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Are you spending money on marketing but not seeing results? In this episode of the Thriving Dentist Show, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah tackle 10 real dentist-submitted questions on effective marketing strategies for 2025. Learn why SEO for dentists is your secret weapon for high ROI, how Google reviews can boost your practice’s credibility, and when digital ads make sense. They also reveal the hidden costs of PPO plans—those “insurance write-offs” could be your biggest marketing expense—and share how to redirect that budget to grow your practice. Packed with practical, no-nonsense tips in plain language, this episode is a must-listen for dentists ready to stop guessing and start thriving. Tune in now to transform your dental marketing!
Hey, Thriving Dentist listeners!
- Want to slash PPO write-offs and keep more of your revenue?
Book a personalized coaching session with Gary Takacs. He’ll walk you through reducing PPO dependence and optimizing your practice’s financial health. Spots are limited – reserve yours now at: www.thrivingdentist.com/thriving-practice-strategy-meeting/
- Ready to attract more high-value patients with a killer marketing plan?
Schedule a free marketing strategy meeting with Naren Arulrajah’s team at Ekwa Marketing. They’ll build a custom roadmap to dominate your local market in 2025. Book your free session at: go.thrivingdentistshow.com/Podcast-TD
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Timestamps
Key Takeaways
- 00:02:31 – PPO Write-Offs as Hidden Marketing Costs
- PPO adjustments are actually huge hidden marketing costs.
- A case study shows a practice lost $537,000 in adjustments to collect $1 million.
- 00:06:13 – Why SEO Delivers the Best ROI in 2025
- SEO is the most cost-effective marketing channel today.
- Ranking for 100+ keywords puts you in the top 5% of practices.
- 00:10:14 – Setting a Smart Marketing Budget
- Aim to spend 1.5% to 3% of revenue on marketing.
- Compare that with PPO write-offs that take up to 50% of collections.
- 00:14:47 – Targeting High-Value Services Through SEO
- Use SEO to attract patients for treatments like implants, Invisalign, or sedation.
- Track and improve rankings for treatment-specific keywords.
- 00:17:08 – The Power of Google Reviews
- Google reviews build trust and boost your rankings.
- Set a goal of getting 10+ new, detailed reviews each month.
- 00:19:05 – Direct Mail and Radio: Still Worth It?
- Traditional ads are mostly outdated.
- Direct mail might still work in small towns with older populations, but radio is no longer effective.
- 00:22:24 – When to Invest in Paid Digital Ads
- Only run ads if your website converts well and your team can handle calls.
- Gary shares a story of boosting new patient numbers through better phone conversion—no extra ad spend.
- 00:28:59 – Social Media: Presence vs. Influence
- Social media works for top 1% who become influencers.
- For others, use it to maintain a presence, not as your main growth tool.
- 00:33:11 – Steps to Reduce PPO Dependence
- Find out what you’re writing off to insurance companies.
- Gary offers help through a coaching session to map out next steps.
- 00:35:17 – Can SEO Work in Big Cities?
- Yes—practices in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, and other competitive cities are succeeding with SEO.
- You need a skilled, consistent strategy.
- 00:36:01 – Four Essentials for Successful SEO Marketing
- Rank for 100+ keywords on page one.
- Get 10+ new Google reviews each month.
- Reach a 70%+ phone call conversion rate.
- Book a free marketing strategy meeting for a step-by-step plan.
- 00:38:48 – Final Takeaway
- Dentists can choose to spend smart on effective marketing or continue losing revenue to PPO write-offs.
- The right strategies can bring in more patients while cutting costs—starting with SEO and solid systems.
Resources
Gary became a successful practice owner by purchasing a fixer-upper practice and developing it into a world-class dental practice. He is passionate about sharing his hard-earned insights and experiences with dental practices across the globe.