Practically everyone knows that braces can give them a perfectly straight smile, and most people would admit that they’d like a straighter smile if they don’t have one already. The reason why more people don’t have braces even if they want a straight smile? Cost.
For a lot of people, the only thing they think of when they hear the word braces is dollar signs. Because they assume “they just can’t afford it,” many don’t even think twice about the service when they come in contact with marketing or advertising for braces. To them, it’s a dream that’s simply out of reach because they just don’t have the finances to cover it.
But the fact of the matter is that with the right financing options, a vast amount of adults and dependent children actually could afford to pay for orthodontia. And educating your target audience about those options could be the solution you’re looking for to keep your office bustling. Here are a few tips for helping your potential patients learn how the dream of braces could actually be their reality:
Don’t Keep Financing Options a Secret
In an ideal world, every orthodontic patient would be able to pay up front in cash. Having to offer financing options might not be your preferred method of payment, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let potential patients know about it. Whether you offer in-office payment plans or financing through third-party lenders, potential patients need to know about it. Incorporate this information in your marketing materials, website, and even in your office so these potential patients don’t automatically rule themselves out for budgetary reasons.
Make the Real Costs Seem Realistic
No matter the industry, consumers get scared away with large lump sum dollar figures. When it comes to orthodontic marketing, particularly with financing, it’s important to sell the idea in a way that makes sense to the consumer. This might mean incorporating a flat monthly payment amount into your direct and digital marketing or maybe it’s advertising that you offer no-interest payment plans. When potential patients realize that they don’t need the entire lump sum up front just to get treatment, they’ll be much more open to the possibility.
Train Staff to Close the Sale
For patients who don’t really have to question whether or not they can afford braces, the choice to start treatment is a fairly easy one to make. But for patients who are on the fence about whether or not they can really make braces work with their budget, it’s a much more difficult choice. If your office offers and promotes orthodontic financing options through your marketing materials, make sure your office staff is trained properly to help these patients actually seal the deal. Staff should be educated about the details of what financing options are available, and should be able to present them to these on-the-fence patients, whether over the phone or in person, in a way that caters to their needs.
Enhancing your marketing messaging with orthodontic financing options can be a great way to boost your patient base and also offer more potential patients the chance to get the smile they’ve always dreamed of.
