The Dental Marketer

If you've ever felt the weight of ambition pull you away from personal fulfillment, this episode is your honest roadmap back to balance!

Dr. Simone Ellis opens up about her early years as a practice owner: navigating the pressures of rapid growth, leadership, and the unspoken toll of relentless hustle.

In this conversation, Dr. Ellis reveals how she recognized warning signs of burnout, the emotional and physical challenges of leading through turbulent times like the pandemic, and why she ultimately sold her thriving practice. She shares the leadership strategies and team systems that now drive her consulting work, all rooted in one philosophy: sustainable success starts with aligning business growth to personal values. Dr. Ellis empowers us to adopt self-awareness, set healthy boundaries, and foster cultures where dental teams (and their leaders) truly flourish.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The real story behind rapid practice growth and its personal costs.
• How to spot and address burnout as a dentist.
• Why self-awareness and core values matter for sustainable success.
• The art of setting boundaries to protect both personal and professional well-being.
• Proven team motivation techniques inspired by top companies.
• How honest leadership and structured meetings can transform workplace culture.
• Concrete strategies Dr. Ellis uses to support and inspire her team.
• The benefits and intricacies of selling a high-performing dental practice.
• Key insights for pivoting from ownership to consulting.
• Practical advice for cultivating a resilient, growth-driven mindset.

Tune in now to hear Dr. Ellis’ unfiltered insights and discover how to redefine success as a dentist on your own terms!

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Sponsors:‍

Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: net32.com/dentalmarketer

Guest: Dr. Simone EllisBusiness Name: Dr. Simone EllisCheck out Simone's Media:‍

Website: drsimoneellis.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drsimoneellis

Email: [email protected]

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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If your referral requests have ever felt forced or unfruitful, it may be time to switch gears!

In this part 2 episode on the Ground Marketing series, we reveal exactly how to transform referral relationships from awkward cold calls into genuine professional alliances through proven, effective scripts tailored for every type of specialist. You'll discover how to reshape conversations with general practitioners, pediatricians, hygienists, and other medical professionals to ensure your expertise becomes an essential resource for their patients, while making your colleagues feel valued and appreciated.

Today we're demystify how to amplify your visibility far beyond the clinic walls, turning your practice into a familiar community anchor that local families trust. From hands-on strategies like PTA sponsorships and school health events, to expert-level moves like contributing advice columns to local media, you’ll learn to build a trusted brand recognized for genuine community involvement. The episode wraps with a deep-dive into the “referral flywheel”: a simple but game-changing system for making referrals flow naturally month after month. Whether you want to boost word-of-mouth or become the go-to expert in town, these easy-to-implement tactics will set you apart in your community!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Specific, customizable scripts to spark referrals without sounding salesy
• How to identify and connect with the right partners: doctors, hygienists, pediatricians, and more
• Techniques to make colleagues feel confident and valued when referring patients
• Real-world scenarios to apply your referral scripts for maximum impact
• How to establish visibility anchors in your community for top-of-mind awareness
• Ideas for educational contributions in local media and blogs to boost credibility
• Methods for measuring, tracking, and scaling the referral flywheel system

Ready to become your community’s most in-demand specialist? Tune in now and start building referral relationships that grow themselves!

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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What happens when a dentist swaps the race for patient volume for a practice built on quality care and real satisfaction?

In this episode, Dr. Ahad Ahmed unveils his unique approach to running a general dental practice: from launching his first office in 2023 to opening a second, all while navigating the hidden challenges of patient volume and administrative overload. Sharing his story, Dr. Ahmed explores why clear communication and value-driven partnerships have been key to his business growth, and how collaborating with a younger dentist has shaped his leadership style. He shows how he outsources crucial administrative tasks, freeing up his team for what truly matters: providing excellent patient care.

But the journey hasn't been without tough lessons. Dr. Ahmed explains how a shift in priorities, from high turnover to quality care and workplace satisfaction, propelled him to drop low-paying insurance plans and refine his hiring process. He opens up about the pitfalls of hiring based on convenience over compatibility and dives into how adopting technology has streamlined operations and reduced costs. As the conversation wraps up, Dr. Ahmed offers actionable advice for fellow dentists: embrace change, learn from mistakes, and focus on building a practice that aligns with your personal values.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The critical roles of partnership and clear communication in practice growth
• Strategies for managing high patient volumes without burning out your team
• Why and how to outsource administrative tasks like billing and insurance
• The benefits and challenges of dropping low-paying insurance plans
• The importance of hiring for personality fit and capability
• Lessons learned from past hiring mistakes and improving team retention
• How leveraging technology can lower overhead and improve services
• Shifting your business mindset from patient volume to quality care
• Balancing work-life demands in a rapidly growing practice

Listen today to hear Dr. Ahmed's journey from high-volume to high-value!

