Dentist Social Media Marketing
Most local dental practices should advertise on Facebook. That’s what I believe, and the evidence backs me up. It’s cost-effective and, if you do it right, it can help your practice to grow.
Easier said than done.
The issue is that while ads on Facebook are effective, a lot of local dental practice owners don’t know which objectives to choose for their ads. Choosing the wrong objective may lead to a low return on your investment and the feeling that you’ve wasted money.
With that in mind, here’s my rundown of Facebook ad objectives to help you understand which objective makes the most sense for your practice.
What Are The Available Ad Objectives On Facebook?

When you create an ad for your practice on Facebook, you can choose from 11 objectives divided into three categories: Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion. Let’s review them.
Brand Awareness
These ads generally do not get a high click-through rate because their objective is to make people aware of your brand. They are best used as the first step in a campaign to attract new patients.
Reach
If you want to get your ad in front of as many people in your target audience as possible, this is the objective to choose. Here again, you may not get a ton of engagement, but you will be sure that your ad appears in your target audience’s feed.
Traffic
Traffic ads are designed to direct more traffic to the URL you choose, usually a link on your website. Facebook tracks only the number of people who click on your links, meaning that you’ll need to track conversions separately.
Engagement
On Facebook, engagement means likes, comments, and shares. If you want to get more people to engage with your content, this is the ad objective you should choose.
App Installs
This one’s self-explanatory. If you’ve got an app to sell or promote, choose App Installs as your objective.
Video Views
Have a video to promote? Choose the Video Views objective to get more people to watch your video. This objective is ideal for product demo and explainer videos.
Lead Generation
If you’ve got a great lead magnet to promote, the Lead Generation objective is ideal because it allows the people who see your ad to opt in and get your lead magnet without leaving Facebook.
Messages
Message ads are designed to get more people in your target audience to message your practice on Facebook. They can be useful if you want to initiate conversations, answer questions, and nurture leads.
Conversions
If your goal is to get more people to take a specific action, such as adding an item to their cart, buying a product, or RSVPing to an event, this is the ad objective to choose on Facebook. It works best when targeted to people who are already familiar with your brand.
Catalog Sales
Another ad objective that may be effective when targeted to people who already know your brand is the Catalog Sales objective. You can use it to connect Facebook with your product catalog and display individual products to your audience.
Store Visits
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, or in this case a dental practice, this ad objective can help you entice more locals into your clinic. To use it, you’ll need to make sure that your practice location is accurate in Business Manager.
You should think first about which Facebook goals and objectives you want to achieve. Then, choose the Facebook ad objective that will help you get there.
Which Facebook Ad Objective Is Right For Your Practice?

Now, let’s talk about which Facebook ad objectives make the most sense for local practices. Some simply are not good choices if you’ve got a small audience to target.
Brand Awareness is a good objective, particularly if you feel like your competitors have more brand recognition than you do or if you haven’t been in practice for long. You should make sure that the ad you create is a compelling representation of your brand, including your brand’s personality, voice, and ethics.
Unless you have a large audience, the Reach objective is probably not ideal. The goal for that objective is to reach as many people as possible. Most small, local practices should steer clear of this objective.
Traffic can be a good objective for small practices that want to get more people to visit their websites. However, you should make sure that you have a well-designed landing page before you spend any money on traffic. You need to give people a reason to stay on your website once they click the link.
I also really like the Store Visits Facebook ad objective for local dental practices. It’s arguably the most highly focused ad objective available. The key, if you decide to use it, is to make sure your location information is up-to-date. You’ll also need to target the ad to people who live within a small radius of your clinic. There’s no point in spending money to reach people who aren’t within easy distance.
If you have an online store for dental products, then the Catalog Sales objective may be useful as well. It can help you show off your most popular products and get them in front of an audience. Again, targeting is going to be important. You should use this ad objective with an audience already familiar with your brand for the best results.
The Messages objective may be right for your practice if you feel that you need one-on-one contact with patients to overcome their objections. However, you should only use this objective if you’re ready to monitor your messages and respond promptly when people write to you. A slow response time can undo any good you do with the ad itself. You may want to consider installing a chatbot in Facebook Messenger to send an immediate response.
Visiting your Facebook Ads Manager page will give you additional information and guidance as you create your ad. Remember, the Facebook objectives you choose should be carefully selected to align with your practice growth objectives for the best results.
For a deeper dive into how advertising on Facebook can help your dental practice grow, book a chat with me here… I love to help local dentists thrive!
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.
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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.
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