I have been involved in the dental marketing/social media industry since its early days, and have been fortunate enough to witness the evolution from a small group of passionate individuals to a billion-dollar industry.

Dental marketing is an essential tool for any medical practice to have in place, and it’s a great way to build a brand and connect with potential patients/clients. But trying to figure out where to start can feel a little overwhelming.

That’s why I’ve put together this article. It’s designed to help dentists across the country figure out how to successfully market their practices online – whether they have an existing practice website or they’re just getting started with a brand-new one.

1. Build a community.

This element is crucial to the growth and sustainability of any business, and it’s especially relevant for dental practices looking to grow their patient base online. Building and maintaining a strong online community represents a potentially lucrative customer base, and it’s a great way to create long-term value for your practice.

The most effective way to do this is to participate in online forums – whether dental-related or not. There are hundreds of thriving online communities where dental professionals can engage with current and potential patients, provide valuable information, educate each other, and build a brand for their practice. For instance, the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Blue Alliance is an excellent place to build a community, and it offers many valuable resources for dental practitioners, including forums, where members can discuss issues relevant to their practices.

2. Use social media.

This is one of the biggest and most important drivers of today’s digital world, and it’s an essential tool for any business or brand to have a presence in. Over 75% of American adults now use social media, and that number is growing every year. It would be dangerous to ignore the power of social media in your marketing strategy, especially if you’re a dental practice looking to build a relationship with potential patients.

There are many different platforms for social media, each with their own unique features and advantages – from blogging to podcasting to video hosting and live streaming.

No matter what type of content you decide to create, whether you’re a pro at blogging or you’re just getting started, you can get help from top-notch WordPress bloggers who can teach you the ropes and help you develop solid content that will engage customers and establish your practice as an expert in your industry.

Or, if you’re looking to build a brand and establish yourself as an expert in your industry, you can explore platforms like YouTube, where you can create short-form video content that will engage and inspire your audience.

3. Develop a website.

Like social media, a website is also a crucial tool for any business or brand to have a presence in today’s digital world. The proliferation of mobile devices means that everyone now has access to a website, and if you’re a dental practitioner, the odds are excellent that your patients will visit your website at some point.

A dental practice website can serve as a one-stop-shop for patient information, including contact details, directions to the office, and (most importantly) a form to request an appointment. It can also be a great place to engage with patients – whether you have a blog or other content where you can discuss issues or topics that are relevant to your practice or industry, or whether you want to use it to provide additional relevant educational content.

There are thousands of professionally designed websites that can be used to build a robust dental practice website – from free blog sites like WordPress to established competitors like HubSpot, which offer robust platforms for online marketers to build and maintain their own websites – all with the click of a button. Even if you don’t want to go this route initially, it’s worth exploring options like WordPress because it can provide you with the tools you need to launch your own website without too much hassle if you decide you want to move forward with this route later on.

4. Get professional

One of the best things that’s ever happened to the dental industry is the creation and rise of digital marketing agencies like OneOpinion, which help dental practices and brands connect with audiences online through paid advertising and content creation. Getting professional is always a great option when it comes to marketing your business – whether you decide to go this route or not – so don’t hesitate to explore agencies like this if they sound like a good fit.

5. Start a blog.

Blogs have been a part of the digital landscape for years, but it was only in the past few that they’ve started gaining major ground in the marketing and business world. If you’re looking to create a media property for your dental practice, a blog is a fantastic place to start – and it takes very little effort to get up and running. You can find a free WordPress blog with a basic configuration in less than 10 minutes.

Blogs are a great place to establish your expertise, engage with potential patients, and generate leads for your practice. It’s also a great way to create long-term value for your practice and establish yourself as an expert in your industry – provided you put in the effort to establish and grow your blog. Just remember: if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for dental advice, your blog probably isn’t the best place to start – at least not yet. There are numerous well-established dental blogs that you can use to get ahead in your industry, and it’s always a great option to consider whether or not to use your blog for marketing purposes.

6. Create engaging content.

With so many platforms and options for social media, it’s easy to become distracted by all the shiny objects in the marketplace and lose sight of the one thing that matters most: your patient’s experience. This is why I suggest creating engaging content for your social media platforms – whether that’s through video, infographics, or other visual content.

Engagement is the key – on social media, and in your content strategy more broadly – so don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats and posting schedules to see what works best for your audience. And as for the type of content you create, it’s always a great idea to look to your industry for inspiration. Remember: your patient is your brand’s best customer, and it’s your duty as a business owner to keep them satisfied. This means you can explore a wide array of content, including whitepapers, infographics, case studies, and videos – all of which can be extremely valuable in establishing and building your brand.

7. Testimonials.

I mentioned earlier that trust is an important element of any business – including your dental practice – and it’s definitely worth considering whether or not to use testimonials in your marketing materials. Testimonials are always a great way to establish your credibility and reliability as a business, and if you’re looking to build a brand for your dental practice, testimonials can serve as a great opportunity to do so. Just remember: you should only use testimonials from reliable and reputable sources, otherwise, you could end up misleading the reader.

8. Consider sponsorships.

A growing number of businesses, including digital marketing agencies and blogging platforms, are receptive to sponsorship opportunities, so don’t hesitate to explore this option if it sounds like it could be a good fit for your practice.

The advantage of a sponsorship is that you’ll be doing an advertiser’s marketing for them, so you’ll be reaching a captive audience of customers that are already inclined to be interested in your sponsor’s product or service. For instance, if you’re a dental practice in New York City and you’re looking to grow your patient base, consider exploring opportunities with dental advertisers to get the word out about your practice.

9. Use social media to gain more leads.

You can use social media to gain more leads – whether you have an existing patient base or are just getting started – simply by engaging with your audience. This could mean starting a discussion on a relevant topic, sharing valuable and unique information, or just simply being available for questions or comments. It’s always a good idea to use various social media platforms to gain more traction and to establish yourself as an expert in your industry – provided you put in the effort to do so.

Just remember: the more you post, the more you’ll gain in terms of leads. So don’t be afraid to make numerous posts on different platforms to see the best results.