Four Holiday Marketing Tips for Dentists

This is the time of year when most businesses stop marketing. They are too busy trying to get their work done before Christmas or New Year’s Day, so they focus on the current work instead of getting new work. Many dentists close down during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Therefore, they double their patient load for the weeks leading up to the holiday week. However, dentists and all businesses shouldn’t forego marketing. One way to continue marketing is to combine the holiday with the marketing. Here are some ideas to include the holiday in your marketing.

1. Holiday tips -- Indulging in foods, especially unhealthy foods, is common this time of year. Therefore, as dentists, you could produce a naughty and nice list and distribute those lists through your social media or on postcards in the office. On the naughty side, you would list foods that would hurt teeth and gums. On the nice side, you would write down the foods that people should choose during the holiday season. These are foods that are healthy to eat for the body and for oral health. You also could list other holiday tips, such as how to bake cookies for Santa that won’t hurt your teeth.

2. Stocking stuffers -- Have packets of floss, toothpaste and mouthwash ready with your logo on it so people can put them in stockings. You also can show people other options for putting in stockings that kids would enjoy getting that wouldn’t involve indulging in foods that aren’t good for them. You might put stuff in a stocking and have a contest to win the stocking full of stuff. This would market your business two ways, you would be telling people ideas to put in their stockings and generate a buzz about your office because of the contest. People might stop by the office just to see the status of the contest.

3. Charities -- This time of year, charities are begging for donations. You could align yourself and practice with a local charity. For example, you might allow a Salvation Army kettle outside your dental practice. You could collect gifts for underprivileged children in the office and include your products in the gifts. This would get your name into the community and help you spread holiday cheer. You would let people feel good about coming to the dentist and show you and children that you are not scary. When you help others, you help your practice.

4. Caroling -- Ask a local school chorus to provide caroling in your office during the Christmas season. This would be an inexpensive form of entertainment that would allow your patients to relax. You also would get to know the parents and children in the choir who could become future patients. Your staff would appreciate a break from the stressful jobs they have and the extra workload you are putting on them. This form of marketing is a great way to show you support the community without spending extra time or money.