A client asked me recently, “How much traction should we expect from this blog post you’ve written?”
It’s a fair question, and one I hear often. But my answer usually surprises people.
Because the truth is: a blog doesn’t create traction by itself.
It’s not a magic button you press and wait for patients to roll in. It’s more like planting a seed. If you don’t water it, give it light, and occasionally trim the weeds, it just…well… sits there.
And that’s exactly what happens on many dental websites. You’ve invested time in writing an insightful blog post, it goes live, looks nice for a week, then quietly drifts into digital obscurity.
But with a bit of ongoing attention, that same post can do far more. It can…
- attract new patients,
- improve SEO,
- and even support your social media and email marketing.
So if you want to make your dental content work harder, find out what smart dental practices are doing using these 6 top tips.
1. They update, not just upload
Think of your blog like a patient recall system. You wouldn’t treat someone once and never check in again, right?
Yet many practices treat blog posts exactly that way: publish once and forget.
The thing is… search engines (and patients) love fresh, relevant content. Updating your posts every 6–12 months keeps them visible and trustworthy.
Let’s say you wrote an article two years ago called “What Counts as a Dental Emergency?”
It might still be accurate, but what if you’ve since added same-day appointments or weekend hours? Or you’ve invested in new tech for urgent care?
A quick update to include that, along with answering some of those all-important patient questions, could help that same article climb back up Google’s rankings and feel more “alive” to readers.
2. They guide readers like they guide patients
Your blog should act like a friendly treatment coordinator, helping patients take the next step.
That’s where internal linking comes in.
Don’t leave readers stranded at the bottom of your post. Instead, guide them somewhere useful: This may be…
- From your blog to a relevant treatment page.
- From a service page to your contact form.
- From an FAQ to your About page.
For example:
“If you’re worried about a chipped tooth, we recently wrote a blog post on how our same-day crowns can restore your smile.”
That kind of signpost keeps readers on your site longer, builds trust, and quietly improves SEO at the same time.
3. They turn attention into action
Imagine a patient nodding along to your blog, completely agreeing, and then closing the tab. That’s what happens without a clear call to action.
A good blog post should always tell someone what they need to do next. Whether that’s to…
- Book a consultation.
- Download a free guide.
- Call the practice for advice.
It doesn’t have to feel “salesy.” In fact, the best CTAs feel like help, not a pitch.
For example:
“Not sure whether veneers or bonding are right for you? Book a free smile consultation and we’ll walk you through your options.”
A small line like that could make all the difference, turning passive readers into active leads. So always, always, include a CTA.
4. They repurpose, not reinvent
Here’s a secret many successful practices have figured out…
“Your website is a content goldmine.”
A strong blog post should never be a one-and-done. Instead, how about using it as the raw material for your next month of marketing?
That same article could become:
- A week’s worth of Instagram posts.
- A short LinkedIn article.
- A patient newsletter feature.
- Even a quick Google Business update.
Repurposing content like this keeps your brand consistent and saves hours of marketing time. It’s like getting multiple fillings done in one visit; less stress, better results!
5. They show real people, not stock smiles
Authenticity is fast becoming the buzzword of the day where Google’s concerned. It’s also one of the biggest ranking factors.
Google’s Helpful Content update rewards content that feels human.
That means swapping out overly polished stock images and replacing them with:
- Real before-and-after cases.
- Patient testimonials.
- A quick quote or tip from the dentist.
Here’s why…
Patients connect with people, not perfection. A genuine story, even a short one, can make your post ten times more relatable and memorable.
See how I started this post with my quick story?
It’s relatable, it’s human, and above all, it works!
6. They measure what matters
Finally, practices that get the most from their dental content are the ones that actually track what they’re doing.
They check:
- Which blogs attract the most visitors.
- Which ones lead to calls or bookings.
- How long people stay on each page.
This isn’t about vanity metrics; it’s about seeing what genuinely helps patients engage.
If a blog about “How to Overcome Dental Anxiety” keeps readers on the page for two minutes longer than others, that’s a clue: do more of that.
So, how much traction should a blog get?
As much as you build into it.
A blog isn’t an event; it’s a process. When you keep refining, linking, repurposing, and measuring, you turn each post from a one-time task into an asset that keeps paying you back.
And that’s when content stops being “something we should probably do” and starts becoming a genuine growth tool for your practice.
Need help writing content that works harder for your practice?
Visit Dental Writers.com to see how I help dental teams create copy that connects and converts.