Blogs posted in

Dental Marketing

November 13, 2020| LocalMed SuccessDental SoftwareDental Marketing

The Power and Impact of Online Scheduling

Rapidly rising overhead costs. Stringent new infection control requirements. Hiring and retaining qualified staff. Heightened patient anxiety regarding the safety of receiving needed treatment. And of course, navigating all of the complexities associated with a global pandemic. Is it even possible to thrive in such a difficult business climate? Happily, the answer is an absolute “yes!”

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August 17, 2020| Dental Marketing

Winter is coming for your hygiene schedule.

Everybody is sick to death of hearing this lately, but it needs to be said anyway, so please, please bear with us. It’s time to sound the alarm. The dental industry isn’t out of the COVID woods yet, and if we don’t start acting now, fall/winter is going to be extremely dangerous. Here’s why...

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How to Book More Appointments Through Local SEO

April 29, 2020| Dental Marketing

How to Book More Appointments Through Local SEO

If you don’t show up on Google, you’re cutting your patient base in half. So the question is obvious… how can you make your practice rank higher on Google without paying an arm and a leg? Here are a few simple DIY steps to take from our friends at SoftwarePundit that will work even if you aren’t already using LocalMed.

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Online Scheduling That Works Offline

December 05, 2019| Dental Marketing

Online Scheduling That Works Offline

Here’s a fun little oxymoron for you - our online scheduling can get you patients who are not online. In some cases, they don’t even have to be anywhere near a computer. No, we’re not crazy, and we’re not trying to con you either. It’s true. After your LocalMed scheduling has been implemented, you can attract patients who aren’t online, or even looking for a dental appointment in the first place.

Read More

3 (Totally Wrong) Reasons not to use LocalMed

November 21, 2019| Dental Marketing

3 (Totally Wrong) Reasons not to use LocalMed

Over the last 5 years or so, we’ve talked to thousands of practices about online scheduling. That means we’ve heard hundreds of arguments about why LocalMed “wouldn’t work” for their practice. And every time, we have to tell them why those reasons are wrong.

Read More

G.O.S.T. Diaries - Special Halloween Edition

October 31, 2019| Dental Marketing

G.O.S.T. Diaries - Special Halloween Edition

There’s no question about it; G.O.S.T. is the most fashionable goat around.

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Tales of a Successful Startup: Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry

June 14, 2019| Dental MarketingLocalMed Success

Tales of a Successful Startup: Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” You can see those words from Gandhi plastered all over motivational social media posts and bumper stickers, but it’s not so often that you meet someone who really lives by them.

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May 23, 2019| Dental Marketing

Where's Your Shopping Cart?

There’s something on the internet that’s even more powerful than Facebook or Google. Everyone has used it, even you.

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Do Dentists Actually Need to be on Social Media?

April 22, 2019| Dental Marketing

Do Dentists Actually Need to be on Social Media?

Every marketing blog on the internet will tell you that, as a dentist, you need to be on social media. But do you actually?

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The Easiest Way to get Google to Notice Your Dental Practice

October 12, 2018| Dental Marketing

The Easiest Way to get Google to Notice Your Dental Practice

Google rules the internet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on a share of their spoils. They’ve built a collection of tools to help local business achieve better search results, more hits, and ultimately, more patients for you. The best one is Google My Business. And with a little research, it’s easy to put it to work for your practice.

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How NOT to Get Better Online Reviews

July 25, 2018| Dental Marketing

How NOT to Get Better Online Reviews

You want patients to rave about your practice, but there's a right and a wrong way to get strong online reviews. Whatever you do, don't do this...

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Your Patients Don’t Want to "Request" an Appointment.

April 24, 2018| Dental Marketing

Your Patients Don’t Want to "Request" an Appointment.

Here at LocalMed, we talk to dentists everyday. And 95% of the time, when we bring up the topic of online scheduling, most dentists are quick to say that they already have it. But when we pull up their practice website, it's nowhere to be found.

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The Best Way to Handle the 128 Hours Each Week Your Dental Practice is Closed.

January 15, 2018| Dental Marketing

The Best Way to Handle the 128 Hours Each Week Your Dental Practice is Closed.

There are 168 hours in a week, and chances are, your dental practice is only available for 40 (or so) of those hours. That leaves 128 hours where patients aren’t able to talk with your trained front-desk staff members. How do you deal with the calls that come in while your practice is closed?

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LocalMed and the Dental Marketer Discuss How To Attract New Patients 24/7

January 08, 2018| Dental Marketing

LocalMed and the Dental Marketer Discuss How To Attract New Patients 24/7

Looking for ways to attract new patients to your dental practice? Keith English, LocalMed CEO, talks with The Dental Marketer about how YOU can attract new patients 24/7 (even when you're not in the office)!

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How to Create Your Own Dental Marketing Strategy and Attract New Patients

October 31, 2017| Dental Marketing

How to Create Your Own Dental Marketing Strategy and Attract New Patients

Is your dental practice growth stagnant, or worse, falling? Do you need to figure out how to attract new patients ASAP? Have you invested a lot into “some marketing stuff” but now you’re not seeing the expected flow of new patients?

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7 Tips for Successful Dental Marketing on Facebook

October 24, 2017| Dental Marketing

7 Tips for Successful Dental Marketing on Facebook

If you’re looking for advice on growing and marketing your dental practice, you know that creating a Facebook business page is a common suggestion.

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Planes, Trains, and Dental Scheduling

October 12, 2017| Dental Marketing

Planes, Trains, and Dental Scheduling

Let’s all take a minute and think back to your last vacation. (Ready? Go!)

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Dear Dentist, From a Millennial

October 03, 2017| Dental Marketing

Dear Dentist, From a Millennial

A lot of businesses simply scratch their heads in confusion when it comes to Millennials, so I’m here today to let you in on three (not-so-secret) secrets that can help you attract Millennials to your dental practice.

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4 Ways to Exceed Patient Expectations Before They Even Walk in the Door

September 11, 2017| Dental Marketing

4 Ways to Exceed Patient Expectations Before They Even Walk in the Door

When it comes to their dental care, your patients have options. Depending on your location, they might have a lot of options.

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What Patients are Saying About Scheduling Their Dental Appointment

September 05, 2017| Dental Marketing

What Patients are Saying About Scheduling Their Dental Appointment

We asked 3,124 patients who scheduled a dentist appointment through LocalMed one simple question: Why did you schedule online rather than call the practice? Unsurprisingly, they had a lot to say.

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Is Your Dental Marketing Working?

July 13, 2017| Dental Marketing

Is Your Dental Marketing Working?

Month after month, you’re spending your hard-earned money on marketing that is supposed to bring you a steady stream of new patients each month. Direct mail, pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, social media, marketing agencies… the list of marketing methods you’ve tried goes on. The future of your practice depends on these methods capturing the attention of potential patients.

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Where Do All Your Dental Website Visitors Go?

May 11, 2016| Dental Marketing

Where Do All Your Dental Website Visitors Go?

When looking to determine the effectiveness for your website and web marketing the funnel starts at the number of visitors on a monthly basis. Most sites will place a call tracking number on your site so you can track the number of calls to your office from the traffic that is coming to your website.

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Is it Easy for Patients to Schedule an Appointment at Your Dental Office?

December 07, 2015| Dental Marketing

Is it Easy for Patients to Schedule an Appointment at Your Dental Office?

Patients list convenience as the #1 factor in selecting a dental office.

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February 17, 2015| Dental Marketing

Why is online scheduling important for your dental office

Patients today are looking for more visibility and options as related to their dental care.

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What is LocalMed?

July 24, 2017| Dental Marketing

What is LocalMed?

LocalMed is a software company dedicated to building innovative and industry-leading solutions for dental practices.

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June 05, 2014| Dental Marketing

LocalMed for your practice

Dentists are often seeking ways to either bring in new patients to their practice or improve efficiency to reduce overhead. LocalMed’s online scheduling platform is built to satisfy both of these needs simultaneously. We help funnel new patients to your practice and also streamline the entire appointment process.

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Pick Your Top Keywords

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If you don’t already know the search terms that drive the most traffic for your website, you should register your website for Google Search Console and look at the performance dashboard. Inside of Google Search Console, you can find the search terms that new and existing patients most commonly search to find your practice. By looking through this data, you’ll find the keywords where you already perform well, as well as opportunities to capture more search traffic.

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We recommend analyzing your Search Console data to find high volume keywords where your website ranks well (inside the top 50), but does not capture a high percentage of traffic. These are the keywords you should start targeting with your SEO efforts to drive more traffic to your website.

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Examples of good keywords might be:

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Create Authoritative Content

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Now that you understand the search terms that your target audience uses in your area, it’s time to create content that targets those search terms and improves your rankings.

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To create authoritative content that will rank well in Google, consider these tips:

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Get Backlinks

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\"OnlineSchedulingHasaBadReputation-ButLocalMedFixedIt\"

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One of the most important SEO factors is backlinks. Although it seems like a technical term, a backlink is just another website that links to your webpage. There are numerous tactics you can use to get other websites to link to your content. Here’s three that work well for local practices:

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Manage Your Business Listings

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A recent study by Moz showed that the top SEO factor for the local pack is a company’s Google My Business signal. Make sure that your practice has accurate, up-to-date information on Google My Business and other business listings. This will help Google gain confidence in your local presence. If you have 1-2 locations, you can manage this yourself. If you are a part of a larger practice, check out services like Yext.

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Get Online Bookings

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\"LocalMed-Connect

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Once you’ve done the work to drive Internet traffic to your website, you should be prepared to make it worthwhile. By partnering with a software business like LocalMed, you’ll be able to convert traffic into appointments. These systems help you add patients to your schedule, even when your team is offline. To maximize conversion, focus on making your call-to-action (CTA) clear, and ensure that your calendar is up to date.

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LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

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Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

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Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/29zVO8peK1Ti3XOvhVOpBA/07cc0b4362ceb159dd55d4e95a0abfe7/OnlineSchedulingHasaBadReputation-ButLocalMedFixedIt.jpg","blogImageTitle":"OnlineSchedulingHasaBadReputation-ButLocalMedFixedIt"},{"id":"2xuSTtVmQJy24YN0SdmPdb","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:29:44.197Z","slug":"online-scheduling-that-works-offline","title":"Online Scheduling That Works Offline","date":"December 05, 2019","introText":"Here’s a fun little oxymoron for you - our online scheduling can get you patients who are not online. In some cases, they don’t even have to be anywhere near a computer. No, we’re not crazy, and we’re not trying to con you either. It’s true. After your LocalMed scheduling has been implemented, you can attract patients who aren’t online, or even looking for a dental appointment in the first place.","mainContent":"

Here’s a fun little oxymoron for you - our online scheduling can get you patients who are not online. In some cases, they don’t even have to be anywhere near a computer. No, we’re not crazy, and we’re not trying to con you either. It’s true. After your LocalMed scheduling has been implemented, you can attract patients who aren’t online, or even looking for a dental appointment in the first place.

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Attracting those patients does take a little creativity, and a bit of elbow grease to boot. But it doesn’t have to be difficult - it’s just a matter of seizing some opportunities that you might have been letting slip by. Here are our favorite ways to use online scheduling offline.

