Effective networking is one of the best things you can do to achieve success in your business. When you are an orthodontist, belonging to an Ortho network can help you build your patient base to help you be more successful. Here are some tips you can use to help you achieve success as part of a network in the orthodontic industry.
Attend Professional Events
If you want to network successfully, one of the first things you have to do is look for events where you can find people who may not know about your practice. Many communities have events for the Chamber of Commerce in which business owners from around the city come to network with other business owners. This is a great way to get your name out there and to pass out your business card. There may be business owners who are looking for orthodontic professionals just like you.
Don’t Be Shy
In order to increase your patient base, you need to get out there and talk to people. For instance, if you are at a Chamber of Commerce event, you should be talking to people. Break the ice by asking them about their business and other questions to get them to start talking. Be sure to listen as well. They will be able to tell if you are listening or not.
Forget about the Sales Pitch
When you build Ortho network, forget about offering your sales pitch to people. If you want to build a network, it’s important to build relationships before you try to sell yourself or your services. People are more likely to do business with you if you have already built a relationship with them.
Smile
There is no better advertisement for your orthodontic services than having a bright white smile with great teeth. When you are trying to obtain customers, one of the first things your prospects are going to notice is your smile. In addition to being a great advertisement for your business, smiling also engages the people you are talking to. It gives them an inviting signal that will put them at ease during your conversation.
Listen More Than You Talk
If you’re somewhat inexperienced at networking with others, you may unintentionally hijack the conversation during your interactions. This can be very counterproductive and could even drive some potential customers away. Be a great conversationalist, which means contributing to the conversation but also listening to people when they are talking to you.
