Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out and asking for my advice on how to attract new patients to your startup practice. I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance.
I've seen this issue quite a few times so hopefully can point you in the right direction.
You probably should start with the foundations...
First things first, you'll want to do some research, and figure out your ideal patient demographic. Who are they, where do they live, what are their interests, and what are their biggest concerns regarding dental care? Understanding your ideal patient is crucial for crafting targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their needs and motivations.
Next you should review your website to ensure it provides a positive user experience and accurately reflects your practice's values and expertise. Make sure your website is professional, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Your site should contain comprehensive information about your services, team, and location, as well as clear calls-to-action (CTAs) that encourage visitors to schedule appointments or contact your practice.
I'd say you need to choose the right platforms...
Once you've got your foundations in place, you'll want to think about which marketing channels are most likely to reach your ideal patient demographic.
There are a few platforms you could look at:
Google Ads: Google Ads can be a highly effective way to attract new patients who are actively searching for dental services in your area. By targeting relevant keywords such as "dentist near me," "teeth whitening," or "dental implants," you can ensure that your practice appears prominently in search results when potential patients are looking for solutions to their dental needs.
With location-based targeting, Google Ads lets you focus your efforts on potential patients who are located within a specific radius of your practice.
I know a few dental practices that have seen great results with Google Ads. Getting the location targeting right is half the battle.
Meta Ads: For building brand awareness and reaching a wider audience, Meta (Facebook and Instagram) Ads can be a valuable tool. These platforms offer powerful targeting capabilities that allow you to reach potential patients based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. When creating Meta Ads, it's essential to highlight what makes your practice unique and appealing to potential patients. Whether it's your friendly staff, cutting-edge technology, or commitment to personalized care, be sure to showcase your practice's strengths in your ad creatives and copy.
I remember one campaign we worked on for a software company, where we generated 4,622 registrations at a cost of $2.38 per registration using Meta Ads. This platform can be effective for reaching a broad audience and driving sign-ups.
We'll need to look at content marketing...
Content marketing can be a powerful way to attract new patients to your practice and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field. Consider creating a blog or resource center on your website where you share valuable and informative content related to dental health, hygiene, and treatment options.
Content should be optimized for search engines (SEO) to ensure it ranks well in search results when potential patients are searching for information related to dental care.
Content should be educational, engaging, and relevant to the needs and interests of your target audience. Whether it's tips for maintaining good oral hygiene, explanations of common dental procedures, or insights into the latest advancements in dental technology, make sure your content provides real value to your readers and helps them make informed decisions about their dental health.
In addition to blog posts, consider creating other types of content such as videos, infographics, and podcasts to appeal to a wider audience and cater to different learning styles. A video showing the inside of the practice and the staff can do wonders to build trust.
You'll need to track your results...
Finally, you should implement a robust tracking and analytics system to monitor the performance of your marketing efforts and identify areas for improvement.
Google Analytics can provide valuable insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates, allowing you to track the effectiveness of your online marketing campaigns and identify opportunities to optimise your website for better results. For example, you can see where your visitors are dropping off and leaving the site.
You should also track the source of new patient inquiries and appointments to determine which marketing channels are driving the most valuable leads for your practice. I'd look at call tracking, lead forms, and patient surveys to gather data and measure the ROI of your marketing investments.
You probably should create a special offer...
A special offer for new clients is a great way to attract attention and get them through the door!
Consider offering discounts on initial consultations, free teeth whitening with a new patient exam, or package deals on popular services like Invisalign or dental implants. Make sure your special offer is clearly communicated in your marketing materials and on your website, and that it's easy for potential patients to redeem.
You should also create a sense of urgency by setting a limited-time frame for your special offer and encourage potential patients to take advantage of it before it expires.
I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:
| Recommendation | Description | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Define Ideal Patient Persona | Conduct market research to understand your ideal patient demographics, interests, and needs. | Ensures marketing efforts resonate with your target audience, maximizing engagement and conversion rates. |
| Website Optimisation | Ensure your website is professional, easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and contains comprehensive information about your services. | Provides a positive user experience, builds trust, and encourages visitors to schedule appointments or contact your practice. |
| Google Ads Campaign | Launch a targeted Google Ads campaign focusing on relevant keywords and location-based targeting to attract patients actively searching for dental services. | Ensures your practice appears prominently in search results when potential patients are looking for solutions to their dental needs. |
| Meta Ads Campaign | Implement a Meta Ads campaign to build brand awareness and reach a wider audience, using demographics, interests, and behaviors targeting. | Reaches potential patients who may not be actively searching for dental services but are interested in learning more about your practice. |
| Content Marketing Strategy | Create a blog or resource center on your website with valuable and informative content related to dental health and treatment options. | Establishes your practice as a trusted authority in your field, attracts organic traffic, and educates potential patients about your services. |
| Implement Tracking and Analytics | Implement a robust tracking and analytics system (e.g., Google Analytics) to monitor the performance of your marketing efforts and identify areas for improvement. | Provides valuable insights into website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates, allowing you to optimize your marketing campaigns for better results. |
| Offer Special Promotions | Offer discounts on initial consultations, free teeth whitening with new patient exams, or package deals on popular services. | Attracts new clients with enticing offers, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging potential patients to try your services. |
I'm happy to help you implement any of the strategies mentioned above, but if you'd rather go it alone and implement them yourself, feel free. However, if you are not seeing the results you want, working with an agency that specialises in marketing for dental practices, like us, could be the missing link to transform your startup practice into a thriving business.
Paid advertising is a minefield. There's so much to learn, and it can be very time-consuming. Plus if you don't know what you are doing you can easily burn through your budget and not get any results.
We'd be happy to book in a free consultation, in which we can give you specific advice tailored to your practice.
I hope this helps!
Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh
Lukas Holschuh
Founder, Growth & Advertising Consultant
Great campaigns fail without expertise. Lukas and his team provide the missing strategy, optimizing your entire advertising funnel—from ad creatives and copy to landing page design.
Backed by a proven track record across SaaS, eLearning, and eCommerce, they don't just run ads; they engineer systems that convert. A data-driven partnership focused on tangible revenue growth.