Web 2.0 is “The Edgy” Internet orthodontic marketing strategy being used today to promote practices today. Even if you are not very tech savvy it is virtually impossible to avoid hearing people talk about it. Many people associate web 2.0 with socializing and discussing personal issues on My Space and Facebook. However, if used correctly, it can be a very successful business marketing tool to build your practice and direct new patients to your front door.
Confused about how web 2.0 works and why it can be very profitable when incorporated into your current marketing plan? Here are five ways your business can profit from a strategic web 2.0 Internet Marketing program.
Brand your practice online. Facebook offers you the opportunity to network with your patients and all their friends online in your local demographic. The average age on Facebook is 25 – 44 with the largest growth in the 35 – 44 age group, your number one target market for parents and adult patients. In May of 2009, Facebook surpassed MySpace as the largest social network in the world. Since social networking requires due diligence and posting on a regular basis with your current patients, stay in contact with your online friends and offer value to them in a creative way which is not possible without web 2.0 marketing to build personal relationships.
Short Video Productions – There is nothing more powerful than short videos offering patient testimonials, office tours, practice overviews, and how to videos on treatment procedures to promote your business, if done correctly. You can create video yourself or source it out to professional videographers. No more than 3-4 minutes is the preferred length of time by consumers. Video marketing is very popular and THE favored form of communication among today’s tech savvy society. Deliver your personal PR message exactly the way you want it delivered to develop relationships in a way that is not possible with other methods. Once produced, it keeps on streaming on the Internet day in and day out 24/7… unlike traditional marketing programs. There is no better ROI on investment with your marketing dollars or better way to deliver content than video Internet marketing for your orthodontic practice.
Dominate Page One of Google – Social networking communities such as YouTube, My Space, Facebook, Twitter allow you to dominate Google in your local demographic with search engine optimization (SEO). Your website is the hub of your Web 2.0 campaign that drives new patients to your door. Discovering how to take advantage of SEO and the many opportunities available on social networking sites is a golden opportunity that few practices are taking advantage of today.
Google Local Business Center – This marketing tool is offered through Google Maps. It is another great opportunity to get your practice noticed in your area in conjunction with your website. Google offers an extensive arena of marketing opportunities for small businesses willing who meet their SEO guidelines on how to be found on the search engines. You can describe your business, post pictures, upload video, and monitor traffic with this free tool.
Blogging, E-Zines, and E-Press releases are another great way to get the word out about who you are, and what you are all about. Once your copy is written and search engine optimized (SEO) for your local demographic, you submit it online… so it remains “evergreen”. This means it is always available online, all year round, to patients looking for information on your treatment expertise, community efforts, or fun events.
Web 2.0 can be a highly profitable way to promote your practice and increase new patient referrals and profits. If you haven’t tried web 2.0 marketing strategies to build your practice, now is the window of opportunity to explore the possibilities. Some Web 2.0 marketing options are not a good fit for every practice. Only you as a business owner can make this determination. In order to do so you need a good foundation on what to base your decisions.
Don’t have the time to explore all your Web 2.0 options? Dramatically reduce the learning curve by seeking the services of an Internet marketing consultant to help you discover all the possibilities available today. You don’t know… what you don’t know… till you know it. Make sure you find out what you need to know before you start to be promote your practice online with Web 2.0 orthodontic marketing strategies.