You already know you have an amazing office; now you need to make sure the world knows it. Marketing your practice is a key component to office promotion and having a marketing strategy is very important.
Many of our clients need a bit of guidance when it comes to marketing, so here is a quick vocabulary lesson on Marketing 101:
LOGO
Your logo is a graphic mark, emblem, or symbol that you use to aid and promote instant public recognition. It is a simple, but eye-catching image that represents your practice. This page features logo examples for three different IDS themes.
IDENTITY
Your identity consists of the materials you use to market your company. These include your logo, mascots, business cards, email signatures, websites, social media, ads, employee uniforms, office theming, and radio jingle to name a few.
BRAND
Your brand is what people think and feel when they hear about your office – an emotional and psychological relationship between a company and consumers. Your brand is what helps dictate what your identity should look like, and what people should feel when they see marketing materials you have made.
Theming by IDS is more than an adventure for your patients; it is an invaluable marketing tool for your business. Your theme becomes part of your brand, which in turn influences your identity. From a giant exterior Landmark down to a logo on a business card, your marketing strategy helps get your practice in front of your patients.
Tips to Design the Perfect Themed Logo
Start with your dental office logo; the most important part of your identity. At IDS, our most popular option for logo design is to match your logo to your theme… literally! I like to use a prominent character from an office theme and turn it into a logo. A good identity is about consistency. A themed logo creates an instant connection between your printed identity and your physical office. It also helps differentiate your office from the competition by showcasing what makes your practice special.
Businesses that target children have two audiences to cater to when choosing a logo: the adults who make the purchase and the children who want the product or service. A successful logo design connects with both. Use a fun character with bright colors to appeal to children while using clear legible text aimed at the parents.
If you are an established practice with an existing logo that your patients recognize, you don’t want to lose that recognition. In order to update the look and bring consistency to your identity, you can consider adding theming or characters to your existing logo.
Dr. Martin added his three new mascots to his existing “M” logo. He maintained his established recognition but gained a new identity as a fun practice for parents wanting an enjoyable dental office for their children.
Tips to Create a Visual Identity for Your Themed Office
Now to look at the rest of your identity. When I create a marketing package for a dental client I like to include a logo design, business cards, referral pad, letterhead and an optional envelope. This is a great starter pack for creating your ‘look,’ which will help when you expand into flyers, magazine ads, and signs.
Be consistent with your designs; use the same style of fonts, the same colors, and include your logo on everything. By keeping your graphics consistent your practice becomes more memorable and more likely to be at the front of potential clients’ minds.
An identity created by IDS for Smiling Seal featuring a logo design, referral pad, business cards, and letterhead.
How to Embrace and Promote Your Brand
Once you have a consistent identity, your brand will begin to take shape. A quick search of reviews for our existing customers’ offices brings up the same words and phrases: “friendly”, “fun”, “exciting”. Theming gives people a reason to think and talk about you in a positive way. Office theming is the perfect way to boost your brand and get your patients talking.
You should also express your brand across all communication mediums. Print, web, and social media are integral tools for marketing your practice.
Is your office all about fun? Post photos on your social media of your patients and staff posing with your props, wearing costumes, and participating in contests.
Is your office focused on education? Include a themed education station in your office and hold workshops with at-risk children. Your brand and identity will shape the way you interact with the public.
The possibilities are endless. At IDS we give you the stepping stones for creating a strong brand we know your patients will love, now take the reigns and become a master of dental office promotion.
Check out these related resources for great marketing tips for your office:
6 Tips to Help You Take Great Photos of Your New Themed Office
Celebrating Different Holidays in Your Themed Dental Office
Key Strategies to Jump-Start Your Dental Marketing
The Best Dental Marketing Tactics and Strategy
5 Dental Marketing Ideas (and Strategies) for Increased Patient Recall
Contact Imagination Design Studios (IDS) to get started transforming your office from a mundane to magical patient experience.
Want more tips for marketing your office? Download the free guide to learn about branding, social media, plus event and promotional ideas.
From our artists to our engineers, we pride ourselves on the level of expertise each team member brings to the projects we create. Our experts want to offer some insight into their work and offer professional advice to help your dental office reach its full potential.
Victoria
Senior Designer
Bachelor of Applied Arts in Visual Communications
Joined IDS in 2010