November 19, 2008
- Last Minute Orthodontic Marketing Holiday Gift Ideas
Are you ready for your holiday marketing deliveries to referring practices? If not… here's
a few last minute ideas that will make you look like you planned for monthsSometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to find the time or the right gift for referring doctors and staff for holiday gift giving. Over the years I found some unique items that made lasting impressions. This year, especially with the poor economy, make a statement with your holiday gifts to referring staff of general dental offices.
Listed below are gifts that received raved reviews from referring offices in previous years:
November 7, 2008
- 7 Promotional Orthodontic Marketing Pick Me Ups In a Down Economy
There are some traditional orthodontic marketing strategies of old which will never die, even in a down economy..Free promotional items which fill a need or create excitement in the lives of your patients is one of them. Potential patients are more appreciative of the free items received during a new patient exam than colorful printed information and marketing materials. The print materials eventually end up in the trash after consumers have read them, while promotional items are a constant reminder that elicits brand recall over a much longer period of time. For existing patients, promotional items are a constant reminder of your community presence. Step up your marketing promotions during tough economic times to impress new patients and engage your current patients to promote new referrals. Promotional marketing gives patients reasons to talk about you with friends and family, especially when they are out and about and on the go.
September 4, 2008
- Hot Inexpensive Source For Halloween Bags - Don't Wait!
Brand Your Practice Door To Door On Halloween
I received an email today from a practice using the Creepy Crawler Contest from our Marketing In Minutes Contest Kit. The contest is a big hit with patients. As part of the Halloween theme, we discussed adding Halloween candy bags as another great opportunity to get patients and parents talking. I came across a new source of Halloween bags worth looking into, aplasticbag.com. They offer a huge selection in plastic and paper bags that includes both printed with your logo and non printed. The collection is much better than sources I have used in previous years. Of course, I recommend you do it right and purchase the printed bags with your name and logo on the front for all to see.
September 2, 2008
- Be Remarkable With Branded Gifts During The Holidays
I can never emphasize enough the importance of "Presentation is Everything".During the Christmas holidays, every specialist is bombarding referring dentists and their staff with goodies. It becomes more difficult every year to find something unique that will impress them. My motto has always been "If you are going to do it, do it right". And to do it right, include a branded item or two that will make your gift more memorable than your competitors and other specialty practices. Don't kid yourself that Drs and staff don't compare your gifts to your competition and every other specialty practice ….they do. I did for over 30 years. Your gift elicits an emotional response from every member of the referring team. The question will be… is it worth remembering, will the response be positive, and do they feel appreciated? Market your practice "through the eyes" of your referring Drs and teams. Think about:
July 30, 2008
- Make Sure Your Tires Are Safe!
Eliminating bad press is obviously one of the first considerations when dealing with the public. In orthodontics, recycled brackets are a no.. no in the eyes of any consumer. I know I wouldn't want to be treated with recycled brackets. If word got out your practice was placing used brackets, you can kiss your credibility goodbye. Unfortunately for the orthodontic consumer, few are aware of the possibility of this happening and it would be tough proving they were used, once in the mouth, if they did.
July 7, 2008
- You Can Not Fix What You Do Not Know! Build Your Orthodontic Practice With Patient Surveys…
“The desire to improve is the starting point of all achievement.” Napoleon Hill
The other day, a big company sent me an email, asking for feedback about my recent purchase experience. Even though marketing gurus always recommend gathering customer feedback, I'm rarely asked… except by someone who wants to add me to their never ending email lists. When a legitimate request arrives, I always consider it and most times… respond.
Unfortunately, this particular survey was way too long and it didn't ask me the most important question of all… Would I recommend them?
March 6, 2008
- Dwight Howard Created His Own Unexpected Marketing Event - Why Not You?
Whether or not you know who Dwight Howard is, it doesn't matter.
Even if you don't know that he donned a superman cape and completed a super-human dunk in the NBA All-Star game…it just doesn't matter.
What does matter is that you and your team discover how to win over your patients just like Dwight did on live TV and before tens of millions of fans.
Use an UNEXPECTED MARKETING STRATEGY to engage your patients, parents or referring dentists just like I did here with this blog post today.
February 11, 2008
- Ideas Are The Starting Points Of Future Success; Document With A Digital Recorder
If you are like me, your greatest strokes of genius occur when there is no pen and paper handy to jot it down. My creativity seems to peak when I am either in the shower, driving down the road, or walking the dog. Many potentially great ideas have been lost by the wayside, stored within the clutter of my mind, until I finally smartened up and bought a digital recorder.
