dental industry email
The Power of One Word That Increases the Emotional Response to Your Dental Marketing Content
I underestimated how much a simple, handwritten note could encourage someone my grandson’s age. It’s the same power that intentional, personal content has over generic, every-person content that’s common in marketing, including dental marketing.
The note to our six year-old grandson arrived in a hand addressed envelope. It was from one of his children’s ministry leaders at our local church.
The message was simple. It affirmed his consistent presence there weekly, acknowledged his growing leadership, and offered some encouragement to his ongoing spiritual growth.
When I read the note to him, his face immediately revealed the power of personal words. His response – “Read it again, Gpa…,” something he asked me to do not once, but two more times before tucking it back into the envelope with a smile.
“You” trumps “We” (and other generic, impersonal content).
Here’s what I know from experience. Had the note been a computer generated, typewritten “Hey, <FIRSTNAME>…” form letter I don’t believe it would have made the impact it did on our grandson.
Sure, there’s a time and place for template reply mail. But I must admit, in this highly engaged, data-driven world we live (and market) in, that brand of content is received with increasing feelings of, “Oh, another form-letter…” [tossed in trashcan alongside other junk mail].
Communicating with a specific person in a way that’s impersonal, collective (just one of the crowd) fails to make the necessary, emotional connection that compels a profitable response to your content.
When your website copy, marketing promotions, email marketing series’ – you name it – speaks to more than “One” person it misses it’s intended goal.
You are hard-wired to respond emotionally when communication is aimed directly at you…personally! If you even smell that the message is mass produced, I get it, you’re out and on to something else.
How many life-changing products and services are lost on generic blasts that feel as if it’s intended for anyone who happens to pick it up? That all changes when it feels like the words are for “your-eyes-and-ears-only.”
How to Use the Power of “You” to Increase the Emotional Response to Your Dental Marketing Content Online or Offline
Make it “personal.”
Picture yourself having a conversation with one person. When you write content, speak into a microphone on a podcast, or look into a camera for a YouTube, Periscope, or Blab broadcast imagine there’s one person in front of you.
Eye-to-eye toned conversation will reach out from your words and make an emotional connection. And that’s the kind of connection that compels your reader/listener/viewer to take action as result of your content.
- Read everything about your “audience” until a clear, individual persona comes into focus.
- Believe that what you are sharing via your content will change that one person’s life in some way.
- Think like that one person and talk to yourself as if you are them, hearing what you’re communicating. How does it sound? Would you do what you are asking them to do? Etc.
Talk don’t tell.
The power of “You” focused communication is it’s conversational voice or tone. Are you motivated as much by technical, overly-hyped verbiage as you are by clear, down-to-earth, let’s have a chat themed conversation? I think not.
- Write like you talk. Simply and clearly speak to your reader, listener, or viewer as if you are one-on-one…face-to-face over a cup of coffee.
- Speak “with” not “at” or “to” your reader. They can sense if you’re not personally interested in THEM the moment you act like you’re trying to impress or “sell.”
Get intimate.
Think of intimacy as being up-close-and-personal. I’m not saying be a “close-talker” (if you’re a Seinfeld fan you’ll remember that classic episode).
I’m referring to the shift from generic, crowd-centered, mass-marketed marketing hype to assuring your reader/listener/viewer that you’re into THEM. Their needs, wants, desires, emotional-drivers, pain-points, etc.
- Find your intimate voice. This starts with using the word “You” as much as possible throughout every piece of content you create.
- Be so “You” intentional that your reader/listener/viewer considers you their new “best-friend.” Intimacy doesn’t have to be weird or touchy-feely. It’s a connection.
- Put yourself in their “shoes.” This includes admitting your understanding of their needs, wants, and desires as you admit your “weakness” when appropriate. See their battles and stand in the fray with them.
That note my grandson received… It’s prominently posted on the wall of his bedroom.
The same emotional response applies to the person consuming your content. Keep it personal.
How to Be Attentive to Your Dental Website Visitors So They Connect with You Long-term
Our oldest daughter gave birth this week. So, my wife and I welcomed a granddaughter to our trio of grand children.
There’s a fascinating innocence and dependence innate to a newborn. Be aware of the same fascinations in your dental marketing content.
A newborn is all about parental attention. Without life sustaining attention survival is at risk.
