To successfully compete in the dental industry, dentists need to implement relevant and effective marketing strategies to attract new patients and retain existing ones. Fortunately, September presents valuable opportunities for dentists to boost their practice through innovative marketing techniques.
In this article, we will explore various marketing ideas and strategies specifically tailored for September that can help dental practices achieve their goals for the year.
Seasonal Marketing Ideas For September
September offers seasonal marketing opportunities for you to not only attract new patients but also engage with the community. Dive into a few dental marketing ideas for September below.
Spring Promotions
September is the start of spring in Australia. With the start of a new season comes the perfect time for your patients to refocus on their dental health. Help your patients start the spring season off right with these ideas:
- Give discounts on dental check-ups – Offering special pricing for dental check-ups can encourage patients to prioritise their dental health as the new season starts.
- Promote dental treatments for families – Highlight the importance of straight teeth and a confident smile by showcasing the benefits of dental treatments for families.
Dental Health Awareness Campaigns
Participating in dental health awareness campaigns can showcase your expertise and your concern for the community. Here are ways you can join these campaigns:
- Participate in local community events – Engage with the community by participating in health fairs, school events, or other local gatherings. This allows you to showcase your expertise and educate people about dental health.
- Share dental health tips on social media platforms – Utilise social media channels to share bite-sized dental health tips, videos, or infographics. This helps establish your practice as a reliable source of information and encourages engagement.
Online Marketing Strategies
With the pervasive influence of the internet in people’s lives, you must harness the power of online platforms to promote your practice. And while there are plenty of online marketing strategies out there, it’s key to choose only the ones that align with your overall goals. This ensures that your resources and effort are allotted efficiently. Here are a few online marketing strategies that you can include for your dental marketing ideas for September.
Optimising Website for Local SEO
Optimising for local SEO can help you establish your name in your community. This allows you to appear in local search results when people are looking for your services nearby. In combination with other community efforts, you can also become a trusted and reliable dental service provider. Here are some tips to help you optimise your website for local SEO.
- Include location-specific keywords in your website content – Incorporate keywords that are relevant to your practice’s location throughout your website content. This helps search engines understand your geographical relevance and improves your chances of appearing in local search results.
- Register your practice on Google My Business – Create a Google My Business listing for your dental practice. Then, provide your complete information including your address, phone number, and business hours. Aside from providing your patients with the necessary information they need, having a Google My Business profile provides your patients with a place where they can leave reviews and feedback.
Creating Engaging Content
Providing valuable and engaging content to your audience showcases your expertise. It also helps you become a trusted resource for your patients. Here are some tips you can implement for your September content creation.
- Writing blog posts about dental health topics – Regularly publish informative blog posts on your website that cover various dental health topics. For September, make sure to include topics about changes in dental health or routines during Spring and the celebration of National Gum Care Month.
- Sharing patient testimonials and success stories – Feature testimonials and success stories from satisfied patients on your website and social media platforms. This helps build trust and credibility, showcasing the positive experiences others have had with your practice.
Utilising Social Media Platforms
Social media provides plenty of avenues for you to reach and engage with your patients. Here are some ways you can use social media to convert new leads into loyal patients.
- Sharing informative posts and engaging with followers – Regularly post informative content on your social media platforms. These can be dental tips, oral hygiene reminders, and updates about your practice. And remember to consistently engage with your followers. Respond to comments and messages, create a sense of community, and foster patient loyalty.
- Running targeted advertising campaigns – Take advantage of social media advertising platforms to run targeted campaigns. This allows you to reach specific demographics and target audiences who may be interested in your dental services. Consider promoting special offers or discounts to attract new patients.
What Social Media Tactics Could I Use To Advertise My Dental Services In September?
One of the best ways to stay on trend and up to date with any September happenings for your marketing is using social media. Using all the tools and opportunities it offers can help you reach a wider audience. Here are a few ideas for your social media tactics.
1. September Seminars and Workshops
Posting about seminars attended is generally acceptable as it pertains to professional development rather than clinical outcomes. AHPRA guidelines allow health practitioners to share non-clinical information, such as participation in educational events, as long as the content does not imply superiority or make misleading claims about the quality of the services provided.
2. Oral Hygiene Reminders
Regularly post reminders about proper oral hygiene practices like brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash. Provide tips and tricks to make it fun and engaging for your audience.