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Ground Marketing Enhancement

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Ground marketing is the biggest opportunity of all, and it’s a pretty simple idea. Get out there, in person, and start marketing your practice face-to-face with the people in your community. When patients hear about your practice directly, in a people-to-people kind of way, it immediately creates a connection that makes them more likely to remember you than the people they found during a Google search.

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It’s not as daunting as it seems; you can do ground marketing wherever people are. Many of our clients have found success with it at county fairs, PTA meetings, block parties, farmers markets, and even the openings of apartment buildings. The possibilities are almost limitless.

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\"OnlineSchedulingThatWorkOffline

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Typically, you’ll have some kind of marketing material that you leave with the people you meet. That can be anything from a business card to a multiple-page brochure. They take that material home, and hopefully the next time they want to schedule a dental appointment, they’ll remember that material and have your contact information on-hand.

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Here’s where LocalMed comes in. Many of our clients do this type of ground marketing, but instead of just distributing pamphlets, they’ll take an iPad with them. When someone expresses interest, they’ll pull up their schedule, and the patient can book an appointment right then and there. The practice leaves with many leads and several fully booked appointments.

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LocalMed means you don’t have to distribute materials and then wait, hoping to eventually get a call back. You’re filling your schedule right then, in that instant. No other online scheduling technology can do that.

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\"LocalMed-Connect_Phone-In-Cafe\"

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Ground marketing is a highly effective strategy that requires minimal investment. And when you add real online scheduling to the playbook, it becomes a game changer. If you’re interested in learning more about ground marketing, give our friend Michael Arias the Dental Marketer a look!

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More Effective Print Materials

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Whether you’re using them as ground marketing collateral or in direct mail campaigns, printed materials are a staple in dental marketing. Unfortunately, they can feel a bit old fashioned nowadays. People are used to the digital world, and expect the convenience it provides. But when you have real online scheduling, your print marketing ceases to be junk mail and becomes something that appeals to that modern sense of convenience.

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All it takes is a URL, or even better, a QR code. Just put the code on your print materials, and label it clearly with something like “schedule an appointment online now!” Then, with one scan, prospective patients can see your schedule and book an appointment in just a few taps of their mobile device.

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It eliminates the need to call during business hours. It eliminates all the back-and-forth communication that patients simply don’t want to bother with. It’s simple. One scan, appointment booked. Once again, no other online scheduling technology can do that.

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\"LocalMed\nSanto Dental Group and Elden Family Dental using ground marketing to drive patients to schedule online with LocalMed

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The print materials don’t even have to be outbound marketing. Some of our clients have found success simply by putting a “schedule an appointment now!” QR code in their window. Patients have walked by, scanned the code, and boom - they just turned a random passerby into a booked appointment.

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The LocalMed formula for success is a pretty simple one. Put yourself where your patients are, and make scheduling as easy and convenient as possible. Try these tips out for yourself - you’ll be surprised at how well they can work, and how little work they take.

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Schedule A Demo Today!

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LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

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Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

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Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/68zsxsn5GzopnKdhHRrv7/d0642097773b746eda80e808614c0a10/LocalMedSign.png","blogImageTitle":"LocalMed Ground Marketing Sign"},{"id":"1eEHYGM6tc0A24UT8MwEws","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:29:59.938Z","slug":"3-totally-wrong-reasons-not-to-use-localmed","title":"3 (Totally Wrong) Reasons not to use LocalMed","date":"November 21, 2019","introText":"Over the last 5 years or so, we’ve talked to thousands of practices about online scheduling. That means we’ve heard hundreds of arguments about why LocalMed “wouldn’t work” for their practice. And every time, we have to tell them why those reasons are wrong. ","mainContent":"

Over the last 5 years or so, we’ve talked to thousands of practices about online scheduling. That means we’ve heard hundreds of arguments about why LocalMed “wouldn’t work” for their practice. And every time, we have to tell them why those reasons are wrong.

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We’ve heard it all, but there are a few key “reasons” that bubble up again and again. Chances are you’ve already thought of one of these, so let’s break them down one by one.

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1. “We already have online scheduling!”

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This is the most common objection of all, and it’s wrong for one key reason - most companies play pretty fast and loose with their definition of “scheduling.” When we say scheduling, we mean it.

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When we say online scheduling, we mean a patient can click a few buttons and fully book an appointment into your practice management system. They are now in your schedule. The appointment is as officially booked as it is when your front desk does it, and looks exactly the same too. You can follow up if you like, but you aren’t required to do anything manually at all. New appointments get scheduled 24/7/365 (366 on leap years). Done.

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\"LocalMed-Connect

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When others say online scheduling, they mean the patient clicked a few buttons that sent your front desk a message. Maybe it’s an email, maybe it’s a text, maybe it’s a push notification. Regardless, that “scheduling button” hasn’t actually scheduled anything. All it’s done is told you that a patient wants an appointment, and now the manual work to actually schedule that appointment begins.

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These practices don’t actually have online scheduling; they have online appointment requests. The difference is huge, and since LocalMed is fully integrated with your practice management system, it’s real scheduling, which removes hours of manual work from the process.

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2. Okay… but I don’t want to lose control of my schedule!

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Of course you don’t. Your schedule is sacred, and letting patients schedule appointments willy-nilly would be a catastrophe. They can’t be trusted to know how long a procedure will take, or which hygienist to choose, or any of a hundred other things. We built LocalMed so that you stay fully in control. How?

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It’s pretty simple - you set the rules, and we put them into action. We’ll discuss your rules over the phone, and set parameters to keep them in place. That means patients can only book appointments when, and how you want them to. No appointment can be offered online unless you’ve pre-approved it in every way you can imagine.

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\"localmed-connect-mockup\"

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3. But our scheduling is crazy, there’s no way it can be automated!

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You’d be surprised. In all our years doing this, we’ve seen all kinds of practices with all kinds of scheduling routines. Our clients include everyone from one-location practices with one doctor, to huge organizations with 300-some locations, and we have yet to be stumped.

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You only want returning patients on Mondays? Done. The specialist only comes in for a few days every other month? Done. The doc only wants to do crown work in his favorite operatory on days that fall on prime numbers? Sure, why not?

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\"LocalMed-Connect

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You have reasons for scheduling the way you do. And so long as you can explain them to us, we can keep them in place. If there’s any kind of logic, we bet we can handle it. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through it!

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At the end of the day, we can understand where these objections are coming from. Changing something, especially something as important as your scheduling process, can be scary. But this technology is amazing. And so far, everyone who has insisted that it won’t work for these reasons has been wrong. It wouldn’t have been possible 5 years ago, but it is now.

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There are a few other common objections that we’ll cover in future posts. But spoiler alert… they’re all wrong too. Check back soon!

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Schedule A Demo Today!

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LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

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Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

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Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/7hz2HibVnLx1nkBQB9bi0t/1f42c0da293e9aba0ea3914249c708ce/LocalMed-Connect_Computer-and-Phone-1.png","blogImageTitle":"LocalMed-Connect Computer-and-Phone-1"},{"id":"12NzYiM7qWF3cdGNvOUFbv","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:36:03.274Z","slug":"gost-diaries-special-halloween-edition","title":"G.O.S.T. Diaries - Special Halloween Edition","date":"October 31, 2019","introText":"There’s no question about it; G.O.S.T. is the most fashionable goat around. ","mainContent":"

He’s not the type to just throw on whatever clothes are clean. No, when he chooses an outfit, he knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s the type to make a statement. And this year, he had so much to say that he couldn’t pick just one costume for the spookiest day of the year.

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Costume #1: LocalMed Integration Specialist

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At first glance, this looks like a pumpkin costume. ...And it is. But like all haute couture, there’s a deeper layer to it. G.O.S.T. isn’t just a pumpkin here. He’s a LocalMed Integration Specialist. Notice how effortlessly he integrates with those pumpkins - how flawlessly he blends in. Now imagine the pumpkins are your practice management system, and this suave goat is the best online scheduling software around. They’re perfect for each other - custom built for seamless, real-time performance. It’s truly a showstopping display. But the show can’t stop here - next down the runway...

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Costume #2: G.O.S.T. Lightning

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\"gost

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There he goes, burning up the quarter mile - G.O.S.T. Lightning! This ensemble of genuine leather and bespoke chucks isn’t just a nostalgic ode to '50s fashion, simpler times, and fast cars. This is a fashion-forward statement about today’s fast times and LocalMed’s even faster online scheduling. Since LocalMed works in real time, patients can book an appointment at lightning speeds - from zero to scheduled in under a minute. And since it only takes 2 short phone calls to set up, your practice will be up and running in the blink of an eye. But speed isn’t everything. Next down the runway we have something a little more methodical.

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Costume #3: G.O.S.T. the Gumshoe

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\"gost

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He leaves no stone unturned, no clue unnoticed, and no audience unimpressed - G.O.S.T. the Gumshoe is on the case! With his trusty sherlock cap and magnifying glass, this private eye can discover any hidden thing. That includes all the nooks and crannies of the internet where you can start earning new patients. After all, putting the LocalMed scheduling widget on your website is... elementary. There are so many other possibilities, from social media, to reviews pages, and everything in between. In this outfit, G.O.S.T. can find them all.

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Costume #4: G.O.S.T. the Offensive Coordinator

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\"gost

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Who says shoulder pads went out of fashion in the '80s? G.O.S.T. the Offensive Coordinator is here to prove them wrong. His favorite team might not be the monsters of the midway nowadays, but G.O.S.T. is still ready to bear down and help you get those patients. With LocalMed’s online scheduling, it’s easy to take your marketing on the offensive. Best of all, patients will start scheduling when you’re not in the office. Even on Sundays, when you’re taking a load off to watch the game. And last, but by no means least...

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Costume #5: G.O.S.T. the Superhero

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\"Facetune

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Bottom line - being able to earn patients 24/7 is pretty much a superpower, and G.O.S.T. is leading the charge against the evils of inconvenient scheduling. This is a bold fashion choice that says “LocalMed is the hero your practice deserves, and the one it needs right now.” He’s our caped crusader, ready to help you schedule appointments whenever, wherever. Even in the middle of a dark night.

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LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

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Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

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Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/QGhiYYX9WCaILE8q3urjr/7007a7f592fd186876a4eb69244dd597/gost_pumpkin.jpg","blogImageTitle":"gost pumpkin"},{"id":"38XQkeI9d4wApPLL4Rp4rf","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:36:23.365Z","slug":"tales-of-a-successful-startup-stonebrook-pediatric-dentistry","title":"Tales of a Successful Startup: Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry","date":"June 14, 2019","introText":"“Be the change you want to see in the world.” You can see those words from Gandhi plastered all over motivational social media posts and bumper stickers, but it’s not so often that you meet someone who really lives by them.","mainContent":"

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” You can see those words from Gandhi plastered all over motivational social media posts and bumper stickers, but it’s not so often that you meet someone who really lives by them. And while he might not have liberated India, Dr. Abhishek Bhaumik puts those words into practice every day at Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry in Frisco, Texas.

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\"39159136\n(Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry in Frisco, Texas)

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Stonebrook specializes in treating tongue-tied and high-anxiety children, and those niches weren’t chosen due to a vacuum in the market. Dr. Bhaumik chose them because he was one of those kids.

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“I love helping kids with high anxiety because that’s my background,” Dr. Bhaumik told us. “I went through depression myself. When kids come to my office that have issues similar to what I grew up with, I can feel that. When I get kids that are bullied at school, I understand that. When I get kids whose doctors don’t fully understand what being tongue-tied is, or how to diagnose it… that was me. I knew I wanted to help these kids before I even finished high school.”

