Besides all the fun of dressing up and eating lots of candy, Halloween can bring out our deepest fears. Ghosts hiding in closets, werewolves roaming the woods and creepy clowns lurking around the corner can keep you up at night. As dental marketers, though, we find practices making marketing mistakes with their TMD services the scariest of all. There are many patients out there suffering from TMD related symptoms. Make it easy for them to find you. Here are three ways you can do so.
Build It, They Will Come?
Most practices think that when they add a new service they don’t need to market it. Putting up a few signs in the office, and mentioning it on your website isn’t enough. Especially with a treatment like TMD, patients need to be educated consistently about this service you provide. While you may be able to inform your current patients on TMD when they come in to your office for their regular checkups or other dental treatments, how are you going to attract new patients to your practice? We recommend a multi-channel marketing approach that includes your website, social media, email marketing and online advertising.
Separate Your TMD Services From Your General Dental Services
Another scary marketing mistake we see practices make with their TMD services is that they lump it under their general dental services. Why isn’t this ok? In order to put a spotlight on these treatments, sleep and TMD services should have their own platform; website, Google My Business listing and even Facebook page. Most people don’t even know this is a treatment that dentists offer. Your marketing needs to be front and center of people suffering with TMD symptoms and searching for solutions. That includes having a distinct marketing message. When you talk about TMD services, lead with the treatment and how you deliver the solution.
Website To The Rescue
Educating patients on TMD is important because many people suffering from symptoms don’t even know what the root cause is. They may think their headaches or neck pain are just something they have to live with, and never seek out a solution. Giving your TMD service its own website will help market this part of your practice in many ways. First, it helps patients identify what with the symptoms and lets them know it is a serious issue they shouldn’t ignore. Secondly, providing valuable statistics and data will also help them understand the severity of TMD and that treatment is available. Lastly, your TMD website should highlight the ways in which you are uniquely qualified to help these patients. Be sure to add patient testimonials to your site to build trust and establish yourself as a TMD expert.
This Halloween, put away the scary mask and focus your TMD marketing efforts so that you can help patients and ultimately, grow your practice.
