Why does email followup gradually stop working for dental practices?
Because the patient’s inbox reaches a tipping point and the delete key takes over. Consumers across the age spectrum are overwhelmed by email volume. Some declare ’email bankruptcy’ and reset entirely. Even when your campaigns are well-designed, the recipient is making a fast yes-or-no on whether to even open. After the first few months of dental newsletters, automated reminders, and check-in emails, the deletion rate climbs and the open rate falls. Email is fine for the first few touches. After that, offline takes over: postcards, printed newsletters, and physical notes that the patient has to handle before deciding whether to keep or discard. Offline is where the second-year followup earns its keep.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.