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“For most of my life, I didn’t have much confidence because I was never really good at anything. That started to change when I got into martial arts. As I rose through the ranks, I got the opportunity to teach kids’ classes. And they always seemed to listen to me. I was good with kids, and I loved teaching them. During my senior year, one of the dads was a pediatric dentist. He offered me a job as an assistant in his office. That opened my eyes to pediatric dentistry, and by the end of high school, I knew what I wanted to do. Stonebrook is the culmination of the dream that started all those years ago.”

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Dr. Bhaumik’s practice is castle-themed, and kids love it so much that he says some kids have asked their moms if they can go to the dentist instead of going to school. Stonebrook has a play area, charming wall-art, and the kindness that can only come from someone who truly understands. It’s an ideal situation that was created under less-than-ideal conditions.\n\"39246760\n(Interior of Stonebrook Pediatric's castle-themed office)

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When Stonebrook opened, Dr. Bhaumik knew there were 14 other dental practices within a 1.5 mile radius, one of which was a pediatric practice. But the combination of a growing area and determination led him to create a growing practice that defied the odds.

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Months before opening, Dr. Bhaumik posted videos of the practice’s construction on social media. He spent his free time going to local businesses, letting them know a new pediatric practice would be opening soon. The entire marketing operation was being run off a single laptop featuring OpenDental with LocalMed installed.

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(Dr. Bhaumik pictured at his practice during construction)

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“Based off LocalMed alone, we had 10, maybe 14 patients scheduled before we even opened our doors,” Dr. Bhaumik told us. “We still get about a third of our new patients through it. Real online scheduling’s a very important piece of what we do, and I’d recommend it to any private practice.”

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\"Blog-CallOut-01\"

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But it’s not just technology propelling Stonebrook to success. Dr. Bhaumik’s philosophy toward competition, and business in general, is a rare and refreshing thing. “I knew there were 14 practices in our area when we were opening, but I didn’t see them as competition. I saw them as colleagues,” he told us.

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“I’ve never seen anyone as competition because nobody can mimic your personality, your ethic, your team, the way you approach dentistry. I wish healthcare providers wouldn’t see each other as competitors. I genuinely believe that every practitioner is passionate about one or two things. You can’t be good at everything, and patients pick up on that.”

\n

“At the end of the day, patients decide who they want to go to. When you talk about what you love, patients pick up on that. If you’re passionate, word of mouth spreads pretty quickly.”

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n

Topic: LocalMed Success

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"},{"id":"exkceFIHzGWowoC6oIcCM","updatedAt":"2019-06-13T21:44:08.909Z","category":"LocalMed Success","slug":"testimonials"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/2iG01DpsHN80Rty5YaMA0R/23adeef59bb2907f70527eb76c57045e/39159136_435333243641412_2792915888540483584_o.jpg","blogImageTitle":"39159136 435333243641412 2792915888540483584 o"},{"id":"5dxGWhuBS3iV7DKiuKLf4a","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:34:33.524Z","slug":"wheres-your-shopping-cart","title":"Where's Your Shopping Cart?","date":"May 23, 2019","introText":"There’s something on the internet that’s even more powerful than Facebook or Google. Everyone has used it, even you. ","mainContent":"

The shopping cart button changed everything.

\n

Not only did it make Jeff Bezos the richest man in the world, it completely revolutionized consumer expectations, including yours and your patients’.

\n

Why? In a word, convenience.

\n

Think about the last time you made a purchase online. The process looked something like this, right?

\n
    \n
  1. You put items in the cart.
  2. \n
  3. You clicked the cart and paid.
  4. \n
  5. You got what you needed delivered to your door.
  6. \n
\n

\"maarten-van-den-heuvel-246398-unsplash\"

\n

Now think about this - would you have made that same purchase, with that same company, if the ordering process looked like this?

\n
    \n
  1. You have to write an email or make a phone call to the selling company.
  2. \n
  3. You wait for a response (which might take a couple days if it’s the weekend or a holiday).
  4. \n
  5. The company either responds with an email, or a call during your work hours.
  6. \n
  7. You discuss the details with the company, perhaps going back and forward a few times, and then send payment.
  8. \n
  9. You get what you wanted delivered to your door.
  10. \n
\n

That would be a ridiculous way to do business in today’s economy, right? ...But if you don’t have real online scheduling (not just appointment requests), that’s exactly what you’re asking your patients to do.

\n

\"localmed-shopping-cart-conversion\"

\n

Patients are consumers just like you.

\n

They want what you can provide, so they work their way through your painstakingly crafted marketing funnel. When they finally end up on your Google listing, or your website, or your social media pages, they’re ready to schedule an appointment…

\n

\"localmed-connect-mockup\"

\n

...But there’s no shopping cart button. They have to go through scenario #2. And since they don’t want to do that, they’re far less likely to purchase - that is, they’re less likely to wind up in your chair.

\n

LocalMed is to your practice as the shopping cart button is to Amazon.

\n

THAT is what separates LocalMed from other so-called online scheduling services. They click a button, they choose an appointment time, they get that appointment time.

\n

Even though dentistry is far more important than whatever’s in their next Prime package, your patients (and maybe even you) are conditioned to want that instant convenience. It’s a trend that’s only continuing to grow.

\n

Over the last 9 years, e-commerce has seen 6-8 times more growth than traditional retail, and it’s all because of the power of the shopping cart. The trend shows no signs of slowing down, and probably won’t until we all have Star Trek-style replicators that can materialize products straight into our living rooms.

\n

Schedule a demo today to see how LocalMed can be your practice’s shopping cart, or sign up for our email list - when we invent the replicator, you’ll be the first to hear about it. 😉

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}]},{"id":"3vsRcOBuLVFifLOjP7xy6f","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:31:34.237Z","slug":"do-dentists-actually-need-to-be-on-social-media","title":"Do Dentists Actually Need to be on Social Media?","date":"April 22, 2019","introText":"Every marketing blog on the internet will tell you that, as a dentist, you need to be on social media. But do you actually?","mainContent":"

Every marketing blog on the internet will tell you that, as a dentist, you need to be on social media.

\n

Now, I don’t know about you, but my personal social media feed looks like a strange blend of class reunion and awkward Thanksgiving dinner. My friends are posting pictures of their kids. That girl I knew in school is vacationing on a beach again. My uncle is ranting about politics. And hey, look - memes!

\n

What good is any of this to a dental practice? Do you really need a social presence?

\n

A decade ago, the answer might have been no. Back then, social media just wasn’t that ingrained into the way we interact with each other. In 2009, only 18% of people over 12 were using Facebook every month. Now it’s 62%. And since 68% of people get most of their news from it, it’s pretty clear that your patients are doing a lot of socializing online.

\n

\"ig-socialmedia\"

\n

While memes and political spats might not have much to do with dentistry, there’s something bigger underneath all that noise. In its ideal form, social media is all about relationships. And that’s something that every successful practice should cultivate with its patients. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or whatever else, as long as you’re using it to create and maintain relationships.

\n

Social media is where your patients are spending their digital lives, and to consistently stay in your patients’ minds, you actually do need to be there engaging with them.

\n

\"LocalMed-Blog

\n

A good social presence = free word of mouth advertising

\n

It’s the oldest form of advertising, and it’s still incredibly important. We talk to dentists every day who rely on word of mouth to bring new patients into their chairs. But nowadays, word of mouth is more like word of keyboard.

\n

75% of people admit to purchasing something because they saw it advertised on social media. A dentist appointment is no different! Facebook can even detect when someone is asking their friends for a recommendation.That’s the kind of opportunity you don’t want to miss.

\n

If one of your patients tags your practice in a situation like this, you can jump in and immediately start welcoming a new patient to your practice. That kind of responsiveness will give you an edge and help you start building a new relationship. It’s an indispensable tool, especially when you’re trying to sell an experience that most people see as a necessity, not a desire.

\n

\"social-media\"

\n

Social media = free appointment reminders

\n

Even if you have automated appointment reminders, you can still get more value out of social media. The name of the game is staying at top of mind, and engaging with your patient base can encourage patients to return regularly in two main ways.

\n

The first way you can do this is the active route. Post, perhaps once a month, reminding people to come in. It’s not intrusive that way, and people will be less likely to get annoyed if they aren’t being constantly spammed by reminders. Many people will be more likely to reach out through social than through traditional means like a phone call or an email. Regardless, be sure never to solicit directly, or take any other action that may violate HIPAA.

\n

The other way to do this is passively. Whenever you post, whatever your post, patients who follow your practice will see it. Every time they see your name, it’s a sidelong reminder that they haven’t been to the dentist in a while. You don’t have to say anything direct like “schedule an appointment soon!” Just seeing your name will be enough to put the thought of scheduling in their mind.

\n

\"LocalMed-Connect_Phone-In-Cafe\"

\n

Social media with LocalMed = fully booked appointments

\n

Inconvenience is one of the biggest barriers in scheduling an appointment. It takes time and energy - patients often have to call an office during business hours (which means they’re at work). With LocalMed, you can turn your social media into an actual gateway to a booked appointment. One button, embedded directly into your social media profiles or added to your posts, can allow patients to book an appointment with a few clicks. They don’t even have to leave the comfort of their screens.

\n

Our average client sees a website conversion increase of 35-70%. That’s what happens when scheduling an appointment is made convenient.

\n

At the end of the day, social is too valuable to ignore. That’s doubly true when you have a scheduling widget attached to everything you post there. Take some time to figure out the best social plan for your practice. It doesn’t need to be expansive, but without at least some form of regular social presence, you’re leaving value on the table.

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/6jHXkZOwAPFf8PB3EHNl0U/299703ddd2f7cb1b2bcfb06b2ad25da9/ig-socialmedia.jpg","blogImageTitle":"ig-socialmedia"},{"id":"2ryww0ib5SgqUEAicGSksg","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:32:34.371Z","slug":"the-easiest-way-to-get-google-to-notice-your-dental-practice","title":"The Easiest Way to get Google to Notice Your Dental Practice","date":"October 12, 2018","introText":"Google rules the internet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on a share of their spoils. They’ve built a collection of tools to help local business achieve better search results, more hits, and ultimately, more patients for you. The best one is Google My Business. And with a little research, it’s easy to put it to work for your practice.","mainContent":"

Google rules the internet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on a share of their spoils. They’ve built a collection of tools to help local business achieve better search results, more hits, and ultimately, more patients for you. The best one is Google My Business. And with a little research, it’s easy to put it to work for your dental practice.

\n

\"google-my-business-background\"

\n

What is Google My Business?

\n

If you want the full story, Google explains it all here. If you want the quick version, read on.

\n

Google My Business is the easiest, most powerful and free way for local businesses like yours to manage where you appear in searches, interact with customers, and effectively manage your online presence.

\n

Ever wonder how Google knows where to place businesses on Google Maps? Google My Business is the answer. And the reviews that pop up while searching? That’s Google My Business too.

\n

It’s one of the most important things you can do to ensure your dental practice appears online. Even Moz ranks Google My Business as the #1 factor in high local search rankings.

\n

How do I get started?

\n

Just visit this link, and click “manage now.” Enter the essential information, including hours, website, and phone number, and you’re well on the way to a boosted search ranking for your dental practice.

\n

Is that all?

\n

Yep! But also, of course not! There’s plenty more that Google My Business equips you to do.

\n

For instance, every month, Google will send you an analysis of your practices' performance. You’ll learn how many people have found you, for what search terms, your click-through rate, and plenty of other key performance indicators that will help you learn how your patients find you.

\n

You can also share information and updates about your dental practice through Google updates. Use updates to share promotions, a tour of your office, to introduce your staff, or even invite potential patients to schedule their appointment.

\n

If you want an even better Google My Business presence, talk to one of our reps about how you can add online scheduling directly to your profile.

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/68igUYq8gwg4GOCUCWy8yI/d5c6df48220002ebd2b7966a34672131/google-my-business-smile-and-co.png","blogImageTitle":"Google My Business for Dental Practices"},{"id":"Zpl0PriLgAK060EeYeuKe","updatedAt":"2019-06-13T15:15:52.731Z","slug":"how-not-to-get-better-online-reviews","title":"How NOT to Get Better Online Reviews","date":"July 25, 2018","introText":"You want patients to rave about your practice, but there's a right and a wrong way to get strong online reviews. Whatever you do, don't do this...","mainContent":"

84% of people trust online reviews as much as their friends’ recommendations, and about 91% of people have read reviews for local businesses in the last year.[1] Obviously, your reviews are important to the success of your practice. You probably already knew that. But what if I told you there was a way to guarantee that most of your online reviews were 4 or 5 star ratings?

\n

There is! Unfortunately, it might be the worst thing you can do for your online reputation. It’s called review gating, and it’s a very bad idea.

\n

What is review gating?

\n

Review gating is a technique that encourages positive reviews, and prevents potential negative ones. Here’s how it works:

\n

After a patient’s visit, your online reviews service sends them a message (usually a text or an email) that asks them to rate their visit on a 5-star scale. If the patient responds by saying they would rate you 4 or 5 stars, great! The service then asks them to leave their feedback online, and helpfully includes links to Google, Yelp, Healthgrades, and other online reviews sites. Voila, all your happy patients have been guided to leave their glowing reviews where the whole world can see them.

\n

If the patient responds negatively, then the service keeps their feedback private. Only you can see it, and they aren’t given links to reviews sites. So in order for someone to give you a negative online review, they’ll have to make the effort of finding your profile and posting it on their own. Thus, the good reviews come much more easily than the bad.

\n

What’s wrong with that?

\n

Though it’s a good way to give your practice a leg up on the competition, there’s a problem with it. Google, the de-facto rulers of the internet, have decided that they don’t like it. In April of this year, they added review gating to the list of practices that aren’t allowed. And if you want your business to be found online, it’s in your best interest to play by Google’s rules.

\n

\"christin-hume-309876-unsplash\"

\n

What if I still want to gate reviews?

\n

Maybe nothing bad happens, maybe Google deletes all your reviews overnight and makes you start from scratch. If someone reports you to Google, that’s exactly what could happen. And while someone reporting you may seem far-fetched, one complaint from a tech-savvy patient could be enough to start an investigation. For that reason, continuing to gate your reviews is like heading to Vegas and betting your entire online reputation on black. The risk isn’t worth the reward.

\n

How common is review gating?

\n

Almost every online reviews service worth its salt had been doing this for the last couple of years. Now, the opposite is true – any valuable online reviews service won’t touch review gating with a 10-foot pole. Ask your reviews service if they gate reviews. If the answer is no, good. If the answer is yes, run. If the answer is “what’s review gating?” then run even faster, because if they don’t know about this, they’re in the wrong line of work.

\n

LocalMed Reviews

\n

\"LocalMed-Connect

\n

If you want more reviews, and you want them earned the right way, LocalMed has you covered. LocalMed Reviews doesn’t use review gating, and instead sends review requests that are pre-populated with 5-star ratings. Patients are free to respond however they like, but rest assured, if they’ve had an appointment, they’re getting a review request.

\n

To learn more about online reviews, review gating, schedule a demo here.

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n

[1] https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-consumer-review-survey/

\n
\n

\"localmed-email-banner-compressed\"

\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/4fj6JldgPCgm6oCKYmIKWq/89b26a6daf1a9230784a8096d93b8d96/reviews-01.png","blogImageTitle":"Online-Reviews"},{"id":"2i9wZAGACEWAA6suwsmwQy","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:25:43.446Z","slug":"your-patients-don't-want-to-request-an-appointment","title":"Your Patients Don’t Want to \"Request\" an Appointment.","date":"April 24, 2018","introText":"Here at LocalMed, we talk to dentists everyday. And 95% of the time, when we bring up the topic of online scheduling, most dentists are quick to say that they already have it. \n\nBut when we pull up their practice website, it's nowhere to be found.","mainContent":"

Here at LocalMed, we talk to dentists everyday. And 95% of the time, when we bring up the topic of online scheduling, most dentists are quick to say that they already have it.

\n

But when we pull up their practice website, we quickly discover that they simply have a contact form with a button to “request an appointment” or are using a “scheduling platform” that has the same functionality as the contact form - it simply submits a request.

\n

We’re here to tell you that there’s a better way to book appointments online - one that will convert more of your web traffic AND keep the extra work off your front desk.

\n

\"reviews-localmed\"

\n

When you focus on your patient experience, you win.

\n

Clinical skills are important, no doubt! But the reality is that when you create an outstanding patient experience, you’ll earn more positive reviews (which generate referrals and new patients) than by doing an excellent technical job alone.

\n

In a recent study of over 35,000 online healthcare reviews, clinical skills were only responsible for 4% of negative reviews (Becker’s Healthcare Review). The other 96% were customer-service related, and of those, 53% were related specifically to communication (Vanguard Communications 2016). In fact, one of the most commonly-used phrases among the unhappiest patients in the study was “... to get an appointment …”

\n

Creating a frictionless booking and follow-up process for your potential patients should be a priority for any office looking to improve their customer experience. And the patient process begins with booking an appointment - where a “request form” is not going to cut it.

\n

\"request-system\"

\n

Why is an appointment “request” option so bad?

\n

Glad you asked!

\n

Imagine trying to book a flight for your next vacation, and instead of a full list of available flights, times and seats, the airline just gave you a vague contact form to fill out and “request a flight”. Without any information as to when you might hear back, or any knowledge of what flights are even available.

\n

Or if you were trying to buy something on Amazon, and instead of being able to do choose your quantity, shipping method and payment method, Amazon gave you no idea what is available - only the option to “request a purchase”.

\n

You’d hate it. And that’s how your patients feel when the vague “request an appointment” form is on your website.

\n

Instead of allowing a potential patient who’s ready to choose your office a seamless way of getting on your schedule, you’re putting all sorts of barriers up when their only options are to “request” an appointment, or call your office during business hours. With today’s technology, removing those roadblocks has never been easier - simply let your patient book their own appointment, 24/7.

\n

\"process-integratedPMS\"

\n

The infinitely better option: real-time online scheduling.

\n

This simple change in your patient onboarding process gives patients the ability to book an appointment with your practice just like they book flights, buy from Amazon, make dinner reservations and book rides.

\n

For the patient, it provides a frictionless transition from “I like this dentist” to “Great, I can book an appointment right now!” There’s no need for them to remember to call during business hours, and no need to submit a “appointment request” with unknown response times (Accenture 2013 consumer survey).

\n

For your practice, it means a higher conversion rate on all of your marketing efforts, less 8-minute scheduling phone calls and more fully-booked patients -- 100% of patients who schedule through LocalMed result in booked appointments.

\n

Additionally, real-time online scheduling improves the patient experience because your staff can focus their full attention on the patients who are actually in the office, resulting in even higher patient satisfaction.

\n

\"responsive-graphic\"

\n

LocalMed improves your practice reputation

\n

With LocalMed real-time online scheduling, your patients benefit from having a fully-booked appointment in under 2 minutes. From wherever they find you, at whatever time.

\n

At the same time, your practice reaps the benefits from an improved patient experience, which addresses the 94% of negative customer complaints, and results in an improved practice reputation (Becker’s Healthcare Review).

\n

Ready to make the switch from request to real-time?

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/5PlsgHA7BKke8o8gCEIEY0/5a736ee47a1e15fa10847a48de51529d/ApptRequest-01.jpg","blogImageTitle":"Patients-Dont-Want-To-Request-An-Appointment"},{"id":"cOimzkD6ISYiWy4w0suYe","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:32:17.685Z","slug":"the-best-way-to-handle-the-128-hours-your-dental-practice-is-closed","title":"The Best Way to Handle the 128 Hours Each Week Your Dental Practice is Closed.","date":"January 15, 2018","introText":"There are 168 hours in a week, and chances are, your dental practice is only available for 40 (or so) of those hours. That leaves 128 hours where patients aren’t able to talk with your trained front-desk staff members. \n\nHow do you deal with the calls that come in while your practice is closed? \n","mainContent":"

There are 168 hours in a week, and chances are, your dental practice is only available for 40 (or so) of those hours. That leaves 128 hours where patients aren’t able to talk with your trained front-desk staff members.

\n

How do you deal with the calls that come in while your practice is closed?

\n

If you’re like most practices, you probably do one of three things:

\n\n

Wondering how you can improve your after-hours method? Let’s take a look...\n\"bigstock--147006212\"

\n

Method #1 - “Please leave a message after the tone”

\n

Voicemail is traditionally the simplest and least expensive option up-front.

\n

However, since there’s no immediate action involved and patients can’t get an appointment scheduled, you’re likely losing business. Additionally, relying solely on voicemail requires your front desk to dedicate time to follow-up with patients, which can take multiple phone calls, especially if you’re limited to business hours.

\n

But don’t worry, if you want to rely on voicemail, there’s a better way!

\n

You can implement real-time online scheduling, and then direct prospective patients to your website from your voicemail message. From there, they can schedule their appointment on their time (whether that’s at 2 a.m. or 2 p.m.) and you don’t risk losing their business!

\n

Method #2 - The “on-call” staff member

\n

Some dentists want to offer a more personal touch for evening phone calls, so they pay a staff member to take a phone home and answer it. Some take it a step further and give the staff member remote access to the practice management system (PMS) in order to schedule appointments.

\n

Instead of simply taking a message, or allowing staff members to access your PMS from home (a privacy concern), you can utilize the LocalMed Call Center feature.

\n

If you have LocalMed, you have access to the call center feature! There’s no special setup required - you just click the tab called “Call Center” and you can book an appointment for the patient on the phone in real-time, without needing to access your PMS.\n\"LocalMed-Connect

\n

Method #3 - Outsourced.

\n

Dentists that want to have that personal touch, but want to outsource after-hours tasks typically hire a call center.

\n

While call centers are great at providing a real person for your patients to talk with, if all they do is take a message, you’re essentially paying double.

\n

How? Well, the call center takes a message (that you’re paying for) but then your front desk (that you’re also paying for!) still has to call the patient back the following day (or week, depending on how hard it is to get in touch!). It can end up being a significant waste of investment if you’re not actively monitoring the ROI.

\n

Some call centers can actually schedule the appointments if the practice allows access to their PMS- which is a much better use of your investment. However, keep in mind that when you give the call center access to your PMS, you’re giving them access not only to your schedule, but to all of your sensitive patient records.

