Mastering Oral Surgery Marketing: 7 Proven Strategies
We’d say that marketing for oral surgeons is like pulling teeth, but you’re already good at that!
Dental marketing strategies for oral surgeons are particularly unique because of the way you acquire patients and grow your practice, but that doesn’t mean that traditional marketing avenues like SEO (Search Engine Optimization) or social media marketing should be pushed to the back burner. You can put these tools to work for you so that you can organically attract new patients and dental partners, and build a thriving practice.
1. Be Found on Google Maps
If you want to start attracting dental implant patients, you need to show up on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Part of the SERP involves Google Maps results, which are also crucial for people searching for your services in your local area.
To improve your Google Maps visibility, start with your practice information on Google. Is everything updated and current? This includes contact information, locations, hours of operation, and links. You can update this information in your Google Business Profile (GBP). Your Google Business Profile supports your Google Maps search results, so by maintaining a clean, updated GBP, you are also improving your Google Maps results.
Second, you can actually use keywords in your GBP to improve search rankings. For an oral surgeon that might look like “wisdom teeth extraction” or “dental implant specialist.” Using these keywords helps the Google algorithm categorize your business profile properly and drive more traffic to your website.
Third, regularly update your profile. There are rarely “set it and forget” solutions in marketing, but keeping your GBP updated is really simple. Most updates after your initial audit and clean-up will be straightforward. At least monthly, add photos of your practice or staff, update hours for holidays, post updates, and always be attracting and responding to reviews. (More on that to come.)
If you want to see how your practice ranks on Google Maps, run a google maps ranking report. You can unlock the mystery of where your practice lands in Google Maps and even sneak a peek at how your competitors are performing. This is a great place to start improving your Google Maps SEO.
2. Be the Best Choice on Google Maps
Now that you have the foundational tools to be the best oral surgeon on Google Maps, you need to be the obvious best choice on Google Maps. How do you stand out among competitors?
Ranking high on Google Maps means that you show up on the first page of Google every time someone searches for oral surgeons in your area. Your Google Maps search rankings goal should be to make it into the top three results, known as the “Google Map Pack”. This is prime real estate for any small business. The number one slot in the Google Map Pack gets the highest click-through rate of any other listing.
How do you get more Google reviews?
After implementing your strategy updates, the biggest element of your Google Maps SEO strategy is actually collecting more positive reviews than your competitors. Think about it, why do consumers choose a product or a service in an industry? They look at who has the most positive reviews.
You’ll be chosen by both patients and referring dental partners because of your reputation. With something as intimidating as oral surgery, people want to know that they (or their patients) will be in trusted hands. You need more Google reviews to boost your reputation and you can do that by running a Google review campaign.
Strategizing how to collect Google reviews for dentists and specialists may depend on how you best communicate with your patients. You can use text messaging, emails, or a postcard with a QR code as part of your review collection campaign.
The best time to collect reviews is right after a positive experience. If you are trying to boost your reviews by reaching out to past patients, focus on those you know will leave a positive response. You can even incentivize patients with a reward, prize, or raffle for leaving you a review.
Prioritizing boosting your Google Maps rankings and collecting more Google reviews will cement your reputation as a trusted, experienced, and helpful oral surgeon. Additionally, it will consistently drive new traffic to your website.
3. Evaluate Your Website’s Technical SEO
If you put all that effort into improving your Google Business Profile and get yourself proudly into the Google Map Pack, it will be for nothing if every person who clicks on your website is met with a horrible online experience. Even the best-looking websites can be riddled with poor functionality and misinformation.
Technical SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving the readability of your website for search engine algorithms so they can properly categorize and rank your website based on user needs. Technical SEO also refers to the elements that improve user experience so that website visitors spend more time on your website, thus proving to Google that, “Hey, this is a great website where people are finding what they need, you should show it to more people!”
Dozens of factors go into evaluating a website and its SEO performance. You may want to consider hiring a dental marketing company that specializes in SEO and digital marketing for dental professionals. In the meantime, here are some areas you can focus on to improve your website’s SEO:
- Website speed: Page loading time is crucial for SEO. If your website or pages are taking more than 3 seconds to load, you need to evaluate how to improve your page speed. You can test your page speed with Google’s PageSpeed tool.
