Building a Strategic Foundation for Success

Let’s Start with the Basics, or what I like to refer as Cultivating the Marketing Mindset

The most important step a dentist can take is to ensure they have the right marketing mindset. Marketing cannot be thought of as a one-time activity to be crossed off an ever-growing checklist. A successful marketing plan requires an ongoing fluid strategy with tactical implementation and follow through, and requires a genuine commitment from the dentist. 

The Dentist's Mindset 

Some dentists me feel that marketing is about shameless self-promotion, something to be avoided at all cost in case they should come across as a slimy sales person.

Marketing boils down to one thing: communication. That is, the practice's marketing must inform the public that it has a trusted resource to turn to for quality dental care. It makes people in the surrounding area aware not only that the practice is open for business, but also that new patients are welcome. If patients don’t have an awareness that you are there seeking and welcoming new patients, chances are they could end up at another dental practice, rather than in your care.

Marketing is also said to be the art of being both well-known and well thought of. As a result, your practice marketing can also get people to think about dentistry in general, and your practice in particular, in a more positive way on a more frequent basis. It can educate the community about the importance of maintaining good oral health. Marketing reminds everyone who hasn’t gone to a dentist – precisely those who may need more treatment – that they are welcome in your practice. And marketing certainly does not have to be about shameless self promotion; it can be done with grace and class and can ultimately help dentists make it meaningful impact in their respective communities.