By Roger P. Levin, DDS

In the last few years, we are seeing a new syndrome, a course of action (or some may say inaction) that is usually a serious marketing mistake. I call this syndrome “single focus marketing”. Single focus marketing means that the orthodontic practice focuses on one marketing area and not much else. Examples of this mistake in marketing include focusing only on internal patient marketing, relying only on a strong social media program to bring in new patients, hoping only that referring doctors will continue to refer or increase referrals, or concentrating only on advertising or community relationships.

Topics: Marketing, Referrals, orthodontics, Roger Levin, Social Media, community promotions, referral marketing, COVID-19

One of the greatest qualities we can possess in life is a thirst for knowledge. Learning and education have always been important to me, and I realized after graduating college my excitement for learning didn’t stop. I love learning new things, finding more efficient ways to do my job, and finding ways to refresh my creative flow. Luckily, I work for a great employer who values education just as much as I do. Ortho2 offers each employee an education budget each year to attend classes to learn new skills, purchase books to learn new developments in our field, and attend conferences.

Topics: orthodontic education, Ortho2, orthodontics, Social Media, UGM, users group meeting, networking, team building

By Roger P. Levin, DDS

“It’s not whether you win, but how you play the game.”

This is a nice sentiment that we’ve all heard about sports but it doesn’t apply to orthodontics, especially when it comes to your practice’s future. In an excellent business book entitled Playing To Win: How Strategy Really Works, a simple method for evaluating the future is boiled down to one brilliant concept: Where will you play and how will you win?

Topics: technology, orthodontic trends, Marketing, orthodontics, Roger Levin, Social Media, referral rewards, focus areas

This year’s Users Group Meeting party was Heroes vs. Villains, and I feel like it couldn’t have been more fitting for the occasion. This theme translated across the entire event by encouraging YOU to become your own office hero. As your choice of practice management software, we work hard to ensure you have the tools you need to keep your practice running smoothly. However, the day-to-day operations, challenges, and success of your practice rest on your shoulders.

Topics: orthodontic education, Ortho2, orthodontics, Social Media, UGM, users group meeting, networking, team building

This year was my first year attending the annual Ortho2 Users Group Meeting and it didn’t disappoint! As the Multimedia Marketing Coordinator at Ortho2, I’ve spent a lot of time working on UGM email campaigns, posting on our social channels, and helping design various materials leading up to the event. It was exciting to see the hard work behind the scenes put into action.

I had heard many stories about the meeting from UGM veterans, and I was eager to experience the meeting for myself. Since returning home to Iowa, my brain is still rushing from all the excitement. For those of you who haven’t experienced a UGM yet, here are my top five reasons why you should consider going.

Topics: Ortho2, Social Media, UGM, users group meeting

What’s that social media app all the millennials in your office are talking about? You know, the one where you receive a picture and frantically try to absorb it all in 10 seconds before it disappears into oblivion? This handy app is called Snapchat and it’s become a bit of a phenomenon. Forget the old days of clogging up your text message inbox with random pictures you received from a friend, and forget about having to email photos because they’re too large to send via text…you can now send photos quickly and efficiently through Snapchat. And thankfully this app has made some improvements recently that now allow you more time for viewing before the picture or video disappears into that black void in cyberspace. To make snapping even more fun, Snapchat has a variety of filters, text options, drawing tools, and stickers that help you create funny and more personal photos.

Topics: Ortho2, Social Media, UGM, users group meeting, Snapchat

By Roger P. Levin, DDS

Social media can be a lot of fun. That’s one of the big reasons so many people spend so much time “socializing” online every day. If you want current and prospective patients and parents to pay attention to your posts—and feel good about your practice—keep them smiling. Here are some guidelines for upping the fun factor:

Topics: orthodontics, Roger Levin, Social Media

by Dr. Greg Jorgensen

One of my favorite fairytales growing up was Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” It is a story about a gullible king who is approached by two swindlers posing as tailors. The crooks promise him a magical suit of clothing that is “invisible” to those who are incompetent. Not wanting to look stupid, he and all of his subjects rant and rave about his beautiful new suit as he parades down main street wearing nothing at all. Along the parade route the king is confronted by a small child who states the obvious; "He isn't wearing anything at all!” Sometimes I think we also just follow the crowd when it comes to practice promotion when what we really need is for someone to point out that the emperor is really naked! Today I want to be that someone.

Topics: orthodontic practice management, Marketing, orthodontics, Dr. Greg Jorgensen, Twitter, Social Media