You can also segment these reminders for kids and teens or create posts specifically geared towards parents who have toddlers.
3. Interactive Content
Create interactive content such as polls or quizzes related to dental health. This encourages engagement and helps you understand your audience’s preferences and needs.
4. Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks
Give your audience a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at your dental practice. Share photos or videos of your team, state-of-the-art equipment, and any additional services you may offer. You can also include interactions with your patients, however, make sure you get their consent to be included in any media you’ll be publishing first.
5. Collaborations With Influencers
Partner with relevant influencers in the dental or health industry to promote your dental services. This could involve having them create content featuring your practice or endorsing your services. You could also cross-promote each other’s services on your social media or blog posts.
6. Seasonal Promotions
Take advantage of the upcoming seasonal events in September like the beginning of spring or any local events in your area. Create posts that tie in with these events and offer promotions or discounts to attract new patients.
7. Educational Videos
Create informative videos about dental health topics and share them on your social media platforms. This can help establish your practice as a trusted source of dental expertise and attract new patients who are looking for someone reliable to learn more about their dental health.
8. Community Engagement
Participate in or sponsor events to increase your community engagement. Share posts about your involvement and encourage your followers to join in. This helps build a positive reputation and shows that you care about the community’s oral health.
Offline Marketing Tactics
Offline marketing tactics can be a powerful addition to your overall marketing strategy. It can help you connect with potential patients in a more tangible and personal way. This would allow you to expand your reach beyond the digital realm and engage with individuals who may not be actively searching for dental services online. Here are a few tactics you can try adding to your overall marketing strategy for September.
Direct Mail Campaigns
Even with the advent of email, direct mail is still a huge part of people’s lives. With an attention-grabbing design and a great offer, you can use them to gain new patients. Here are a few ideas for your direct mail campaigns.
- Sending postcards or newsletters to residents – Utilise direct mail to target specific neighbourhoods or areas near your practice. Personalise the content to showcase your services, special offers, and the benefits of choosing your practice for their dental needs.
- Offering exclusive discounts for new patients – Encourage recipients of your direct mail to take action by providing exclusive discounts or promotions for new patients. This can incentivise them to schedule an appointment and experience the exceptional care your practice offers.
Referral Programs
Referrals are one of the best ways to gain sure patients because the promotion of your exceptional service is coming from a third party. Here are some ways you can encourage your current patients to refer to your practice.
- Incentivising current patients to refer friends and family – Implement a referral program that rewards your existing patients for referring their friends and family to your practice. Offer incentives, such as discounts on future treatments or other rewards, to encourage them to spread the word about your exceptional dental services.
- Providing rewards for successful referrals – Show your appreciation to patients who successfully refer new patients to your practice by providing them with rewards. This can be in the form of gift cards, discounts on treatments, or other incentives that demonstrate your gratitude for their support.
Collaborating With Local Businesses
Partnering with local businesses can help you reach an untapped patient base. However, ensure that your goals are the same as the business you’re collaborating with to ensure maximum results. Here are some tips to consider.
- Partnering with nearby businesses for cross-promotion – Identify local businesses that align with your target audience and explore opportunities for cross-promotion. For example, you could collaborate with a health food store and offer joint promotions. This can be providing information about the importance of oral health and offering discounts on dental check-ups along with purchases of natural toothpaste or honey jars.
- Hosting joint events or sponsoring community initiatives – Engage with the local community by hosting joint events or sponsoring initiatives that promote oral health. For instance, you could organise a community event at an apple orchard. You can offer free dental screenings and educational sessions on oral hygiene, while also promoting the orchard’s products.
Combining online and offline marketing efforts can help you create a comprehensive approach that maximises your practice’s exposure. This allows you to tap into new networks and increase your visibility within the community. This can then help you attract a diverse range of patients.
Stay Ahead Of The Game With Effective September Marketing Strategies
With all the marketing opportunities that September offers, it’s important to be intentional with each strategy you use. Make sure that your campaigns are aligned with your overall goals. And don’t be afraid to step beyond the strategies you’re comfortable with to maximise your results. Combine that with consistently reviewing and optimising your efforts and you can successfully grow your audience and your practice. Start planning your September marketing strategies now!
