing funnel, fogászati marketing ügynökség, dental marketing strategy, how to find a dentist marketing company, gilleard dental marketing, dental hero, dental practice marketing agency, dental marketing solution, dental consultant, dental marketing strategy development, dental search engine marketing firm, dentalmarketing, local dental marketing team, dentist marketing firm, family dental marketing agency, dental marketing guy reviews, dental practice marketing, marketing consulting for dental clinics, dentist marketing services, dental marekting agency, dentist marketing system, easy dental marketing, dentist marketing service, dental marketing companies canada, dental search marketing, dental practice marketing growth agency, all in one dental marketing package, dental social media marketing consultant, dental marketing washington dc, dental practice marketing consultant, dental marketing agencies, dental marketing statistics, dental practice marketing team, dental marketing practice, dental digital marketing team, marketing for dental consultants, dentist marketing company, most trusted dental marketing company, top dental marketing agency, marketing consultant for dentists, prosthodontic dentistry marketing, dental practice marketing companies, marketing dental, best dental marketing campaigns, dentist local direct mail marketing, dental advertising consultants, dental marketing package, dental marketing analytics, dental marketing net, dental marketing near me, marketing company for dentists, dental social media marketing agency, dental heroes, dentist social media agency, dental internet marketing team, dentists seo, agencies specializing in dental marketing, marketing consultants for dentists, dental marketing resources, dental ad agency, dentist marketing agencies, dental marketing plan, marketing for dentist, dental practice marketing growth, dentist marketing plan, dental website marketing dental practice marketing dental marketing consultants, dental marketing group, new york city marketing for dentists, marketing funnel for dentist, most trusted dental marketing agency, email marketing heros, online dental marketers, dental marketing consultant for dentists, integrated dental marketing, dental advertising specialists, dental marketing expert ltd, dental seo toronto, dental social media marketing pricing, dental focus marketing, dental marketer, find a dental marketing company, local marketing vendor for dentist marketers, dental marketing packages, dentist advertising agency, dental search engine marketing consultant, complete dental marketing, dental seo agency, dental promotions that work, dental pr agency, dentist local marketing vendor, dental website marketing, dental website marekting, dental marketing heroes, dental web site marketing, hero dental, how to find a dentist marketing agency marketing, dental marketing practices, dental marketing roi return on investment, dentistry marketing, marketing dentist, dental advertising companies, dentist marketing companies, dental marketing goals, what is dental marketing, dental marketing roi, marketing heroes, dentist website marketing, dental marketing suite, dental practice marketing support, dental seo marketing agency, dentists marketing agency, dental office marketing company, dental marketing to families, dental marketing service, how to find a dental advertising company, dental search marketing company, dental advertising firm, dental marketing assessment, dentist ad agency, dental marketing specialist, the dental marketer, dental office marketing, dental marketing professional, marketing strategies for dentist, best dental marketing firm, dental patient marketing, local dental marketing professional, dental hero.com, dental clinic marketing, dental marketing tactics, marketing agency for dental practices, dental practice marketing strategy, funnel vision dentist, local dental patient growth, marketing to dental professionals, dental marketing messages, dental social media marketing company, dental markeitng, dentist marketing roi, dental marketing website agency, dental content marketing, dental marketing content, dental firm marketing, marketing dental practices, dental content marketing consultant, dental practice hero, dentistry marketing agency, dental marketing campaign, dental practice heroes, marketing strategy dental, dental strategies marketing, dental marketing tools, dental digital marketing agency, new york city marketing for dental clinics, dental advertising company, dentist internet marketing, orthodontist practice marketing consultant, best dental marketing, consultant dental marketing, orthodontic practice marketing consultant, dental. dental marketing, promotional dental marketing services, best dental marketing companies, dental content marketing strategy services, dental practice marketing consultants, roadside dental marketing, dental search engine marketing agency, marketing for dental specialists, email marketing heroes, dental marketing online, marketing agency for dental offices, dental digital marketing, growing a dental practice, marketing services for dentist, agencia marketing dental, dental marketing help, dental web marketing, dental marketing companies, dental practice growth marketing, local marketing experts for dentist marketers, dental internet marketing, website marketing for dentists, best dental marketing strategies, how to do marketing for dental clinic, dental marketing solutions, best dental marketing ideas, dental marketing website, everything is marketing the ultimate strategy for dental practice growth, dental marketing book, marketing strategy for dental clinic, dental social media marketing cost, dentist content marketing, dental marekting company, best dental social media campaigns, cosmetic dentist website marketing, local marketing support for dentist marketers, dental marketing strategies, dental clinic advertising, hero dentistry, high-production dental case marketing, dentist digital marketing, marketing plan for dental clinic, dentists marketing company, denteel marketing, fogászat marketing, dental seo marketing consultant, internet marketing for dentists physicians and lawyers, dental clinics marketing agency, internet dental marketing, dental marketing plans, dental office marketing