Using Postcards to Attract New Dental Patients
People Still Get Printed Mail
In our modern world, it’s natural to focus on digital marketing, and the truth is that the majority of your marketing efforts will take place online. That said, there’s still a place for printed advertisements, specifically postcards. The most effective marketing utilizes many different platforms and contains several touchpoints. This is what makes postcard marketing campaigns an effective tool. We are so used to looking at screens all day that an actual piece of mail can be a welcome change and a memorable contrast. Research has actually shown that interacting, physically touching, a piece of writing can help absorb the message contained within.
Postcard Marketing Basics
Postcards are effective for two main reasons 1) They are inexpensive to print and mail, and 2) They present a clear, concise message that doesn’t have to be opened (like an envelope). For ¢40, you can deliver a creative 4X6″ message to prospective patients about your dental team and be confident that most will see it (If you send over 200 postcards and presort, you can mail each card for ¢30.). Many online printers (like Vistaprint, Uprinting, and Moo) will print postcards for between 5-10 cents (depending on quantity, card stock, and finish). Most of these printing websites have user-friendly design tools that make it easy to create professional-looking postcards without hiring a graphic designer. Moreover, a growing number of these online printers offer mailing services as well; for a fee, they will label and mail your postcards, which eliminates your having to sort and stamp.
Companies That Print and Mail Postcards:
Keep Your Images Simple and Engaging
The key to effective design is simplicity. It’s tempting to overload a design with all the details you feel are important, but including too many elements actually distracts the viewer and dilutes the message. The front of your postcard should have an image that captures attention. Keep in mind that postcards will be in with a lot of other mail, so you want to stand out. Think creative and engaging. Really anything that contrasts with the boring standard dental postcards that show up in the mail these days, with the same deals and stock images. Brainstorm with your staff. How can you grab the attention of local residents? Funny and witty is always a winner. People like to laugh, and if you can get them to smile, they will remember your dental practice brand.
Other elements to consider for the front of a postcard:
- number of Google reviews
- quote from an online review
- awards and distinctions
- QR code to your website
Different Dentists Attract New Patients and Build Successful Practices
Why Your Dental Team Must Stand Apart from the Crowd “Different Is Better Than Better” — Sally Hogshead I’ve always believed it is good practice to reduce complex ideas into concentrated, general truths. In this way, it becomes easier to apply grand concepts to everyday scenarios, which are always unpredictable
Create a Compact, Memorable Message
On the back of your postcard is room for a short message. This 4X6″ real estate is limited, so you’ll want to be concise and direct. Spend time editing and removing all unnecessary words. Mainly, you want to focus on what makes your dental team unique while addressing the concerns that prospective new patients look for most: pain-free dentistry, cost/financing, and insurance. The language on the back of the card should express a genuine passion for dentistry and patients.
Business to Customer Lead Generation Services
Given that information is so valuable in a digital world, it’s no surprise that more lead generation companies have emerged over the years. Businesses are always looking for their ideal customers, and these information-gathering businesses provide addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Contacts can be searched with various demographic filters like location, age, and household size. This information can then be downloaded as a spreadsheet and used to create mailing labels or print directly onto postcards. Of course, quality information is key to successful postcard marketing campaigns, so do your homework and read reviews. It’s definitely worth paying more for services that provide accurate information.
Lead Generation Companies for Dentists:
