December is the last month of your final quarter for 2019.
Regardless of what December usually looks like for your office, take some time now to plan for how you will get and keep a full and productive schedule all month long without any extra stress. I know that we can’t control the schedule 100% because well you know… life happens. However, we certainly can plan to end the year on a happy note.
I put together a few dental leadership, marketing, and management tips and ideas to help you do just that.
Marketing Tips & Ideas for December
First Week In December: Cookie Cutter Week
Purchase a variety of cookie cutters to individually package and seal with an office label that says: “Our Patients Are a CUT Above the Rest!”
Teeth Whitening Special Offer
Many of your patients will be attending holiday parties/events during the month of December. Typically, with these special occasions come a lot of picture taking. Now is a great time to help them see how they can easily get their smile ready for the camera with teeth whitening.
Consider offering a BOGO special for teeth whitening. For some extra oomph, share this special offer with the local businesses in the community.
Travel Toothbrush Bags
Many of your patients travel during the holidays, so surprise them with a small gift for their travels. Put together toothbrush bags that include a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and a “what to do in a dental emergency” handout. You could also include other travel sized items such as lotion, Advil, lip balm, etc. Be sure to “brand” it with your practice info.
Educational Opportunity: National 12-hour Fresh Breath Day is December 12th
Create a few short videos for your social media platforms about the possible causes of bad breath as well as some tips and remedies to keep your patients’ breath smelling fresh.
Practice Management Tips & Ideas
Incomplete Treatment:
Do you have any patients with incomplete treatment or ones that are due/past due in hygiene with remaining insurance benefits that will expire at the end of this year? Do what you can to help them see the need and value in scheduling an appointment this month. Some offices invite their patients to take advantage of “today only” special offers that they share via their social media sites, email blasts, and telephone calls.
Be on the lookout for any patients that are coming in with the doctor or hygienist and have incomplete treatment or are due in hygiene. If the schedule allows, encourage them to take care of both at the same time. This means carefully reviewing all charts in advance of the appointment.
Gift Certificates:
Remember, gift certificates or gift cards for teeth whitening or dental treatment should always be available for your patients to purchase as gifts for their loved ones.
Leadership Tips & Ideas
December is National Write a Business Plan Month
Plan now to make 2020 your Best Year Ever! Meet as a team to discuss marketing ideas, production, & collection goals, new patient goals, continuing education needs/wants, and office maintenance/repairs/remodel needs. Remember, people are more likely to support that which they help to create.
Put your plans down on paper! Be sure to include a plan of action: The Who, What, Where, When & How’s!
Note: If you struggle with implementing your leadership, practice management & marketing goals – a dental coaching relationship may be the solution! Contact: betty@madow.com
Social Media Post Ideas to Improve Engagement
4th: National Cookie Day
7th: National Cotton Candy Day
21st: Short Girl Appreciation Day (Shortest day of the year)
26th: National Thank You Note Day
30th: Bacon Day
Sometimes despite your best efforts the schedule still falls apart. Don’t stress over it; instead use that downtime to do some training, team building, and/or office cleaning/organizing.
I hope you have a fantastic December and an even better 2020. If you’re not sure that you’ll be reaching your goals for next year, Madow Success Coaching can help!
Yours for Greater Success,
~Betty
Betty Hayden is the lead coach at The Madow Center For Dental Practice Success. She has over 25 years of experience in the dental profession. Her expertise is in effective telephone answering techniques, profitable scheduling, marketing campaigns, communication, social media, new patient acquisition, practice growth, and much more. She is called “The Idea Woman” because she grows practices!
If you have a question for this column, please write to us at coaches@madow.com. And remember, we would like to offer you a complimentary 30-minute coaching session! Please CLICK HERE
to schedule yours. Doctors only please.
To sign up for our mailing list please CLICK HERE
