vSling - Video Testimonials for Dentists
Dentists Embrace New Technology
by Tyler L. Barnett
“Social media” is a noticeable buzz term in today’s marketplace — it is nearly impossible to ignore the impact of social and viral networking on society and business. The dental industry is no exception. Serving as a low-cost and highly effective alternative to marketing and advertising, social media is a valuable tool that dentists can use to streamline their practice, save money and increase revenue and patient base.
A study conducted recently by eMarketing reveals that 57.4% of the United States population will be watching videos on the Internet in 2009, further underscoring online video as an effective promotional tool for dental practices.
One company in particular that has pioneered Dentistry 2.0 is Utah-based patient communications provider, Smile Reminder. Designed to help dentists boost their practice, Smile Reminder provides dental offices with essential tools that utilize the internet, text messaging, video capturing, search engine optimization and social networking. All of these things create a dentist-patient experience for the new tech savvy generation.
Introducing vSling
The newest of these tech tools is called vSling, an easy to use video capturing component that allows dental offices to record testimonials from patients as they arrive or exit the office.The testimonials are then automatically uploaded to some of the web’s most highly trafficked sites and coded by region and specialty. The result: increased online visibility for the dentist and an interactive experience prior to visiting for the patient.
For example, if a potential patient was to search for a dentist based in Los Angeles, CA, the video testimonial will come up as a result, allowing the patient to view other positive reviews about the practice.
In addition to vSling, Smile Reminder is most commonly known for pioneering the automated text messages reminder system for scheduled dental cleanings, checkups, birthday notes, etc.
Tyler L. Barnett
Barnett Ellman LLC
Public Relations | Marketing
Phone: 323.937.1351
Fax: 323.658.1903
www.barnettellman.com
8484 Wilshire Blvd | Suite 242 | Beverly Hills | 90211
May 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Speaking as a dentist, who for a few months personally asked hundreds of patients to post reviews for me on DR. Oogle, I can only imagine how tricky it must be to catch them on video.
May 16th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I can appreciate the difficulty of urging patients to write reviews and actually follow through on their own. People are so preoccupied these days.
Perhaps the vSling method would be more successful since it can capture a video testimonial directly from the patient in-office before they leave.
John
May 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Perhaps you’re correct, John. One could easily argue that a collection of only two or three well done post-visit testimonials is more effective PR than perhaps a dozen or so equally flattering written reviews - especially when one considers the contemporary consumer appetite for images over written words.
May 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Yep — that sums up the situation nicely — well said. You’ll get no argument from me there!
Whether you use vSling or your own camera, videos IMO do provide a more profound influence on consumer buying decisions.
John
May 16th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I think it might even be a better idea to offer both video and written testimonials. How much more difficult could it be? One could feature a video or two on a website, as well as a link to written reviews. Not everyone likes to sit through videos, whereas they might quickly skip-read written testimonials.
In addition, for those camera-shy patients who are nevertheless expressively happy with a dentist’s work, providing them an option of writing a few nice words is better than being stuck with having to say, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
Testimonials that are not anonymous are best, but there are very nice and appreciative people who treasure their anonymity. With written testimonials, one can cater to everyone.
Here’s another thing - just for discussion sake: I imagine one must obtain at least two signed legal releases before one uses a patient’s video image, whereas a written compliment is permission by default, and doesn’t involve HIPAA… that silly rule.
Thanks, John.
D. Kellus Pruitt DDS
May 20th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Good suggestion. Textual content is always advisable — whether to accompany video testimonials, standard images, or any non-text Web page element.
Not only would the dentist then provide optional material for people to read, you would also give the search engines important information to display in their search results (for SEO purposes).
John
May 20th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
There you go, then. Darrell
May 20th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Darrell, why do I always get the impression that you know far more than you let on?!
John
May 20th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
John, I appreciate the very kind compliment. Perhaps I show you just enough, then.
May 20th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
John, I believe in you. We happen to be mostly parallel in our attitudes about ethics in dental marketing, and have met here and there on the Internet over the last year or so. Never once have I felt uncomfortable with your philosophy. You should already know that you are one of the very few in marketing I would say that about, friend.
I will be honest with you and perfectly transparent with your readers as well. I desire to do what I can to help your brand of ethics to succeed in the dental marketplace over the miserable standards of companies that fail my trust abysmally - such as ADA/idm. So when you posted the article about collecting testimonials, I wanted to offer my humble and arguably cheap suggestions. After all, I’ve been through the experience of requesting testimonials, and it is my hope to provide you and your clients a few pearls that you may not have considered.
There is one thing I would like to add about gathering a collection of testimonials for one’s Website. This is a fact: If a dentist and every person on his or her staff are anticipating asking their next patient for a testimonial, it will improve the care that the next patient receives. That is the beautiful, natural accountability that comes with embracing consumerism, in my opinion.
D. Kellus Pruitt DDS
May 20th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Darrell, thanks for the words of encouragement — unfortunately, there are many companies and people who do not resonate with my particular brand of frank honesty.
Only today I was admonished and censored for bringing truth to dentists on a well known dentistry forum. An unscrupulous seller of promotional materials who targets dentists in the US threatened to stop advertising unless my investigative research and disclosures were deleted.
The forum’s owners chose the latter course over accountability and transparency and even called to tell me so. It appears that both our country and our industry are in danger of descending to such depths of moral decay and irresponsibility that I fear they may never regain their former glory.
So I continue to trudge along here on my own turf beyond the reach of corporate interests and mandates for profit. Business is brisk and the flood of new clients at times is overwhelming. It is most refreshing to hear from “old-schoolers” such as yourself who still remember and admire responsibility — and an honest dollar for an honest day’s work.
As always, thanks for your tips and feedback — I’m sure my small but growing readership appreciate your words of wisdom.
John
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
although i am not in any way connected to the dental industry, i just would like to say i am very much impressed with vsling; how powerful a tool it is and how it can help doctors and patients alike… also, although i’m not aware of the issues that you are dealing with, i admire what the both of you are doing for the dental industry… godspeed!
October 30th, 2009 at 8:31 am
This is actually really cool… Would I be able to use this for my website?