\n

There’s a better way to use your hired call center: have them schedule appointments using the “call center” feature included in your LocalMed service.

\n

If you’re paying for a call center to answer your phones after hours, allowing them to book patient appointments through LocalMed is the best way to optimize your investment, while limiting access to your patient data.

\n

LocalMed’s call center feature:

\n\n

The best way to handle those 128 “after-hours”?

\n

If you want to grow your practice and maximize your profits, you can’t afford to lose 128 hours of opportunities every. single. week.

\n

There’s a lot of discussion on what the very best method is for answering phone calls after-hours - and to be honest, a lot of it depends on the practice. Test your options and track your ROI - you know your practice better than anyone!

\n

However, no matter which way you choose - LocalMed’s call center feature ensures you’re making the most of your investment.

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/37KHV4OGXSS4oA4U4oEIam/511d5bf2d2cc258e55fbfb5be761cd5c/128HoursPerWeek.jpg","blogImageTitle":"128HoursPerWeek"},{"id":"10KxeGi6X2CgMKwemm8uIi","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:34:50.064Z","slug":"localmed-and-the-dental-marketer-discuss-how-to-attract-new-patients-24-7","title":"LocalMed and the Dental Marketer Discuss How To Attract New Patients 24/7","date":"January 08, 2018","introText":"Looking for ways to attract new patients to your dental practice?\n\nKeith English, LocalMed CEO, talks with The Dental Marketer about how YOU can attract new patients 24/7 (even when you're not in the office)!","mainContent":"

Looking for ways to attract new patients to your dental practice?

\n

Our CEO, Keith English, had a chance to talk with with The Dental Marketer on his podcast, about how YOU can attract new patients 24/7 (even when you're not in the office)!

\n

They talked about...

\n\n

You can listen to the full episode here.

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/1fGA0Sw3jawsWawU0wG0ES/887b75a0cc14a2f2a7bce2510faf7a7b/ScreenShot2018-01-04at3.37.35PM.png","blogImageTitle":"The Dental Marketer Podcast"},{"id":"6x5Z7Zu6AMckMkgoeseqq0","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:25:07.743Z","slug":"how-to-create-your-own-dental-marketing-strategy-and-attract-new-patients","title":"How to Create Your Own Dental Marketing Strategy and Attract New Patients","date":"October 31, 2017","introText":"Is your dental practice growth stagnant, or worse, falling? Do you need to figure out how to attract new patients ASAP? Have you invested a lot into “some marketing stuff” but now you’re not seeing the expected flow of new patients?","mainContent":"

Is your dental practice growth stagnant, or worse, falling? Do you need to figure out how to attract new patients ASAP? Have you invested a lot into “some marketing stuff” but now you’re not seeing the expected flow of new patients?

\n

Either way, we’ll guide you through the steps to figure out a marketing strategy that will attract the new dental patients you’re looking for.

\n

\"startbyevaluating\"

\n

#1 - Start by evaluating

\n

What makes your dental practice different than the one down the street? Before you can successfully market to anyone, you need to know WHY they would want to choose you over a similar dental practice in the area.

\n

Knowing your unique service proposition is the first step in developing a solid marketing strategy for your dental practice.

\n

Think outside of your clinical expertise and dental terminology. Obviously, your level of experience is important, but the truth of the matter is, that’s not going to be what actually gets potential patients to schedule an appointment with you.

\n

Here’s some ideas to get you brainstorming:

\n\n

What does your dental practice offer that differentiates you from every other practice in your area? Think outside the box.

\n

\"identifyyourtargetaudience\"

\n

#2 - Identify your target audience

\n

What kind of dental patients are you looking to attract?

\n

Is there a certain insurance plan you’d prefer, or are you looking for more fee-for-service patients? What neighborhoods and areas of town do your potential patients live? What do they do for a living, and what is their family situation? Long-term patient, or one-hit-wonder patient?

\n

If you have multiple target audience segments, that’s perfectly ok! There is no right or wrong answer to who your target audience is. As long as enough people exist within your target audience to sustain your desired practice growth, you can make it work!

\n

\"craftyourmessage\"

\n

#3 - Craft your message

\n

Think about your unique service proposition (USP) and your target audience.

\n

What USP’s will resonate best with each audience segment? Craft a message and a call-to-action for each, ensuring that your marketing message is relevant and interesting to your target audience.

\n

For instance, you wouldn’t want to focus on how family-friendly your practice is for unmarried, young professionals. You’d want to focus on how convenient your hours are. If you’re targeting high-income households, your messaging doesn’t need to focus on how convenient your in-office payment plans are. Instead, you’d focus on the upscale features in your office, like the ability to watch a show of the patients’ choosing during their exam.

\n

\"chooseyourchannels\"

\n

#4 - Choose your channels wisely

\n

With your target audience in mind, do some research and brainstorming on advertising channels. More than likely, different platforms and methods will work better on one audience than another, so you’ll need to spread out your efforts. Consider digital advertising like Facebook ads and Google AdWords, as well as traditional methods like direct mail and local community fairs.

\n

Additionally, don’t forget about free or low-cost channels like implementing good patient referral program, a review generation system, participating in local community groups on social media and partnering with other local businesses.

\n

\"LocalMed

\n

#5 - Make it easy for potential patients to convert

\n

As you begin investing time and effort into your dental marketing plan, make sure you’re making the most of every opportunity by enabling real-time online scheduling. That way, when patients find your practice through your amazing marketing efforts, they’ll be able to book an appointment instantly, 24/7.

\n

In doing so, you’ll convert more patients and increase the ROI of your marketing by removing the need to call your dental practice during office hours.

\n

LocalMed is the only provider of real-time online scheduling specifically for dentists. Schedule your FREE demo today and see how our platform works to close the loop on your marketing efforts and grow your practice!

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/5ojxRNhQEoOoWKi8KImIGg/fe21ab7eadf55983d6c6b534d5986f29/startbyevaluating.jpg","blogImageTitle":"startbyevaluating"},{"id":"4zxTHakouAaaAaaAoEUQWI","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:37:20.869Z","slug":"7-tips-for-successful-dental-marketing-on-facebook","title":"7 Tips for Successful Dental Marketing on Facebook","date":"October 24, 2017","introText":"If you’re looking for advice on growing and marketing your dental practice, you know that creating a Facebook business page is a common suggestion. ","mainContent":"

If you’re looking for advice on growing and marketing your dental practice, you know that creating a Facebook business page is a common suggestion.

\n

Why?

\n

It’s because Facebook has the most extensive audience of any social network: nearly 70% of the entire United States population has a Facebook account, and 76% of them are checking in daily (Pew Research).

\n

That’s an incredible amount of people you can potentially reach through the Facebook platform! That’s why it’s good advice to set up and leverage Facebook business page for your dental practice.

\n

Great! You made one. Now what?

\n

\"facebook-about-section\"

\n

#1 - Ensure your practice information is always correct.

\n

Make sure there’s no confusion for potential or returning patients. There’s nothing more frustrating than struggling to figure out what number to call or hours your practice is open.

\n

Make it easy for your patients - keep your “about” section updated at all times. Here’s a quick checklist of the information you should keep updated on Facebook:

\n\n

#2 - Posts that actually engage.

\n

Too often, dental practices Facebook engagement suffers because their posts aren’t resonating with their audience. Figure out what demographic you want to target, and post things that will interest and engage them!

\n

Depending on your audience, You can ask a question. Post a funny meme. Share a link to a genuinely interesting article. Post a discounted offer every so often. Dress-up day in the office? Share a photo! Which brings us to the next point...

\n

Embedded content: https://media.giphy.com/media/mMkiMqylxW2bK/giphy.gif

\n

#3 - Real photos? YES.

\n

You don’t need to buy a thousand-dollar camera - you just need to be authentic. Stock photos aren’t going to cut it forever. At a minimum, take and post some pictures of the inside and outside of your office space, and make sure there’s at least one of you, the dentist!

\n

It’s okay to move beyond the stiff professionalism - this is social media! Patients want to know that their dental practice is made up of friendly people.

\n

If you want to step out of the box, you can take some photos of your staff members at their station (front office staff behind the counter, hygienist next to the patient chair…), or a staff photo on a fun theme or dress-up day.

\n

If you want to post pictures of happy patients, awesome! Just make sure to tread carefully, know what the HIPAA laws are and ensure that you have all the legal boxes checked.

\n

\"cost-effective-dental-advertising\"

\n

#4 - Cost-effective advertising.

\n

If you’re looking to get new patients, Facebook Ads can be a cost-effective method of doing so. Once your page is developed and you’ve got some content, create some targeted ads for people in your area!

\n

Facebook has made it pretty simple for local businesses to reach their community, so take advantage! You can make your ads even more effective in bringing you new patients by allowing them to schedule directly from your Facebook page.

\n

\"Dental

\n

#5 - Make good use of your practice’s free wi-fi.

\n

To increase your practice’s visibility on Facebook, encourage your patients who are physically present in your office to check-in on Facebook. Facebook works like this: the more people share your practice page through checking-in, the more other people will see it. Simple, right?

\n

To make it easy for your office and your patients, you can implement Facebook Wi-Fi at your practice. To use your free wifi, patients don’t have to have a password; they just have to check-in on Facebook. It’s a win-win scenario all around.

\n

#6 - Reviews

\n

There’s three places most people are looking for reviews: Google, Yelp and Facebook. Consumers are choosing where to go based on these reviews, so if you’re truly looking to grow your practice, you need to start soliciting patient reviews on these platforms, including Facebook.

\n

Still hesitant? Consider this:

\n\n

Do you really want to miss out on the impact of this social proof?

\n

\"LocalMed

\n

#7 - Be open 24/7 with real-time online scheduling.

\n

If you are putting time and money into funneling potential patients to your Facebook page, you want to get as much return on investment as possible, right? That’s where LocalMed real-time online scheduling comes in - patients can schedule an appointment with your dental practice directly from your Facebook page (as well as your Google listing, our Insurance Partner listings, the Six Month Smiles directory, etc.).

\n

Consider this:

\n\n

Closing the loop on Facebook and all of your other marketing channels can increase your ROI and ensure that you’re open for business whenever a new patient finds you, 24/7. Interested in learning more? Schedule your free demo today.

\n

And there you have it.

\n

Now you know why everyone recommends Facebook when you’re looking to grow your dental practice.

\n

Which of these seven tips are YOU going to try? Let me know on Facebook!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/6r4psbx7i0YkMIOkW4aoCk/ee900c63b3890a3bb4c315f63bf36e8c/about-section.png","blogImageTitle":"facebook-about-section"},{"id":"3y2wjcZuzKEkAieWqcMEcK","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:30:32.786Z","slug":"planes-trains-and-dental-scheduling","title":"Planes, Trains, and Dental Scheduling","date":"October 12, 2017","introText":"Let’s all take a minute and think back to your last vacation. (Ready? Go!)","mainContent":"

Let’s all take a minute and think back to your last vacation. (Ready? Go!)

\n

Mine was a trip to Northern California that involved two flights and a rental car that my family drove from San Francisco to Yosemite to Redwoods and then all the way back down the coast.

