Fear is a powerful emotion; it can prevent us from doing things that would benefit us greatly, but it also can keep us safe from future harm.
How do we know which fear to kick to the curb, and which fear to heed like a caveman?
When the topics turn to digital dental marketing, dental office social media, local seo for dentists, or mobile dental marketing, fear seems to be ruling the roost for a lot of dentists we talk with.
WTF? (Why the Fear…get your head outta the gutter, you’ve been texting too much!)
Fear will always be there; fear of losing money, fear of embarrassing yourself and your practice, fear of exposing yourself to legal ramifications, fear of taking any action whatsoever that will lead to increased new patient acquisition and enhanced existing patient retention.
How much do you think this dentist fears HIPPA compliance as it relates to social media?
According to this local Buford, GA news article, Dr. Ashley P. Curington of North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry is giving away a brand new Ford Escape this Holiday season with a “things that make me smile or laugh” photo contest for her patients.
The good doctor is inviting patients to upload their favorite funny pictures to her office’s Facebook page. Entrants are then encouraged to ask their friends and family members to vote for their pictures.
The top 3 entries will be named finalists. The contest winner will be announced on Dec. 31, and that person will win a 2013 Ford Escape!
So, let us get this right here…a new car for patients posting pics to a dentist’s Facebook page?
How good are those odds?
“This contest giveaway is a thank you to my patients who have depended on us for their dental care,” Dr. Curington said in a statement. “I love to serve my patients and form lifelong relationships with them. I can’t wait to see and enjoy their photo entries.”
Bravo Dr. Curington, Bravo!
Can’t wait to see the winner…and the encore.
When We’re Talking New Patient Acquisition, Don’t Be Such a Wuss!
Here are 3 ways to overcome your wimpy ways and forge the courage necessary to push through the fear that is limiting your personal financial wealth, along with that of your practice – and the dental health of your surrounding community.
Embrace Technology
Gone are the days of hanging a shingle outside the office, and waiting for local patients to find you. Technology now takes digital dental health to a whole new place, go to that place and participate in the conversation – if not as a dentist, then as a parent, or community member, or faceless nameless silent citizen. Point is, go there, take action, see what’s going on…and always think how you use social media, local search, or mobile integration to acquire more new patients, keep existing ones happy, and spread positive digital word of mouth about your dental practice.
Due Diligence
Not every whizbang, doohickey, and digital dental marketing tool is applicable to your specific practice – but most if not all can be crafted, consolidated, or cajoled enough to meet your capabilities, finances, & goals. Educate yourself on the broad points of the chosen digital dental marketing campaign. Examine in great detail the benefits and features – along with cost, commitments, and cautionary considerations.
Where to find the time? Make it!
Take Massive Action
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
If we focus on the negative that might happen…losing money, embarrassment, change…we can rest assured all those things WILL happen!
Not to get all Tony Robbins or Ty Webb on you, but we as functional human beings – and you as diligent digital dental marketing readers – need to kick fear in the chops, and go about making what we want to happen, happen.
Did your last foray into social media dental marketing wind up right in the lumber yard?
That doesn’t mean the next one will – nor is it beneficial to think the next one should!
Focus on problems, and we will see nothing but problems come our way. Focus on getting results…and bask in the glory of an empowering win-win digital dental health & marketing campaign for your practice and your patients.
When it comes to using social media for your dental practice, which do you fear most – legal repercussions or financial loss?
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