- Mobile optimization: Most searches are performed on mobile devices which means your website needs to be responsive to multiple devices. If you can’t navigate your website on a mobile device, you’ll quickly lose website traffic. Google actually predominantly uses mobile websites when it comes to ranking and indexing. So if you aren’t optimized for mobile viewing, you’ll greatly damage your search rankings.
- Fix dead links: If you have pages that result in a “404 Page Not Found” message (even if they are buried in your website), it’s time to clean them up. Set them up with a 301 redirect that will drive traffic to an updated or more helpful page. This stops Google searchers from immediately jumping off your website when they hit a dead link and damaging your rankings.
- Write original copy: From your homepage to your About section, your website should be full of keyword-rich content that was originally created for your use. (No copy-and-pasting here!) Keywords should be used throughout your website, but there’s no place better to generate fresh content than your blog. Regularly update your blog with industry news, tips, and stories that can help future partners and patients see the value in your services. New content signals to Google that your website is current and active, which can help boost your search engine rankings.
- Compress images: Large file-size images can slow down your website and hurt your SEO. Make sure you are following the latest recommendations for the image file type (WebP format), compressing images, and using original photo content where you can. Plus, ALT descriptions and file names of your images are great places to include keywords for your website.
- HTTP vs HTTPS: As a healthcare provider, website security is particularly important. An HTTPS website is more secure than HTTP because the information being transmitted is encrypted. When you’re building marketing strategies for medical practices you want to make sure everything you do online is still HIPAA-compliant and secure.
- Check your sitemap: A sitemap helps search engines successfully crawl and index your website properly. This is especially important if your website is large. It also helps search engines discover new pages when they are added so they can start generating traffic as well.
Technical SEO may be a bit of a beast to tackle on your own, but it can turn your website into a lead-generating machine, all while you spend time working with patients. To get started understanding your website’s SEO you can run a technical SEO audit for free. This will identify areas in need of improvement as you work toward a technically proficient website.
4. Get on TikTok
Before you write off TikTok completely and move on to the next section, take a look at these dental professionals who are thriving on social media.
Social media is a great way to build your reputation as an oral surgeon and connect or collaborate with local dentists. TikTok, in particular, is the perfect space to share short, simple videos. Think about the potential you have to share jaw-dropping before and after examples showcasing the impact of oral surgery.
Still intimidated by TikTok? Here are a few examples of simple videos you could make (over and over too) to start growing on TikTok:
- Show a before and after transformation
- Ask a patient to share their experience in your practice
- Talk about a procedure, how it works, and what to expect
- Discuss when, and if, wisdom teeth need to be pulled
- Talk about dental care after a procedure
- Hop on a trend just for fun
TikTok makes it easy to find new trends (just scroll until you see a recurring audio or video) and reach thousands of viewers in a short amount of time. With a little practice, TikTok can become a fun and creative way to share more information about oral health and your role as an oral surgeon.
How do you get started on social media?
Social media for dentists and oral surgeons isn’t as scary as it sounds. In fact, users prefer content that is not overproduced, which makes things easier than ever before. Just grab your phone and start documenting what happens in your practice. You can showcase your personality, highlight your staff, and collaborate with local dentists and businesses.
Sharing patient experiences and the results from dental transformation is extremely impressive. This works in the same way as your Google reviews by giving future partners and patients a reason to trust you. It all factors into building a positive reputation for you and your practice. When it comes to sharing photos and videos of your patients online, start with this complimentary HIPAA consent form.
5. Celebrate with Your Staff on Social Media
Both Facebook and Instagram are also fantastic tools for building your online presence. Facebook works well for community involvement, gathering reviews, and practice updates. While Instagram is similar, there are additional features like Stories and Reels. Start here if you want to know how to use Instagram for your practice.
Social media doesn’t have to be a solo gig. Get your team involved to help you maintain consistency and keep it fun. Doing this together has a number of benefits including building up your practice culture and helping patients connect with you and your team. Shout out important dates and accomplishments, celebrate holidays together, or hop on a trend.
Your social media channels should be a regular place to implement your dental marketing ideas. For a free resource, social media offers connectivity to your community better than any other technology, so be sure to put it to work for you.