\n

A few months before leaving, my dad and I had carefully planned out every aspect of that vacation beforehand. We had to plan:

\n\n

My dad found and scheduled flights that fit our itinerary online through Kayak. I reserved a rental SUV through Avis’ website. We did some googling and found a little cabin tucked away in the woods (with air conditioning!) for our stay in Yosemite and reserved it online. Then my dad booked our tried-and-true hotel brand along our route, online. We even found some restaurants that would satisfy both gluten-free and vegan needs, and I saved the links to order on my phone for easy ordering while we were there.

\n

I’m sure at this point, you’re wondering - why are you giving me a recount of your entire vacation planning process on a blog that exists to help dentists grow their practice?

\n

Answer: Because NOT ONCE during this process did my dad or I pick up a phone to call to book a hotel room. Or our flights. Or a cabin. Or our rental car. We even mapped out restaurants with online ordering!

\n

Maybe you’re not as anti-phone as my dad and I. But, I’d bet that at a minimum, you found and booked your flight for your last vacation online.

\n

So let me ask you this…

\n

If we’re booking all of this online, why are we still forced to call our dentists office to schedule an appointment?

\n

The benefits of enabling online scheduling at your dental practice are immense. When you consider that over 287 million people in the United States are active internet users (Statista) and that 77% of people search online before booking an appointment (Pew Research), you can see that we are talking about an incredible opportunity to reach people and grow your dental practice.

\n

Real-time, online scheduling from LocalMed allows potential patients to schedule an appointment with your dental practice wherever and whenever they come across your office online, just like they’re used to in every other industry.

\n

\"responsive

\n

LocalMed can increase your current web traffic-to-patient conversion rate by 35-70%, just by being available 24/7 in the places where patients are looking for a dentist. This means that you’re capitalizing on your marketing investments, and you can get more new patients without additional ad spend!

\n

There’s a reason other industries are doing it.

\n

And the reason is: IT WORKS.

\n

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and grow your dental practice, we’re happy to help! Reach out to our team today!

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/2ibj2KW2KgkWmKg0Y6S6M2/cbd59d7e9fea0e93c706236bb842466f/PlanesTrainsDentalScheduling2.jpg","blogImageTitle":"Planes, Trains, and Dental Practice Scheduling"},{"id":"6hamhQcRgsw4Mu8s4IESWy","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:36:40.210Z","slug":"dear-dentist-from-a-millennial","title":"Dear Dentist, From a Millennial","date":"October 03, 2017","introText":"A lot of businesses simply scratch their heads in confusion when it comes to Millennials, so I’m here today to let you in on three (not-so-secret) secrets that can help you attract Millennials to your dental practice.","mainContent":"

I’m one of the 75.4 million Millennials in the United States. Since we’re the largest living generation, I’m guessing you probably are trying to get me and my peers to become your patients (Pew Research).

\n

A lot of businesses simply scratch their heads in confusion when it comes to Millennials, so I’m here today to let you in on three (not-so-secret) secrets that can help you attract Millennials to your dental practice.

\n

\"Dentists-Need-To-Have-An-Online-Presence\"

\n

If you’re not online, you don’t exist.

\n

Truly.

\n

In my adult life, I have never gone to a healthcare provider that didn’t have an online profile and at least couple positive reviews. Seriously - never.

\n

And I’m not the only one - 97% of 18-34-year-olds read local business reviews, and 89% trust them (BrightLocal).

\n

So… if you’re not online, get online. Build a website, claim your Google My Business page, and check the directory listings on your in-network insurances and larger provider directories like HealthGrades. Your practice’s online presence doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s got to be there for Millennials like me to even consider your practice.

\n

On a similar note, if you don’t currently ask for reviews, start! Google, Yelp and Facebook reviews are the most popular and will be worth the investment - having 50 or more reviews can mean a 4.6% increase in conversion rate (Reevoo).

\n

\"Dental-Marketing-Convenience-Is-Everything\"

\n

Convenience is everything.

\n

To be honest, I haven’t had a regular dentist (or any healthcare provider) since I moved out of my parent’s house almost a decade ago! Moving several times has certainly been a contributing factor, but no matter where I live, finding a convenient dental practice is always a challenge!

\n

These questions are always in the back of my head as I’m researching a provider in my area. Does your dental office have these things implemented?

\n\n

\"Dental-Technology\"

\n

Technology is crucial.

\n

Growing up, I remember checking in at the orthodontist and being in awe at the endless shelves of manila folders holding patient records behind the desk!

\n

Today, I would take that same office feature as a sign that offices have not fully-embraced the technology available to them.

\n

I prefer healthcare providers that are embracing technology, including advanced dental technology and up-to-date patient-facing technology like online scheduling and appointment reminders.

\n

This isn’t just my personal preference; it’s a generational value. When asked about different factors in choosing a dental office these were factors Millennials named as “very” important (Lincoln Financial Group):

\n\n

So, there you have it.

\n

Three “secrets” in attracting Millennials to your dental practice. Have an online presence so I can find you. Do your best to make seeking dental care with your practice convenient - real-time, online scheduling with LocalMed is a good first step! And finally, if you’ve got manila folders lying around, find a new system (or at least keep them out of sight!) :)

\n

Sincerely,

\n

A Millennial

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//downloads.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/13mV7PfZVSwwIwEOE4iKyA/c9dac2d5b24f61ac02705f77cd437a91/millennial-letter2.png","blogImageTitle":"millennial-letter2"},{"id":"5qomgc4FocaiUCCs8yQcYo","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:23:35.274Z","slug":"4-ways-to-exceed-patient-expectations-before-they-even-walk-in-the-door","title":"4 Ways to Exceed Patient Expectations Before They Even Walk in the Door","date":"September 11, 2017","introText":"When it comes to their dental care, your patients have options. Depending on your location, they might have a lot of options. ","mainContent":"

When it comes to their dental care, your patients have options. Depending on your location, they might have a lot of options.

\n

Case in point: I just moved to a new suburb and consequently, am in the market for a new dentist. Within 3 miles of my new place, Google Maps shows over 40 dental practices for me to choose from.

\n

How can your practice stand out in a (very!) crowded marketplace and win the battle for new patients?

\n

Ultimately, it comes down to how well you’re meeting and exceeding patient expectations. If you can do that, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the dentist of choice in your area.

\n

\"DentalWebsite\"

\n

#1 - Have an informative, modern web presence

\n

If your website feels outdated, your content is generic (think stock images of smiling dentists that aren’t you and bland blog posts stuffed with keywords) and your social media presence is non-existent (or worse, outdated!) you are not representing your practice in a way that will attract patients to choose you. Your web presence is your practice’s digital billboard - it needs to attract and inform to convert!

\n

A modern, mobile-friendly site design with easy navigation, paired with real photos of your office and a short hello from each of your staff members goes a long way. Drop the stiff professionalism and show your practice’s personality through a recorded office tour, a regularly updated blog with relevant and informative topics, and social media that actually engages your followers!

\n

It doesn’t take much to exceed your client’s expectations in the digital realm. Friendly and approachable beat stock photos and fancy welcome letters any day.

\n

\"Dental-Marketing-Availability\"

\n

#2 - Availability is key

\n

If your dental practice has hours beyond the traditional 9-5, highlight that in every single avenue you use to market your practice. Patients who work similar hours might take off work to come in for an appointment, but others can’t or simply aren’t willing.

\n

If you aren’t highlighting your extended hours in all of your marketing channels (website, social media, print materials, etc.), you’re missing a valuable opportunity to exceed your patient's expectations. Don’t let your accessibility and dedication to working patients go unnoticed!

\n

\"Dental-Communication\"

\n

#3 - Be easy to communicate with

\n

For patients with questions, provide an email address next to your phone number in your online listings. Many times email is simply an easier channel to fit conversations into your patient’s day.

\n

Respond to all emails as soon as humanly possible, and don’t simply use it as a channel where you just direct people to call the office. Actually answer their questions through email.

\n

For patients who do call the office, ensure that the person charged with answering the phone is welcoming, friendly and does their absolute best not to put the patient on hold for more than a few seconds.

\n

When you respect your patient’s limited time and heed their communication preferences, you’ll quickly become their dental practice of choice.

\n

\"LocalMed-OnlineScheduling-ForDentists\"

\n

#4 - Be exceptionally easy to schedule with

\n

It’s 2020, and your patients are texting, Facebooking and Uber-ing. They absolutely, 100%, do not want to call your office to schedule an appointment. Nor do they want to fill out an online “request form” that no one from the practice ever responds to.

\n

Real-time, online scheduling from LocalMed will give your patients the instant results they’re looking for without needing to burden your staff with additional software training. When you implement LocalMed, your office will be available to patients looking to schedule an appointment, 24/7. It’s a win in your patient's book, and I’m betting that effortlessly filling empty chairs is a win in yours, too.

\n

Schedule A Demo Today!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/1UIhDzv6hGKuYmeoAAyCiw/bfc46e23c12b47f1b4376ffd5a9e7907/person-2385787_1920.jpg","blogImageTitle":"Exceeding Dental Patient Expectations"},{"id":"2HoK216ZkcKYy82KYmgUKM","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:26:13.729Z","slug":"what-patients-are-saying-about-scheduling-their-dental-appointment","title":"What Patients are Saying About Scheduling Their Dental Appointment","date":"September 05, 2017","introText":"We asked 3,124 patients who scheduled a dentist appointment through LocalMed one simple question: Why did you schedule online rather than call the practice? \n\nUnsurprisingly, they had a lot to say.","mainContent":"

We asked 3,124 patients who scheduled a dentist appointment through LocalMed one simple question: Why did you schedule online rather than call the practice?

\n

Unsurprisingly, they had a lot to say. Here’s their thoughts:

\n

\"element5-digital-352043\"

\n

They’re just too busy to call your practice.

\n

“I am a second grade teacher - I am super busy on the weekdays. I had time to sit down and look at my schedule on the weekend.”

\n

“I am currently at work and cannot talk on the phone, so being able to schedule appointments, book reservations, order food online is always the most convenient route for me.”

\n

“I work in an open floor plan, so any calls I make can be heard by coworkers. Being able to schedule online lets me avoid announcing to everyone that I'm making a dental appointment.”

\n

\"taylor-grote-347601\"

\n

They tried to call and they ran into a problem.

\n

“No one picked up at any of the 3 numbers listed during the 2 separate times I tried.”

\n

“I have called 3 times and get voicemail. It's very frustrating.”

\n

“Called the office initially and was on hold for 10+ minutes, so I decided to cut the middleman and get right to business.”

\n

“I called the office earlier and waited on hold for a significant amount of time. After leaving a message, I haven't received a return call.”

\n

\"Dental-Communication\"

\n

By and large, they prefer to scheduling online.

\n

“I like to SEE other choices instead of having someone list them off to me on the phone.”

\n

“Booking an appointment online is successful. In the past, I have struggled with trying to connect with an office or playing phone tag.”

\n

“I could view the appointment book and choose my own appointment instead of having to try to verbally communicate my schedule to a person.”

\n

“I like being able to see all of the options and choose what best works for my schedule rather than trying to keep the dates/times in my head while talking to someone.”

\n

“Calling often included a wait time, I can be interrupted without issue when scheduling online, and it gives me the freedom to consult my personal calendar without wasting someone else's time.”

\n

“Simpler, easier, only takes a minute or so. Unlike calling the office which usually takes 5 minutes or more.”

\n

\"colin-maynard-231363\"

\n

…Especially the parents.

