dental web content

Some Clarity About What Dental Copywriting Costs

It’s typically the first question I’m asked when someone contacts me about my services. And I’ve preferred to answer the “what does dental copywriting cost” question later in our conversation.

I’m reconsidering.

Why the change of mind?

I’ll give credit to Marcus Sheridan. A chapter in his phenomenal book, “They Ask You Answer,” opened my thinking about why cost transparency is essential.

In fact, his findings (and experience) were confirmed through one article about pricing on his company’s website (then the pool industry). It was surprisingly effective.

Getting clear about transparency

Being transparent about pricing isn’t necessarily about a detailed price list. It’s about something more.

I’ve not been opposed to sharing the costs of my services. Yet, it’s typically been a matter of timing (when to share those details).

For example, you might contact me about the cost of webpage copy for your dental practice or dental industry business. Or you might ask how much blog content costs to consistently keep your audience educated and informed.

To date I’ve not had a “price list” on my website.

Rather, I’ll ask a series of questions designed to help me uncover the scope of your project. Such questions give me a better idea of what you’re in need of.

I realize early in our conversation that you’re after affordability based on your budget. And that’s understandable.

I, on the other hand, would prefer to probe a bit. To me, your question, “what does dental webpage copy cost?,” is premature to a core question I ask prior to quoting a fee:

What will best provide value to your dental business/practice/etc.?

“…discussing cost and price is not about affordability, it’s about psychology. It’s about trust.” – Marcus Sheridan 1

Once trust is established…

Everything revolves around trust. And trust is the mindset that drives the pricing conversation forward early in our relationship…or whenever the subject comes up.

I’ll let you in on something…

Though I’ve been doing this for years…I stress a ton over how to price a project.

Sure, projects like writing dental webpage copy or dental blog content are common in my wheelhouse. I’ve written volumes of it to the extent that when you contact me for a fee quote a few key considerations come to mind:

  • Webpage copy is fluid…unlike print copy (e.g. direct mail, a brochure, print ad, media ad, etc). That makes webpage copy a repeatable, easily renewable investment.
  • A dental website that informs and compels effectively will lead to an appointment, a product/service purchase, a longterm patient/client relationship for not one but perhaps multiple friends and family members/colleagues, etc. In essence, its value to your “business” is multiple what you pay me to create it one time.
  • Copywriting is an art that requires unique skills to tap into the mind of the dental-seeking public. To put it bluntly, you can shop online for any warm-blooded person that calls himself or herself a copywriter or content creator…but you will always get what you pay for.
  • I’m a professional copywriter (since 2007) trained in direct response principles by some of the best in the world, with thousands of pages of copy to my credit…and I’ve worked in the dental industry (at a local dental practice)…and my wife is a dental industry veteran…so, yes, I’m around dentistry every day with tons of experience on the table!

So, what does dental copywriting cost?

My answer, though surprising, might be the most helpful one you’ll hear about costs and pricing associated with professional dental copywriting and content creation.

Here’s the scoop…

Dental copywriting and content costs reflect the scope of the project

Scope could be determined by the number of pages, a page’s density (as in how much research is required to produce compelling information), the audience the copy/content is targeting, what’s being promoted or featured, etc.

Scope is important because a project takes on a life-of-it’s-own. You have something in mind but copywriting and content expertise could and probably will uncover levels of value you might not initially be aware of.

In this case, your value-investment increases.

Scope considered, a value-based price range might look like this for common online/digital projects:

  • Webpage copy – $250 to $500+ per page or $1,200 to $2,000+ for a full website
  • Blog content – $175 to $500+ per post or $375 to $750+ (per month packages)

Dental copywriting and content costs are flexible

Fee flexibility can be determined by:

  • Packaging or A la carte preference. For example, you might want a single blog post ($175 to $500+) or monthly blog content ($375 to $750+ per month).
  • An ongoing retainer relationship. These relationships are optimum for maintaining consistency (copy/content voice, service/product expansion, etc) and there-when-you-need-it services (i.e. I’m on your “speed-dial!”).

Keep this in mind when you’re wondering about the cost of dental copy and content. Dental copywriting and content cost conversations can actually be beneficial to your business or practice. And the benefits can be yours whether we establish a fee agreement or not.

Bottom-line: I’m here to provide value. Costs aside that’s good for both of us.

  1. Sheridan, Marcus. They Ask You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today’s Digital Consumer (Kindle Locations 959-961). Wiley. Kindle Edition.
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3 Questions Dental Web Copywriting Must Answer…or Else

Picture a large sports venue with a seating capacity of 40 to 50,000. Put yourself as a dental marketer or a dental service provider in one of those thousands of seats.

The stadium announcer booms out (Why? I don’t know. But stick with me…), “This just in…a local dental practice seeks a substantial supply of (your specific product or service). If you provide (your specific product or service)…stand up!”

Picture nearly 10,000 standing!

A strange but somewhat realistic analogy when you consider it alongside what happens countless times a day online. The bigger question – how do you stand out in a crowd that numbers significantly more than 10,000 (relative to the average Google web search).

I’m a dental copywriter. I’ve narrowed my attention to those who provide products and services to the dental industry.

When I set sail in this niche my first online research process produced nearly 40,000 companies who’ve tagged themselves “dental supply” companies. That’s a lot of companies vying for the attention of thousands more who rely on the supply chain they represent. Think about it!

How do you get online attention…and keep it?

Producing attention-getting and attention-keeping web content as a dental marketer and/or dental service provider deserves your utmost attention! I recommend the following three tips from web copywriting expert, Nick Usborne, for attention-deficit websites.

3  questions your web content must answer to get and keep attention:

1) Who are you?

Getting to the core of who you are – as a business or service – helps you get more attention. Remember there are potentially hundreds – if not thousands – in the same or similar business as you.

But…your business-DNA is unique. You must differentiate yourself and get attention away from the pack.

Usborne encourages the simplicity of narrowing your biz to the core (benefits) through writing a 500 word (or less) article on your business, product, or service. This exercise funnels the related details into an easy-to-read format.

2) Who do you exist for & how?

The point of your business or service is to provide benefits. So envision – whoever that end-user is – actually using your product or services.

Usborne invites writing 10 user scenarios involving 10 different people (e.g. how does your product or services benefit them, what will they experience as result, etc.). This *power of 10* approach highlights the real reasons people do business with you – why you exist!

And finally…

3) What’s your business…in a nutshell?

Attention spans are short…especially when potential customers and clients surf the web! You must maximize your time and theirs. It helps to crunch-down who you are and what you do into a concise few words.

Nick Usborne says the core of your business is best expressed in 10 words or less. Write them down. Refine them. Then, keep those words accessible (in your mind) at all times as a *tagline*.

Give your dental business and dental services a front row seat. And position yourself to land the attention of countless web surfers by applying these online content tips.

Contact me about narrowing your dental marketing strategy and dental web copywriting to an attention-getting core! Case studies, online articles, and social media are an excellent way to stand-out in the crowd of dental marketers and dental suppliers.

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