Since 2009, we've been working with dentists and learning about how other dental marketing agencies function.
In fact, Grace started Identity after working with 4-5 other marketing providers as a client. That's right, she was a marketing director for a 2-location practice in the Chicagoland area. This was her first experience with agencies and let's just say it was "inspiring".
She was "inspired" to create an agency founded on ethics, customer support, and excellent communication, in a response to what was lacking in the dental sphere.
Throughout the years, when we've agreed to "collaborate" or "communicate" with competitors, it has proven to be counterproductive for the client. It's best to have clear lines of responsibilities for a campaign. If you're canceling with one agency, and you have full ownership of your website files, there's nothing you should need from them to transition to a new service provider. All local listings can easily be claimed by business owners at any time with the professional support of the agency you are contracted with. If your agency doesn't know how to help you claim listings, I'd recommend working with a different agency, as this is a process that can render a solution with a simple Google search. "Hey Google, how do I claim my Google business listing?"
There are only 3 reasons I've seen agencies attempt to talk to us about a mutual or past client:
- They want to look like the superior advisor by making accusations against our processes / protocols.
- They want to "pick our brain" to attempt to figure out what we did to get results.
- They honestly don't know how to do rudimentary tasks such as: make custom coded changes to websites, claim and optimize listings, etc. and instead of owning their lack of knowledge, they'd prefer to make it seem like we didn't do something "right" when in reality, every marketing agency has its own processes for what's "right".
When we take on a new account, we work through or processes of helping you to claim and optimize listings, set up the website for management and security, ensure you're the owner of your accounts, and so much more. Never have we needed to consult another agency or learn about their processes in order to fulfill our duties to clients. We know this is not necessary.
Quite frankly, it's a conflict of interest for all involved.
A word on dental marketing "consultants"
Most consultants who advise on marketing strategy are also (secretly) resellers for other agencies. If they're a "non biased" consultant, just know it's VERY likely they take kickbacks from other agencies for referrals. I've had experiences with several of these "non sales" people throughout the years and their goal is to build you up, and get you working with their circle - so that they can earn commissions.
We don't fight for business.
We're not aggressive sales people. We let our stellar reputation and our amazing clients talk on behalf of us. This means when offering a complimentary marketing planning session, we'll give you our best. This doesn't mean we'll get into an argument with a competitor over process to earn your business.
Our time is billed too.
Just like you have billable hours, we do too. All successful businesses consider the highest and best use of our time. These types of discussions with competitors falls on the scale of the worst use of our time and it's not included in our service offerings before, during or after commencing work with us.