\n

“It's easier to schedule online with a toddler loudly singing along to the tv and feeding an upset newborn.”

\n

“It was easier, and kids are loud. :) I was sparing your ears!”

\n

“Easier - I have a child you insists on talking on phone when I'm on it.”

\n

\"LocalMed

\n

LocalMed makes the process easy and convenient

\n

“More convenient...Don't have to wait to speak with someone....fast and easy!👍”

\n

“I saw it was an option and it was really easy to use.”

\n

“Can easily see the appts available instead of the back and forth of 'Does this day work?... No, what about this day?'"

\n

“I can make an appointment anytime, anywhere. Easier than calling.”

\n

“It was so ridiculously easy. 100% awesome.”

\n

So, what are patients saying about YOUR scheduling?

\n

When you sign up for LocalMed’s real-time, online scheduling platform, you can rest assured that it’s a positive experience for your patients AND your front desk.

\n

Get Your FREE Demo Today

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/668jYjJAjKQCQwC0maugs0/331178a6456b02fb38a3d6ef0bc2dd25/WhatPatientsAreSaying_copy.jpg","blogImageTitle":"What Patients Are Saying About Booking An Appointment"},{"id":"5AOMDTj7VeKgGUasiisMcu","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:24:24.617Z","slug":"is-your-dental-marketing-working","title":"Is Your Dental Marketing Working?","date":"July 13, 2017","introText":"Month after month, you’re spending your hard-earned money on marketing that is supposed to bring you a steady stream of new patients each month. Direct mail, pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, social media, marketing agencies… the list of marketing methods you’ve tried goes on. The future of your practice depends on these methods capturing the attention of potential patients.","mainContent":"

Month after month, you’re spending your hard-earned money on marketing that is supposed to bring you a steady stream of new patients each month. Direct mail, pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, social media, marketing agencies… and the list of marketing methods you’ve tried goes on. The future of your practice depends on these methods capturing the attention of potential patients.

\n

And yet - what percentage of your social media followers have scheduled an appointment with your office? How about those who’ve received a shiny (expensive) postcard with your office number on it? People who have found you organically on Google?

\n

Embedded content: https://media.giphy.com/media/l2R013mIf1ZXdvoyI/giphy.gif

\n

What if I told you that the lack of appointments coming directly from your marketing efforts has way less to do with the quality of your marketing and way more with the utter lack of convenience when it comes to actually scheduling an appointment?

\n

Picture this:

\n

Megan arrives home from work at 5:32 p.m. on Tuesday and before she walks inside, she checks her mailbox. She sorts through, sees your direct mail piece welcoming her to the neighborhood and inviting her to call your office for her next dental appointment.

\n

“Great”, thinks Megan, “I’ve been meaning to look for a new dentist but keep forgetting because I’ve been so busy! I’ll schedule right now”.

\n

Unfortunately, when Megan calls your office, she finds out that it’s only open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - which is the same hours she works. So she puts the postcard in her purse, with the intent to call tomorrow.

\n

From here, one of three things will probably happen:

\n
    \n
  1. Megan gets wrapped up in work and forgets to call, postcard out of sight and out of mind.
  2. \n
  3. When she calls on her lunch break, she is put on hold for 6 minutes before giving up and hanging up.
  4. \n
  5. She takes a short break from her busy day to call, then proceeds to go back and forth with the receptionist for 7 minutes before finding a set of open appointment times for her and her 2 kids that she can “make work”. The day of their appointments, she no-shows because she forgot about an important meeting she had at that same time.
  6. \n
\n

Megan and her kids are so close to becoming new patients at your practice! But research backs this up as a fairly common scenario:

\n\n

Easy! Implement online scheduling.

\n

I know, I know. I can hear your protests now… “I would never allow that! Patients scheduling themselves is a terrible idea… my entire schedule will get messed up!”

\n

Before you give up and stop reading, ask yourself the question: “If it were possible to implement online scheduling to capture patients like Megan and her family without losing control of my schedule, would I do it?”

\n

If your answer is yes, then keep reading.

\n

LocalMed Connect is the first and only real-time online scheduling platform that allows patients to find and schedule dental appointments online, 24/7.

\n

The software directly integrates with your practice management system and is completely customized with your offices’ specific scheduling rules. This means that all times are displayed accurately by appointment type and chair, there is no double-bookings and all appointments are written directly into your PMS without requiring any effort from your front office staff.

\n

\"LocalMed

\n

This is no different than what your front desk does when someone calls. They look at the schedule within the PMS, take into account all of the scheduling rules that the office has set up, and then tell the patient what their options are.

\n

With online scheduling, instead of telling them their options over the phone, you are simply giving patients the ability to schedule an appointment at your office at their convenience. This closes the loop on all of your current marketing investments and removes the barrier to entry for patients like Megan and her kids.

\n

LocalMed is a proven solution

\n

Over 12,000 dentists and counting have implemented LocalMed Connect real-time online scheduling to help them solve the same issues that you are experiencing and provide their new and existing patients the conveniences they are looking for in selecting a dental provider.

\n

Interested in hearing more about how LocalMed can help convert the leads your dental marketing is already bringing in? Contact us today to schedule for your FREE demo!

\n

Schedule a demo today!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/2ELy20xwCAwEKg44ySUyMq/8594903b6675c24484d557baf5989041/IsYourDentalMarketingWorking.png","blogImageTitle":"Is Your Dental Marketing Working"},{"id":"4dvTgKiaWAeKmUEuyskC8w","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:27:55.201Z","slug":"where-do-all-your-dental-website-visitors-go","title":"Where Do All Your Dental Website Visitors Go?","date":"May 11, 2016","introText":"When looking to determine the effectiveness for your website and web marketing the funnel starts at the number of visitors on a monthly basis. Most sites will place a call tracking number on your site so you can track the number of calls to your office from the traffic that is coming to your website. ","mainContent":"

When looking to determine the effectiveness for your website and web marketing, the funnel starts at the number of visitors on a monthly basis. Most sites will place a call tracking number on your site so you can track the number of calls to your office from the traffic that is coming to your website. But what happened to all the people that came to your site but end up doing nothing at all, and how can you get more of those people into your office?

\n

Some quick stats and definitions to give you an idea of some averages across a number of sites we have worked with:

\n\n

The word problem works out like this:

\n

If you have 1000 people visit your website on a monthly basis, 700-800 will interact with your website in some way, between 53 and 100 will call your office, and of those between 8 and 13 will schedule an appointment. To remove any doubt on these numbers lets add 50% to them to between 16 and 26 and take the median of 21 for the purposes of this analysis (and because you are better at this than most other offices), or 2.1%. (remember these are not total calls or total new patients to your office on a monthly basis, only those generated by your website).

\n

\"website-now\"

\n

But what happened to the other 600+ people that never called your office but did interact with your site in some way? Why did they not get in touch with your office to schedule or at a minimum inquire about what ever drove them to your site in the first place?

\n

Multiple studies from Pew, Accenture, and Decipher show people hate calling medical and dental offices. Not just with your practice but any practice. It is a barrier to scheduling and one reason why people put off going to see any type of Dr. So people procrastinate, find any reason not to call, particularly those that have yet another barrier to calling, such as being at work, having children they need to look after, or anything that keeps them from calling from 9-5 on workdays. And then, in most cases, your office is closed and they can’t call and schedule even if they wanted to.

\n

A key to maximizing your website effectiveness is giving your potential new patients the most options to schedule with your practice. Most sites offer some kind of request, but ask your patients and staff about those—no one likes them and they are ineffective at getting people into your office. What patients want, and what offices need in order to maximize their online effectiveness, is a system that allows patients the ability to see open appointment times and select what best fits their schedule, in real time.

\n

About now, some people reading this article are saying “I would never allow that, patients scheduling themselves is a terrible idea”, save that thought for a moment and for the purposes of this simply ask yourself “If it were possible to do this without losing control of my schedule would it be beneficial to my practice”, if you answer yes, then keep reading.

\n

Over the past 2 years we have worked with a number of practices and gathered the data regarding the online scheduling habits of their visitors. We have seen conversion rates from 1.75% to 8.84% (yes, that is accurate) of the total number of visitors to a website to schedule online, with an average of 72% being new patients.

\n

For the purposes of this, lets say that 50% of the people that schedule online would have called your office anyway given no other choice of a way to schedule an appointment. Lets use an online scheduling conversion rate on the conservative side of 2.5%. Using the same numbers as before of 1000 visitors in a month that means that 25 people would utilize the online scheduling from your website and if we remove the 50% that would have called anyway (and already included in the 21 that would have scheduled had online scheduling not been available) that means having online scheduling and calls would generate 33 total scheduled patients a month with 8 of those 12 additionally scheduled appointments being from new patients (12 total patients * 72% new patient ratio), or more than 67% more new patients from your website with online scheduling and calling as options for scheduling. Your new chart looks like this:

\n

\"website-with-scheduling\"

\n

The number of patients scheduling from your total online efforts looks big, inclusive of calls and scheduling online, but we have many practices that see numbers 3 and 4 times this. Our single highest percentage scheduler saw 54 scheduled appointments online in April on 610 total website visitors, or 8.85%. Their numbers are obviously high but we have many practices in the 4%-8% range, or on 1000 visitors they would see 40-80 appointments scheduled. Our highest trafficked site sees an average of 22,000 unique visitors a month and schedules at an average of 2.9%. With the numbers above I have tried to be conservative to show the effect even those that are on the lower end of the conversion spectrum will see.

\n

Ok, so what does this mean to your practice revenue? The dental industry throws a lot of numbers around about the value of an average new patient in the first year. I have seen numbers between $500 – $1000 for the first year patient value depending practice specialty and geography. For this discussion lets use the middle of those two numbers for the first year value, $750. Using the numbers above providing multiple scheduling paths for patients that visit your website can generate $72,000 in the first year (8 additional new patients, 12 months, $750 per new patient)

\n

Now lets say that the no show rate on those patients is 20% and your net is 33% of billables. The math looks like:

\n

1st 12 months: $72,000 80% show up 33% net profit = $19,008 in bottom line profit

\n

\"additional-revenue\"

\n

Of course these numbers are averages across a variety of sites but regardless of what service or product generated $72,000 in billables and $19,008 in net profit in the first 12 months it would be beneficial to any practice. And if it cost less than $1000 per provider per year to make this happen it would be a no brainer. Feel free to plug in your own practice numbers for website traffic and new patient value to see the effect on your specific practice.

\n

It exists, it works, and you don’t lose control of any part of your schedule. But that is for another post.

\n

Interested in learning more about how LocalMed can help increase your website conversions?

\n

Schedule a demo today!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/24H9dgHkby6ImUICoCE2wQ/32567910d19cf933d9121f11c1f2e712/WebVisitors.png","blogImageTitle":"Dental Website Visitors Image"},{"id":"6CNr2auyYgIO8okemO2wgU","updatedAt":"2020-07-16T20:28:25.366Z","slug":"is-it-easy-for-patients-to-schedule-an-appointment-at-your-dental-office","title":"Is it Easy for Patients to Schedule an Appointment at Your Dental Office?","date":"December 07, 2015","introText":"Patients list convenience as the #1 factor in selecting a dental office.","mainContent":"

Patients list convenience as the #1 factor in selecting a dental office.