Attention-deficit
I’ve written in numerous posts that the days of merely building and launching a dental website and expecting a noticeable return on investment is no longer acceptable. The set-it-and-forget-it or if-we-build-it-they-will-come mindset dooms you to frustration.
Imagine celebrating the long-awaited birth of a child. Tears flow, high-fives and handshakes are exchanged, happy parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles hold and cuddle the newborn.
Now imagine nestling the baby comfortably in his/her crib then placing a bag of diapers, wipes, and a full bottle next to them and saying, “Hey, sweetie welcome to world…let us know when you need something…”
Babies aren’t self-sufficient. And neither is your online dental marketing.
Self-serve or self-sufficient?
Self-sufficiency implies the ability to care for yourself without the assistance of another. Self-service is about having necessary, appealing resources available for the choosing when you’re ready or in need.
Think of your dental website as a self-service platform. But that doesn’t imply that you must hover over it.
Some are old enough to remember or fortunate enough to live in locales where full-service gas/fueling stations exist. You drove in, lowered your window, and an attendant asked how much fuel you wanted. While it was pumped into your tank the attendant washed your windows, checked your oil and fluid levels, and handled payment without you ever having to leave your vehicle.
Good ole’ days, right? Perhaps.
Your site visitors are more accustomed to anonymity. They prefer more of a self-service approach.
And they want access to useful information when they visit your website on their time, at their convenience.
How to Be Attentive to Your Dental Website Visitors So They Aren’t Required to Fend for Themselves and Seek Solutions Elsewhere
Respond to their “cries” for help.
I have no intention of being dramatic. Nor do I want to imply that your website visitors are needy, whiny individuals.
I’m following my newborn metaphor here, so bear with me as a new grandparent.
Newborns cry a lot!
It’s not always a cry for help. Sometimes it’s about hunger, a diaper change, or the need for security.
Life outside the womb is different than the predictable, warm, cozy environment of Mom’s tummy. There’s noise, bright lights, glaring eyes, hands on and off, ups and downs.
Your website visitors arrive on your site with a need. They’re looking for answers, your services, a solution to their problem or relief for their pain, etc.
- Be responsive. Anticipate their needs, wants, and desires. Create content via articles, blog posts, etc that reveal your understanding of their circumstances.
- Listen in advance. Your best help comes from a position of understanding. Dial into social media posts, tune into trends being talked about, read between the lines of your reviews and survey responses.
- Empathize through education. Provide informative content that supports your efforts to understand the needs of your web visitors.
Change when necessary.
People are accustomed to options. Change the channel occasionally.
- Provide multiple ways to connect with your services and related expertise.
- Switch-up your content delivery to include written (article/blog, email), audio (podcasts), visual (Periscope, YouTube, Pinterest), and social (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Keep your audience well-fed.
Be consistent. Keep your content channel(s) topped-off.
- Audit your services. List the topics and sub-topics within each.
- Create content around your service audit. Use articles, blog posts, etc to dive deeper into the benefits of a particular service.
- Curate and share content relevant to your “audience.” Post links to informative content via your chosen social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
Happy website visitors (like happy babies) thrive in a supportive, attentive environment. Make your website a warm, inviting place for your clients and patients.
2 Core Content Strategies That Give You an Edge in Your Dental Marketing
Our soon-to-be six year old grandson lives every moment full of anticipation. And we love the satisfaction of being able to respond to his hopes for fun.
You’re in a unique position to be responsive in your dental marketing. And the satisfaction of your patients or clients depends on you being prepared with a core content strategy.
All our grandson had to hear was the word, “Zoo!” The mention of that word signaled what my wife and I already knew would make him happy.
It’s a grandparent thing. We know him. And we know what fills him with hours of joy.
Start with what you know.
When you know someone you’re in a position of leverage. In recent posts I shared the true value of your website platform (PC) and what leverage means to your authority (AC).
Knowledge also equips you to respond.
People expect a response these days. You send someone a text and if you get the “bubble” (indicating they’re reading it) on your screen with no reply you think – “Hey what’s the deal?”
Or you send an email or leave a voice mail. Hours…days go by and no reply. Wow!
Customer service rises and falls on quick, adequate, satisfying response.
Responsiveness rules.
Think of your patient’s or client’s digital (online) presence as a sort of third “ear.” It’s where you apply your responsive listening skills through the use of what let’s call “Responsive Content (RC).”
