Implement simple strategies to increase your patient referrals.
Even with a solid base of existing patients, maintaining strong new patient flow is essential for growth. Referrals are one of the most powerful sources of new patients and can present ideal marketing opportunities.
If you’re looking to increase referrals and continue growing your practice, consider implementing these four key strategies.
1. Strengthen Internal Referral Programs
Referrals often come through with no action on your part aside from providing a positive patient experience and reliable outcomes. However, developing internal referral programs can increase the odds that your patients will recommend your practice to friends and family.
The first thing you should know when planning a referral program is that many of the common practices found in other industries are potentially illegal in medical practices. Rebates and fee-splitting are both forbidden, and you must be careful to ensure your referral programs do not fall under these categories.
Referral bonuses that are entirely free to the referrer and the new patient are generally acceptable. Offering a minor procedure, such as teeth whitening, could also be well worth the small investment to get new patients through your door.
Aside from incentives, you should also make it as easy as possible for patients to share your practice information. For example, keep physical business cards available at the reception desk. Maintain profiles across multiple social media platforms and update your Google Business Profile to make sharing your practice online straightforward.
2. Improve the Patient Experience
One of the most effective ways to naturally increase referrals is to improve the patient experience. Patients are more likely to refer you to friends and family if they have a pleasant experience. Keep in mind, this means more than delivering positive outcomes; it also involves ensuring a welcoming atmosphere from start to finish.
Communication is key here. Misunderstandings quickly sour the patient experience. Ensure that you and your team detail dental issues, treatment plans, timelines, and billing clearly.
The comfort and ambiance of your office also impact how patients view your practice. Make sure that you have an inviting reception area, comfortable seating, and pleasant decor in your waiting room, as well as an overall clean but not overly sterile office.
Adding small personal touches to how you run your practice can make a big difference in this area as well. Implement personalized communications and reminders whenever possible. Consider sending out holiday cards from your office to connect with patients and keep you fresh in their minds.
3. Build Community and Professional Connections
The time and resources that your practice puts into community outreach are likely the best investments you’ll ever make. In addition to increasing visibility, partnering with local schools, pediatricians, and family doctors comes with benefits that extend beyond your practice.
You can organize and take part in a variety of initiatives to support public health. These can range from offering free dental clinics to providing oral hygiene products for those in need. This type of outreach makes your practice a true pillar of the community, and people will take notice.
There are also plenty of opportunities to sponsor local community events. From charity fundraisers to youth sports, you can contribute to meaningful causes while also promoting your practice. The value of this highly targeted local marketing can’t be overstated.
4. Optimize Your Online Presence
Your online presence is a valuable resource to help drive referrals. Take full advantage of it by nurturing engagement across all channels. For instance, encourage satisfied patients to leave reviews on Google and other platforms. You can include links to your Google Business Profile and social media at the bottom of email communications.
Sharing your story is an important part of building real connections with patients. That can include details regarding specific cases, if patients agree. Keep privacy concerns in mind whenever you post something on social media. With a patient’s permission, sharing some insight into their case or before and after photos can be a great resource.
You can also support referrals through social media by establishing your practice as a trusted resource. Provide useful insights for patients regarding oral health and hygiene, and take advantage of holidays and local events to make topical posts. Over time, you can grow a strong presence that provides steady referrals.
Taking a Holistic Approach to Increasing Referrals
Putting these strategies into action can help you increase patient referrals and nurture them to improve conversion. Overall, the best advice is to focus on your relationships, both inside your practice and within the broader community. The effort you put into these areas can be your most cost-effective dental practice marketing opportunity.
Alongside these strategies, you can also increase referrals by offering a broader range of treatment options. The American Orthodontic Society provides comprehensive orthodontic courses that can prepare you to effectively carry out diagnosis, treatment planning, and procedures at your practice. Learn more about how to get new patients by expanding your repertoire through upcoming CE courses today.
To learn more about our popular orthodontics courses for pediatric and general dentists, check out one of the upcoming events below.
