Episode #342: Components of a Winning 2025 Marketing Strategy

  1. May 01, 2025

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah break down the four core elements every dental practice needs to win with marketing in 2025. From mastering organic SEO to boosting call conversions and optimizing your website’s landing pages, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you attract high-quality patients without overpaying for ads or staying stuck with PPO plans.

Whether you’re just beginning to reduce insurance dependence or looking to double down on growth, this conversation will help you build a modern marketing strategy that aligns with your goals.

Key Takeaways

  • Why Marketing Is Crucial for PPO Resignation
    Replacing the flow of patients from PPO plans is essential when going out-of-network.
  • Mastering Organic SEO
    Why consistent rankings in Google searches help drive free traffic.
    Six key factors: NAP consistency, backlinks, EEAT standards, original content, reviews, and velocity.
  • Google Reviews That Actually Work
    The power of volume, rating, and velocity.
    Why 10+ reviews per month should be your minimum target.
  • Improving Call Conversions
    Most practices book only 1 out of 3 new patient calls.
    Key verbal skills that turn inquiries into appointments.
    The importance of listening to and training your team with real call data.
  • Landing Page Optimization
    How first impressions impact trust and appointment rates.
    Why videos, before/after cases, and social proof matter more than ever.

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Episode Timestamps

  • 00:12 – Welcome & Introduction
    • Gary and Naren introduce the episode topic and why it matters for insurance-free practice growth
  • 01:21 – Why Marketing Is Foundational for PPO Resignation
    • The hidden cost of PPO plans and why marketing is your pathway to independence.
  • 04:00 – Four Critical Components for a 2025 Marketing Strategy
    • Organic SEO
    • Google Reviews
    • Call Conversions
    • Landing Page Optimization
  • 04:51 – Mastering Organic SEO
    • How patients find you on Google and why SEO is the key to replacing Delta patients.
    • The six pillars of Google-friendly websites.
  • 08:59 – Google Reviews
    • Why review quality plays a big role in Google rankings and patient decisions.
  • 11:38 – Call Conversions: From Clicks to Scheduled Appointments
    • Why answering the phone well is critical and how most practices get it wrong.
    • How to train your team to improve first impressions and book more appointments.
  • 17:47 – Landing Pages That Convert
    • Video intros, real cases, and diversity help patients feel like they belong.
    • Why compelling content is just as important as SEO and reviews.
  • 21:08 – Closing Thoughts
    • Recap of the 4-Part Strategy; SEO, Reviews, Call Conversions, and Landing Pages and how each part supports the other.

Think of your adjustments, the difference between your UCR fee and your contracted fee, as a marketing expense, because you’re paying Delta to send you patients.

Gary Takacs

Marketing is about getting people to know you, like you, and trust you and each step matters more than ever today.

Naren Arulrajah

5 Easy strategies for a better dental practice in 2024 beyond
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Resources

Schedule a Free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa!

Schedule a Free Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs!

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Delivering Next-Level Patient Care: Creating Positive Experiences That Keep Them Coming Back – 8 PM – 10 PM Eastern

Gary Takacs

Gary Takacs One of Gary's most significant achievements as a dental practice management coach is transforming his own practice, LifeSmiles, from one that was infected with PPO plans, no effective marketing strategy, and an overhead of 80% to a very successful dental practice that is currently one of the top-performing practices in the US.

With over 2,200 coaching clients, Gary has first-hand experience transforming insurance-dependent practices into thriving and profitable practices.

Through his Personalized Coaching Program, Gary shares access to the systems, strategies, processes, and experience gained over 41 years of coaching dentists and transforming over 2200 practices worldwide.

Learn More: www.thrivingdentist.com/coaching/
Connect with Gary Takacs on Linkedin

Naren Arulrajah

Naren ArulrajahAs CEO of Ekwa Marketing, Naren has over a decade of experience working with dental practices and helping them attract the ideal type of patients to their practices. It is his goal to help dentists do more of the type of dentistry they love with the help and support of effective digital marketing.

Ekwa’s "Done-For-You" Digital Marketing model blends fundamental persuasion principles with an all-in-one Digital Marketing solution to help your ideal patients find you and choose you for reasons other than being on their insurance plan.

If you’re interested in finding out if Ekwa is the right fit for you and your practice, book a Free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa’s Marketing Director, Lila Stone.

Book Free Marketing Strategy Meeting: www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/

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