Designing Dental Direct Mail Campaigns: Tips for Finding New Patients

People will always need dentists; get dental marketing right, and you'll ensure they always need you. With the US dental industry projected to reach $254 billion by 2032, your dental marketing campaigns can ensure you get a big slice of that pie. 

For decades, the dental industry has overrelied on word-of-mouth marketing. While this is still a vital tool in your arsenal, more proactive ways exist to reach potential patients. These are methods that put you in the driving seat and allow you to convey the message you want them to receive clearly.

In this post, we'll guide you through everything you need to know about dental direct mail campaigns. From why they matter to how to design one, this guide will prepare you for serious dental practice growth.

The Power of Direct Mail Marketing for Dentists

It's natural to question the effectiveness of snail mail marketing in the digital age. Yet, statistics don't lie. The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) reported in 2023 that direct mail marketing yielded the best return on investment of any type of marketing.

The average ROI of the top four mediums were:

• Direct mail - 43%
• Email - 32%
• Social media - 29%
• Paid search - 27%

This means that direct mail marketing is likely the single most effective way for dentists to attract new patients and retain existing ones. What makes it so effective?

Forge Emotional Connections

Research by the USPS revealed that physical ads have more influence than digital ones in several ways. They yield:

• Longer engagement times
• Stronger memories
• Greater emotional response
• Longer lasting impact

An interesting finding was that younger participants spent more time engaging with the ad than older ones. This is possibly due to the novelty of receiving a physical, targeted piece of marketing.

This is important for dental offices to remember, as young adults are a key demographic. A 2023 YouGov survey found that women and people under 30 are the most likely to say that conventionally attractive teeth are important to them. In addition to being great candidates for cosmetic dentistry, they are also likely to have children in the near future and seek a trustworthy family dentist. 

How Dental Direct Mail Marketing Engages New Patients

Unlike an online impulse purchase or an item of clothing, choosing a dentist is an investment in your health. It's also a relationship built on trust; dental marketing must respect that when looking for new patients.

USPS research found that people subconsciously value direct mail marketing more than digital formats. Combine that with stronger emotional responses and longer engagement times, and it's clear why direct mail dental marketing campaigns help build trust that leads to first visits.

Another reason for their success is that they are targeted. Direct mail does not mean spamming everyone in your town or city. With the right tools, you can target areas based on key factors, such as demographics and income.

How to Find New Patients With Dental Marketing Campaigns

To begin building trust in local people who have not yet signed up with your dental practice, you need to consider the following key areas:

Identify Your Target Audience

First, isolate your unique selling point and then apply that when researching your local community.

If you're a pediatric dentist or offer orthodontic services for teens, targeting areas with a high density of family homes can be as simple as targeting those areas. However, sometimes, a more nuanced approach is needed.

Working with a platform that combines cutting-edge geotargeting technology with demographic filters helps. You can narrow your target area to certain neighborhoods likely to yield a higher success rate. Leverage the information you already hold to highlight areas that may yield a higher level of engagement.

Consider Drive Time

To get the right patient sign-ups, consider the difference between drive time and radius.

Drive time is typically a more important factor for a service-based business like a dental office. People need to be a relatively short drive away; otherwise, they won't sign up. Considering this at the planning stage allows you to target people who can easily commute to your office for multiple visits.

Create a Compelling Offer

Most dental practices offer a range of outstanding services. However, if you list them all, you won't stand out from the crowd. If you send a postcard, you have around 50 words to convey your unique selling point - that's not a lot of words!

Decide on one or a maximum of two areas of focus. For example, if you're looking to engage families, convey that you meet the needs of all ages. If your target demographic is older adults, focus on dentures, implants, and other services they find valuable.

Finally, give them a reason to choose you over the competition. Could you offer:

• A free consultation?
• A discount on their first treatment?
• A special deal on a major treatment package?

Whatever you decide, make it easy to understand and include a clear call to action. Make it time-sensitive so the phone starts ringing immediately.

Create an Eye-Catching Design

You may already have a theme, pallet, and design that you have found effective for previous dental marketing campaigns. If it works and still looks fresh, there may be no need to reinvent the wheel. Coordinating the look and feel of print and digital campaigns helps send a clear, consistent message.

But if your previous campaigns have not yielded the results you hoped for, it may be time to work with a design expert. They will focus on curating a look that reinforces your message. And remember, a simple, striking design doesn't need to be expensive to be effective. 

Design Powerful Dental Direct Mail Campaigns With Taradel

If done right, your next dental direct mail marketing campaign could bring scores of new patients through your doors. We know you'll meet their expectations once they're in your chair; let Taradel help you get them there.

Taradel's tools take the guesswork out of direct mail marketing. On our platform, you can access the latest data to identify the best prospects in your area. Upload your own designs or let our in-house team craft marketing materials that hit the spot.

Start your campaign now, live chat, or call us at (800) 481-1656 to talk to our direct mail marketing experts.