Need-to-Know Dental Postcard Marketing Strategies

Looking to “fill the gap” in your dental practice’s marketing strategy? Winning new patients is a challenge and unlike a cavity, your business won’t grow if you neglect it.

Many people have fear or anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist and may not be eager to make the first move, while others make consistent visits to their loyal provider. So how do you capture the ones who are looking for a new provider? 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through several dental postcard marketing strategies to make sure you stay top of mind with future patients and keep your current patients coming back. So grab your toothbrush and get ready to brush up on your postcard marketing skills with these helpful tips and tricks!

Send Reminders to Bring Back Old Patients

Do you have patients in your system that haven’t been back in over 6 months? Maybe they’re putting it off and just need a sign to remind them how important it is to stay on schedule. Before they start looking elsewhere, welcome them back with an informative postcard that makes it helpful to book. You can make it easy with GrowMail’s API. 

Growmail Direct Mail API integrates with your CRM and marketing platforms so you can automatically send targeted direct mail based on specific actions your customers take or events you define. One of those events, for example, can be 6 months, 9 months or 12 months without returning for a teeth cleaning. The automation will execute automatically with no print minimums and your customer will receive a reminder postcard without you lifting a finger. 

GrowMail’s marketing experts will help you design the postcard to be attractive, informative and personalized.

Start On the Right Foot with Personalized Targeted Direct Mail

Not only can you personalize reminder postcards for your past customers, you can also personalize your outgoing postcards to recipients who are hearing about you for the first time. 

Personalized Targeted Direct Mail allows you to only deliver your marketing postcard to those that fit your location, age, income, marital status or specialized data requirements. Work with your GrowMail consultant to review your own data and find your target demographic and create a strategy to appeal to each individual personally. 

New Mover Direct Mail is a great way to make sure that you’re the first dental provider in your community to reach potential customers who recently relocated to the area. Level it up with automation so all new movers receive a postcard from your business.

Ways to personalize:

Name: Use their name on the postcard to stand out from the spam. 

Address: Target specific areas by location, state, city or zipcode. You can customize each piece to mention something that resonates with them. 

Example: “Welcome to East Bay, sign up for your complimentary cleaning today”

Services: If you have data that gives insight on services that are specific to certain individuals, you can customize each piece with a special offer specifically for them. Targeting young families with advertisements about braces, for example.  

PURLs and landing pages: Direct your recipient to a customized landing page to accept a special offer or book next steps. This landing page can include their first name and the same graphics/pictures as the direct mailer and help them bridge the gap between the advertisement and becoming a customer.

Make Scheduling Appointments Easy

As previously mentioned, you can use Personalized Landing Pages to direct your reader to a place where they can easily book an appointment and become a client. This helps increase conversion rates and reduce friction for your audience. But there are more ways to provide easy access for your recipient:

URL shorteners: Use a URL shortening service like Bitly.com or work with your GrowMail Marketing consultant to create an easy to remember, trackable web address. 

QR Codes: “QR” stands for quick response and makes it possible to access your landing page with just a quick scan. They’re also great for taking advantage of call-to-actions that drive urgency.

Coupon Codes: Used to access discounts or free first time services. They can be personalized and redeemed on the website or phone.

Unique Phone Numbers: Set up a dedicated number with a call tracking software company, toll-free provider or with your regular phone line so you know which calls coming in are from your campaign. 

Most importantly, these methods are trackable so you can understand how your recipients are engaging with your marketing materials.

Keep Your Patients Informed

As mentioned earlier, some portion of your audience might be hesitant or afraid to schedule an appointment. Dedicate a portion of your postcard to inform patients about new dental treatments or the importance of staying up to date on check-ups and cleanings. Make sure to use a friendly and conversational tone that connects with patients and use a clear and concise message that informs patients about the information they need to know.

Examples:

  1. A survey conducted by the (CDC) found that only 64% of adults aged 18-64 had visited a dentist in the past year, which can put them at risk for developing oral health problems.
  2. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. Regular dental checkups can help prevent and treat oral health problems, reducing the overall burden of oral diseases globally.
  3. 47% of Americans older than 30 are suffering from a form of periodontal disease, according to the CDC.

dental postcard marketing strategies

Keep Your Messaging Simple

Postcards have limited space so it’s important to quickly grab attention with persuasive language. Here’s a few ways to focus on the key benefits of what you offer. This helps recipients differentiate you from the competition: 

  • Highlight your expertise and most popular services, such as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and restorative procedures. 
  • Address any concerns or fears that patients may have about visiting the dentist.
  • Convey the practice’s values and mission, such as a commitment to patient satisfaction and personalized care. 
  • Use consistent messaging across all channels, including the website, social media, and any marketing materials.

Let Pictures Do The Talking For You

It’s not always easy to get consent from clients to use their photo. But if possible, those assets are very impactful and give your viewers a genuine view of your work. Here are a few photo ideas: 

  • Before & after photos: Try to get patients to agree before a procedure. Its going to make a drastic change in their smile, so take high quality photos before and after. 
  • Family photos: Hire a photographer to help show an authentic view of the business. You can do this by showing off owners and staff members, and patients. It’ll give your recipient a feel of familiarity and trustworthiness. 
  • Stock photos: Use stock photos of beautiful shiny teeth to give your customer a glimpse into their future.

Get Your Dental Postcard Marketing Strategy Off to a Clean Start Today With GrowMail!

Implementing a dental postcard marketing strategy is a proven, cost-effective way to get more patients. To work with an expert who can help with all of the other components, schedule a free consultation with GrowMail. GrowMail offers everything you need in your next direct mail partner and more. Our marketing consultants have 20 years of experience helping marketers get results with our full suite of marketing solutions. If you’re ready to begin getting results from your marketing efforts, book an appointment with a GrowMail marketing consultant today.