You’re essentially in the problem-solution “business.” People search for you and your services because they’re in pain (problem), lack knowledge about maintaining their health (problem), or perhaps lack the resources to solve either circumstance (problem).
Communicate where people are listening.
What’s the quickest way to respond these days? And where do your patients/clients access that information?
It seems appropriate to respond digitally rather than using snail-mail or direct mail. If you want to connect in real-time you can’t beat the digital response.
Two digital content strategies you must be prepared to use if you want to master a responsive reputation.
Work your email list.
The most abused and at the same time under-used responsive content (RC) tool you have is e-mail.
Why abused?
Because you could fail to understand the intrinsic value of permission. And if you have permission don’t discount what it means to treasure it as a trusted relationship.
Certainly, you know what it means to be spammed. If not, scan your email inbox and evaluate those who emailed you.
What’s their relationship to you?
Someone you requested info from?
Someone whose content you find useful?
And while we’re on the subject of “usefulness,” here’s how to get the most from your email promotions.
- Be untypical. Inform your readers via a relevant story, idea, or theme.
- Connect the story, idea, or theme to the action you’re asking them to take when reading your email content.
- Ditch the formality. Treat your email like a one-on-one conversation. Write the message in a way that sounds like a casual conversation with one person (your reader).
- Avoid salesy words and common cliches’. The quickest way to get your emails spam-filtered is to sound like your “selling” something. Think about your language.
- Invest in your subject line. The key to emails being delivered (not filtered), opened, and…drumroll…read…is your subject line.
- Share a benefit in your subject line that compels them to open it.
And #2
Connect with social media.
The key is connecting. I hesitated to use the word, “engage,” because it’s often overused and has lost its impact.
That’s sad since social media is really about engaging (there, I said it!) your patients/clients in an online conversation with you via your content.
There must be more to your social strategy than contests, promotions, and images of office parties (important, don’t get me wrong) or dental procedures. Keep your social media channels “human,” but don’t miss the advantage of having a (hopefully) growing “fan base” because of your content value.
- Link to your own relevant, useful content. This is the importance of having a consistently updated blog or article page on your website platform.
- Curate and share other valuable, helpful content that’s relevant to your dental practice, dental expertise, and dental products or services.
- Balance content with the occasional (and I emphasize, occasional) promotion. Social followers are numbed when every other post is about your latest “Like”-our-page-share-our-page contest for a free give-away.
- Avoid violating privacy issues. But don’t allow your fear to keep you from legitimately and effectively connecting with your patient/client base on social media.
- Review and respond in as much real-time as possible to comments or direct connections on your social channels. If necessary, designate, or better, hire someone to manage your social media content and communications.
Responsiveness gives you an edge in today’s digital marketing. And timing is on your side when your mindset is aligned with two of the most effective strategies.
3 Insights That Protect You from Being One-of-Those Dental Emailers
You know “that person you don’t want to receive email from…?” It’s the eye-roll inducing marketing cousin of Cecily Strong’s SNL (Saturday Night Live) sketch, “the girl you wish you hadn’t started a conversation with…” character.
A friend and colleague of mine received one of THOSE emails. And the take-aways are beneficial if you want to avoid being “the dental emailer whose list you wish you hadn’t added your name to.”
I could make this short and sweet by saying the fix is easy. “Unsubscribe!”
You and your readers have more power than you realize. So, you should think long and hard about the content you send (more on that in a moment).
Something amazed me when I worked at a dental practice. Patients would often whine about the email we sent about this or that.
They would often invest more time voicing their dissatisfaction for whatever reason than reading, deleting, or perish the thought, unsubscribing.
As Zig Ziglar would say, “Some people are born in the objective case in the kick-a-tive mood.” Translation: they’ll whine about anything.
Yet do they have a valid point when it comes to the email you send that invades their space (permission granted, of course)? And are you giving them a reason not to boot you to the curb via a quick click of the unsubscribe link?
Consider my friend and colleague’s experience your wake up call!
Here’s the subject line of the email she received:
“Hey, [FIRSTNAME], what’s wrong with your blog?”
I’m not kidding, that’s it.
First, the subject line is an attempt at being “cute.”
It typically doesn’t work because we’re accustomed to it…like we are hype.
When hype leads the way. I’m out and so are most readers.
I avoid people who come off this way. And I certainly don’t waste my time reading emails or any marketing resources that start a conversation with such a tone.