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Sponsors:
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Net32: Founded by a dentist, for dentists. Net32 is the leading online marketplace for dental supplies, helping dental and medical professionals save on high-quality products for over 25 years. Start saving today at: net32.com/dentalmarketer

Guest: Dr. Ahad AhmedPractice Name: Easy Breezy DentalCheck out Ahad's Media:‍

Website: easybreezydental.com

Email: [email protected]

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

How do top dental specialists quietly become the go-to experts without splashy ads or endless networking events?

In this episode, we peel back the curtain on ground marketing strategies crafted specifically for dental specialists. Think orthodontists, prosthetists, periodontists, and more, who rely on referrals rather than foot traffic. We dig into the nuances of micro-niche targeting and how pinpointing the real decision-makers (those who influence consistent referrals) will change the way you build your practice’s network. Using relatable examples, like ERs for endodontists or schools for orthodontists, you’ll discover how symptom-based segmentation and a referral signal map can transform the way you identify and connect with the environments that matter most.

Next, you’ll learn powerful outreach tactics, including how to use a sphere of influence map to rank and approach referral sources strategically. This ensures your time goes to high-yield relationships, not wasted appointments. You’ll understand how concentrating marketing efforts in areas rich with your ideal patients or gatekeepers can maximize your ROI. We also cover smarter, less intrusive ways to maintain momentum with referrers to make every touchpoint matter (without feeling annoying.)

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to clearly define your micro-niche and identify prime decision-makers.
• Where to locate high-yield referral environments and map out key referral signals.
• Smart tactics to segment potential patients by symptoms and life stages.
• The step-by-step process for building your sphere of influence map.
• How to rank and schedule outreach for maximum referral impact.
• Using heat mapping and geo-zoning to concentrate efforts where ROI is highest.
• The "Don’t Be Annoying Plan" to stay top of mind without overwhelming referrers.
• Tips for psychographic personalization to connect with referrers on an emotional level.
• The essential art of asking the right questions and listening for referral cues.
• Strategies for building long-lasting, referral-rich relationships that sustain specialist practices.

Hit play now to discover proven strategies for becoming the referral magnet in your dental specialty. No hype, just results!

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

Every dental practice claims to put patients first, but what does it mean to build a business where every interaction truly feels like family?

In this episode, Michael sits down with Tom Gonzalez, Business Facilitator at Ohana Dental Implant Centers, to reveal how a behind-the-scenes leader can shape both daily operations and the very culture of patient care. Drawing on his unique role, Tom illuminates how his COO-style guidance aligns marketing, patient experience, and operational strategy to create seamless, standout care for every patient who walks through their doors.

Tom shares how Ohana’s mission goes far beyond technical excellence by weaving personalized attention into every step of the patient journey. Through heartfelt stories (like the patient who drove hours seeking an expert revision), Tom illustrates how empathy, curiosity, and team empowerment drive not only patient satisfaction but also long-term success. Tune in as the conversation uncovers the nuts and bolts behind Ohana’s methods, the technology and training that keep their standards high, and the leadership philosophies that truly make their practice feel like Ohana (Hawaiian for "family") in every sense.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The real role of a business facilitator in a modern dental practice
• How Ohana Dental ensures consistently exceptional patient experiences across locations
• Why patient stories shape both practice reputation and internal culture
• Secrets to addressing failed implants with expertise and empathy
• Tools and metrics that drive operational excellence, including CallRail
• Balancing automation with a personal, human touch in patient interactions
• Strategies for training staff in empathy-driven care
• Lessons on empowering teams versus micro-managing
• The importance of curiosity in building personalized patient relationships
• The long-term vision of fostering a true family spirit within dentistry

Press play to discover how Ohana Dental turns everyday care into extraordinary patient experiences!

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Sponsors:
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CallRail: Call tracking + AI that turns calls into campaigns that convert, quality patients, and cost savings. Click our link to start a free trial today! callrail.com/dentalmarketer

Click here for a special offer!
Guest: Tom GonzalezPractice Name: Ohana Dental Implant CentersCheck out Tom's Media:‍

Website: ohanadentalimplants.com

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

Are your local marketing efforts working as hard online as they do in person?