If you want an easy way to kick-start your social media channels and improve consistency, download the life events social media sign pack to encourage patients and staff members to snap a photo to share online.
6. Attend the Dental Digital Marketing Conference
Sometimes oral surgery practices need to inject a fresh dose of creativity by networking with other professionals and staying updated on the latest oral surgery marketing strategies. The best place to achieve this is the Dental Digital Marketing Conference!
While many conferences offer resources on marketing, there is a distinct advantage to attending a conference specifically tailored to dental marketing for oral surgeons. It allows you to dedicate your time to learning how to expand and grow your practice in a way that aligns with your specialty.
Oral surgeons have unique marketing needs, and connecting with fellow dental professionals in the same industry can prove immensely beneficial for your practice. Attending a dental marketing conference offers a range of advantages, including:
- Acquire hands-on experience and practical tips that you can implement immediately.
- Get inspired by success stories and proven strategies from other dental practices across the country.
- Stay informed about the latest trends specifically relevant to oral surgeons and discover ways to attract more patients to your practice.
- Network with other professionals, forging valuable connections and learning from their experiences and insights.
- Access valuable resources and dental marketing experts who can guide you in achieving your marketing goals effectively.
Are you interested in attending an upcoming dental marketing conference? We proudly host the Dental Digital Marketing Conference each year, providing tailored insights and valuable knowledge for oral surgery practices like yours.
7. Start a Oral Surgery Blog
For some, blogging might feel as daunting as a complex oral surgery procedure, but rest assured, this won’t cause any discomfort.
Blogging is the foundation of your dental SEO strategy, serving as a powerful tool to propel your website to the top of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP).
Consistently updating your blog provides numerous opportunities to enhance your website’s performance, boost your credibility, and create content that can be repurposed across your marketing channels. It becomes a valuable resource for prospective patients and showcases your proactive, up-to-date, and knowledgeable approach as an oral surgeon.
So, how do you get started on professional blogging? Here’s what dental marketing experts recommend:
- Remember: Your target audience is not your fellow oral surgeons. Craft content that addresses questions and resolves issues for potential patients. Begin with FAQs and then expand to other topics relevant to oral surgery, implantology, and oral health.
- Infuse your blog with your practice’s personality. Your posts don’t have to read like articles from dental research journals. This is an opportunity to incorporate a touch of lightheartedness while discussing serious subjects.
- Create an outline for each blog post. Both the Google algorithm and real-life readers appreciate easily digestible content. Utilize headers, subheadings, and bullet points to present information in a concise and accessible manner.
- Provide your readers with key takeaways. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but give your audience a reason to engage. This includes crafting compelling blog titles to captivate them from the start. Incorporate clear calls to action within your posts, encouraging readers to take the next step.
- Remember, done is better than perfect. There’s no grading system for your blog work, so instead of fixating on minor details, hit that publish button. Establish and stick to a consistent blogging schedule to build a library of valuable content.
- Consider outsourcing your writing needs. If feasible, delegating your blog writing can save you valuable time and ensure consistent output. You can hire a freelancer or collaborate with a dental marketing company. Choose a writer with experience in your industry or someone who can match your practice’s tone and style. Request a sample of their work before getting started.
By embracing blogging, you can elevate your online presence, attract a wider audience, and establish yourself as a trusted authority in the field of oral surgery.
Getting Started with Marketing for Oral Surgeons
Now that you understand the value of Google Maps, positive reviews, technical SEO, and social media you are fully equipped to start making impactful changes to your dental marketing strategies. By implementing these changes, you can start attracting new dental partners and happy patients who need expertise like yours to improve their oral health.
If you want faster results and professional support, lean on a dental marketing agency like My Social Practice. Check out how to choose a dental marketing company so that you can find a partnership that makes the most sense for your marketing goals.
Need Help? We’ve Got The Perfect Referral for That
If you are short on time or just ready to make immediate improvements to your dental marketing strategy, our team at My Social Practice would love to help. We are dedicated to elevating dental marketing to be both fun and effective. Get a personalized no-obligation dental SEO summary and quote today.
About the Author: Adrian Lefler is a dental marketing expert at My Social Practice located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interested in learning more about the benefits of oral surgery marketing, please schedule a complimentary consultation.
