Why Local Marketing Matters for Dental Practices

Did you know that there are an estimated 135,333 dental practices in the U.S.? And the chances are that there are several, if not dozens, of dental practices in your community all vying for the attention of prospective patients. For that reason, putting all of your eggs in one marketing and advertising basket is not going to cut it. 

To truly stand out from other small businesses, you need to consider unique marketing ideas for your dental office. And to stand out from the crowd and draw in more patients who will want to stay with you for the long haul, local marketing is where it’s at.

What exactly is local marketing?

As it sounds, local marketing is a strategy where you focus marketing efforts within a certain radius of your business. It’s all about creating awareness among the people who live and work in your community. By doing so, you become more at the top of people’s minds when they are looking for a new dental home.

But local marketing takes more than building brand awareness. You’ve got to show that you support and give back to the community where you work. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can do this. Take a look at the examples below for inspiration.

Sponsor local events.

Support community events such as fairs, sporting events, or charity runs. Your sponsorship could include setting up a booth, handing out promotional items, or providing dental hygiene products. These are great opportunities to genuinely connect with prospective patients.

Offer free dental screenings.

Partner with local schools, community centers, or health fairs to offer free dental screenings. This not only helps the community but also allows potential patients to meet your team and experience your practice firsthand.

Participate in local business networks.

Join your local chamber of commerce or business networking groups. Regular attendance at these meetings will help you build relationships with other local business owners and open up referral opportunities.

Host educational workshops.

Conduct workshops on dental health for local schools, parenting groups, and community groups. Sharing your expertise positions you as a trusted authority on oral health within the community.

Support local charities.

Partner with local charities by donating a portion of your profits or volunteering your services. This demonstrates your commitment to the community and enhances your team’s reputation.

Collaborate with other local businesses.

Form partnerships with nearby businesses to offer joint promotions or discounts. Ideally, you want to choose those whose client bases fit the qualities you’re looking for in your ideal patient. For example, a collaboration with a local gym or health food store can create a mutually beneficial marketing opportunity as their clients are likely to prioritize and seek out preventive oral health care.

Implement a referral program.

Encourage your current patients to refer friends and family by offering incentives, such as discounts on their next cleaning or free teeth whitening kits. Word of mouth is a powerful but often overlooked tool and is especially beneficial within tight-knit communities.

Offer new-patient discounts.

Provide special discounts for local residents, students, or senior citizens via mailers or social media campaigns. This can help attract new patients who are looking for affordable dental care and encourage them to visit your team.

Tips for Effective Local Marketing on a Budget

We know some of the recommendations we shared above are more costly than others. And if you are a new dental practice or your budget is tight, you’re likely wondering where you can get the most bang for your buck. 

Thankfully, you can participate in some of the activities above without a large up-front investment. For example, you can promote community discounts and referral programs in your newsletter or on social media. You can grow some serious business relationships and partnerships by joining your local chamber of commerce or business network, and often the only cost of these opportunities is that of the yearly memberships themselves (if any). Then you can work your way up to some of the higher-ticket programs, such as sponsorships and workshops.

In the meantime, you can jump-start your efforts with the following low-cost tactics:

• Leverage local SEO. Optimize your Google Business Profile by confirming that your information is complete and accurate. Use local keywords in your website content and blog posts to improve your search visibility.
• Take advantage of social media platforms. Engage with your community by posting localized content and running targeted ads. Share community news, local events, and patient testimonials to help build a strong local following.
• Start a newsletter. Create a regular newsletter to keep current patients informed about your practice, share dental health tips, and promote special offers.
• Encourage online reviews. Ask satisfied patients to leave positive reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review sites. High ratings and positive feedback helps attract more local patients.
• Host virtual Q&A sessions. Use social media platforms to host live Q&A sessions where you answer dental health questions from the community. Taking time to answer real questions from prospective patients will go a long way in building rapport.
• Offer free resources. Your website should offer downloadable resources, such as dental hygiene guides or educational videos. These attract visitors and showcase your expertise. Plus, when prospective patients see videos from your own dental practice, they’ll be more familiar with you and your office when they make their first visit.
• Participate in community forums. Join local online forums and community groups to engage in discussions and offer advice. This boosts your visibility and demonstrates your commitment to the community.

How Dental Marketing Consultants Can Help

If you know you want to leverage local marketing but are too busy with the day-to-day of running your practice, know that you don’t have to go it alone. At Jameson Marketing, we are experts in just that—dental practice marketing. 

We can help you develop and execute effective local marketing strategies tailored to your practice. Our consultants help dentists just like you navigate budget constraints while maximizing impact to ensure you get the most out of every marketing dollar. This way you can focus on providing excellent dental care while we handle the ins and outs of your marketing campaigns.

Ready to get started with local marketing to grow your dental practice? Contact Jameson Marketing today.