Which brings me to my second point.
It’s an attempt at being conversational, but it misses a vital element of that process.
I could say that to my friend/colleague in a subject line to her without question. Why?
We have a relationship. And that’s my point.
Evaluate the relational quality of your list.
- Are you chummy? (Can you talk about anything relevant with them?)
- Do they enjoy hearing from you?
- Did they ask to hear from you?
- Does the information or conversation you share with them help them with something they need?
And this is HUGE…
- Can you continue the conversation via email at any time, about any subject, and they look forward to hearing what you have to say?
Before you even get a second chance, you must understand this.
The content of your email communications are irrelevant if you haven’t earned the right to be heard.
I subscribe to a number of email lists. Confession time: I don’t read all of them.
In fact, since we’re cleaning the slate here – I occasionally delete some of them without even opening them.
The point?
Timing matters.
Not all email subjects – even from trusted, valued sources – hit my hot-button on a given day. You won’t always bat a thousand when you send an email to your list.
But you increase your batting average when they find your content helpful and useful more than they find it hype-ful (how’s that for a word?).
Assure that your email communications to your dental patient, client, or house-list are helpful not hype-ful!
- Share an oral health trend instead of the latest triple-your-savings offer of the month.
- Lead with a benefit – something that improves their life, health, etc.
- Be generous with information that serves them with no-strings-attached (e.g. “Like” our Facebook page to enter our contest, Refer a friend or family member for 10% off your next treatment, etc). Email your list just-because without an “angle.”
Trust still translates via email.
Scammers, spammers, and hyped up marketers have peed-in-the-pool long enough. It’s time to take back the valuable online territory they’ve fouled up.
It should go without saying that you’re trustworthy. And your email content is simply another way your character shines.
Patients, clients, and those you do business with will actually anticipate seeing you in their inbox if you’re a source of useful, beneficial content.
And these days it’s really about the information.
Profit follows trust.
3 Dental Email Marketing Strategies to End Inbox Overwhelm
Creative Commons
“Email is where keystrokes go to die.”
Wait! Don’t send email to the bottom of your dental marketing strategies.
But before you send another email it would help to understand the value of your efforts.
James Clear wrote about Microsoft employee and productivity expert, Scott Hanselman’s jolting perspective.
“Email is where keystrokes go to die. You have a finite number of keystrokes left in your hands before you die.”
It makes sense that you should value your energy. Yet what if you evaluated each word you type?
- Would it change what you wrote in your most recent email message to your list?
- Could you use those same keystrokes to create a message or blog post that will help your readers rather than potentially repel them with another in-office special?
A simple fly-over of your own email inbox will quickly remind you of how overwhelming content can become. It’s no surprise that you wonder –
“How do I get the most return from the emails I send to my practice, house, or business list?”
That’s a good question. And there’s a one word tweak I’d offer to shift your perspective slightly.
This slight shift in perspective could be the difference in the effectiveness of your email marketing strategies. It’s all about valuing your ability to influence people for the good you want to deliver.
After all, you’re a professional. Whether you provide dental services that transform someone’s health and appearance or you provide products and services that enable dental professionals to accomplish those goals – you have something to offer.
So…here’s the shift in focus I earlier mentioned…ready?
Every marketing strategy you use (email included)
is about the “give”rather than the “get.”
It’s a valid question to ask – “How do I get the most return…”
I’m in business just like you are. I have a finite amount of time (and keystrokes) to share my expertise with the world. So getting the job done is alright by me.
These days – and here’s the deal – it’s to your advantage to give something to get something. Patients, buyers, shoppers, clients (whoever we’re talking about) are over the whole in-your-face, hyped-up sales approaches.
Make Your Keystrokes Matter by Ending Email Marketing Overwhelm
1-Email is only as effective as your intention.
Amazing thing about your senses. Especially your sense of smell.
Isn’t it interesting how you can sniff someone’s intentions. This happens with marketing all the time.
A subject line can reveal a lot about the sender’s desired result. There’s been much debate about whether you should veil your intentions or cut to the chase.
The answer depends on your relationship with your recipient(s).
For example, if you’re accustomed to a bottom-line sales message, it won’t surprise you when a subject line introduces a can’t-miss offer. If you’ve purchased from them before and you’ve benefited from their product or service it’s no issue to you.
But if you’re not on that level yet…well…you feel the turn-off. Am I right?