strategies, dental marketing ideas new patients love, dentist marketing strategy, online dental marketing, dental influencer marketing, marketing strategy for dentist, marketing services for dental offices, dental marketing ideas for dentists, dental seo company, dental marketing companies in usa, marketing dental practice, dental seo and content marketing, your dental marketing solutions, marketing for dentists, marketing plan dental office, how to find a dental marketing company, strategy for dental marketing, search marketing for dentists, heroes square dental, local search heroes, public relations firms for dental practices, dental social media company, best dental marketing agencies, best dental marketing company, digital marketing for dentists, new york dentist marketing, dental marketing business consultants, web marketing for dentist, dental marketing books, cosmetic dental marketing, dentist video marketing, system for dental leads, dental advertising, dental marketing websites, dental marketing jobs, marketing agency for dentist, marketing for dental offices, dentistmarketing, dental search engine marketing company, dental social marketer, free dental marketing consultation, line dental marketing, prosthodontist marketing, local dental marketing agency, dental specialist marketing, digital dental marketing, best marketing for dental office, dc dental marketing agency, dentist marketing strategies, general dentists marketing company washington dc, marketing solutions for dentists, best dental marketing agnecy, dental implant marketing companies, local dentist seo, local dental marketing, dental marketing for new patients, buy dental leads, tips dentist marketing, dental-marketing-heroes, orthodontic marketing companies, marketing packages for dentists, orthodontic marketing consultants, dental marketing agency usa, dental marketing guide, how to do dental marketing, dental marekting, dental-marketer, dental online marketing, dental email marketing, full service dental marketing, dental marketing seo, all in one dental marketing, dental marketing companies toronto, best dental marketing strategies that work, marketing service dental, dental marketing company washington dc, best marketing for dental practices, dental branding company, dental marketing usa, dental business marketing, intelligent dental marketing, dental marketing companies near me, heroes marketing, marketing dental clinic, dental marketing institute, dental marketing tips, dental engine market, medical dental marketing, dental seo marketing near me, local dental marketing firm, dental marketing for endodontist, denta marketing, pediatric dental marketing plan, dental social media marketing near me, dental firm online marketing, dental social campaign, dental marketing research, marketing firms near me, dental advertising ideas, local dental marketing company, dental implant marketing specialist, dental marketing campaigns, dental seo marketing experts, dentist office marketing, instagram dental marketing, dental marketing directory, dental social media marketing firm, online marketing for dentist, dentist marketing tips, execute local dentist direct mail campaign, dental local marketing, dental online marketing company, dentist direct mail marketing, marketing strategies for orthodontics, marketing for dental, marketing firm for dentists, dental search engine marketing specialist, expert dental marketing, dentalmarketing com, dental marketing agency near me, dentists email marketing program, sales funnel for dentist, upcity free seo report card, dentist practice marketing, dentist marketing campaigns, dental seo marketing, grow dental marketing, dental-marketing-expert, dental marketing agency san diego, dentist sales funnel, dental marketing consultation, local seo for dentists, digital marketing for dental clinic, dental marketing san diego, dental marketing company san diego, dental clinic marketing plan, heroes dental reviews, dental search engine marketing, expert dental sales help, marketing for dental clinics, marketing strategy for dental office, dentists social media agency, marketing a dental office, dental sales leads, how to market a dental office, endodontist marketing, innovate dental marketing, internet marketing for dentists, marketing for dental clinic, dental marketing agency orange county, how to market a dental practice, dental office marketing plan, dental social media marketing companies near me, dental seo marketing experts company, hero mondzorg, how to find the best dental advertising company, online marketing for dentists, hypnotic-digital-agency, seo marketing for dentists, dental marketing ideas company, web marketing for dentists, dental marketing company near me, local marketing for dentists, dental social media marketing proposal, top dental marketing, local seo dental marketing, marketing for a dental practice, dental website design, dentist seo agency, heros dental, dental social media marketing agency near me, seo dental marketing, dental practice marketing tools, dental digital marketing company, m-dental-marketing, dental content marketing orange county, orthodontist marketing agency, online dental marketing company, best dental marketing campaign, dental marketing in dc, best dental advertising, pediatric dentist content marketing orange county, dental office marketing tools, dental branding expert, orthodontic marketing agency, dental online marketing services, dental seo, marketing for dental practices, how to find the best dental marketing company, marketing your dental practice, online dental marketing course, fogászati seo, effective dental marketing, dental internet marketing web site, local dental office marketing, upcity seo report card, seo for dental marketing, help marketing dentist, dental seo marketing company near me, dental medical marketing, top dental marketing agencies, dental marketing patient, local dental digital marketing team, pediatric dentist marketing agency orange county, successful dental social media campaigns, consultant dental seo, dentalmarketing.com, heros marketing, marketing for dental practice, dental firm digital marketing, system for dental patient leads, dentist patient marketing, reputation marketing for dental physicians, dentist local marketing for global brands