In this episode, we break down exactly how dental practices can harness the combined power of ground marketing and local SEO to dominate their local market. From hosting engaging community events that foster genuine trust and visibility, to ensuring every handshake and conversation converts into online discoverability, you’ll learn strategies that build both credibility and patient numbers. We’ll reveal how your Google Business Profile acts as your virtual storefront, why authentic event photos and specific business categories are essential, and how to keep your profile fresh with real updates. The discussion zeroes in on location-based content, gathering glowing online reviews, and using savvy tools like QR codes to measure what actually works. Plus, find out how automating review requests and leveraging local backlinks can skyrocket your ranking and reputation!

If you’re a practice owner looking to fill more chairs, this episode arms you with step-by-step techniques to make your ground marketing events work overtime online. By the end, you’ll see exactly how every local encounter can turn into lasting online visibility (and new loyal patients.)

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How ground marketing and local SEO create a powerful loop of trust and visibility
• The pivotal role your Google Business Profile plays in new patient acquisition
• Why using real photos from events can boost credibility and local ranking
• Ways to craft location-based website pages and event recaps for SEO impact
• How testimonials and reviews mentioning events or neighborhoods help you stand out
• Effective tactics for maintaining accurate business details across directories
• Smart use of QR codes and trackable links to measure campaign ROI
• The value of publishing event blog posts and gaining local backlinks
• Practical steps to track online behaviors like search frequency and call usage

Let's listen in and learn how to turn every offline connection into an online patient!

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

Are you trapped in the daily grind, or are you steering your practice towards real growth?

In this episode, we explore the heart and mind of dental practice success with Lisa Grogan, a respected dental coach whose journey began by chance and evolved into a passion for transforming practices.

Lisa pulls back the curtain on what it takes to elevate a dental practice beyond clinical excellence. She shows why dentists must step up as business leaders, not just healthcare providers, and how this shift influences everything from patient trust to practice profitability. Through relatable stories and practical strategies, Lisa reveals how communication, mindset coaching, and patient-centered visuals can dramatically increase treatment acceptance. She confronts common stumbling blocks like confusion around pricing, wavering confidence, and limiting beliefs, while spotlighting the use of social media and influencers to attract ideal patients. Above all, Lisa encourages dentists to embrace storytelling and holistic management as essential tools for sustainable growth.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The biggest mindset shifts that help dentists move from clinician to business owner
• How to use effective patient communication to build trust and boost treatment acceptance
• Practical ways to increase transparency and confidence when discussing pricing
• Strategies for leveraging social media and local influencers to grow your patient base
• The role of visual tools and storytelling in educating patients
• How belief systems can limit or expand your practice growth (and what to do about it)
• Step-by-step tactics for implementing mindset coaching in your practice
• Why working on your business matters as much as working in it
• The power of holistic practice management for long-term success

Discover how simple shifts that can make the difference in your dental practice! Press play and start leading your business forward!

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Sponsors:‍CareStack: Modern, Secure, Cloud-Based Dental Software for Growing Your Practice! With state-of-the-art features including Online Appointments, Integrated Payments, Text Reminders and more. Click the link here for a special offer: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/carestack
Guest: Lisa GroganBusiness Name: Lisa Grogan Dental CoachingCheck out Lisa's Media:‍

Website: lisagrogandentalcoach.com

Instagram: instagram.com/lisagrogan_dentalcoach

Email: [email protected]

Lisa's Social Media Course: lisagrogancoaching.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1179602/?action=signup

Lisa's Smile Assessment Form: lisagrogandentalcoach.com/online-dental-coaching-resources

Lisa's Social Media Masterclass Video: youtu.be/bDbZJHzilfw

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Want the Reception Call Conversion Kit from this episode? Find it here! thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/reception-call-conversion-kit

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

How do you keep your team fired up for the daily grind of marketing when every door knocked or flyer handed out feels like a small battle?

This episode dives into the motivations that fuel ground marketing success, not just today, but for the long haul. Michael offers strategies that blend the science of internal drive with the enticing pull of external rewards, revealing why relying on only one kind of motivation just doesn’t cut it for ongoing, high-energy performance.