Think about the email communications you’re sending.
Are they worded as if the reader is a satisfied user, patient, client, customer that you’ve established a trusted relationship with?
Or…
Are they filled with numbing, pitchy content that makes the reader feel like a list number minus any real connection with you?
Check your intentions at-the-cursor. Value the relationship you have with the reader first, and in many instances, long before you value their dollars.
2-Email is engaging when it connects emotionally first and economically last.
People put their money where their heart is. That’s not a trite take-off on a common idea.
This is one of the fundamental rules of selling –
“People buy things for emotional not rational reasons.”
These days it’s more about engaging than selling. I know…I know you’re tired of hearing about engagement.
Engagement this. Engagement that. I get it.
But don’t dismiss this trendy word before you realize its intrinsic worth to your email marketing.
If you want to connect with people, get their attention. And once you have it, respect it.
Don’t dumb-down or numb-down your connection with overkill on promotional hype.
Give your readers something that sticks with them from the first keystrokes you make.
- Tell a story in the first paragraph (the lead).
- Connect the story to their problem (the body copy).
- Reveal the solution via your service/product story to their problem (the close).
And don’t forget the all-important element…
- Compel them to open and read (engage with) your email content by crafting a short, catchy (not too cute or hypey), benefit-focused subject line.
3-Email energizes your reader when it does two things:
When it’s useful – avoid short-changing or duping your reader list. Give them something they can use every time you email them.
If you’re promoting a service or product connect that to a problem they have. Make your service/product the useful benefit to solve a common problem even if they don’t schedule an appointment or purchase the product/service.
Share links to other relevant content via colleagues’ or industry leader’s blog, YouTube channel, Podcasts, etc.
Give bonus paybacks just for reading your email – add them to an exclusive group for your next promotion (before the general public), allow them priority access to a specific treatment, service, or product feature.
When it enhances communication – remember, connect before you ask for something.
Take time (via an email or two…or three) before you invite them to do something. This reveals that you value them more than what they do for you.
Ask relevant questions to understand how you can help them via your services, products, etc.
Create new email content around answers to those questions (talk about maximizing the value of your “keystrokes”).
Ask before you tell or offer. Communication works better that way.
Make your words matter – every single keystroke.
Fundamental Reasons Your Dental Email Promotions Succeed
The hummingbird attracted to our patio feeder is a consistent creature. In a strange sort of way it’s habits remind me about the core value of dental email marketing content.
Our hummingbird friend counts on the ample supply of sweet, red colored sugar water we provide. Because it returns many times a day it’s vital that we not disappoint.
Email remains as a consistently trusted source of content delivery. In spite of its spam-able potential, your dental services will benefit from using it as a consistent list communication tool.
And speaking of benefits – dental email marketing success depends on your commitment to deliver useful, beneficial content.
Email copy smells like spam the moment you abuse it.
Avoid the hand-slap by remembering it’s a permission based channel – so don’t intrude on people’s in-box privacy unless invited.
- Include an opt-in request on all your business or practice forms.
- Simply ask new patients and clients for their email address at their first appointment/meeting or phone conversation.
- Word your request appropriately. Say, “Is there an email address we can use to contact you…?”
People are accustomed to digital communication. Like text messaging, email is an acceptable and normal channel in people’s digital world – so be unafraid to ask for the connection.
Their permission opens the door to casual, friendly, and consistent communication with you.
Well-crafted and well timed email content delivers useful information. Connect your dental email content to a service, new promotion, or timely need and measure the impact.
The hummingbird returns to our patio because he’s accustomed to our generosity. Patients and clients will respond to your email content as you consistently provide them a beneficial reason to do so.
Be generous with your offers and content value. Because you are, people will trust their in-box, time, and dollars to you.
Email loses it’s impact when it looks, sounds, and feels like every other sale-sy message that pings their in-box. Keep your dental email copy relevant to your reader and their needs.
Much of this sounds simplistic, I realize.
There are reasons an email is opened and there are reasons it compels a response.
For now…
- Adjust to using email more consistently to promote your dental services.
- Ask for the opportunity/permission to email your dental patients and clients every chance you get.
- Acquire trust with useful, beneficial, generous email content.
There’s an art to dental email marketing. Stay tuned here for more tips related.
What hang-ups or challenges do you have about using email to promote your dental services? Comment…