11 ways to jumpstart your dental practice in 2013

In dental practices throughout the United States, the new year is prompting a renewed focus on improving practice systems. Evaluating your dental office management, design, materials, outreach and more can be a boon for everyone involved-the smallest change can have the huge impact.

So in the spirit of renewal, we offer 11 tips and tactics you can easily utilize to jumpstart your dental practice success in 2013:

• Learn the 10 secrets of an effective online presence

Throughout 2012, marketing experts laid out the ways businesses of all size can use online options to boost brand awareness. Click here to read 10 of their best tips.

• Visit another dental office

Not sure where you should look to make improvements? Feel like you’re in a slump? One of the easiest ways to get inspiration is to simply explore. Get out of your practice and take a tour of how other offices manage day-to-day tasks.

Click here to read more about the power of outside inspiration.

• Learn how to keep company meetings on track

Feel like your team meetings are not reaching their potential? Do they ever accomplish anything? Click here to check out seven ways to keep team meetings on track.

• Remember ‘marketing’ isn’t a dirty word

If you want current and new patients to know how great your dental practice is and what services you offer, you have to market to them. Make you uncomfortable? There are simple ways to ease into the process so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

• Take a cue from Steve Jobs

No really. Click here to check out four ways you can manage your dental practice like Steve Jobs managed Apple.

• Have you considered going paperless?

Practicing without paper offers revenue-increasing and cost-reducing possibilities for your dental practice. Check out DPR’s Paperless Series of 2012 to learn everything you need to know.

• Know how to help inform patients on financing.

Check out this video of Kathleen O'Donnell- of Jameson Consulting-outlining five steps to bring you closer to helping patients find the financing they need to achieve the smile of their dreams.

• Social media, social media, social media! Use it.

The power of social media is undeniable. Use Facebook and other social networks to connect with current and potential patients. Share special offers. Take pictures of happy patients for the world to see. Click here to learn why you can’t ignore social media.

• Have a team with top-notch phone skills.

Providing awesome customer service over the phone isn’t natural to everyone. You may not realize it, but it’s a skill-a skill that can improve or hinder your practice. Click here to check out some easy, secret answers to get better telephone skills.

• Train yourself not to sell.

Don’t think of your job as selling to patients. It’s your job to educate them. You’re the one patients depend on to tell them about any dental problems they might have and what options they have to fix those problems. Learn how to get patients to accept treatment without selling.

• Adapt insight from the dental industry.

Business-savvy minds with years of experience in the dental industry are fountains of knowledge. Learn from them. Everyone who has been around the block has a tip. Click here to read 10 business tips for dental practices from Jane Pak, CEO of National Association of Women Business Owners.