Dentists and Social Networking

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Creating Momentum in your Marketing

Transcript of Dentists and Social Networking

Page 1: Dentists and Social Networking

Creating Momentum in your Marketing

Creating Momentum in your Marketing

Page 2: Dentists and Social Networking

Traditional Marketing Tools

Direct Mail / Coupons Magazine, Newspaper Advertising Broadcast Media (cable & local t.v., radio) Brochures Signage Trade Shows Referral Marketing / Word of Mouth

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Online Phase 1

Website content & design / wireless websites Search Engine Optimization Email Marketing Banner Ads Digital Brochures Online Sponsorships

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Web 2.0 Tools — Online Phase 2 Social Networking Blogs Online Communities Forums / Discussion Board And much more…

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It’s all about Connecting

• Social network users represent 67% of all internet usersOffers the most personal, trusted and direct

points of access to consumersProvides consumers with options in searching

for value, products and services and finding exactly what they need and want with minimum effort.

• Social Networking is here to stay

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How Does it Affect Me as a Dentist?

Many of your colleagues are already there

Keep current with new trends

Increase your profile in the dental community

Meet other like-minded individuals and

colleagues (NewDocs.com)

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It’s Not Just About Smiles Anymore

Builds sense of community

Increases opportunities

Attracts conversations / exchange ideas / find

answers

Help others get business referrals (collaborate just

don’t collect) as well as yourself Free publicity / boosts referral marketing efforts

Free testimonials and reviews

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Facebook - Not Just for Kids

• Fastest growing social networking site

• Powerful Business Tool

• Geared to using your profile page as a home page for information being brought to you

• Facebook is usually an older audience with more income

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And …..You Only Need 5 Minutes a Day

• Post a comment respond to a question

• Reply to messages

• Join a dentist group and invite a dentist to be your friend, (or a patient)

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Musts for Facebook

Be sure to create your profile in your own name

Encourage word of mouth referrals

Obtain recommendations

Create a business page

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Blogs Search Engines love blogs

Link a blog to your website

Respond to other blogs

Write commentaries

Hire a “ghost blogger” who understands your practice or recruit employees

Search blogs on specific topics: technorati.com Free software / wordpress.com

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References

• buzzflash.net great site for businesses to contribute articles

• Wikipedia: create a business reference page and connect with other users through community portal

• www.searchforblogs.com

• Ping.fm - tool to update social networks

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How do I measure success?

Number of referrals Site traffic / visitors Audience participating Blog comments Content sharing (ie., email forwards) Follows, friends & fans Profile views Wall posts

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Things You Can Do Today

• Sign up for Google’s local business listingwww.google.com/local/add

• Start a blog (wordpress, blogger)

• Create more local content on your website

• Create a profile page on Linked In and Facebook

• Exchange links to increase traffic

• Integrate your print and online marketing

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Perfection Marketing — Integration of Traditional & Online

Utilize print to drive traffic to online marketing

Carefully select the tools that generate best results and measure them

Online marketing allows new patients to research and “shop you” before their first visit

Referral marketing helps to ensure a good patient experience

Give marketing efforts time

Know when to change tactics

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Tips for Success Always use customer focused messages

Get to know your patients

Instead of managing the efforts of different vendors, simplify your efforts and and focus on the big picture so that your messaging and brand remain consistent across all media platforms.

• Reference: The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott

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Now is the Time to Prepare Challenging Times Bring Opportunities

Develop new tools

Time to reevaluate your practice

Learn new skills to deliver more services to your patients

Build a great dental eam

Those who adapt will thrive

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Never Under Estimate the Power of Social Networking