\n

When we were kids, and we wanted to find out what time the movie started that night, we called the theater and listened to a recording that ran through all the times for all the movies that were playing. You waited through all the selections and then heard about your movie. The movie you wanted was never the first one listed. And then when you found out that the movie you wanted to see was not even at that theater or that the times were not good for you, you started all over again because no one ever wrote them down to start with. That was terrible, but it was the only option. Now, no one would ever consider that to be a good option for finding the movie and time they want to see.

\n

As bad as it is, this is still what you are doing to your dental patients that call you.

\n

Does this conversation sound familiar?

\n
\n

Patient – “I got your number off your website from your google ad and I want to come in next Tuesday about 11 a.m.”

\n

Office – “We don’t have anything Tuesday at 11 a.m., how about next Monday at 3 p.m., that is our first opening”

\n

Patient – “That doesn't work for me, how about next Wednesday morning†”

\n

Office – “I’m sorry, we don’t have anything then, how about next Thursday at 4 p.m.”

\n

Patient – “That doesn't work, I’ll call another office”

\n
\n

This leads to lost opportunity and wasted marketing dollars. This potential patient wanted to schedule, but because they didn't know what you had available, they had no way of knowing your office had an opening that would work for them because they were having to scroll through openings, just like the 1980’s movie theater.

\n

LocalMed has worked for the past 3 years to perfect the online display of accurate, real-time openings so that your patients can find it easy and convenient to schedule an appointment with your practice. Extensive filters allow customization at each office to control appointment lengths, appointment types by chair, appointment types by provider, and many other filters. These filters ensure that your schedule is presented accurately to patients in real-time so they book a confirmed appointment at the right time, with the right provider, in the right chair.

\n

Providers all across the United States use the LocalMed platform to make scheduling more convenient for their potential and existing patients from their practice website.

\n

Schedule a demo today to learn more and see how LocalMed can make your practice more scheduling friendly and help fill those empty chairs.

\n

Schedule a Demo Today!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/4Jmhfyhp8smmg6yiiE6e2Q/2c384f03da60b1e53efc86651116ed88/localmed-widget-1138x493.jpg","blogImageTitle":"localmed-widget-1138x493"},{"id":"5HcyHzDJyEy2iK80I4meYU","updatedAt":"2017-07-12T17:57:45.422Z","slug":"why-is-online-scheduling-important-for-your-dental-office","title":"Why is online scheduling important for your dental office","date":"February 17, 2015","introText":"Patients today are looking for more visibility and options as related to their dental care.","mainContent":"

Patients today are looking for more visibility and options related to their dental care. Are these the first things that come to your mind when you read “online scheduling” for your office?

\n\n

They were the first things that came to mind for the CEOs of the airline companies 15 years ago. But, when was the last time you called an airline to schedule a flight? How loyal are you to an airline carrier? Do you say, “I’m only going to fly Delta”? Or do you look at all the options and decide based on convenience, availability, and price? With quality of healthcare and dentistry at an all-time high, now busy consumers are choosing dentists based on the convenience offices provide.

\n

The tendency to see the hurdles instead of the opportunities is not unique to healthcare and dentistry. "Things are just fine the way they are" or "I have always done it this way" is no longer acceptable in the rapidly-changing, fast-paced world we now live in.

\n

Patients today are looking for more visibility and options in their health and dental care. For existing patients, scheduling them for an appointment six months in advance is great for your office, but it may not fit their schedule when the time comes. Then they must call your office and reschedule once they receive the reminder for their upcoming appointment. This causes two issues for your office:

\n
    \n
  1. Someone has to take that phone call with you paying their wage and
  2. \n
  3. Now you have a hole in your schedule.
  4. \n
\n

New patients have more information available to them today than ever before. Not only can they be proactive about searching for information, but patients looking for a new dentist will be targeted through both online and offline methods to solicit their business. This gives the patient choices and in order to differentiate yourself you have to not only show your credentials and reviews, but you also have to make it convenient for the patient to schedule their appointment. Patients don’t always search for a provider during the 35 hours a week you are open and they aren’t likely to carry around your number with them until you can answer the phone. They will find the most convenient practice for them to schedule with.

\n

Does online scheduling mean that you have to convert all your scheduling to online only and fire your staff? Does it mean that you cannot have personal contact with your patients? No and no.

\n

What it means is that you can now offer a way for your patients to find and schedule an appointment that works for both your office and the patient. They can do this even when your staff is not available to answer the phone. It complements your existing scheduling practices, offering a cutting-edge solution, and shows you are working to provide the convenient services that your patients want and are used to in almost every other facet of life.

\n

Locating and taking advantage of opportunities to help your patients will give you the edge needed to stay ahead of your competition. Giving your patients the ability to schedule online with your practice will give your patients one more reason to keep choosing your practice for their dental care.

\n

Want to learn more about using online scheduling to grow your practice? Contact our sales team today to schedule a demo of LocalMed, the first and only real-time scheduling platform for dental practices.

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}]},{"id":"E2qytGwkvIQUY02E4YcuQ","updatedAt":"2020-07-17T13:06:52.790Z","slug":"what-is-localmed","title":"What is LocalMed?","date":"July 24, 2017","introText":"LocalMed is a software company dedicated to building innovative and industry-leading solutions for dental practices.","mainContent":"

Embedded content: https://localmed.wistia.com/medias/88lk3z02uq

\n

LocalMed is a software company dedicated to building innovative and industry-leading solutions for dental practices.

\n

Our first product, LocalMed Connect, was launched in May 2014 after several years of extensive research and development. We sat in many dental offices, asking question after question after question, and then rolled-out our solution to 100 offices for beta testing, all before officially launching in May 2014. This intensive development process was necessary to ensure that our online scheduling solution was not only easy for patients to use, but extremely simple for dental practices to implement.

\n

As a result of this persistence and dedication, LocalMed Connect is the first and only true real-time online scheduling platform in the dental marketplace. It is fully integrated with your practice management system, meaning that once an appointment is booked online by a patient, it’s immediately written into your PMS, ensuring that appointments are never double-booked.

\n

Today, LocalMed Connect is used by over 1,700 dentists in 48 states, and since implementation 110,000 appointments (and counting) have been booked through our platform.

\n

Our dedication to excellence has been featured in many publications, including DentistryIQ, ValuePenguin, and Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran. The success of our product has led us to form innovative partnerships with several insurance companies, directory websites and products that give dental practices additional avenues to acquire patients.

\n

In coming months, LocalMed looks forward to leveraging the power and success of our exclusive real-time scheduling platform to create other innovative products for the healthcare sector.

\n

To learn how you can take advantage of the LocalMed Connect platform, schedule your FREE demo today!

\n

Schedule a FREE demo today!

\n
\n

LocalMed lets patients schedule appointments straight into your practice management system, just like your front desk would. You set your scheduling rules, and they’ll start booking appointments around the clock - even at 3am on a Sunday.

\n

Learn more about how LocalMed can help your dental practice fill its schedule, 24/7.

\n

Schedule a Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}],"blogImage":"//images.ctfassets.net/4jjymlq9ai0x/3igU1ebSe4aKmGiqqiuE0k/473919cf8f360ff3cc2c4bbdffab33a1/LocalMed-mockup.png","blogImageTitle":"LocalMed Online Scheduling Dental Platform"},{"id":"qvBNWantK0gE6yqik4qC8","updatedAt":"2017-07-19T21:32:23.558Z","slug":"localmed-for-your-practice","title":"LocalMed for your practice","date":"June 05, 2014","introText":"Dentists are often seeking ways to either bring in new patients to their practice or improve efficiency to reduce overhead. LocalMed’s online scheduling platform is built to satisfy both of these needs simultaneously. We help funnel new patients to your practice and also streamline the entire appointment process.","mainContent":"

Dentists are often seeking ways to either bring in new patients to their practice or improve efficiency to reduce overhead. LocalMed’s online scheduling platform is built to satisfy both of these needs simultaneously. We help funnel new patients to your practice and also streamline the entire appointment process.

\n

There are many patients searching for a new dentist, whether they are new to the area or ready for a change. A significant portion of those people will search online to find a new provider and to schedule an appointment using LocalMed. By ranking in the top of search engines, LocalMed will be a top source for locating a dentist in your area (such as Baton Rouge Dentist).

\n

\"find-a-dentist-baton-rouge\"

\n

Once on localmed.com, patients can find dentists in their area and filter results based on gender and insurance accepted.

\n

\"baton-rouge-search-results1\"

\n

Using our system, we will read into your practice management system and display a portion of your schedule that you want to make available for online scheduling. Appointments made available to patients depend on the specific appointment type they select coupled with the corresponding chair and time slot. Patients can then browse times and select the appointment time most convenient for them.

\n

\"dentist-profile\"

\n

By integrating with with your practice management system, appointments booked by patients using our system are automatically updated to your schedule. You are notified you when a new patient has booked, and the appointment is immediately placed into schedule.

\n

The installation process is quick and painless, requiring very little computer experience.

\n

Once installed, a “Schedule Now” widget can also be placed on your website. Patients can click to view your availabilities and schedule an appointment directly from your website.

\n

\"localmed-widget\"

\n

(After the “Schedule Now” button is clicked)

\n

\"localmed-widget-active\"

\n

By adding this functionality to your website, your existing patients can book appointments more easily, reducing front-office staff workload. Automating the appointment process enables you to focus on other areas of your practice and also creates a funnel for tracking where your appointments are booked from for marketing purposes.

\n

LocalMed exists to bring convenience to both the patients and the office for an affordable price. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us for a demo today!

\n

Schedule A Demo

\n","blogCategories":[{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}]}],"categoryList":[{"id":"4FlRtUjIaQ2cxjQwHHHWJP","updatedAt":"2019-09-20T21:32:52.378Z","category":"G.O.S.T Stories","slug":"g-o-s-t-stories"},{"id":"exkceFIHzGWowoC6oIcCM","updatedAt":"2019-06-13T21:44:08.909Z","category":"LocalMed Success","slug":"testimonials"},{"id":"3LD5dnghDW0AOuGmMeGwqo","updatedAt":"2019-06-13T21:43:57.440Z","category":"LocalMed News","slug":"company-news"},{"id":"UDTOL8CJUa8G4WIEQsISy","updatedAt":"2018-05-23T15:39:48.623Z","category":"G.O.S.T. Stories","slug":"g-o-s-t-stories"},{"id":"6QPbndgmOWME4wuWAsUgk8","updatedAt":"2017-11-09T15:26:17.550Z","category":"Dental Software","slug":"dental-software"},{"id":"1S4NnqTB6cQ2AoUaGS6qyI","updatedAt":"2017-08-10T15:14:49.780Z","category":"How To...","slug":"how-to"},{"id":"2JOSCtJhxCwau8ig240sIQ","updatedAt":"2017-07-20T18:17:04.867Z","category":"For Patients","slug":"for-patients"},{"id":"12pXeopOs4oSMqyCIicay6","updatedAt":"2016-09-02T19:36:23.617Z","category":"Dental Marketing","slug":"dental-marketing"}]}}},"isProvider":false,"config":{"ASSETS_URL":"https://assets.localmed.com/about-v2/","SHARED_ASSETS_URL":"https://assets.localmed.com/shared/","SEGMENT_IO_WRITE_KEY":"m7Y0Dj8qZalrNSXiAPv6LLtyxleueKMf"}};