Discover practical ways to spark enthusiasm and resilience in your outreach teams, from turning mundane tasks into engaging challenges to celebrating even the smallest wins. The discussion breaks down how to set achievable micro-goals, link activities to deeper personal values, and reframe setbacks as stepping stones. By the end, you’ll walk away with a toolkit designed to keep your marketing engine running at full speed, without risking burnout or loss of purpose!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The crucial difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (and why you need both.)
• Proven tactics like gamification, role rotation, and celebrating progress (not just outcomes.)
• How to reframe rejection and keep spirits high during persistent outreach.
• The process of anchoring activities to your team’s personal sense of purpose.
• Why setting micro-goals and visualizing impact can transform marketing results.
• The importance of tangible targets and layering immediate with delayed rewards.
• Preventing burnout while sustaining consistent ground marketing activity.
• Morning mental priming rituals that set your team’s tone for the whole day.
• How to build a motivation system, not just one-off hype.

Ready to energize your outreach and keep your marketing momentum strong? Hit play and level up your team’s motivation now!

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

Many infants and toddlers struggle with feeding, sleep, or jaw development, and your practice could offer the help they need!

In this episode, Michael sits down with Joy Lantz, an expert in myofunctional therapy and pediatric oral health, to reveal how early dental care can unlock happier, healthier outcomes for children long before their first permanent tooth appears.

Joy shares her groundbreaking approach to identifying issues like tongue ties and low oral muscle tone that often slip past traditional dental and medical screenings. By drawing on her experience as both a clinician and a mom, Joy explains why early screening, multidisciplinary teamwork, and building strong referral networks are critical for supporting whole-child health. You'll walk away with practical strategies to implement this, including team training, building family trust, and overcoming insurance or cultural barriers, all aimed at creating a future where every child receives the collaborative care they deserve.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Signs that oral issues in babies and toddlers frequently go unnoticed
• How early screening can catch hidden problems like tongue ties
• The crucial role of multidisciplinary referral networks (lactation, chiropractic, etc.)
• Practical tips for dental teams to support families with infants and toddlers
• Strategies for pediatric dental practices to manage insurance and outreach challenges
• Why a holistic, collaborative approach leads to better outcomes for young patients
• Insights from Joy’s personal journey as a mother navigating these challenges
• What the ideal, family-centered oral health practice looks like in action

Tune in now to discover how rethinking early dental care could transform lifelong health for children and peace of mind for families!

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The Pediatric Dental Marketing Course is open for enrollment!This comprehensive course, developed by Minal Sampat and myself, is tailored specifically for pediatric practice owners and their teams. It is designed to turn your pain points into stepping stones for success and to help you become the trusted dental home for countless children in your community. Head over to our site to enroll now! pediatricdentalmarketingcourse.com
Guest: Joy LantzBusiness Name: Joy LantzCheck out Joy's Media:‍

Website: joylantz.com

Joy's free study club: joylantz.com/dentalinnovationsstudyclub

Joy's Courses: joylantz.com/classes

Joy's Practice: oralfunctions.com

Facebook: facebook.com/JoyLantzPro

Instagram: instagram.com/joylantzpro

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joylantzrdh

YouTube: youtube.com/@joylantz

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

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Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

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Have you ever felt like your practice’s ground marketing efforts are falling flat, no matter how many times you show up in your community? This episode uncovers exactly when (and why) it’s vital to make adjustments to your on-the-ground outreach before wasted time and resources start piling up.

We’ll break down the five telltale signs your ground marketing needs a fresh approach, from dwindling engagement and stalled ROI to resistance from your own team. Drawing on real examples and proven strategies, you’ll discover actionable ways to reignite interest, fine-tune your message, and even re-energize staff participation. By the end, you’ll know not just what to look for, but precisely how to pivot so your practice can maximize every handshake, conversation, and connection.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The five most important signals that your ground marketing strategy needs a reset
• Why personal outreach succeeds where automated ads often fall short
• How to interpret low engagement and what to do next
• Ways to clarify your offerings for stronger community resonance
• Techniques for boosting conversion rates above the dreaded 10% mark
• Methods to overcome both external apathy and internal team resistance
• Practical steps like gamification, campaign launches, and rotating staff roles
• The role of timely feedback and how it drives ongoing improvement
• Tips for ensuring every community interaction delivers measurable ROI

Don’t let your ground marketing go stale! Tune in now to learn how to refresh your strategy and spark real results.

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Learn More About the Ground Marketing Course Here:

Website: thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/the-ground-marketing-course-open-enrollment

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Host: Michael Arias

Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍

Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society

‍

Love the Podcast? Let Us Know How We're Doing on Apple Podcasts!

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