Let's say you're a professional person, a dentist, consultant or speaker ... How much personality is appropriate for you to show in your Facebook personal profile picture?

Do you think it destroys your professional credibility to be seen as a golfer, hiker, fisherman or dog lover? I personally think it helps people to connect and build trust. However, I really want to know what you think.

Should professional people only be seen professionally, whether it's a business or personal Faceboook account? Take the poll. Share your opinion and see what others think.

View Poll

Randy Alvarez, who will interview me next month on his Wellness Hour show, says he thinks my personal Facebook profile picture "the ball cap and the dog need to go"...

Tell me what you think.  Watch the first 3 1/2 minutes of this video and take the poll.  Thank you!

Originally published in the Dental Relationship Marketing blog.

Posted in Dental Marketing, Headlines

Gone are the days of treating consumers like targets. Businesses are beginning to realize that it's better to build trust first and sell second.  So, what does this mean for traditional dental marketing?

The most important thing to consider is the commodity of dental care available on the market today. It's become easy to replicate digital x-rays, a modern reception room, flexible hours or cool staff uniforms-what's impossible to replicate is your genuine self. Showing a bit of your personality can go a long way in building trust and relationships. The added bonus is you'll give patients something easy to remember (and fun to talk about) when they refer to you.

Dr S. and Stella:)

Some of the most successful dentists I know have learned it's okay to share a bit of their personality with patients. They may love dogs, fishing, golf, music, travel, volunteering, etc.  Whatever their passion, they confidently show a part of their authentic self. This in turn comes across to patients as genuine, real and trustworthy.

What better way to easily connect with someone than through shared interests? For example, over 3 billion dollars are expected to be spent on pet services in the United States alone this year--we Americans love our pets.  The love of dogs is just one example of a personal interest you might share with your patients.

Beep Beep!

Share your personality, interests, and authentic self with patients via newsletter tidbits, Facebook posts or tweets ... weave it into your marketing communication.  Allow your truly unique traits to shine through.  By doing so, you'll likely attract more ideal patients.  Remember, patients that find you genuine and personable are more apt to quickly build trust with you--which in turn affects case acceptance and referrals.

What does your marketing communication say about you?

Originally published on the Dental Relationship Marketing blog.

Posted in Dental Marketing

Three hot online dental marketing tools are Facebook Pages, ratings, and video.  Consider for a moment how important photos, ratings and video have become in the travel market. If it's that important for people to see a combination of interactive media to choose a hotel room, why wouldn't we expect the same when shopping for a new dentist.

MarketTools recently revealed a study indicating affluent consumers (with annual incomes of more than $75K) are most likely to research products online before buying (43%). While the power of word of mouth and personal testimonials still reign king, consumers continue to expect a broader variety of information before buying anything from hotel rooms to healthcare.

Moving back to the travel market example, hotel shoppers not only want to see photos of the hotel they are considering, they also want to see comments from recent travelers, video, and they may seek out several other travel sites to compare information.

No one wants to spend their hard earned money on a vacation that doesn't meet their expectations.  Likewise, if given the choice between two dentists, one with a testimonial-filled Facebook Page, practice video tour, and dozens of positive ratings on Google vs. a dentist with a static website and no other web presence, which one will seem like the safer bet?

The key to successful online marketing has always been the ability to be found.  For example, on Google (in the future it may be it's new web traffic contender, Facebook).  It's still important to be found, however once found, be sure you can accommodate the ever-growing research needs of patients today.

How broad is your online presence?

Article by Rita Zamora on the Dental Relationship Marketing  blog.

Posted in Dental Marketing, Headlines

Social marketing is not for everyone. There are some individuals and businesses who don't like Facebook and "don't get" Twitter.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  However should a business still participate in social marketing even if they don't like it?

If you don't like Facebook and you think Twitter is a waste of time, perhaps you'll still explore it ... for business purposes. Let's say you know your clients or customers are spending a lot of time in social media, so you decide you must explore it.  Do so with caution or consider enlisting the help of a professional to help you co-manage your efforts.

Here is a real life example of what not to do. This is an "active" Facebook Page that hasn't been updated since 2009.  It belongs to a healthcare provider.  This message is posted in the bio section of their Facebook wall:

DISCLAIMER

WE DO NOT CHECK FACEBOOK OR TWITTER ON A REGULAR BASIS! SHOULD YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, OR HAVE A QUESTION FOR ONE OF THE DOCTORS PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT ... THE PRACTICE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DECLINE, DELET

The word delete is cut off.  Whoever set this copy up did not even take the time to ensure their entire message posted.  This Page represents what is probably a perfectly good healthcare provider in very poor light.  The message implies, "We're here on Facebook, but we don't want to be. Just call us if you need to."

At the end of the day, if you don't want to be on Facebook or Twitter, don't.   Marketing is most effective when you invest time, money and energy in options you believe in.

Most importantly, social marketing is not a postcard, it's not an ad in the newspaper, or a few sentences printed in the phone book.  Social marketing is a living document that offers you the opportunity to illustrate your practice essence-for better or worse.

What do you want your Facebook Page to say about you and your practice?  What does it really say?

Article originally published by Rita Zamora on the Dental Relationship Marketing blog.

Posted in Dental Marketing, Headlines

A growing base of patients who "like you" is another indicator your efforts are working.  This means you have a population of patients who are likely seeing your name and face on a regular basis in their Facebook newsfeed. You and your practice are sandwiched among your patient's friends and family's posts.  When done well, your posts can build trust and nourish relationships (and referrals) over time.

Don't expect your Facebook community to grow on it's own. Many practices have an influx of admirers when they open their page. There is excitement, and the team may ask family and friends to join ... However, in order to keep your patient base growing over time, you'll need a plan in place.

What is your strategy? Are you posting willy-nilly "when you have time?" Do you have a plan in place for inviting patients to participate? According to Facebook, businesses that promote their Page off-Facebook tend to see a 20% or greater increase in connections.  In fact, Facebook itself is said to have recently issued window decals to select local storefront businesses.

There is benefit in coordinating your offline marketing to Facebook. Be creative in your efforts.  Include your Facebook links on signage, hardcopy newsletters, postcards ... consider events or a "Facebook Friday" in your office.  Wear special Facebook t-shirts or buttons and have fun with it (only if "fun" suits your practice branding and personality of course:)).

What are you doing to make your Facebook marketing fun and effective?

Original article by Rita Zamora on the Dental Relationship Marketing blog.

Posted in Dental Marketing, Headlines